Life After Retirement

It seems like I have been hiding for such a long time when infact I probably spent along time making the hardest decision of my life!!! The thought that you may walk away from something that you have spent nearly every day of your adolescent life giving 100% of your time too is definitely one of the hardest choices too make.......The thought that you don't have anything to keep your mind and body occupied for the foreseeable future is very scary indeed!!!

I made the decision to retire by myself and didn't discuss it with anyone not even my family, I spoke with my local reporter Bill before I told my parents I had decided to hang up my spikes. I held it back until the day I knew it was going to go to press and then I rand my mum and told her, to say I was slightly emotional was an understatement to say the least. Walking away from something you love and enjoy is probably the hardest decision you have too make, but knowing that your body and mind has been put through enough and maybe it would be nice too kick back and enjoy being away from the rigid day to day routine, and giving back from life experiences and dramas surely something good would come of it!!!

They say as one door closes another one opens and that saying is very true. The day I announced my retirement I received a phone call from Olympic Swimmer Adam Whitehouse asking me if I would be interested in joining the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust as an Athlete Mentor, to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement, to be given the opportunity to give something back, change young peoples lives, and make a difference is something I strive to achieve on a daily basis. I had my first taster of the work they do this week by joining the Get On Track Program in Barnstable and to see the difference made in just three days to young peoples personalities, confidence, and self esteem is amazing and I cant wait to see the progress these young people make over the coming weeks when I drop in too see them all. I feel very privileged to be able to be part of the team and cant wait to be part of more programs and make a bigger difference to more young peoples lives.

I have another venture to sink my teeth into in September too which hopefully I will be able too share with you guys soon.

I will try to blog more often now.....although I have hung up my spikes my life has still taken a turn for the better and the future is looking amazing and I cant wait to enjoy the next chapter of my life and embrace the journey ahead