Keeth Smart walked away from the fencing world for the second time after a devastating loss at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where his team missed out on winning a medal because he choked in two critical competitions. He went back to his college campus defeated, ready to leave the sport forever and move on to a promising career in business. What followed was a story of perseverance, heartbreak, and a pursuit of excellence that not only led to a silver Olympic medal, but a successful business career after he retired. Keeth’s ability to train as a professional athlete while preparing for life after sport demonstrates that it’s possible to have an optimal transition from professional athletics.