An existential perspective on meaning, spirituality and authenticity in athletic careers

Abstract

This research examines athletes’ career paths and reflections of meaning in their sporting practices through an existential psychological lens. Through notions of spirituality and authenticity, we examined how competitive sport practices and bodily movement gain meaning, and often fundamentally shift meaning, in athletes’ lives. Reflective writings with a follow-up from 10 athletes were interpreted through an existential-narrative analysis. The results suggest that while the early years of sport practice are most often characterised as highly enjoyable experiences, for some, the later career development involves existential challenges such as value conflicts, losing a sense of authenticity, fear of failure and anxiety. The ways in which the participants related to their sport in mature years varied considerably from sustained love for competitive sport, to developing a personal philosophy built around learning and spirituality or disidentification from high-level performance sport. Based on the findings, we suggest several practical implications for future research and applied practice.