Retired At 19: The Life Of A Retired Competitive Athlete | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Retired At 19: The Life Of A Retired Competitive Athlete

We are not defined by our competitive years. Instead, we are defined by how we have learned from them and continue to grow in the future from those experiences.

42
Retired At 19: The Life Of A Retired Competitive Athlete
Cassie Kemmel

For 11 years, my life lived and breathed Allstar cheerleading. I planned work around cheer. I planned friend time around cheer. I missed many basketball and football games because of competitions. I missed many friend hangouts because of practice or competitions. For those 11 years, I only focused on cheer and school.

I am just like many other former competitive athletes who have since retired form their sport due to injury or just aging out. Nothing can prepare you for having to give it all up one day, whether it's your choice to stop or not.

Life without a competitive sport is odd, especially for someone like myself who spent over half their life so far competing. I miss that adrenaline rush. I miss the intense practices where I prayed I would make it out alive. I miss having a team behind me to back me up no matter what.

Being retired at 19 is a challenge. I do not plan my life around competing anymore. I do not look forward to winter as much because I will not be stepping out onto that competition floor anymore. Without a sport, now I only have school and work to get 100% of my focus. It makes me feel almost empty without the sport there to buffer and mix up my time.

Retirement at 19 brings some muscle mass loss of course because my current physical activity is no where close to what it was during those 11 years, and I am sure I am not the only one in that boat. For cheer, it's not like I can go stunt and tumble for fun at the Rec or in Eagle field. I need equipment for it which may be the most frustrating part of having done the sport I did for so long. For those of you who can just play a game of volleyball, soccer, or football where ever you are, you are so lucky.

I wish my competitive cheer career would have lasted longer but I had to stop at some point. Everyone does. It is now about what we do after retirement with our time and effort. You do not have to leave your sport for good. You can work at your old gym or coach kids at a local recreation department program too. There is always an outlet around to bring you back to the sport that you love.

Many people who have since retired from their sport feel very strongly that their sport shaped who they are today, and I cannot agree more. I constantly find myself thinking back to what opportunities and friends I was exposed to just because I walked into an Allstar cheerleading gym at 8 years old. Now, it is time to branch out and find something new I love and am good at, just like every other retired competitive athlete. We are not defined by our competitive years. Instead, we are defined by how we have learned from them and continue to grow in the future from those experiences.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

A Year At JMU As Told By 'Bob's Burgers'

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

582
Bob's Burgers
collegian.com

A year at JMU promises many great adventures. The journey of becoming a duke and learning what being a duke is all about is really exciting and a lot of fun. Of course, we all know that James Madison University is the greatest university in Virginia (perhaps even the entire country). There are many events and moments at JMU that are cherished and remembered by all dukes.

Keep Reading...Show less
birthday party

My birthday has never been my favorite holiday. I've found that I'm more excited to celebrate my friends' and family members' birthdays more than my own. I don't like being the center of attention, so I usually celebrate over dinner with a small group of family and friends. This way, I can enjoy myself naturally without feeling like I have to entertain everyone and make sure they are satisfied. In the past when I've had large parties, I was so nervous that people weren't perfectly content that I didn't enjoy myself at my own celebration.

Keep Reading...Show less
thinking
College Informations

Most of us have already started the spring semester, and for those of you who haven't started yet, you suck.

It seems like coming back from winter break wouldn't really be a break all things considered, since we all come back to school and pick up right where we left off. We know exactly what to expect, yet we're unprepared every single time.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Dear Future Me, Life Is Tough But Please Remember These 14 Things

You can forget to breathe OR to buy fruit OR to even pet a dog but you cannot forget these things!!

235
Dear Future Me, Life Is Tough But Please Remember These 14 Things
Distractify

Dear Future Me,

I know you still overthink everything and you care too much, but I hope you're loving life regardless of what you're going through. Trust me the ups and downs in life are helping you and shaping you remember that. I know that you think you are wiser and "cooler" than me now but I hope you remember these 14 things that have taught you so much already.

Keep Reading...Show less
I'm serious

There are tons of unisex names that are popular: Taylor, Alex, Bailey, etc. There are also numerous names that are used for both sexes, but they’re not seen as “unisex” yet. People are slowly becoming accustomed to the dual use of these names, but for the most part, in their minds they associate certain names with certain sexes. And that leaves those of us with these names in many awkward situations.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments