Life After Athletics
9/8/2026 8:35:00 AM | Spiritual Formation
Written by: Jason Montgomery
"And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Over the first several months post-graduation, I ran into many things that exposed my need for community. Being on a team means being in a community that you have to choose to escape(in most cases). You live with your teammates, you eat with your teammates, you travel with your teammates etc. Even times when you might not want to see them, odds are, you have practice tomorrow and will have to spend time with them anyway.
I can confidently say, having a built-in community bred some of the best times I have ever had. I heard all the time about how hard the transition is, and I wish I would have listened more carefully. There were times where I was lonely. Though in my loneliness I did not reach out to others, but instead was prideful. I thought reaching out to others or trying to attach myself to the plans of others made me look desperate or that I didn't have anything else to do (when in reality, sometimes I didn't).
In Hebrews 10: 24-25, it tells us not to neglect to gather together. I, quite frankly, was not doing that how I should have been. The reason why the gathering is so important is stated in the rest of the passage. It begins by saying to watch out for one another in order to provoke love and good works. Provoke, in a positive sense here, requires more than one person. How can I provoke or be provoked by anyone if I'm by myself?
The next part touches on something that I have more recently felt the effects of. It speaks about encouraging one another. There is a bible study run by a man named Taylor Barnette (a former bruin, but we love him anyway). I attended this study while in school, and decided to keep going after graduating. There is also a study that I do with some members of my family. God had to help me put my pride aside, invest my time, and lean into these gatherings. I was so encouraged by the people involved and it allowed me to take on an encouraging attitude as well.
Life after athletics is definitely a big transition. Pride and other factors kept me from gathering, which kept me from being provoked and encouraged. This in turn did not allow me to show up and walk the way I needed to. Everyone needs to be poured into, and we also have the responsibility to pour into others.
If there is one thing I can encourage you with, it's to not brush past your need for community. Do not let the challenging post-athletics transition keep you from the love, encouragement, and good works that come from being in a great community. Even if it's a weekly phone call or meal, do not underestimate the power of consistently gathering with each other and the Lord!
"And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Over the first several months post-graduation, I ran into many things that exposed my need for community. Being on a team means being in a community that you have to choose to escape(in most cases). You live with your teammates, you eat with your teammates, you travel with your teammates etc. Even times when you might not want to see them, odds are, you have practice tomorrow and will have to spend time with them anyway.
I can confidently say, having a built-in community bred some of the best times I have ever had. I heard all the time about how hard the transition is, and I wish I would have listened more carefully. There were times where I was lonely. Though in my loneliness I did not reach out to others, but instead was prideful. I thought reaching out to others or trying to attach myself to the plans of others made me look desperate or that I didn't have anything else to do (when in reality, sometimes I didn't).
In Hebrews 10: 24-25, it tells us not to neglect to gather together. I, quite frankly, was not doing that how I should have been. The reason why the gathering is so important is stated in the rest of the passage. It begins by saying to watch out for one another in order to provoke love and good works. Provoke, in a positive sense here, requires more than one person. How can I provoke or be provoked by anyone if I'm by myself?
The next part touches on something that I have more recently felt the effects of. It speaks about encouraging one another. There is a bible study run by a man named Taylor Barnette (a former bruin, but we love him anyway). I attended this study while in school, and decided to keep going after graduating. There is also a study that I do with some members of my family. God had to help me put my pride aside, invest my time, and lean into these gatherings. I was so encouraged by the people involved and it allowed me to take on an encouraging attitude as well.
Life after athletics is definitely a big transition. Pride and other factors kept me from gathering, which kept me from being provoked and encouraged. This in turn did not allow me to show up and walk the way I needed to. Everyone needs to be poured into, and we also have the responsibility to pour into others.
If there is one thing I can encourage you with, it's to not brush past your need for community. Do not let the challenging post-athletics transition keep you from the love, encouragement, and good works that come from being in a great community. Even if it's a weekly phone call or meal, do not underestimate the power of consistently gathering with each other and the Lord!
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