Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Davis Jr..
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I played football at the University of Minnesota from 2005 to 2008, and like many athletes, I had one goal in mind. I wanted to make it to the NFL. I earned several accolades in college and truly believed I would get drafted. When that moment came and went in front of my friends and family, it became one of the most humbling and embarrassing experiences of my life. I kept chasing the dream for another year, but eventually I had to face the reality that it was over. That left me feeling lost. I moved to Atlanta ready to start a “normal life,” but I quickly realized I had no idea how to do that.
Every job I applied for during that time, I did not get. Then one day, I crossed paths with a former Gopher who asked how I was doing. I opened up about the depression I was feeling, and he made me feel seen by sharing his own story of struggle after sports. I never would have guessed it because he looked like he had everything figured out. He later offered me my first job through his company, and that moment changed the trajectory of my life.
Something clicked for me after that conversation. I leaned into connection and started going to networking events, curious and willing to learn how to build relationships. Over time, I kept meeting former athletes who were struggling with the transition or had struggled in silence. I saw my own teammates navigating the same identity challenges as well.
Eventually, I knew I wanted to help. Since my journey started at the University of Minnesota, I returned and began volunteering in the alumni space. After some time, I was offered a role with the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. In that position, I have been able to support alumni across generations by connecting them to resources that enhance their lives. While I love that work, I still felt drawn to do more for athletes because the identity gap after sports continues to be a real and common challenge around the world.
That led me to become a life coach and launch Strive Higher After Sports. My mission is to create meaningful space for reflection, discovery, and intentional design so athletes can build fulfilling lives after the game. Today, I have the privilege of working with professional, Olympic, collegiate, and high school athletes to help them see themselves as more than athletes and design a future they can live fully in.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I struggled deeply with my identity. I wasn’t where I thought I would be, and I experienced a period of depression. A near-death experience was a wake-up call that pushed me to take ownership of my life and search for my why. Through a lot of trial and error, and by putting myself out there, I discovered the issue I became most passionate about solving. That why led me to the University of Minnesota Alumni Association and eventually to becoming an entrepreneur. I wasn’t fully prepared to launch a business, so I am still learning every day, but I lean into my mantra of “Striving Higher Every Day”.
We’ve been impressed with Strive Higher After Sports, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Strive Higher After Sports is an athlete transition support organization with a focus on coaching, workshops, and public speaking. At Strive Higher After Sports, we understand the unique challenges that athletes face when transitioning from sports to the next phase of life. To combat it, we use a design thinking approach to help athletes design a fulfilling life after sports.
Services are offered for athletes at the beginning of their transition to those far removed from their transition. These services include:
– Transition Coaching (1-on-1 and group coaching)
– Life Design Workshops
– Speaking
Being an athlete never leaves you, so the transition work is constant. The goal is to empower athletes to make the most of their talents, passions, and experiences, and create a life that is meaningful and fulfilling beyond athletics.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I approach life with the mindset of staying ready so I don’t have to get ready. That means being open to whatever comes my way and learning as much as I can so I’m prepared for the moments that matter.
When it comes to risk, I am mostly calculated, but I am open to putting myself out there to learn through experience. For instance, I am an entrepreneur, but I am also still working full-time to help provide financial security while I build. The reason for this is that I have a young family currently as well, so I am trying to be smart with my risks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.strivehigheraftersports.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/shed_ave
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/strivehigheraftersports
