This informal CPD article, ‘Importance of language: Transition vs Retirement and How Changing the Language Impacts Behaviour’, was provided by ACT Community, an organisation focused on matching athletes with their next careers as athlete careers transition. They partner with businesses to offer programs designed by athletes, for athletes, equipping them with the skills, networks, and resources they need to succeed.
For athletes on the edge of leaving their sporting careers, the choice between calling this moment a ‘transition’ versus a ‘retirement’ is more than just words. Language influences self-perception, emotional adjustment and even successful integration into life beyond sport. This article delves into why we use the word ‘transition’ when talking about athlete’s ending their sporting careers, how it impacts behaviors and why choosing words mindfully can support healthier and more adaptive outcomes for athletes.
Transition Vs Retirement: Why the Difference Matters
Using the word ‘retirement’ to describe the end of an athlete’s competitive career may raise thoughts such as ‘final’ and ‘loss’. For many, it suggests exiting a core part of their identity and stepping into the unknown, which can lead to feelings of grief, loss of purpose and even psychological distress (Voorheis et al., 2023) (5).
In contrast, transition’ frames this change as a process, something that is ongoing and therefore manageable and full of possibilities. Research has highlighted that athletes who approach the end of their career as a ‘transition’ rather than a ‘retirement’ are often better equipped to adapt, reframe their identity and continue to thrive beyond sport (Stambulova & Schinke, 2025) (3).
The Psychology of Language
Language is not only a means of communication, it also shapes beliefs, expectations and therefore subsequent behaviours (Johnston et al., 2023) (2). When we use the word ‘transition’ we are:
- Implying growth, evolution and adaptation.
- Encouraging athletes to see and use their transferable skills in new opportunities.
- Supporting continuity by emphasizing the skills, values and discipline an athlete has once had in their sporting life. (Holding et al., 2020) (1)
Whereas the word ‘retirement’ can be linked with an abrupt ending and reinforce the idea that an athlete’s worth IS tied solely to their sport and sporting achievements, making the psychological and mental adjustment more challenging (Voorheis et al., 2023) (5)
Language and Identity
One of the biggest challenges an athlete may face when leaving their sport is a loss of identity. Research has suggested that those with a strong athletic identity can struggle significantly with life after sport, particularly when faced with an unexpected or abrupt ending to their sporting careers (Zimet et al., 2024) (6). By using the language of ‘transition’ this can help an athlete:
- See themselves as more than just a sports person or competitor.
- Frame their new reality as a continuum rather than an ending.
Behavioural Effects of Language
So how does the language we use impact or change behaviour? Athletes that are exposed to the word ‘transition’ are more likely to take proactive steps such as exploring new interests, begin planning for their next steps and seeking out social support (Rosetta Stone, 2023) (4) networks.
Practical Ways to Start Changing the Conversation
So how can we start shifting the language we use to be more helpful?
- Consistently use the word ‘transition’ in conversations and when talking to athletes leaving sport.
- Train coaches and staff working with athletes on the psychological impacts of language choices.
Conclusion
The way we talk about the end of an athlete’s sporting career can either create barriers or open doors. Shifting from a language of ‘retirement’ to ‘transition’ is suggested to support emotional wellbeing, proactive planning and healthier behaviour change.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from ACT Community, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
References
(1) Holding, A., Fortin, J., Carpentier, J., Hope, N., & Koestner, R. (2018). Letting Go of Gold: Examining the Role of Autonomy in Elite Athletes’ Disengagement from Their Athletic Careers and Well-Being in Retirement. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 14(1), 88–108. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2018-0029
(2) Johnston, K., McAuley, A. B. T., Kelly, A. L., & Baker, J. (2023). Language games and blurry terminology: Can clarity enhance athlete development? Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1150047
(3) Stambulova, N., & Schinke, R. J. (2025). A commentary: Aspiring athletes’ transition literacy and beyond. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology,
1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2025.2495573
(4) Stone, R. S. F. (2023, August 7). Language training: A winning strategy for sports pros. Rosetta Stone Enterprise
Blog. https://enterpriseblog.rosettastone.com/language-training-in-sport/
(5) Voorheis, P., Silver, M., & Consonni, J. (2023). Adaptation to life after sport for retired athletes: A scoping review of existing reviews and programs. PLoS ONE, 18(9),
e0291683. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291683
(6) Zimet, D., McDuff, D., Iannone, V. N., & Moser, R. P. (2024). Elite athletes’ subjective wellbeing trajectories throughout the retirement transition: an analysis using Ruthven’s (2022) transition model. International Review of Psychiatry, 36(3),
272–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2024.2365417
