8 Careers for Ex-Athletes and Retired Athletes

If you’re on the hunt for a new job, the range of careers for ex-athletes is vast. The skills and experiences you gained as an athlete are invaluable and can equip you with the skills to tackle various professional opportunities.

Athletes possess a blend of physical skill and mental strength that significantly enhances your success in a variety of careers. Years of adhering to tough training schedules and coping with losses set you up to be resilient and disciplined. And you learned how to be a team player that’s both determined and goal-oriented. Only 23.2% of the U.S. population participated in team sports in 2022, making your athletic mindset an asset.

The combination of these skills enables you to achieve your goals both on and off the field. Here are some rewarding careers for ex-athletes that can help you turn your passion into a lucrative opportunity.

1. Life Coach

Leverage your experience hitting goals and living a disciplined life as a life coach. Coaching allows you to inspire and guide people on their personal and professional journeys and is a natural fit for ex-athletes who mastered the art of motivation.

2. Teacher

Many athletes and coaches possess the required educational degrees and mentoring experience to impact the next generation as a teacher. Your ability to inspire and educate can make a significant difference in the classroom.

3. Personal Trainer

Your firsthand experience in training and fitness makes you an ideal candidate for a career as a personal trainer. Fitness clubs often seek out former professional athletes for their expertise and ability to attract clients.

4. Sales Professional

The competitive nature of sports translates well into a career in sales. Your familiarity with hard work and resilience can help you excel in a field where determination and the thrill of closing deals mirror the adrenaline rush of athletic competition.

5. Recruiter

As a recruiter, you’ll need to find the right candidates for various positions, a task that requires the kind of team-building skills honed in sports.

6. Publicist

Athletes and coaches often have experience in maintaining a good public image, a skill that is directly transferable to a career in public relations. A PR role involves promoting and managing the public perception of a brand or company, an area where your public image and communication skills can be highly beneficial.

7. Sports Commentator

Your in-depth knowledge of your sport can make you an excellent sports commentator or analyst. You can stay close to the action while sharing your insights and experiences with a broader audience.

8. Sports Franchise Owner

As the owner of a sports franchise, you can stay connected to the world of sports while building a business. Your experience in sports, particularly in coaching or playing, is highly transferable to sports or fitness franchise ownership. Skills such as leadership, team management, strategic thinking, and resilience are crucial in running a successful franchise. Owning a sports franchise like Apex Leadership Co. can combine your passion for sports with a pathway to achieve your financial and lifestyle goals. The sports franchise market size hit $38.4 billion in 2022, according to IBISWorld.

Apex Leadership Co.: A Valuable Opportunity:

Apex Leadership offers an ideal opportunity for people who love sports. Our event-based fundraising model offers a blend of physical activity, leadership development, and community service. As a franchise owner, you can leverage your sports experience to inspire and motivate youth, fostering skills that go beyond the playing field, while helping schools raise necessary funds. During the 2022-23 school year, we held 1,747 events, serving 874,602 children.

“I believe in what Apex stands for and this franchise model. This can be a great opportunity for those with similar aims and values as Apex.” says Phil Garrett, a franchisee in Tennessee.

For an initial investment of $79,000 to $113,700, you’ll get a low-investment, home-based business where you can create your schedule and support local school children. We provide 31 hours of remote classroom training and 24 hours of on-the-job training to give you the tools and guidance you need to get started.

Learn How to Own Your Future

Request information to learn more about using the skills you acquired playing sports to pursue a career in franchising with Apex!

How to Find Remote Franchise Opportunities

After getting a taste of teleworking following the pandemic outbreak, many people are turning to entrepreneurship to cut their commutes and find permanent remote franchise opportunities to help achieve financial and lifestyle goals.

Even as offices began to reopen, a substantial portion of the workforce continued working from home in pursuit of better work-life balance and increased productivity. In 2022, a minimum of 59% of individuals with the option of telecommuting continued to work from home, while others adopted hybrid schedules to maintain flexibility. Despite some companies recalling their employees to office settings, the number of people working remotely in 2023 is four times higher than before 2020.

Working from home cuts commute time and can provide cost savings, reducing stress and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. Remote work often leads to increased productivity, as employees can create a personalized workspace that suits their needs, with fewer workplace distractions.

If you’re tired of the office grind, a home-based franchise may be the answer. Entrepreneur magazine’s list of the top home-based franchises includes 150 different options in fields ranging from home services to travel planning to senior care. These home-based franchises provide a turnkey business enabling you to take charge of your future and achieve self-sufficiency. But, finding the best work-from-home franchise opportunities requires research, networking, and exploration. Let’s explore some of the ways you can find remote franchise opportunities.

Uncovering Remote Franchise Opportunities

Start your search for remote franchise opportunities by scouring online franchise directories, such as Franchise Direct or Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. Online franchise directories can offer a wealth of information on various franchises, including ones suitable for remote management.

Attending franchise expos, webinars, and events is invaluable. You can engage directly with franchisors and current franchisees, gaining insights into the realities of running a remote franchise.

Consulting with franchise experts or coaches can provide personalized guidance, aligning your skills and interests with the right opportunities. Franchise associations are also a resource for networking and gaining industry knowledge.

Local business associations, trade shows, and conferences can offer insights specific to your area, while industry-specific websites, franchise magazines, and publications keep you informed about the latest trends and opportunities in franchising.

Ask the Right Questions

As you begin your research, knowing the right questions to ask can be challenging, particularly for first-time entrepreneurs. It’s a good rule of thumb to focus on the financial aspects of the business, including initial investment, ongoing fees, and potential returns. Assess the flexibility and adaptability of the business model to ensure it can thrive in various economic climates, and understand the extent of support and training you’ll receive to get started.

Working remotely requires the right technology and tools to be successful. Before you choose a franchise, conduct validation with existing franchise owners to determine if they’ve been able to achieve their financial and lifestyle goals with the tools and support the franchisor provides.

Apex: A Turnkey School Fundraising Franchise

Apex Leadership Co. is an event-based fundraising business that combines the convenience of remote work with the satisfaction of community contribution. We provide comprehensive training and support to put you on a path to success from a home office. Our established brand and proven business model minimize startup risks, and you’ll benefit from our marketing and operational systems.

For an initial investment of $79,000 to $113,700, which includes a one-time franchise fee of $49,500, you get a turnkey business designed to start operating within weeks after you complete your training.

Take the Next Step with Apex

Now is the time to take the first step towards owning a franchise that aligns with your aspirations for a home-based business. Explore Apex and discover how you can achieve both financial success and personal fulfillment. Request information to start your journey with Apex today.

Exploring Sports Franchising Opportunities

Sports franchising is a strong investment, but there are countless options to find your niche. Apex Leadership Co. is ready to help you learn about the different opportunities for a sports-related business to see what’s the right fit.

Launching a sports franchise is like stepping onto the field before a big game. The air is electric with opportunity, and the possibilities are vast. If you’re considering leaving the confines of corporate America and have a passion for athletics, starting a sports franchise can be a fulfilling path.

United States participation in fitness activities has grown 5.3%, or by 10.4 million people, since 2017. In 2022, 205.8 million Americans embraced fitness activities to improve their physical and mental health, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Kicking Off in Sports Franchising

If you’re a fan of Friday Night Lights or the crack of a bat in a quiet ballpark reminds you of your time playing the game, a future in sports is within reach.

The key is to research and understand the different types of available sports franchises. The landscape of sports franchising is diverse. There are big names in gym franchises, renowned sports leagues, and emerging brands in youth sports development. From traditional sports leagues to innovative fitness programs, the spectrum is broad. Each of the best franchises in sports has its own appeal, whether it’s the legacy of a gym or the community impact of a youth sports franchise. Here are a few popular options:

  • Gym and fitness centers: With a focus on health and wellness, gym and fitness center franchises offer a range of services from personal training and group fitness classes to specialized workouts like yoga, Pilates, or spinning. They cater to a broad demographic, from fitness enthusiasts to people beginning their fitness journey, and the business model often includes membership fees, personal training packages, and wellness products. Footing the upfront costs for a large-footprint gym or managing the long hours required for a fitness center can be prohibitive for new entrepreneurs.
  • Sports equipment: Sports gear is always in demand, and businesses specializing in sports retail and equipment can be a lucrative venture. They cater to a wide range of sports and have the potential to build a loyal customer base. Selling sports equipment requires a brick-and-mortar location, which can be costly to get started.
  • Adventure sports: Adventure sports franchises specialize in indoor and outdoor sports such as rock climbing, rafting, or trampoline jumping. While they appeal to adventure enthusiasts and people seeking unique fitness experiences, they often require specialized equipment which can be costly.
  • Youth sports: The youth sports market generated $37.5 billion in 2022, according to Research and Markets. Youth sports leagues and training camps earn revenue from registration fees, equipment sales, and sometimes sponsorships. They specialize in organizing sports leagues, camps, and clinics for children and teenagers, and concentrate on skill development, teamwork, and healthy competition. Working in youth sports is a game of passion and purpose. The pros are evident — the joy of nurturing young talent, the satisfaction of contributing to a child’s development, and the thrill of being part of the sports community. However, it’s not without challenges. The responsibility of influencing young minds is significant, and the operational aspects of running a youth sports franchise require dedication and skill.

The Apex Leadership Co. Advantage

If you’re looking beyond traditional youth sports leagues or gym franchises, there are opportunities focusing on sports education, specialized training programs, and even options combining sports with other developmental activities. They offer the chance to carve out a space in the sports industry, catering to specific interests or untapped markets.

Apex Leadership stands out as a compelling opportunity. It’s not just another sports franchise — it’s a fusion of physical fitness and fundraising. We combine the excitement of sports with the fulfillment of helping schools and communities by taking the extra burden of fundraising off principals, teachers, and parents. And our focus on leadership and character development in youth through fitness-based fundraising events sets us apart. We pride ourselves on building future leaders and making a tangible difference in the community.

Apex Leadership gives every child the opportunity to participate in physical fitness. Our in-school teams spend as much as 300 hours in schools developing trust and building relationships with students and staff.

What makes Apex Leadership particularly appealing is our turnkey approach. We provide comprehensive training, support, and a proven business model, which is ideal for someone transitioning to entrepreneurship. Our initial training is conducted remotely via conference calls and an in-depth e-learning module is designed to teach you how to solicit and contract with schools, as well as in running programs and business operations. You’ll also participate in 24 hours of on-the-job training to ensure you’re ready to host events.

For entrepreneurs who are passionate about sports and making a difference, Apex Leadership offers a winning strategy. Our business model provides a holistic approach to youth development. We designed our programs to engage children in a fun, inclusive environment while instilling values like leadership, teamwork, and resilience. And our business model is scalable, allowing for growth at a pace that suits each franchisee. The support from our team is continuous, ensuring that as a franchise owner, you have the tools and resources needed to succeed.

We understand the importance of community. Our fundraising events bring together schools, families, and local businesses, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. Fostering a community-centric approach enhances the impact of each event and strengthens the bond between your business and the local area. The satisfaction of running an Apex franchise goes beyond financial success. It’s about seeing the smiles on children’s faces, witnessing their growth, and knowing that you’re contributing to their future. It’s a fulfilling journey that combines the thrill of sports with the heart of community service.

Step Up to the Plate With Apex Leadership Co.

Finding the right business is about aligning your passion with a brand that reflects your values and aspirations. For those of you driven by a love for sports and a desire to make a difference, Apex Leadership offers a rewarding path. It’s an opportunity to blend your passion for athletics with the joy of helping children achieve their full potential, all while building a successful business.

Request information to learn more about partnering with Apex Leadership Co. to launch a sports business.