Most athletes don’t plan their exit, it happens to them, an injury, a contract ending, or a conversation they didn’t expect. For Toby Salmon, former professional rugby player with Exeter Chiefs, Newcastle Falcons, Agen Rugby and Rouen Normandie Rugby, injury was the catalyst, instead of ignoring it, he used it.

In this episode of Athlete to Athlete: Lessons for Life Beyond the Game, Toby shares how injury forced him to confront the question most athletes delay: “What happens when this stops?”

He didn’t panic, he explored. While still playing, Toby began speaking to athletes who had already transitioned. He researched programmes, he asked questions, and he weighed up whether another two years would genuinely move him forward, or simply delay the inevitable.

Today, he is a Senior Consultant at KPMG China, specialising in finance transformation, and a graduate of the EY Athlete Transition Programme. What makes this episode powerful isn’t just where he landed, it’s how he thought.

This conversation unpacks:

• Why corporations actively seek athletes
• Why soft skills are your unfair advantage
• Why trying something new is rarely as hard as you imagine
• Why networking isn’t transactional - it’s curiosity
• And why waiting until the final whistle is a risk you don’t need to take

Toby reframes transition as a strategic decision, not an emotional reaction. If you’re still competing and telling yourself “I’ll think about it later”, this episode challenges that narrative.

Key Takeaways

• Injury can be a catalyst, not a catastrophe
• Ask: will another contract add growth - or just time?
• Corporations value athletes for mindset, not technical skill
• Hard skills can be taught - leadership, resilience, and drive can’t
• Trying something new is usually easier than you think
• Use the “safety net” of sport to explore
• Networking = curiosity, not asking for favours
• Athletes are in a unique position - people want to speak with you

This is not about leaving early, it’s about leaving intelligently.

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.

Connect and Contact

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email: [email protected]

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