In the past few weeks, there has been a flurry of athlete retirement news. From Super Bowl hero Nick Foles to women’s sports pioneer Alex Morgan, hanging up the cleats can be a tough transition for athletes who have spent their lives preparing for this moment.

Not only do athletes struggle with finding a new way to define themselves outside of their sport, but they are often forced to make significant financial adjustments after retiring. The cost of elite coaching and equipment can quickly add up, and many athletes have reported relying on food stamps and racking up credit card debt in their early post-athletic years.

For those who struggle with the transition from active athlete to retired person, there is hope. Whether it’s an Olympic gold medalist like Michael Phelps diving again just two years after he initially retired or rower Helen Glover making an unscheduled U-turn on her retirement to compete at the 2024 Olympics, these former athletes prove that you can “un-retire” and come back better than ever.

Athletes need to be educated about their finances and how to plan for life after they hang up their cleats. They need to be aware of the tax implications of their investments and be careful with how they spend their money. They should also be focusing on building relationships with financial professionals, who can help them make smart decisions when it comes to investing and managing their money.