Still in the Game: Being an Athlete at 55+

Introduction

Am I still an athlete?  I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.  I’ll be 58 years old in a few weeks.  I retired from the Army in September 2023 and transitioned into the civilian sector.  While I first thought about being an “athlete” in high school sports, it was my time in the military that truly solidified that identity.  Now that I’m out, can I really call myself an athlete?

To be clear, this isn’t about a textbook definition of an athlete. It’s about my personal sense of self: “I am an athlete.”  This is really the first time in my life I have had this so-called “identity crisis.”

So, do I still see myself as an athlete? The short answer is yes.

The Military Athlete: Built on Readiness

For over thirty years, the Army was my life, and within that, I was a professional athlete in every sense. My job required constant readiness. There was no downtime or extended period to get back in shape – deployment could happen at any time.

Physical and mental toughness were not just encouraged; they were fundamental to the culture of my units and became a core part of who I am. 

Leading by example was crucial. A leader needs to embody fitness to foster a culture of it; it was a non-negotiable aspect of the job and became deeply personal.

Redefining the Athlete’s Journey

Given that health and fitness have always been important to me, continuing a regular training routine after retiring felt natural. I’ve never been the fastest or strongest, but I’ve always been consistent in putting in the work.  I’m sort of a grinder…I just keep after it.

Yet, something felt different. The external driver – the mission, the constant readiness requirement – was gone. I continued the routines, the disciplined effort, but found myself asking: for what? The structure remained, but the objective felt blurry. Was I simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or was I searching for a new purpose for my training, a new banner under which to compete, even if only against myself?

Mountain Athlete and MTI Athlete

I now identify as a (novice) mountain athlete and I am a member of the MTI Athlete Team. But beyond these specific labels, my core question – “Am I still an athlete?” – has been answered through some reflection. The answer is yes, for reasons that go beyond any single activity.

First is the Centrality of Sport.  My involvement in physical training, hiking, climbing, or sport in general is central to my life. It’s not just a hobby but a core part of who I am.  And it’s tied to my values of discipline, resilience, perseverance, and integrity.

Second is Commitment and Dedication.  It’s not always easy and at times I need to kick myself in the ass, but I do have a strong commitment to training, improving performance, and achieving goals related to my chosen activities. This often involves significant time, effort, and discipline.  It’s putting in the work.

Last is Lifestyle Integration.  My identity as an athlete influences my lifestyle choices. This includes prioritizing training (there are 24-hours in a day so there is always time to train), paying attention to nutrition, choosing social activities that align with my athletic pursuits, and making sacrifices in other areas of my life. 

So, yes. The uniform may be different, the specific goals may have shifted, but the core identity remains. The discipline forged over decades, the commitment to pushing boundaries, and the integration of physical challenge into the fabric of daily life confirm it: I am still an athlete. Still in the game.

Brian Reed is a U.S. Army Veteran with 34+ years of active-duty service as an Infantryman.