Your next chapter starts here.
A sponsored group programme helping athletes navigate life after sport. 1 night per week, for 6 weeks.
Starts 30 October 2025
Funded by the Jacobs Futura Foundation
An invitation for recently retired athletes.
ENTRIES CLOSE 24 OCTOBER. Only 16 places available per group.
When the game ends, the change begins.
Every athlete reaches this moment.
When the season ends, the structure fades, and you start asking what comes next.
First Steps is where you explore that question alongside others who understand it.
With support, structure, and expert guidance.
What is First Steps?
A 6-week online programme, 1 night per week, for athletes in transition.
What you can expect:
1. Understand yourself
Discover who you are beyond sport through guided self-awareness tools.
2. Learn in community
Join a small, confidential group of 16 athletes building their next chapter with confidence.
3. Redefine success
Build purpose, confidence, and direction for what’s next.
4. Led by experts
Delivered by Reboot, Human First, and The True Athlete Project.
5. Free to join
Fully funded by the Jacobs Futura Foundation.
Complimentary for athletes
Your 6 sessions at a glance.
Week 1: Welcome & Introduction. Setting up for success.
Week 2: Developing self-awareness. Discovering the human/self within (or beyond) the athlete. Enneagram and self-assessment.
Week 3: Understanding the athlete mindset. The psychology & neuroscience of change. Recognising and avoiding old habits and traps
Week 4: Looking back to look forward. Unpacking the athlete identity and performance mindset.
Week 5: Reconnecting to a deeper purpose. Transferable skills, using our strengths and accessing the best of the athlete identity.
Week 6: Celebrations & reflections. Exploring exit pathways.
Limited spots available
Six evenings. One team. Support that lasts well beyond the programme.
Transition from sport
with clarity and structure
First Steps gives you structure, a team, and a place to start.
✅ Supported by the Jacobs Futura Foundation
✅ Trusted delivery partners Reboot, Human First & The True Athlete Project
✅ 100+ athletes supported since 2023
Final entries close on 24 October. Secure one of our limited group spots.
Join the October Cohort
Questions you might have
Who can apply?
From the UK or anywhere in the world.
Our programmes are open to all athletes, however where possible, our focus will be on supporting athletes who meet any of the below criteria:
- Athletes who retired during or after the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic cycle.
- Athletes from any sport who have been on UK Sport’s World-Class Programme.
- Athletes who have competed in a senior international competition for Great Britain or any of the home nations (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
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Is it really free?
Yes. First Steps is fully funded by the Jacobs Futura Foundation, which means there’s no cost to you. You simply need to commit your time and energy. Everything else is covered.
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What’s the time commitment?
The programme runs for six weeks, with one live online session per week (around 90 minutes each). You’ll also have access to short exercises and reflection prompts between sessions — designed to fit around life after sport, not overwhelm it.
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Do I need to be in the UK?
No. The programme is open to athletes worldwide, though it’s currently delivered in English and hosted online. You’ll join a small, diverse group of peers (often from different sports and countries) who are all navigating a similar transition.
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What happens after the programme?
After completing First Steps, you’ll have the option to continue your journey in different pathways.
This can be inside a Reboot forum, our 12-month peer-led community for retired athletes. You’ll stay connected to others from your cohort, have access to ongoing forums, coaching, and growth tools.
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So the support doesn’t end when the six weeks do
Delivered in partnership with
