For most of her life, Sonya Curry wore many hats with grace—an accomplished volleyball player, a mother to NBA superstar Stephen Curry, and a devoted wife. But when life slowed down, and those roles began to shift, Sonya found herself confronting something many retired athletes and empty nesters face: an identity crisis.
It’s a struggle her son Steph, a generational basketball talent, might one day face when his own career ends. But for now, it’s Sonya’s journey that offers a raw, relatable perspective on what happens when the spotlight dims, routines change, and the quiet sets in.
In conversation with Travis Hearn on The Travis Hearn Podcast, Sonya peeled back the layers of this struggle. “When Dell retired, I actually went through this one other time before,” she shared, referring to her retirement from her 29-year career in education. “The first six months, I was excited about it, but then I’d sit in my car at the grocery store, start doing something on my phone, and just go home without even going inside. I remember thinking, ‘What is happening in my mind?’”
Sonya’s experience highlights the profound shifts retirement can bring—not just mentally, but biologically and emotionally. She likened it to being stuck in quicksand, saying, “Your body biologically gets used to waking up at a certain time, doing certain things. Biochemical changes happen within you.”
Add to that the loss of routine and community, and it’s easy to see why the adjustment feels like an uphill battle. “You know, the locker room, camaraderie, me going to school, all my teachers, parents. All that goes away and you’re like, I’m not like, closely connected to them,” she added.
Through it all, Sonya leaned on her faith, learning to embrace stillness and trust in God’s plan. “The silence hits you, and God’s like, ‘Me. You know me.’ And you’re like, ‘Yeah, but where are the staff meetings? Where are the practices?’ And He’s like, ‘Exactly.’”
She says, “I mourned what I was leaving,“ and waited for the Lord to show her the path.
Her story poignantly reminds us that identity transcends performance or roles and lies in discovering purpose beyond them. While Sonya was facing these hardships, here are some tips that can help Steph after he retires.
What steps can legends like Stephen Curry and former athletes do to ease identity crisis?
When athletes retire, it’s not just about stepping away from the game—it’s about figuring out who they are without it. A huge part of that struggle is the loss of identity. Researchers like Taylor and Ogilvie (1994) explain how athletes can feel lost without the sport they’ve devoted their lives to.
But here’s the thing: they can redefine themselves by exploring new passions or roles, like coaching or mentoring. Brewer (1993) says these pursuits can help fill the void.
Mental health support is also crucial in this process. As athletes face the emotional toll of transitioning, it’s important to have a strong support system. Studies, such as those by Bi Piven et al. (2019), show how therapy and mindfulness can provide valuable tools for managing anxiety and depression. Having a network of fellow retired athletes can also help combat feelings of isolation.
Athletes who take time to reconnect with themselves often find that their value doesn’t only come from their athletic careers. They discover new interests, build relationships, and find meaning in new activities.
While it’s never an easy shift, the transition can lead to fulfilling second careers or even new ways to stay involved in the sport they love. By focusing on their well-being and embracing change, athletes can emerge from this challenging time with a new sense of purpose.
The post “I Mourned”: Sonya Curry Warns Stephen Curry, LeBron James & Others Of Inevitable Biochemical Changes In NBA Futures appeared first on EssentiallySports.
