Jandals in Japan Podcast guest Jess Souchon featured at ANZCCJ “After Rugby” event

This topic is moving up higher on the list of priorities, for any athletes involved in rugby, who are nearing the end of their career as an athlete. It’s not always the case that players winding up their rugby careers wish to go on the coaching circle. So what do athletes do to transition from a sporting career to a business career? That was the topic on offer at the ANZCCJ’s March 9 gathering I attended to hear the voices of a few current and former players, sharing first-hand reflections on navigating identity change, reframing athletic strengths for corporate environments, developing new technical capability, building strategic networks, and planning long-term financial and career pathways.

Especially the wonderful insights of Jess Souchon who was featured in Episode 22 of the Jandals in Japan Podcast were a highlight. As Head Performance Analyst for the Mitsubishi DynaBoars, and only female speaker, Jess gave different perspectives to her fellow panelists. My takeaways:

1. How athletes successfully reposition themselves, leverage their high-performance mindset, and build rewarding second careers beyond the field is about preparing early on in their career not 6 months from retirement

2. Seeking out information of what is possible from others in the business community makes sense and not dismissing an idea before you traverse it with an independent person is key 

3. Even if you don’t know where the “thing you do” such as an MBA while playing rugby, will lead you later, just do it and things will fall into place at the right time.