142: Rachel Lewis: "Why Can’t We Dream Bigger?" – Olympic Sacrifice, Identity, and Life After Sport

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What happens when the roar of the crowd fades and the Olympic dream becomes a memory? For Rachel Lewis, the transition from elite athlete to "what’s next?" wasn’t just a career shift—it was an identity crisis, a financial struggle, and ultimately, a mission to change the game for future athletes.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Rachel opens up about:

• Writing "Olympic volleyball player" in her yearbook at 15—before she even knew how to play the sport.
• Training with boys, living in fire stations, and riding bikes to fundraise—just to keep her Olympic dream alive.
• The brutal reality of professional sports vs. elite competition—and why she felt like a "commodity" in Europe’s leagues.
• The moment her team "ceased to exist" after London 2012—and how she grappled with losing her purpose overnight.
• Hiding behind a "cape" in her post-sport career—why she buried her Olympic past to fit into corporate life.
• Her mission today—helping athletes avoid the pitfalls she faced by building fulfilling lives beyond the podium.

This isn’t just a sports story. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and the uncomfortable truth: most athletes aren’t prepared for life after the final whistle.

🎧 Why You Should Listen:

• If you’ve ever felt lost after a major life change—Rachel’s journey from "Who am I now?" to empowerment is a masterclass in self-discovery.
• For athletes (or anyone) fearing transition—her hard-won advice on planning, curiosity, and asking for help is gold.
• Behind-the-scenes of elite sport—the untold sacrifices, the politics of funding, and what really happens when the uniforms are packed away.
• A wake-up call for the sports industry—why Rachel is fighting to fix a "broken system" that leaves athletes adrift.

Where to Find Rachel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lewis-972257162/

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