There is a constant question that lingers in the back of athletes’ heads at some point in time. Who am I, without my sport, if that is all I ever thought I was?
For many, self-worth and identity become tied to their sport. The reality is sports aren’t forever. Sports can easily be taken away at any moment. This could be due to retirement, injury, or any other circumstance, and once it happens, it feels like a part of you has been lost.
When athletes tie their worth and identity to their sport, they risk feeling drained or lost once it is all over, and honestly, athletes truly never know when it will be all over. That is why it is crucial for athletes to know who they are without it.
As an athlete in my sophomore year of high school, I found myself identifying entirely as an athlete. My performance started to affect my everyday life. It affected my mood, sleep schedule, my relationship with peers, and even how I viewed myself. If I didn’t perform to my full potential, I believed I was nothing, and if I did perform to my expectations, I was on top of the world. If a sport has that effect on you in that way, then something should obviously change. So I seeked help from upperclassmen.
Rebecca Kepes, a senior, also struggled with her identity outside of basketball, feeling she was only known for the sport. The summer before her senior year, she tore her ACL which led to uncertainty about her future without basketball. During this devastating time and setback, Kepes found the good in it. She said that without this injury, she would have never had time to deepen her faith and discover who she was beyond sports.
Kepes reflected on her journey, saying, “This has been one of the hardest lessons as an athlete to learn, that you are so much more than just your sport.” She overcame the feeling of being defined by basketball by realizing her worth is not tied to her athleticness. Instead she embraced the understanding that she is much more than just an athlete. Kepes shared, “I am a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.” She concluded, “I knew that my place in Heaven wasn’t about how many points I scored, but how I can honor God in all my decisions daily.” This perspective helped her find her purpose and identity beyond a sport.
Kepes encourages others to give themselves grace, reminding them that this process takes time and won’t be figured out in one day. She advises to not tie all of your emotions and sense of worth into your sport. Instead, she suggested that you pay attention to the hobbies and activities that bring you the most joy and lean into them. While sports are important and can shape you into who you will become, they are only one little part of a much larger story. Sports help develop you into who you are. They are not what you are.
If you’re unsure of where to begin in discovering your identity beyond sports, start by asking yourself a few honest questions. When am I my best self? What qualities are valuable about me that have nothing to do with athletics? What do I want to learn, experience, and contribute regardless of my performance? Exploring new hobbies, volunteering, or simply just spending time with people outside of your sport can help discover new aspects of yourself. Remember, your identity is made up of your values, talents, passion, relationships, and even dreams. It is not just your athletic achievements. Every step you take, even if it is a tiny one, takes you closer to understanding who you truly are with or without sports. You are far more than an athlete.
