96: James Thacker - From Rugby Champion to Corporate Strategist: Tackling Life's Transitions and Scoring Career Goals

2ndwind Academy Podcast

Ever wondered how the grit of a sports field can pave the way for success in the corporate world? Join us as we sit down with James, whose journey from elite rugby to a vibrant career at Unity is nothing short of inspiring. Our conversation peels back the layers on the transformative power of opportunities, even those seeming miles away from the try line.
James candidly shares the emotional upheavals of leaving a professional sports career, the tenacity required to overcome injuries, and how such setbacks can lead to unforeseen ventures like coaching. His story champions the idea that life's crossroads, while daunting, are brimming with growth potential. Through our discussion, we uncover the parallels between the determination on the rugby pitch and the corporate hustle, offering you a playbook for channeling your own inner resilience.
Tune in to learn more about:

• James' childhood aspirations of his rugby venture as an eight-year-old and how they shaped his journey
• Reflections on his total dedication to rugby and invaluable lessons learned from those moments
• Importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than fixating on them as setbacks
• James’s feelings of betrayal from rugby, his fallout from the game, and how he found his way back to rekindling his love for rugby
• How James cracked his way into his dream industry gaming and finding new sense of fulfillment beyong the sports
• Events that led to his shift in playing rugby for enjoyment and how this positively supplements his off-the-field career
• What success looks like for James in the gaming space
• His passion and dedication for leadership and how he is prepping to make a change and impact the current and next generation of leaders
• What an individual needs to shed to embrace transformative and successful leadership

…and so much more!

Are you looking for Career Clarity for your next step, for more information, or to book a consultancy, make sure you check out www.2ndwind.io

Links:

Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-thacker/

Linkedln Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12949484/

Chapters

1. Career Transition in Elite Athletes (00:00:00)

2. Rugby to Gaming Industry Transition (00:04:08)

3. Overcoming Regrets and Embracing Setbacks (00:11:30)

4. Navigating Life After Rugby (00:22:34)

5. Navigating Sport and Professional Growth (00:31:43)

6. Transitioning Athletes (00:43:40)