"The Death of You: Life After Elite Sport" by Luke Sutton offers an exploration into the challenges faced by elite athletes post-retirement. The firsthand accounts from the athletes provide valuable takeaways for anyone fascinated by the inner workings of the sports world.

As a complete non sportsperson, I was interested to read what made elite sportspeople tick and what happened to them when they retired. I knew a lot of them retired young and so they would have to find another career, which isn't the easiest thing in the world, at any age.

So, this book covers what it was like to retire for some elite sportspeople. What the world was like when you were in the thick of it and how it can seem like a death, of sorts, when it ends. I can imagine that, I really can. I am getting close to retirement age and I struggle against it, with the loss of my identity in the world of work. I can only think that it is many times worse if you are at an elite level of sports, and young. Here you are, you have a particular mindset and talent that makes you one of the few in the world who can operate at a high level, and then suddenly it is all over. You have to adjust yourself and the people who surrounded you, the ones who were paid to give you support and encouragement - gone.

I found this book quite interesting but to be honest, I expected a little bit of a glimpse into what a day in an elite sportsperson's day looked like, just to have an idea of what they had and what they would be losing. I think the whole "oooh, I have to be moving on and what happens next" aspect of the book was something I hadn't given a lot of thought before so that was good.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword.

I REALLY enjoyed this. Great writing style, interesting thesis, and covered such a variety of sports it is probably accessible for a wide range of audiences. I only follow gymnastics and I devoured this despite never following badminton, cricket, rugby etc. Definitely recommend.

I’ve often wondered what sportsmen and women do after they retire. This book has some shocking statistics about bankruptcy, addiction and depression. I didn’t feel I ever understood the argument that all athletes have the same single focus and tunnel vision.

So what happens when a top sports person retires from their chosen sport? What challenges do they face? How do they overcome them?

In his latest book Luke Sutton interviews a number of top sports people and asks those and other questions with some very revealing and honest answers provided.

The book is well written and the interviewees well chosen both for their stories and their honesty resulting, at times, an eye opening read.

Definitely recommended.

This is a relatively shiet read on a compelling complex topic. Life after sport us nevervreally ralked about. It was refreshing to read real case studies and a book by a ex sportmsn to give greater insight into what seems an easy trsnsirion. I loved the total honesty of everyone who contributed. It really made me think about the reality if being a sportsbperson and then not.
The only criticism is iit needed to be longer and perhaps a new more household names.
Thank you net gallery and publisher and author for rhus compelling 4 star read.

This was an original, well researched and thought provoking analysis of the issues elite athletes face after retirement. Written by a former professional cricketer who has experienced many ups and downs himself throughout his career this book contains insightful and brutally honest interviews with a number of former stars who make it clear just how tough it is to readjust.

Eye opening and fascinating, this is an excellent and important read.

I find this extremely interesting, I’ve always wondered what life after dedicating your whole life to a major sport is like. What comes next? What are the pitfalls and downsides? Is it all worth it? Very interesting read.