Thriving Beyond the Game: My Journey with The True Athlete Project

As a former professional rugby 7s player, I’ve spent much of my life in high-performance environments—pushing limits, chasing results, and managing the relentless pressure that comes with elite sport. But over the past two years, my experience with The True Athlete Project (TAP) has offered something different—something deeper.

A Rounded Human Experience

My journey with TAP so far has been a truly rounded human experience. It’s required self-reflection. It’s been very challenging. But most of all, I’ve really enjoyed being part of an aligned community looking to develop themselves, but ultimately to give back to aspiring young athletes and help them on their own journey of growth and discovery.

The Power of Community & Vulnerability

There’ve been many key moments in this TAP journey that stick out for me, but the ones that are the most valuable are the workshops. They’re a coming together of people, sharing experiences, being vulnerable, and just being open to learn.

Why Mindfulness in Sport Matters

TAP so far is a very important experience for me. Exploring mindfulness for me is an incredibly powerful approach to sports.
With all the pressures and scrutiny that sportspeople face, having this greater awareness of our position in the world, the impact we have through sport… I think really helps bridge the gap between high performance and being our best selves. It helps us fulfil our potential and be able to thrive as human beings, not just performers, but people.

A Message to Young Athletes

For any young athlete considering joining the TAP journey, I say: absolutely go for it.
You will come out a different person than when you go in. It’s a safe space, free of judgment. But most importantly, you become part of this amazing community that’s looking to drive forward a different approach to sport—leading with care, compassion, and attention to the person.
So you can thrive on the pitch as a performer, and fulfil your potential as a human being.
Sport is all about shared experiences, with your teammates, with your fans, with friends, and with family of course.
So for me, being able to mentor with TAP and give back to these young aspiring athletes is incredibly rewarding. I love being part of their journey, seeing their own development, and having those breakthrough moments, where you and they realise the power that they have within them.
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Learn more about TAP´s Mentoring Programs:
https://www.thetrueathleteproject.org/mentoring.html
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