146: Jess Borg - How The Olympic Dream Led To Unexpected Career Paths And A Mission To Help Other Athletes Career Clarity With Athletes: A 2ndwind Podcast With Ryan Gonsalves podcast

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146: Jess Borg - How the Olympic dream led to unexpected career paths and a mission to help other athletes

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What happens when an 8-year-old’s Olympic dream doesn’t pan out? For Jess, a former elite taekwondo and boxing athlete, it meant reinventing herself—twice—while battling concussions, identity crises, and the harsh realities of transitioning out of sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- How a diagnosis of low muscle tone led her to taekwondo, and why she became the kid opponents feared
- The brutal truth about combat sports: why concussions in taekwondo went unchecked for years
- Her shocking career pivot: from taekwondo to boxing (and why she almost became the first Aussie to compete in both at the highest level)
- Why she traded kicks for contracts: how a law degree became her backup plan (and turned into a passion)
- The loneliness of elite sports: missing friendships, "normal" uni life, and why athletes struggle post-retirement
- Her new mission: building "Next," a platform helping athletes navigate life after sports

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:
"It’s okay to grieve your sport. It’s a loss. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise." – Jess

WHO SHOULD LISTEN?
✔ Athletes thinking about life after sports
✔ Anyone facing a major career pivot
✔ Coaches/parents supporting young competitors
✔ Fans of underdog stories & personal reinvention

Loved the episode? Drop us a review & share your biggest takeaway!

Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io

Chapters

1. Stretching Every Hour of the Day (00:00:00)

2. Taekwondo Beginnings: Low Muscle Tone (00:05:21)

3. Growth as a Fighter and Student (00:12:55)

4. Olympic Dreams and Devastating Setbacks (00:25:34)

5. Balancing Career and Sports Ambitions (00:33:19)

6. Transitioning to Boxing and New Challenges (00:42:11)

7. Forced Retirement and Health Concerns (00:49:44)

8. Finding Purpose in Legal Career (00:56:46)

9. Creating "Next": Supporting Athlete Transitions (01:01:14)

152 episodes