What work have been you doing beforehand?
I spent ten years as knowledgeable footballer in England.
I used to be lucky to progress via Port Vale’s Academy after becoming a member of at 8, and went on to play for the first-team, in addition to Luton City, Leicester Metropolis and Fleetwood City, earlier than deciding to pursue an alternate profession on the age of 26.
I then labored inside advertising and marketing roles inside completely different sports activities organisations for 5 years, from soccer golf equipment to governing our bodies to sports activities know-how corporations.
What are you doing now?
I now personal and run a digital company known as DRIFT.
I work with skilled athletes to assist them launch and scale their very own companies, both in parallel with or after their sports activities careers. Having the ability to fuse the whole lot I learnt inside advertising and marketing and communications with my love of sport is an actual privilege.
We’re seeing extra athletes pursue their off-field passions and switch them into enterprise ventures, so I feel it’s an thrilling time to be on this area.
Why did you alter?
I made a decision to step away from my skilled soccer profession so much sooner than most do.
It was a call I made by myself accord, and was not compelled via harm. I used to be all the time conscious of the realities of a second profession, and after I felt the trajectory of my soccer profession was not going within the path I needed it to or had envisioned, I selected to be proactive in forging my subsequent path.
The arrival of my daughter accelerated issues and gave me a brand new goal to try to get forward with my subsequent chapter. Relatively than making an attempt to extend my sporting profession and play till I couldn’t run anymore, I needed to enter my thirties with a head begin on most and be in a robust place.
When was the second you determined to make the change?
It was throughout a low level in my profession.
I’d been instructed I wasn’t part of the supervisor’s plans and had been compelled to coach with the youth crew till I discovered a brand new membership. I selected to review a sports activities journalism diploma throughout this era, with one eye on my future profession, benefiting from the Skilled Footballers Affiliation’s bursary.
I’d turn out to be barely disillusioned with the dearth of alternative over the last few seasons, so selected to look inward at what I used to be captivated with, and selected to faucet into my love of storytelling, writing and creativity – ultimately ending up in advertising and marketing.
How did you select your new profession?
By being curious, asking plenty of questions and making connections.
A door opened up for me to turn out to be Head of Media at my native soccer membership, AFC Fylde, after writing a column for the Blackpool Gazette. It actually highlighted the significance of placing your self on the market, as you by no means know who’s studying.
The thought for my enterprise occurred very organically. Having stayed in contact with quite a lot of outdated crew mates and with plenty of contacts nonetheless in soccer, I used to be being approached by them to assist them develop their companies.
It was something from constructing them an internet site, via to social media technique, content material creation and electronic mail advertising and marketing.
It is advanced so much since then, as I now provide full go-to-market companies, however that was an excellent means for me to begin productising what I used to be doing. It allowed me to use all of my new expertise in advertising and marketing and join it to my outdated world as a footballer, including plenty of worth alongside the best way.
Are you pleased with the change?
Completely.
I’m now in a position to provide a extremely distinctive service inside a distinct segment area, but additionally positively affect the lives {of professional} athletes by setting them as much as succeed past their sport.
I struggled with the id shift from skilled athlete, so being ready to assist bridge that hole for others is extraordinarily fulfilling.
I’ve no regrets in any respect.
What do you miss and what do not you miss?
Having a profession in elite sport is exclusive.
It’s high-pressured and relentless. You prepare all week for 90 minutes and stay within the pockets of others for ten gruelling months every season. It’s a rollercoaster, with many ups and downs.
In an odd means, you miss the depth of all of it. The camaraderie and brotherhood that you’re a a part of. The relentless pursuit to win and be higher than the particular person you’re arising towards.
The dressing room isn’t an surroundings you could replicate and it’s greatest to simply accept that early on.
The wins at present are a bit completely different – consumer wins and renewals, fairly than three factors! You additionally fall right into a routine as an athlete, so it’s vital to create your individual routine once you end, be it retaining match or managing your time.
How did you go about making the shift?
I ran DRIFT alongside my day job for round six months, which gave me the possibility to construct my consumer base earlier than taking the leap.
I hear plenty of tales round folks beginning on day one with out a single consumer, however I needed to ensure I had correct market validation, and that the companies I have been providing have been interesting to my viewers. With a household, it is a bit harder stepping away from a steady job with assured earnings.
I reached a tipping level the place I used to be matching what I used to be bringing in with my 9-to-5, and so the transition into operating my very own ship wasn’t too daunting.
How did you develop (or switch) the talents you wanted on your new function?
By doing.
I’m an enormous believer in getting caught into one thing, even for those who lack sure expertise or experiences. In my first function, I knew nothing, however needed to be taught quick and on the job.
Sure, programs are an effective way of upskilling and better schooling would possibly provide among the fundamentals, however nothing beats studying on the job.
Having a mentor to bounce concepts and questions off can also be actually vital, and solely one thing I’ve realised prior to now couple of years as I’ve been rising my very own enterprise.
There are a lot of transferable (and extremely fascinating) persona traits that an athlete can take into their second profession, however there’s quite a lot of information gaps too.
How did you deal with your funds to make your shift doable?
I’m in a really lucky place that I’ve a spouse who’s very career-driven and was in a position to help the household financially all through my transition.
Going from a full-time skilled footballer to nothing creates a large monetary shift. We have been in a position to cut back our outgoings and create a life that was inexpensive for us.
That is actually vital for anybody trying to change careers, as you would possibly must undergo a drop in wage if you wish to begin over.
With out the help round you or making ready for this, you’ll actually battle to make it work and your priorities can transfer from ‘discovering a satisfying profession’ to ‘the place is the subsequent paycheque?’.
What assist did you get? 
In all honesty, not so much.
I used to be blessed with a extremely understanding line supervisor in my first advertising and marketing function, who understood the place I used to be at in my profession and understood the transition I used to be going via, which I feel was actually vital. The PFA supported me with my schooling.
Apart from that, it was right down to me to create my very own path. As a footballer, you’re used to having issues performed for you and your agent creating new profession alternatives for you. However as quickly as you step out of that bubble, you’re by yourself, and you must step outdoors of your consolation zone.
I grew to become actually lively on LinkedIn to construct my very own private model, related with individuals who I assumed might open doorways for me and bought myself into rooms that I most likely wasn’t certified to be in. It’s solely then that issues begin to occur. No person owes you something.
What have you ever learnt within the course of?
I’ve learnt concerning the significance of constructing a community.
I grew to become lively on LinkedIn, purely as a result of I beloved writing. This enabled me to construct an engaged on-line group and community, which I’m now in a position to attain out to for a lot of completely different causes.
Constructing that is such a game-changer, and I want I did it so much sooner.
I feel letting go of your previous and going all-in together with your new profession is crucial if you’re to make the change successful.
Yow will discover your self trying again so much. Pals reminding you of sure moments in your earlier profession, inflicting you to reminisce. You end up to making an attempt to cling onto your outdated id, and it may be troublesome to create a brand new one.
For my whole life, I used to be often known as ‘Joe the footballer’, after which someday that id is gone. Issues began to turn out to be simpler as soon as I let go of that, accepted it and began to forge my very own path, specializing in the current and future.
What would you advise others to do in the identical scenario?
I’d encourage others to assume proactively about their subsequent profession, notably in the event that they’re not having fun with it.
There’s no disgrace in altering course. You would possibly expertise emotions of guilt, particularly if folks have sacrificed issues alongside the journey that can assist you get to the place you probably did. However it’s vital to prioritise your individual happiness.
For those who see a greater alternative elsewhere and really feel captivated with it, go after it.
To search out out extra about Joe’s work, go to https://driftdigital.uk
What classes might you’re taking from Joe’s story to make use of in your individual profession change? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
