World Aquatics hosted the “From Podiums to Possibilities” career summit on Dec. 3-5, 2025, to focus on career transition and development for former athletes.
According to World Aquatics, the event included panel discussions, workshops and immersive activities like the DiSC personality assessment. Coy Wire, former NFL player and CNN sports anchor, Ivan Raktic, former professional footballer and UEFA Foundation trustee, and Bill O’Brien, former professional athlete and hedge fund manager, were all speakers throughout the program.
Current and former athletes attended seminars on personal branding, networking, business, and leadership skills development.
Other programming included sessions on technical skills, mentorship and resilience.
World Aquatics aimed to “support athletes as they transition to life beyond the water. This step reflects the organization’s understanding that the transition from elite sport is a critical stage in an athlete’s life. By offering mentorship, skill-building opportunities and a supportive network, World Aquatics is ensuring that athletes are equipped to navigate new challenges, build new careers they are inspired by and remain connected to the global aquatic community.”
Related: Northwestern Launches New Kellogg Coaches Leadership Academy
“I think the most beneficial thing to note was don’t do it all yourself … I would tell every athlete if there is another Summit where people want to help you for after your career, just do it,” said Sharon van Rouwendaal, attendee and Olympic swimmer.
