What Are the Signs That an Athlete May Be Losing Their Love for the Game?

Something I often discuss with athletes is what it means to still love your sport when it stops feeling enjoyable. I remember working with a collegiate rower entering her final season. She’d been with her team for three years, putting in early mornings, grueling workouts, and balancing it all with a full academic load. On paper, she was doing everything “right.” But something had shifted.

She started dreading practice. She felt emotionally disconnected from her teammates and questioned whether she even wanted to finish the season. And yet, she still cared about the title of being a four-year athlete, about leaving a legacy, about not disappointing anyone. Her situation mirrored something I’d gone through myself as a figure skater. There was a year or two where I truly wasn’t enjoying it anymore. I kept pushing because I was so close to my final skills test—the “gold test”—a milestone that had once meant everything to me. But by the time I got there, the joy had faded.

The signs were there: stress, dread, anxiety, and a constant need to incentivize myself just to show up. I see these signs now with athletes all the time; not because they don’t care, but because they’re burned out or emotionally disconnected. And when that happens, it can be hard to know what to do next.

Here are 10 signs that an athlete may be falling out of love with their sport and how to help them find their way back (if they want to).

1. Lack of Enthusiasm for Practices and Competitions

An athlete who once loved their sport might start dragging their feet—literally and emotionally. They may show up late to practice, miss team meetings, or seem checked out during warm-ups. What once felt exciting now feels like a chore.

2. Increased Complaints or Negative Attitude

Some frustration is normal, but a steady stream of complaints about training, coaches, or teammates might be a signal that something deeper is going on. If the negativity doesn’t pass with rest or changes in routine, it might be time to explore what’s underneath it.

3. Physical and Emotional Exhaustion

Even with enough sleep, athletes may feel constantly drained. That fatigue can look like slower recovery, decreased motivation, or even getting sick or injured more often. Emotional exhaustion (like feeling overwhelmed or disconnected) is often harder to spot but just as important.

4. Avoidance of Key Responsibilities

When passion fades, so does follow-through. Athletes might stop following their training plan, miss rehab assignments, or give minimal effort in drills. It’s not always laziness; it can be a sign they’re no longer emotionally invested.

5. Reduced Focus and Engagement

An athlete who’s mentally checked out might seem unusually distracted, make uncharacteristic mistakes, or struggle to stay present. You may notice a loss of the “locked-in” look that once defined their game.

6. Loss of Goal Orientation

Setting goals requires hope and energy. When those fade, athletes may stop setting goals or avoid talking about the ones they used to care about. That shift can be subtle but significant.

7. Increased Interest in Activities Outside of Sport

Exploring other interests is healthy and encouraged. But when athletes start skipping practice to hang out with friends or spend more time on hobbies, it might reflect a change in priorities—and possibly a decrease in sport-related joy.

8. Feelings of Resentment or Obligation

When an athlete starts to say things like “I have to go to practice” instead of “I want to,” listen closely. They may feel trapped by others’ expectations and resent the sport for becoming a source of pressure instead of passion.

9. Increased Anxiety or Stress

Performance anxiety can spike when athletes feel disconnected from their “why.” They may fear letting people down or worry that walking away means failure. That emotional weight can cause even more avoidance or overthinking.

10. Expressing a Desire to Quit

Sometimes athletes say it plainly: “I don’t think I want to do this anymore.” This can be hard to hear, but it’s also an opening. A chance to get curious, not just concerned. A chance to ask what they need, rather than assuming what’s best.

How to Help an Athlete Rekindle Their Passion

If any of these signs sound familiar, here are a few ways to support the athlete in your life (or yourself!):

• Create space for honest conversations. Ask open-ended questions and listen without judgment or attempting to solve the problem immediately. Let them know it’s okay to feel uncertain.

  
  

• Revisit their original “why.” Sometimes reconnecting with earlier motivations like joy, connection, or self-expression can spark something again.

  
  

• Adjust expectations. If the sport has become all-consuming, look for ways to reduce the pressure or redefine success.

  
  

• Introduce variety. New drills, less structured time, or even trying a different position or role can keep things fresh.

  
  

• Work with a sport psychologist. This kind of support can help athletes untangle burnout from their identity, explore what they truly need, and make informed, aligned decisions.

Moving Forward (Whether It’s With the Sport or Beyond It!)

There isn’t always a clear “yes” or “no” answer to whether an athlete should keep going or step away. That’s one of the hardest parts—when the answer isn’t obvious, and both staying and quitting carry emotional weight. But I’ve seen athletes make it through this crossroads in different ways.

That rower I mentioned earlier? She ended up continuing her senior season and rediscovered what she loved about it. For me, passing that final skating test helped me close one chapter and move toward other goals that felt lighter and more fulfilling.

Takeaways

Falling out of love with your sport doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or giving up. It means you’re growing—and growth often comes with discomfort. Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t choosing to stay or go, but giving yourself permission to ask the question at all. Whether you rekindle your passion or shift your path, your worth isn’t defined by your sport. It never was.

Reflection prompt: Think back to a time when your sport stopped feeling fun. What were you telling yourself about what that meant? What might you say to that younger version of you now?

Wondering if the spark is fading from your sport?

Working with a sport psychology professional can help you explore what’s changed, reconnect with your “why,” or navigate what comes next. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out today to get support that honors both your passion and your path.

START HERE

Legal Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health treatment, psychological services, or medical advice. Reading this post does not create a therapist-client relationship. If you are seeking support for your mental health or well-being, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional in your area.