James Daly - From the pitch to the present: Owning your next chapter

From Chelsea and QPR to youth international honours for Ireland, James Daly spent his career competing at the top of professional football, but behind the boots was a player always thinking ahead, about identity, preparation, and how to make the most of his second chapter.

Now forging a career at Morgan Stanley, James joins us on Athlete to Athlete: Lessons for Life Beyond the Game to reflect on his journey. He opens up about the mindset that made him better on the pitch, the value of education off it, and why more athletes need to start thinking about life beyond the game before it hits them.

Key takeaways:

• Sharpen your mind, sharpen your game – curiosity and focus outside sport can enhance your performance within it.
• Don’t undervalue your athlete toolkit – skills like resilience, communication, and discipline translate powerfully in the corporate world.
• If you’re not thinking about what’s next, you’re giving up control – explore, learn, and build now.
• Opportunities don’t fall in your lap – create them, ask for them, and own your narrative.

Whether you’re mid-career, retiring, or just starting to think about your next move, James’s story is a powerful reminder that athletes bring far more to the table than they often realise.

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

[email protected]

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