How do we get ready for when the last final whistle blows?

Arguably, there are only two certainties in any sporting career: (1) the career will start and (2) the career will end. Quite rightly, as sport and exercise scientists, we often spend much of our time working between those two points, with a view to helping athletes achieve optimal health and performance. However, when retirement hits, it is often one of the most difficult challenges for many athletes. This challenge can be made even harder if the retirement is involuntary (e.g., due to severe injury) and can result in lower levels of health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, decreased self-esteem, loss of identity, and potential concerns over future finances (see Gledhill & Forsdyke, 2021 for a discussion). Therefore, the purpose of this article is to discuss strategies we can use to support athletes in preparing for their retirement.