Rugby Stars in Corporate Life: Growth, Adaptation, & New Goals

Former professional rugby players who both studied at Loughborough University, the pair have taken on new corporate challenges after years at the top of their sport: Teddy as an Assistant Relationship Manager at Santander and Henri as an Inside Sales Representative at Luminance.

Their stories highlight the unique journey and profound change many athletes and student-athletes face as they step away from sport—one filled with lessons and personal growth, embracing new goals beyond sports. In a recent interview, Teddy and Henri offered candid insights into balancing academics and athletics, coping with setbacks, and cultivating a fulfilling path after sports.

University Sport: Building a Foundation of Discipline, Resilience, and Mental Strength

Both Henri and Teddy credit Loughborough with providing a competitive edge and a solid foundation for future pursuits. Reflecting on their experiences, they expressed deep gratitude for their time at Loughborough University, one of the top 10 universities in the UK, renowned for its unbeatable excellence in sports. “You don’t realise when you’re there until it’s gone. We were lucky. It was the ideal environment to push ourselves and develop.”, Teddy reflected. Loughborough’s world-class athletic resources—from the cricket academy to the elite gym—created a high-performance environment that emphasised resilience and mental fortitude.

They have learned to balance rigorous training schedules with academic commitments, gaining the skills to manage stress and build tenacity and strong discipline. A demanding schedule that helped them prepare for the fast-paced corporate world. Teddy shared that he was “never the most talented player,” but he leaned on his relentless work ethic to push himself forward. “What I relied on was working hard and digging in. What you put in is what you get out, I relied on getting that 1% better everyday.”

Henri remembers how Loughborough’s atmosphere of excellence instilled a “winning mindset”, which Teddy notes has been pivotal as they transition to their professional lives. The community they found on the field fostered a strong sense of purpose and camaraderie, enhancing their well-being during this intense period of training and competition. This sense of community, Henri says, “made winning even more meaningful.”

Transitioning to the Corporate World: Embracing Change and Building New Skills

For both Teddy and Henri, leaving competitive rugby behind was a decision they made on their own terms, one they stand by. “Maybe it came a bit early for me, but it felt right,” Teddy reflects, adding that while he does miss certain aspects, he comes back to the reasons he stepped away.

Leaving behind the familiar rhythm of sports and entering the professional sphere is a significant shift. Henri found additional support through Loughborough’s Career Network, particularly in his final year. Although many players might not immediately take advantage of the career workshops, including the one delivered by add-victor which he helped him “think outside of the box”. Henri reflects that “The resources were there—it’s just about choosing to use them.” However, Teddy highlighted the challenges of balancing internships with training, a common obstacle for student-athletes. “For a lot of employers, summer internships are crucial,” Teddy said, “especially in fields like finance.” Both felt that UK employers could take cues from U.S. programs, where dedicated internships for student-athletes offer more equitable opportunities.

  Henri

The Role of Mental Health in High-Pressure Environments

Henri spent nearly 600 days out due to ACL (knee ligament) and hamstring injuries; it was a test of patience and mental strength for him. As elite athletes, Henri and Teddy were part of environments that prioritised physical strength, but mental health, especially for men, wasn’t always a focus. Reflecting on this shift, Henri shared, “It’s easy to feel like you’re invincible when you’re in top shape physically, but mental health needs that same care. It’s been a crucial part of staying balanced, especially in a new career where everything is unfamiliar.” Serving as a mental health ambassador for the charity Blokes at Loughborough, Henri advocated for awareness, helping raise funds and support networks for students grappling with mental health issues.

Teddy recalls advice he heard from former All Black Dan Carter: “Give yourself 24 hours to feel ‘down’, then get back to work.”  This approach has served him well as he navigates the new demands of the corporate sphere. “In rugby, setbacks like injuries are just part of the game, especially being in the back row. The same mentality applies in a corporate role. You’ve got to keep pushing forward, learning from challenges and celebrating the small wins.” Both athletes emphasise the importance of talking openly about mental health and maintaining strong support networks. 

  Teddy

Aiming for Fulfilment Beyond Rugby: Setting New Goals

As they look to the future, Teddy and Henri aim to find the same sense of fulfilment in their new roles that they once experienced through sport. Teddy, who hopes to create a high-performance environment in his professional life, is driven by a desire to inspire and lead: “I want to bring the same dedication and teamwork to my work as I did on the field,”, envisioning a career where he can foster a strong, collaborative atmosphere.

Henri, meanwhile, is focused on finding growth and stability, aiming for a secure position by age 30 and choosing to prioritise his long-term well-being over competitive sport. Though moving away from competitive rugby is bittersweet, he’s confident that prioritising his long-term well-being will pay off.

Conclusion

Teddy emphasised the importance of patience and realistic expectations, noting that entering a new field is a learning process. “Just because you’ve been successful in one area doesn’t mean you’ll master something new overnight, but that's part of the enjoyment, the process of self-improvement and lessons learnt along the way."

For both Henri and Teddy, the support of career transition programmes, mentors, and former teammates has been invaluable. “Having a support system is crucial,” Henri said, “and workshops like add-victor bridge the gap, helping us adjust and grow in new roles.”

“The journey might look different, but the mindset stays the same,” Henri said. “Whether in rugby or in a corporate role, it’s about being the best version of yourself for your own growth and for those around you.”