Beyond the Sports: Man Opens Up About Post-College Swimming Career Struggles

Beyond the sport: Texas man shares struggles finding purpose after college swimming career

Navigating Life Beyond Sports: The Inspiring Journey of ‘Forever Athlete’ Cory Camp

Beyond The Sports Post College Career

In the heart of Texas, Friday nights ignite with the fervor of high school football, where the stadium lights cast a dazzling glow on the field. Yet, amid this electrifying spectacle, a shroud of darkness cloaks the lives of young athletes, a darkness often hidden from the spotlight. Tragically, this year has witnessed the devastating loss of at least four college athletes to suicide, casting a somber shadow over the seemingly triumphant world of sports.

Among those who have navigated the tumultuous aftermath of a college athletic career is Cory Camp, a resilient individual who has transformed his own journey of struggle into a beacon of hope for others. As the echoes of his college swimming career faded, Cory grappled with an overwhelming sense of purposelessness. However, from the depths of this struggle, he emerged as a guiding light, illuminating a path for those who share his journey. His creation, aptly named ‘Forever Athlete,’ extends a lifeline to men and women who find themselves adrift, struggling to define their identities beyond the confines of their sports.

For athletes, their chosen sport transcends a mere pastime; it becomes an all-encompassing way of life, shaping their days from dawn to dusk. This immersive dedication often blurs the line between the athlete and the individual, leaving them in a state of disarray when the competitive chapter of their lives draws to a close. Cory’s innovative initiative seeks to bridge this gap, fostering a community that extends far beyond physical prowess and athletic achievement.

Rooted in the belief that athletes possess a unique ability to channel their emotions into physical exertion, Cory recognizes the importance of equipping them with the tools to navigate their internal landscapes. “Athletes are fantastic at working out. We know how to take our anger out on a punching bag or go for a hard run, run sprints, and work out our emotions. But very rarely are we taught how to work inwards and really play with that emotion,” Cory remarks, reflecting on the profound challenges that follow the conclusion of a collegiate sports career.

Cory’s own journey paints a vivid picture of the trials he faced after hanging up his swim cap. As a high-level division one swimmer at the University of Delaware, he had dedicated years to his craft, forging an identity deeply intertwined with his athletic prowess. However, when the final lap swam and the poolside cheers faded, Cory found himself grappling with an identity crisis that transcended the realm of sports.

He recalls, “When it ended, it didn’t end the way that I wanted it to end, like the way any athlete wants to end. It was slower than I was in the past six years. I was really faced with this moment of like, ‘Okay, crap, who is Cory without swimming?’ And I didn’t like what I saw, I didn’t like who I saw in the mirror, it really sent me through a whole bunch of different things. I put on 50 pounds in about six, seven months, I turned to drinking very heavily.”

The isolation that often accompanies such struggles led Cory to believe he was alone in his turmoil, a sentiment that prevented him from seeking support from friends or teammates. However, as he gradually embraced vulnerability and shared his story, he discovered a common thread binding athletes across various sports. Cory’s realization that countless athletes faced similar challenges ignited a fire within him, propelling him to create a platform that would not only validate their experiences but also offer a lifeline of support.

Cory’s mission resonates deeply, especially in the wake of a comprehensive survey conducted by the NCAA in 2021 and 2022. The survey revealed a startling truth: many collegiate athletes battle various forms of mental health crises, with anxiety, depression, and exhaustion on the rise, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. “You have to talk about the suicide rate. It is ungodly high, especially in college athletics, right now,” Cory underscores, highlighting the urgent need for open conversations and shared experiences.

While the NCAA mandates access to mental health resources for universities, Cory envisions a future where more is done to support athletes beyond the confines of their competitive years. Through dialogues with colleges, he aspires to establish programs that equip collegiate athletes with the tools they need to navigate life post-graduation successfully. Cory envisions Forever Athlete as a bridge that extends beyond the four-year cycle of eligibility, offering social support and a sense of worth to athletes even after the cheers have faded.

Beyond the sport: Texas man shares struggles to find purpose after college swimming career

Cory’s commitment to his cause is further exemplified by his book, “Forever Athlete,” a collaborative effort involving nearly 20 other young athletes. Within its pages, each contributor shares their own struggles in navigating life after college sports, a poignant collection of narratives designed to empower others facing similar challenges. Cory eloquently encapsulates the essence of his mission: “Sometimes you’re not looking for an answer. Sometimes you just want someone to say, I see you, I hear you. I got you, like whatever you need. I got you.”

As Friday night lights continue to illuminate the sports arenas of Texas, Cory Camp’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. In creating Forever Athlete, he has transformed personal adversity into a force for change, proving that the transition from athlete to individual can be navigated with empathy, understanding, and unwavering support. Beyond the cheers, beyond the competition, lies a profound truth: the journey of an athlete is not limited to victories on the field, but encompasses the triumphs over personal struggles and the unyielding pursuit of a purposeful life.

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