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Chris Platts spent over a decade tracking the careers of 303 young footballers. The result? A raw, honest look at what actually happens in the world of professional sport. Some players made it to the Premier League. Others left with nothing. Many fell somewhere in between.

Chris is a career coach and academic whose work focuses on helping athletes and their families plan for the long game. He works directly with clubs, players, and parents to map out possible futures, reduce pressure, and help athletes stay grounded in who they are, even as the industry pushes them to become something else.

In this conversation, Ryan and Chris unpack the highs and lows of football careers and what it takes to move forward once the playing days slow down or stop completely. If you're transitioning out of sport or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with insight you won’t hear inside most locker rooms.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most athletes and families never ask, “What do we actually want from sport?”
• The hidden risks of chasing success without a plan
• How under-21 contracts can leave players stuck with no proof they’re ready for the next level
• Why it’s smart to plan for both success and failure
• How to reduce emotional and financial stress by building a personal “career playbook”
• What clubs want vs. what players need
• What it really means to be prepared for life after sport
• Why “hope” isn’t enough when you’re trying to build a stable future

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:
“Hope is not a strategy. But planning helps young players stay present, stay ready, and remember who they are, no matter what happens next.”

If you're at any point of your post-sport career journey, this conversation will help you ask better questions, make clearer decisions, and feel more in control of what’s next.

Connect with Ryan and Second Wind Academy:

• Website: https://www.2ndwind.io/
• Instagram: @secondwindacademy
  
  

Credits:

• Editing: Nancy at Savvy Podcast Solutions
• Design: Claire at Betty Book Design
• Show Notes: Cerise from Copy & Content by Lola