What is your athletic background (sport(s), level, experience)?
I discovered basketball around the age of 12, and it was love at first sight. Very quickly, that passion turned into discipline and relentless hard work. I started out at a small local club, but my ambition drove me to attend tryouts for more competitive programs. I was fortunate to join prestigious clubs like Paris-Levallois and Cholet Basket.
My journey then took me far beyond France: I played in Spain, the United States (notably at IMG Academy), Canada, Serbia, and of course in France, where I reached National 2 level. I also had the opportunity to take part in several professional tournaments, which allowed me to test my game in a variety of sporting contexts and cultures.
My position on the court was point guard/shooting guard, a role that taught me how to lead, anticipate, make quick decisions, and always serve the team above all.
Where are you today in your professional journey?
Today, I work as a pre-sales consultant in digital marketing at a global tech company. My main mission is to help some of the world’s biggest brands, across all industries, optimize their online visibility. It’s a strategic role at the intersection of consulting, technology, and business.
What’s important to know is that I never set aside my education, even during my most intense years in basketball. My father always emphasized the value of school, and although I considered quitting after high school to focus solely on sports, I ultimately chose to pursue both paths in parallel.
I first earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and management, then specialized in marketing and procurement through a work-study program. My master’s in international marketing helped me build solid business expertise on a global scale. I had the opportunity to work at PSA (now Stellantis) as a buyer, then at Orange in strategic marketing for two years. Thanks to my proactive approach and a personal initiative to revamp their digital strategy, I was later hired as a web project manager within the same company.
Today at ****, I’m fortunate to lead a team and continue learning every day. At the same time, I’m actively nurturing my entrepreneurial side by developing meaningful projects, with the goal of creating value and helping others through innovative ideas.
How did you experience the transition from your sports career to professional life?
The transition wasn’t easy, far from it. It happened in stages, and some of them were painful. When I was in Canada, I truly believed I would settle in North America and continue building my basketball career. But for various reasons, I had to return to France. That return felt like a failure to me. It marked the beginning of a difficult, almost depressive period, even though I still had a strong desire to succeed in sports.
At that moment, my father played a crucial role. He pushed me to keep going with my studies, even when all I wanted was to give 200% to basketball. Looking back, I know he was right. What followed were repeated injuries. While playing semi-professionally, I had to undergo ligament reconstruction surgery after several sprains to the same ankle. That’s when I started accepting that I might not reach the level I had aimed for in basketball.
So, I continued my studies without really knowing where they would lead me, but with a strong drive to keep moving forward. Then came the end of my master’s program, and with it, the harsh reality of the job market: I had to find work and make a decisive shift. I was fortunate to land a job right after my work-study contract as a web project manager, but soon after, I found myself unemployed. That period was a real wake-up call, caught between the need to support myself and the desire to become an entrepreneur, I felt torn, stressed, and sometimes lost.
Eventually, I found a position at ****. This new role brought a different kind of adrenaline. It wasn’t the same as stepping onto the court, but it awakened that same drive to push limits, aim higher, and perform. Finding that new source of energy is what helped me bounce back and regain direction.
What surprised or challenged you the most during this change?
What challenged me the most during this transition was learning how to adapt to a completely new pace of life, a rhythm without daily training sessions, without competition, without that rush of adrenaline that came with every game and high-pressure moment on the court. I had to learn how to find that spark elsewhere, especially in the professional world.
The biggest shift was in mindset. In sports, everything is measurable, visible, transparent, your performance speaks for itself, the stats are clear, and everyone shares the same goal: improve, win, perform. In the workplace, it’s much more ambiguous. Results do exist, but they’re not always recognized automatically. You have to learn how to showcase your work, speak about your achievements, and advocate for yourself. Otherwise, even strong performers can go unnoticed.
Another challenge was navigating human relationships. In sports, even if people come from different backgrounds, the team is united by a shared purpose. In the professional world, motivations vary widely. Some people just want to get the job done even if it’s not done well, nothing more. And for someone shaped by the drive and discipline of high-level sports, that can be hard to understand, even frustrating at times.
In the end, it all comes down to adaptability. You have to find your own rhythm without turning your back on your athletic roots. You need to keep sport in your life, because it’s a part of who you are, while embracing new systems and ways of working. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s also what makes the journey so rich and transformative.
What motivated you to make this transition?
My transition into the professional world was driven by several factors, but the first and most important one was clearly my father. He never stopped reminding me of a truth many athletes tend to overlook: a sports career can end at any moment. He used to say, “You never know what might happen, an injury, an unexpected turn, and it can all stop in an instant. Even if you make it to 30 or 35, you’ll need to think about what comes next.” He wanted me to be prepared, to build something solid beyond the court.
And he was right. Injuries eventually caught up with me, including a ligament reconstruction surgery that made me realize my dream of a full-time career in sports might have to take a different form. The final trigger was Covid. At that time, I was still playing at a good level, but everything came to a halt. No more games, no more visibility, no more opportunities. That’s when I truly opened my eyes: basketball alone wasn’t going to build a future for me or my family.
From that moment on, I decided to fully commit to my professional career. Especially after Covid, I went through a period of unemployment that forced me to face reality, I had to bounce back quickly. That combination of experiences pushed me to act, to redefine my dreams, and to channel my energy into a new direction, business, marketing, and strategy.
That’s also when I realized something essential: we should never stop dreaming. We just need to learn how to adjust our dreams to fit our ambitions and our reality. And keep fighting for them with the same intensity we used to bring to the game.
Did you already have a career plan in mind while you were still an athlete?
Yes… and no. During my athletic years, I was also pursuing my studies, and I could see there were plenty of opportunities in the professional world. But having a clear, structured career plan at that age is really difficult. I think we simply lack the maturity to truly project ourselves into the future.
At first, I thought that if my sports career didn’t work out, I’d become a physiotherapist. Then I considered working in sports events, or more broadly, somewhere in the sports industry. My ideas were all over the place, which is completely normal when you’re young and trying to balance passion with the question of your future.
What I did know for sure, though, was that I was drawn to entrepreneurship. I saw in it the same rush I got from sports: adrenaline, challenges, taking initiative, and the constant drive to improve. I wanted to create something of my own, to build a project that reflected who I was. And to this day, that desire is still alive within me.
At the same time, I realized I had a strong interest in marketing, for its creativity, strategic depth, and the way it combines vision with execution. So, over time, I aligned my soft skills, my passions, and the opportunities life offered me. I didn’t follow a strict plan like, “I’ll work at this company, in this role.” Instead, I moved forward by seizing what made sense, saying “no” when it didn’t feel right, and “yes” when it did.
So no, I didn’t have a rigid career plan. But I had drive, values, and interests. And I learned to trust my instincts and stay true to myself. Today, I can say that the path I’ve taken feels meaningful, and that’s what matters.
What skills or qualities developed through sports have helped you most in your professional career? Can you give a specific example of how you applied them at work?
What sports taught me above all is fearlessness, the ability to face challenges head-on without backing down. It also instilled in me a deep sense of resilience, a constant drive for performance, and a passion for doing things well and pushing myself beyond limits. These are qualities that are deeply rooted in me and that I apply every single day in my professional life.
One concrete example: I’ve been offered professional opportunities multiple times that, at first glance, I wasn’t fully prepared for. But I never said no. Instead, I saw them as chances to grow. Rather than waiting until I felt “ready,” I took action. Before stepping into a key position, for instance, I spent three intense weeks training and preparing on my own, putting in long hours to make sure I was ready on day one. That mindset, to prepare rigorously, to learn fast, to rise to the occasion, comes straight from my sports background.
There have also been setbacks, just like in sports. Not everything goes as planned. But I never let failure define me. I’ve always been able to bounce back, find solutions, adapt my approach, and keep striving toward my goals. Learning how the company works, understanding internal dynamics, adjusting my strategy, it’s no different than analyzing an opponent and adapting during a game.
That mentality, that energy, that’s what sports gave me. And today, I use it to go after my own wins, even if they look different than those on the court. What matters most is never giving up. Keep working, keep adapting, keep improving, until you reach your goal.
What challenges did you face at the beginning of your new career? How did you overcome them?
The first challenges I faced were all about adaptation: understanding how companies operate, whether small businesses or large corporations. How do you find your place, learn the unspoken rules, understand internal dynamics, and most importantly, position yourself strategically to reach your goals without getting sidelined?
Shifting from the world of sports to the corporate world requires a real ability to “fit in”, to integrate into a new environment while still asserting your personality and ambition. At first, that wasn’t easy. But this is exactly where the resilience, competitiveness, and discipline I developed through sports helped me tremendously. I tackled these challenges the same way I would prepare for a tough game: by working hard, staying patient, and thinking strategically.
Another key factor was being open to feedback. Just like a player needs a good coach, a professional needs good managers. They aren’t always easy to find, but I’ve been lucky to cross paths with some supportive leaders who gave me valuable advice. I’ve always tried to absorb as much feedback as possible, both positive and negative, and then sort through it to extract what truly mattered.
Over time, I learned how to showcase my work, highlight my results, and understand what drives growth and recognition inside an organization. These lessons, combined with my athletic mindset, are what helped me overcome early obstacles and carve out my place in the corporate world.
Did you receive any support or guidance (mentor, coach, network, platform like Sport2Work…) during your transition? How important was it for you?
I wasn’t formally or structurally supported during my transition. I didn’t have a dedicated mentor or a platform like Sport2Work to guide me at the time. However, I learned a lot through conversations with colleagues and managers. Those exchanges allowed me to gather valuable feedback that helped me better adapt to the working world, understand its codes, and position myself wisely.
But to be honest, the transition was far from easy. At times, it was even brutal. I had to relearn everything, how to manage my time, my relationship with food, rest, daily routines. There was a period where it all became toxic. I gained a lot of weight, my lifestyle declined, and I felt truly off balance. It wasn’t just about work, it was also the broader context, like the impact of Covid, which intensified feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
The hardest part was realizing that I was doing well professionally, but my personal life, my habits, my overall balance were falling apart. I no longer had the structure that sports used to provide, no more training schedules, no clear physical goals. And that’s when it hit me: this transition wasn’t just about switching careers, it was about reshaping my entire life.
That’s why I now believe having guidance would have made a huge difference. Someone to help me preserve the good habits instilled by sports, instead of letting them slip away. Sports had taught me discipline, structure, and healthy routines, those shouldn’t be left behind when entering the corporate world; they should be adapted.
Thankfully, with time, I managed to rebuild that balance. But it took a while. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: succeeding in your transition isn’t just about doing well in a new job. It’s about staying aligned with who you are, across all aspects of your life.
What are you most proud of in your professional career so far? Was there a turning point when you thought, “I made the right choice”?
There are several things I’m proud of in my professional journey, because it has developed on multiple levels, both in my main job and in my personal projects.
Professionally, I’m proud to have reached a managerial position by the age of 30. It’s a meaningful milestone that reflects my ability to adapt, learn quickly, and find my place. I’ve led major projects and received significant raises, both as recognition of my skills and as proof that I positioned myself strategically within the company. And above all, I’m able to come home without stressing about how I’m going to pay the bills. I’ve built a sense of stability that allows me to think ahead, support my family, and invest in future ventures. That’s something I’m truly proud of.
Beyond that, I’m equally proud of what I’m doing on the entrepreneurial side. Creating things, helping others, making an impact, that’s an essential part of who I am. Every time I get a message from a young person I’ve inspired, or I see one of my ideas helping someone in a tangible way, I know I’m on the right path. That’s when I feel like I truly made the right choice.
There have been several turning points: when a small business I created almost got acquired, or when I launched e-commerce platforms and saw real sales come through. These moments are milestones, signs that I’m moving in the right direction. Even though I know I haven’t reached all my goals yet, far from it, every step brings me closer to what I want to build. And to me, that’s already a victory in itself.
What advice would you give to an athlete considering a career transition? How can they best prepare mentally and technically for success?
My first piece of advice would be to stay curious and open-minded. You need to be able to see all the possibilities that are out there. That means doing your research, reading, watching testimonials, attending events, and exploring other industries. The more you expose yourself to different environments, the more you’ll discover, and the better equipped you’ll be to make informed choices.
One major shortcut in this journey is seeking guidance. Being supported by someone who’s been through this transition or who understands the professional world can save you a lot of time and help you avoid costly mistakes. It also gives you better clarity on how to prepare yourself mentally and technically for this new chapter in your life.
You also need to shift your perspective on the working world. Yes, it’s a different kind of performance, but at its core, it requires the same mindset you had in sports: hard work, discipline, consistency. Don’t be afraid of the time it might take to reach your goals. Just because the format changes doesn’t mean your level of intensity and commitment should.
It’s all in your mindset. You have to stay mentally strong, maintain your good habits as an athlete, and not let them slip just because you’re moving on. Eat well, sleep well, stay surrounded by the right people, those things are just as crucial in your new path. Your body is still your engine, even outside of sports. You need to take care of it if you want to perform at a high level elsewhere.
And most importantly, listen to yourself. Transition is also about learning who you are outside the sport, adapting, and building a new version of yourself. If you haven’t had a strong educational or mentoring support system, then seek one out. Having the right people around you can be a game-changer, it’s a powerful lever that helps you bounce back and turn your athletic energy into professional success.
In your opinion, what can employers offer to former athletes?
The first thing employers can offer to a former athlete is stability. That’s a huge contrast with the world of sports, where everything can change overnight, an injury, a cancelled transfer, a missed selection. In sports, you often live in uncertainty. But in the working world, especially in countries like France, there’s a sense of security and continuity that can be very reassuring and grounding for someone coming from an athletic background.
But simply offering a stable job isn’t enough. An athlete is, above all, someone driven by a flame, a passion, an internal fire that pushes them to work hard, exceed limits, and constantly aim higher. That same flame that fueled their sports career is also what can make them an exceptional asset in the workplace.
The role of employers, and especially managers, is to nurture that flame, not extinguish it. That means providing real challenges, inspiring goals, and meaningful responsibilities. You can’t just tuck them away in a corner with no vision or ambition. If they feel challenged, heard, and valued, they’ll rise, and they’ll do it with a rare level of energy, intensity, and focus.
I believe that this flame isn’t exclusive to athletes, everyone has it in some form. But in former competitors, it often burns brighter. And when companies know how to keep it alive, they can unlock incredible potential, people capable of leading high-impact projects with passion and drive.
How can companies better recognize and leverage the skills developed through sports?
To truly value the skills developed through sports, companies first need to understand that these qualities, resilience, discipline, stress management, leadership, teamwork, are not just transferable. They already exist within athletes and are ready to be activated in a new context.
But for those qualities to fully express themselves, companies must create an environment that keeps the flame alive. As I mentioned before, athletes need to be challenged and stimulated. That’s when they perform at their best.
One way to better leverage these skills would be to introduce workshops or awareness sessions within organizations. Former athletes could speak about their journey, explain how sports skills apply to the workplace, and show others how to identify and apply those same strengths in their own roles.
We could also imagine specialized internal coaching programs to help both athletes and non-athletes recognize these often-invisible competencies and learn how to integrate them into their professional routines. Valuing these skills means bringing them to the surface, especially when they’re there but not yet visible.
In short, it’s not enough to simply hire someone with a sports background and expect results. You have to acknowledge those strengths, nurture them, and build a culture where they can thrive. That’s how companies will truly unlock the potential of athletic talent.
What are your medium and long-term professional goals? Do you plan to stay connected to sports in some way (coaching, mentoring, volunteering, etc.)?
In the medium term, my main goal is to help my current team grow. As a manager, I want to support them in developing their skills, becoming key players in their respective fields, and truly thriving in their roles. I also aim to take on more responsibilities, expand my scope, and contribute more strategically within the company.
In the long run, I dream of seeing my personal projects grow and succeed. Some of these projects are directly connected to the world of sports, which allows me to maintain a strong bond with an environment that has given me so much. What I’m seeking isn’t just “business” success, but real impact: creating something meaningful, both for myself and for others.
There’s also an idea that keeps coming back to me: coaching a basketball team. It’s not a priority just yet, because I first want to accomplish certain professional and personal goals. But one day, I can definitely see myself sharing my experience with a team, whether it’s young players or seniors.
Sports will always be a part of me, and I know I’ll continue to carry it with me, in one way or another.
Is there a quote, philosophy or piece of advice you’d like to share that has helped you in your sporting and professional career? Any last words to motivate those who are still hesitating to take the plunge?
If there’s one quote that has stayed with me for a long time, it’s this one: “If you’re afraid to fail, you don’t deserve to succeed.” It resonates deeply with me, because we all experience fear at some point, fear of the unknown, fear of taking a leap, fear of change. But the truth is, it’s by daring, by jumping in, that we grow.
You shouldn’t be afraid to fail. You have to go for it, try, learn, adjust. That’s how you move forward. Letting fear freeze you in place means giving up on your own evolution. And when it comes to a major transition, like moving from sports to professional life, that fear is normal… but it should never hold you back.
To those still hesitating, I would say this: don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Go all in, with your athlete’s mindset, your energy, and your values. And above all, have no regrets. Even failure is part of the journey. It teaches you more than you realize and shapes who you become.
And if the uncertainty feels overwhelming, if you don’t know where to begin, seek support. Getting guidance is a powerful shortcut in life. Being surrounded by experienced, supportive people can change everything. You’ll go further, faster, and your impact, on yourself and those around you, will be even greater.
We only get one life. It’s long, filled with chapters waiting to be written. Make sure yours reflects who you truly are, at 200%, every single day.