We sit down with Oliver Soames, former first-class cricketer, to explore how life on the field shaped his approach to planning, networking, and building a purposeful career beyond sport.

Oliver reflects on the reality that not every career ends with a fairytale finish, and why that makes preparation and honest conversations so important. He shares how opening up to other athletes and leaning into your network can provide unexpected opportunities, valuable perspective, and even peace of mind.

From handling the emotional side of transition to understanding the power of using your platform while you still have it, Oliver’s story is a grounded and inspiring reminder that you’re not alone, and you’re more prepared than you think.

Key Takeaways:

• Use your time and network wisely
• Preparation brings peace
• You’re not alone
• Find your bubble
• There’s life beyond the scoreboard

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 organizations, 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.

Check out these powerful conversations:

Jonny Kennedy

Jess Roper

Connect and Contact

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

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

We sit down with Jonny Kennedy, a former professional rugby player whose promising career was cut short at just 21 due to repeated concussions. Reluctantly stepping away from the game, Jonny made the difficult but correct decision to prioritise his health, reminding us all that the brain is our most important organ.

Jonny’s journey since rugby has been anything but linear. He initially transitioned into the family business, leading a new renewables project, but something was missing. That unshakable drive, the itch for something meaningful, pushed him to co-found Neubria, a brain health company, alongside his wife.

Jonny opens up about the emotional and mental health challenges that followed his retirement. Despite having a support system and something to fall back on, the struggle was real. Jonny unpacks the shift from control in sport, where performance can be improved with extra reps, to the unpredictable nature of injury and forced transition.

Key Takeaways:

• "I begrudgingly stopped playing."
• Mental health matters.
• You can’t control everything.
• Have a growth mindset.
• Start planning now.
• Know yourself.
• Have humility.

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 organizations, 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

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

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

We sit down with Jess Roper, two-time English kickboxing champion, to explore her evolution from elite athlete to motivational speaker, mindset coach, and, most significantly, mother. Jess opens up about her biggest transition yet: becoming a mum, and how that life shift shaped her clarity, purpose, and ambition.

Through her personal growth journey, Jess highlights how working on yourself isn’t just powerful, it’s essential. She shares the importance of identifying the tools you want to carry with you for life, and how self-awareness helped her gain direction and vision beyond her sporting career.

From the ring to the world of personal development, Jess talks about how sport instilled a mindset for success and why thinking big, and thinking early, can open doors you didn’t know existed. She encourages athletes and non-athletes alike to ask for help, seek out mentors, and never let fear dictate their decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Your biggest transitions may happen outside of sport.
• Invest in your growth.
• Harness the mindset sport gave you.
• Start early, dream big.
• Get support.
• Don’t let fear stop you.

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 organizations, 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.

If Jess’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Don Armand

Nick De Luca

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

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

We sit down with Will Mellors-Blair, former professional footballer and founder of TrueMind and Mindora, to explore his transition from elite sport to building businesses that empower individuals and organisations.

Will shares his journey of stepping away from professional football, the challenges of redefining his identity, and how he discovered his passion for neuroscience, human potential, and high performance. Now, through his ventures, he helps individuals optimise their mindset and performance, proving that success beyond sport starts with self-awareness and adaptability.

Key Takeaways:

• Leverage your skills, talents, and passion.
• Stay connected to what lights you up.
• Diversify your identity.

TrueMind - TrueMind | Advancing Mental Performance Intelligence in Sports

Mindora - Mindora: The New Era of Human Performance

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 organizations, 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.

More episodes you won’t want to miss:

Gareth Steenson

Alex Tait

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Will Fraser, former Saracens rugby player and founder of 100 and First, 100 and First Foundation, and Pineapple, to explore his journey from professional sport to building multiple businesses.

Will shares the realities of stepping away from elite rugby, the uncertainty that followed, and how he navigated his transition by testing different industries, learning through experience, and leaning into his network. Now, as a successful entrepreneur, he helps businesses, teams, and individuals build high-performance cultures, a skillset he honed during his rugby career.

Key Takeaways:

• Try, learn, and adapt
• Your network is your biggest asset
• The right questions lead to the right opportunities
• Translating sporting success into business

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

If Will’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Don Armand

Nick De Luca

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Will Foden, former Doncaster Knights rugby player and founder of Built for Pressure, to discuss his journey from professional sport to coaching high-performance individuals.

Will opens up about the realities of stepping away from elite rugby, the challenges of finding a new purpose, a new identity, and how he turned his passion for resilience and mental toughness into a business. Now, through Built for Pressure, he works with athletes, professionals, and teams to help them handle stress, perform under pressure, and maximise their potential.

Key Takeaways:

· Thriving under pressure

· Transitioning with purpose

· Lessons from the game

· Building something bigger

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

If Will’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Gareth Steenson

Alex Tait

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Mark Turner, former first-class cricketer, to explore his journey beyond the game.

After years of competing at an elite level, Mark faced the challenge that every athlete must eventually confront, what comes next? He shares his transition story, the shift in identity that followed, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From adapting to new career paths to carrying a high-performance mindset into life beyond sport, Mark’s insights offer valuable lessons for athletes at any stage of their journey.

Key Takeaways:

• Winning mindset, winning future.
• Adaptability is everything.
• Opportunities exist beyond the game.
• Stay competitive, stay curious.

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

If Mark’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Chris Cook

Chris shares his unique journey from elite swimming to life beyond the pool, emphasising the importance of dialling up your agility, exploring new passions and opportunities while still competing.

Nick De Luca

Discover how Nick prepared for life beyond rugby, the mindset shifts that helped him transition, and the lessons he now applies in his career.

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Joe Jacobson, former professional footballer, to explore his journey beyond the game.

After years of competing at the highest level, Joe faced the challenge that every athlete will encounter, what happens next? He opens up about his transition, the identity shifts that came with leaving football, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From navigating new career opportunities to redefining success beyond the pitch, Joe’s story is one that every athlete can learn from.

Key Takeaways:

·       Your Career Doesn’t End, It Evolves.

·       Preparation is Power.

·       Transferable Skills Are Game-Changers.

·       Mindset Matters.

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 national 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

Episodes you won’t want to miss:

Don Armand

Chris Cook

Listen now and take control of your future beyond sport!

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Don Armand, former Exeter Chiefs and England international rugby player, to unpack his journey beyond professional rugby.

Don shares what it really takes to transition out of elite sport, the challenges, the mindset shifts, and the lessons learned along the way. He opens up about stepping into the unknown, building a new sense of purpose, and the things he wishes he had considered earlier in his career.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start preparing early
2. Take ownership of your transition
3. Develop an identity beyond sport
4. Transition is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity

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 national 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

If Don’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Chris Cook

Chris shares his unique journey from elite swimming to life beyond the pool, emphasising the importance of dialling up your agility, exploring new passions and opportunities while still competing.

Nick De Luca

Discover how Nick prepared for life beyond rugby, the mindset shifts that helped him transition, and the lessons he now applies in his career.

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:

[email protected]

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

We sit down with Robert Van Der Horst, former Dutch Olympic hockey player and World Player of the Year, to explore his journey beyond elite sport.

Robert opens up about the challenges of leaving professional hockey, the mindset shifts required to navigate life after sport, and how he found his new purpose in the world of business and coaching. From the highs of being the best in the world to the uncertainty of what comes next, he shares invaluable lessons for athletes at any stage of their careers.

Key Takeaways:

1. Success in sport doesn’t guarantee success afterward.
2. Be willing to explore.
3. Rebuild your competitive edge.
4. Embrace the unknown.

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 national 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

If Robert’s insights resonated with you, here are a few more episodes you won’t want to miss:

Gareth Steenson

Gareth shares his unique journey from professional rugby to life beyond the pitch, highlighting the importance of adaptability, exploring new passions, and seizing opportunities while still playing.

Alex Tait

Explore how Alex navigated his transition from professional rugby, the key mindset shifts that shaped his journey, and the valuable lessons he's carried into his 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:

[email protected]

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