The transition back to a ‘normal’ life can be tough for many former professional athletes. They go from the highly-regimented workouts and schedules, the constant stress and competition, the emotional highs and lows, and the adoring fans, to… well … to, what? That’s often the hardest question to answer – especially as more Americans approach retirement age.

Some transition into coaching or commentary, staying close to the sport that brought them wealth and fame. Others find success in other industries or just choose to spend time with their families. Some, though, they flounder. Listless and directionless, they don’t know what to do next. That’s where Chris Borland steps in.

Borland understands exactly how they feel. He had to abandon a promising football career after only one year due to repeated head injuries. His exit from the league was abrupt, jarring and hardly on his own terms. And that tends to be the norm, rather than the exception, for most NFL players. Borland shared his thoughts on that struggle with the Associated Press:

“One healthy thing I’d like for players to know, whether they’re active or former, is you likely can’t replicate the thrill of playing before 100,000 people and big hits and making that much money… We can get ourselves into trouble trying to. Coming to terms with transitioning is one of the harder lessons I’ve had to learn the last couple of years, is that life is a little more methodical than in sports. The peaks aren’t as high and the valleys aren’t as low. That’s the adjustment…”

Borland says military veterans can go through a similarly difficult transition. His brothers, John and Joe, serve in the US Army, and Chris says many veterans also struggle with making the transition to civilian life: “There are very similar physical struggles, but also two populations that have a hard time transitioning out whether it is the military or football and reintegrating into society…”

That’s why the former football player is transitioning himself into the guy who can help others bridge that gap. He talks of the sacrifices one makes for one’s teammates, and how those people remain teammates, either in sport or in the military, long after you hang up the uniform. “These are guys you shed blood with…who worked with you and still need support…”

Borland says he misses the camaraderie and the big games, but reality has to set in sooner or later, and guys need the best chance they can get to make a smooth transition. It sounds like Borland, with the help of his brothers, is setting a good example.

Ronn Torossian is a public relations leader with over 20 years of experience

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Ronn Torossian is the founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently-owned PR firms in the United States. With over 20 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected Public Relations professionals. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth, overseeing more than 175 professionals in the company's headquarters in midtown Manhattan. With clients spanning corporate, technology, consumer and crisis, in addition to digital marketing and public affairs capabilities, 5WPR is regularly recognized as an industry leader and has been named "PR Agency of the Year" by the American Business Awards on multiple occasions. Throughout his career, Torossian has worked with some of the world's most visible companies, brands and organizations. His strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a 2020 Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications, and is called on to counsel blue chip companies, top business executives and entrepreneurs both in the United States and worldwide. Torossian has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly on CNN & CNBC, was named to PR Week's "40 under Forty" list, is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer, and his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations" is an industry best-seller. A NYC native, Torossian lives in Manhattan with his children. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and active in numerous charities.