Few athletes have conquered the sporting world like Joyce Sombroek. Olympic gold and silver medallist, double World Goalkeeper of the Year, and Dutch field hockey legend, Joyce has stood at the pinnacle of elite sport, and faced the difficult reality of what comes next.

In this powerful and honest conversation, Joyce opens up about the injury that ended her career, the emotional challenges of stepping away from something she’d given her life to, and the deliberate, structured approach that helped her move forward. She shares how developing her identity beyond hockey, through medicine, study, and purpose, gave her a smoother transition, and why athletes must never wait until it’s too late to start thinking about life beyond the game.

Key takeaways:

• Plan your transition before you live it, don’t wait for injury or circumstance to force it.
• Your sport is part of who you are, but it isn’t all you are.
• Taking control of your transition in steps allows you to move forward with clarity, not crisis.
• Balance performance with preparation, discipline off the field can extend and enrich your career.
• If you don’t know what’s next, talk to people, try new things, and stay curious, exploration leads to clarity.

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.