Send us a textSimon Cox dreamed of playing for Reading FC. That was the goal. And while he wore the badge early in his career, it took almost 10 years and hundreds of games across leagues and countries before he finally earned his first start.In this episode, Simon opens up about the full-circle journey from youth academy to international football, the grind of lower leagues, and the reality check that comes with retirement during a global pandemic. He takes us inside his unexpected pivot from coaching dreams to launching a gym business, learning how to lead, fail, adapt, and lead again.What happens when you go from fighting for three points to fighting to keep the lights on in your gym? Simon walks us through that identity shift, the hard lessons in entrepreneurship, and why he stayed in fitness even after closing his first business.This one is for anyone who's had to start over, anyone trying to figure out what comes next, and anyone learning how to lead a team in sport or business. What You’ll Hear: - Why Simon’s dream of starting for Reading took almost a decade to fulfill- His honest reflection on dropping down a league and what it taught him- The reality of retirement during COVID and navigating life after football- How he transitioned from pro athlete to gym owner with no business experience- The steep learning curve of running a franchise and why he eventually pivoted- How he built loyalty with clients and why that stopped him from walking away- The pressure of making decisions that impact other people’s livelihoods- What Roy Hodgson taught him about structure and leadership- Why relationships, culture, and trust still shape the way he leads today- His advice to athletes about why retirement planning starts at 18Golden Nugget“Retirement starts at 18. No young footballer wants to hear that, but that’s when the plan begins. You’ve got to keep learning, keep making connections, and stay in touch with the people you meet along the way. One message at Christmas could open a door later.”Looking for career clarity for your next step? Visit www.secondwind.io to learn more or book a consultation. 

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