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Gerrit-Jan van Velze spent nearly two decades in professional rugby, captaining clubs like Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors. But in this conversation, it's not just the matches or medals that stand out — it's what came after, and everything he had to figure out along the way.

In this episode, GJ opens up about moving from South Africa to England with no backup plan, how leadership has shaped his career, and why his wife’s passion for medicine inspired him to explore life beyond the pitch. He talks through the injury that changed everything, the slow fog of concussion recovery, and how a trip with a friend and some tough questions sparked his transition into entrepreneurship.

You’ll hear about sheep farming, leather boots, and what it's like to go from team huddles to running solo. GJ doesn’t sugarcoat the process, but he also doesn’t buy into the doom-and-gloom narrative around athlete retirement. His story is honest, thoughtful, and proof that life after sport isn’t the end — it’s a reset.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why GJ was “all in” on rugby with no fallback plan
• How seeing his wife’s dedication to her medical career shifted his mindset
• What made him leave South Africa and start over in the UK
• The difference between leadership on paper and actual influence
• Why concussion was a turning point, not just physically but mentally
• How a business idea involving leather boots became his next chapter
• Why community and curiosity kept him grounded during transition
• How he now chooses projects, time, and the people he works with
• His advice for current athletes on financial discipline, exploration, and making space to reflect

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:
“If rugby ended tomorrow, what would you do? That question stuck with me. I didn’t have the answer then, but it made me start looking for one.”

If you’re curious about what it means to lead, to pivot, or to rebuild when the game stops, this episode is worth your time.

Connect with Ryan and Second Wind Academy:

• Website: https://www.2ndwind.io/
• Instagram: @2ndwind.academy
  

Credits:

• Editing: Nancy at Savvy Podcast Solutions
• Design: Claire at Betty Book Design
• Show Notes: Cerise from Copy & Content by Lola