Have you ever wondered how elite athletes successfully transition to life after competition?
Or how strength coaches can advance their careers while helping develop the next generation of professionals?
In our conversation with former Olympic weightlifter Carissa Gordon Gump, now with the NSCA Foundation, we explore these critical questions and uncover resources many strength coaches don't even know exist - resources that could dramatically advance your career and help you build stronger connections with your athletes.
The transition from competitive athlete to professional life presents unique challenges. Many athletes struggle with identity loss when their competitive careers end, leaving them wondering "who am I if not an athlete?" For strength coaches, there's often pressure to maintain personal performance while simultaneously developing athletes. Without proper guidance and resources, these transitions can lead to career stagnation, burnout, or missed opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the field.
Carissa shared her personal journey from Olympic weightlifting to professional success. She began lifting at 12 years old, eventually becoming an Olympian who trained alongside legends like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Despite her success, she faced mental barriers in competition: "The hardest part is your brain," she explained. "If you walk up to a barbell and think, 'Oh my God, this is heavy, I'm not going to be able to lift it,' chances are, you're probably not going to be able to lift it." After the Olympics, she knew she needed to transition to "adult life," but wasn't sure how.
The breakthrough came when Carissa realized she could apply the same strategic approach to career development that she'd used in weightlifting: "I came up with a plan... instead of a 16-week training plan, I had an 18-month training plan." She understood that your role as an athlete or coach isn't your identity - "You are bigger than your sport and your title." This mindset shift allowed her to build transferable skills systematically while working for the Olympic Committee and USA Weightlifting before joining the NSCA Foundation.
Today, Carissa oversees initiatives like the NSCA Foundation Assistantship
Program, which pairs emerging professionals with experienced RSCC coaches and provides a $10,000 stipend. Since 2007, 77 recipients have gone on to secure impressive positions in the strength and conditioning field. The Foundation also offers equipment grants, scholarships for first-generation and minority students, and tactical-focused grants for law enforcement facilities. These resources create multiple pathways for professional growth while enabling coaches to give back to the community.
If you're looking to implement similar strategies in your career development:
- Approach career transitions like a training program with specific benchmarks and goals
- Remember that your identity extends beyond your athletic or coaching role
- Network actively at conferences - most experienced coaches are willing to share knowledge
- Explore NSCA Foundation opportunities (visit NSCA.com and click on NSCA Foundation)
- When working with young athletes, focus on fun and fundamental skills before introducing complex data tracking
