Why I am sharing this again now

Even before becoming a professional athlete, I fully understood that I had to think about my second career.

During my university days, I even researched and wrote a thesis on the second careers of rugby players. What became clear through that was the reality that many players feel anxious about their future after their athletic careers end.

Work after retirement.
Changes in income.
Connection to society.
One's own value.

Even if you can turn a blind eye to it while you are still competing, it is a problem that everyone must face someday.

Of course, that fact applied to me as well.

That is precisely why I was able to think about my second career from a relatively early stage and have spent time developing my vision.

However, thinking about it and putting it into practice were two completely different things.
My dreams and ambitions just kept expanding.

As I got older, I began to realize that the time I could play as a rugby player was by no means long.

Furthermore, there was my injury last year.

The time I couldn't play rugby as I wanted was also a time for me to face myself.

"What will I do to make a living from here on out?"

That question circled in my head over and over again.

On the other hand, I also had these feelings.

Is it really right to spend more time thinking about my second career?

Shouldn't I be pouring more of myself into rugby during this athletic career that I only have now?

Preparation for the future versus my athletic career right in front of me.

I have been wavering between the two.

The more I thought about it, the less I could see the answer, and the anxiety never went away.

But recently, I started to think one thing.

This anxiety is surely not mine alone.

It is not just professional athletes; many people live with anxiety about their future.

If that's the case, maybe there is no need to hide the process.

Instead of just talking about things that went well, I will try sharing my worries and my confusion just as they are.

I might be able to share my feelings with players in similar circumstances or anyone who feels anxious about their future.

And if the sight of me struggling while moving forward can give someone even a little bit of courage, I would be happy.

With that thought in mind, I decided to restart this note.

From now on, I would like to share stories about my second career, what I am actually thinking about and how I am facing myself, and also about the mentality of being a rugby player.

I don't have the right answers.

In fact, I am still in the middle of searching for them.

That is precisely why I would be happy if this record could serve as a reference for someone or become a catalyst for us to think together.

I look forward to your support.

PS: If you have any questions or requests for themes you would like me to write about, please let me know! I'm waiting for your comments and messages!
Let's do our best for another week starting tomorrow!🔥