Athletes Professional Sports Experience Retirement People Play Young

In many sports, "athletes" (people who play a sport) "hit their peak" (reach their maximum level of performance) in their 20s or 30s. Professional athletes may have "earned" (received in exchange for one's work) enough money to "retire" (stop working) comfortably at that time, but they are too young to sit at home and "twiddle their thumbs" (do nothing for a period of time). So many professional athletes "engage in" (become involved in) other activities after they retire from professional sports.

Some professional athletes choose to "remain" (stay; continue to be) "affiliated" (connected) with professional sports. They may become "coaches" (people who teach others how to play a sport), or managers or owners of sports teams. Other retired professional athletes become "commentators," speaking about games on television or radio letting viewers or listeners know what is happening and providing their opinions based on their experience playing the sports.

Other professional athletes "channel" (direct) their experience into business "ventures" (risky ways to try to make money). Some athletes become authors, writing books about their experience as professional athletes. Sometimes athletes write "self-help books" (books intended to help readers improve their life) based on the skills and techniques they "acquired" (obtained) and "refined" (improved) while playing sports. Others become professional speakers, giving "motivational" (encouraging; causing others to feel like they want to do something) speeches at special events and conferences.

Still other professional athletes spend their retirement helping others. Some athletes start "nonprofit" (not intended to make money) organizations to encourage children and young adults to succeed through athletics and education. They might "promote" (encourage) healthy living or community involvement through sports.