James Hildreth - one club, two careers: Owning your transition before it owns you

We sit down with James Hildreth, former first-class cricketer and Somerset legend, who spent over 20 years at one club, an increasingly rare feat in modern sport.

James’ transition wasn’t an afterthought, it was something he planned, built towards, and ultimately took control of. From financial literacy to self-awareness, James shares what he got right, what he’s still figuring out, and why no conversation or exploration is ever wasted.

Key Takeaways:

• Be curious. There’s no such thing as a bad conversation, explore, ask, shadow.
• Start learning about money, understand your income, build a long-term view, and seek out financial education early.
• The traits you’ve sharpened in sport, discipline, resilience, communication, they’re gold in any industry.
• Detach and explore, finding time to switch off from sport and learn elsewhere helps shape your next step.
• Know your 'why', reflect deeply. What are you connected to beyond performance?
• Don’t wait for the game to tell you it’s time, prepare so that you decide when to step away.

Now working in wealth management, James supports individuals and families in planning for their financial futures with the same discipline and long-term thinking that defined his cricket career. You can learn more about his work here: https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/jameshildreth

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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