😲 “100% sport was never for me” [Risto Mätas, 🇬🇧 London & 🇧🇷 Rio Olympian]
In a way, this statement touches on the paradox of being an elite athlete explored in season 1 of The Sporting Transition Podcast.
As an unfunded double Olympian, work has always been a necessary part of his identity. So in many ways, Risto Mätas didn’t have a particularly difficult transition – he was eagerly awaiting his chance to commit fully to his career.
But when asked:
🗣 “could you have performed better at the Olympics had you been full time?” the answer was unequivocally “yes” – but there were no regrets on the balance he had to strike between work & athletics. Crucially, he wouldn’t change anything.
And Risto Mätas is a class act, I was luckily enough to spend time with him whilst recruiting internationally. His commitment to work alongside his sport really stood out in the process & something I personally admired, even if it meant he didn’t fulfil all of his sporting ambitions. Ultimately, he did what was right for him, and 10 years on – there is clearly no regret, even if his medal cabinet is not quite as shiny as funded athletes 🏆 .
Alice Davies shares her journey from aspiring film composer to GB rower and into sales development, balancing sport, injury, and life beyond athletics.
Endurance athlete Charles Cousins shares his journey from Olympic rowing to scuba diving in Mozambique and a fulfilling career at Passle. Dive into his inspiring story of commitment, sacrifices, and finding balance beyond sport.
From GB swimmer to SDR Team Lead, Sophie Evans shares her journey, balancing medicine, sport, and the leap into a fulfilling sales career.