Karen Pickering’s journey both in and out of the pool is a story of self-discovery and reinvention. After two decades as a leading figure in British swimming, her legacy goes far beyond her achievements in the water.
Speaking with the British Elite Athletes Association (BEAA) in a feature shared via our exclusive alumni platform, Karen reflects on her transition from competitive sport, sharing her personal growth, the lessons she has learned, and her exciting new adventures.
Want to watch more from Karen and access a community exclusively for former elite athletes? Register to join our alumni platform here!
For two decades, Karen Pickering was a prominent figure in British swimming. “I was first on the national senior team at 14,” she recalled fondly. Her entry into the senior ranks at such an early age sparked an outstanding career spanning two decades. She dedicated herself to sport and amassed 35 major championship medals, 38 national titles, and four World Championships.
Karen’s career was not without its challenges, however. A significant injury midway through her swimming journey forced her to re-evaluate her relationship with the sport, eventually using it as a motivator – rather than a barrier to participation.
“I think it inspired me to stay longer and enjoy it because I kind of knew that I was a long time off retirement,” she says. Instead of letting the injury negatively impact her progression, it reignited her passion, reminding her to savour every remaining moment in the water.
However, like all athletes, Karen’s incredible time in the pool eventually had to end. What followed was a journey beyond the lane ropes, filled with new accomplishments and lessons on resilience, identity, and the pursuit of new passions.
As the years went by, Karen began to contemplate the idea of retirement, but it was not an easy decision. Karen acknowledged that many swimmers, as they near the end of their careers, often transition to shorter distances. She acknowledged that wouldn’t be her strength, however, so started to look beyond the pool.
By doing this as early in her career as possible, she allowed herself the space to step back on her terms, giving herself the necessary time to adjust to such a significant life change. “I just thought I would start to wind down and see what other opportunities came along and let the opportunities pull me away from the sport as I continued training,” she explains. This approach allowed her to gradually explore life beyond competition while staying connected to swimming.
As Karen let new opportunities come to her, she decided to assess her readiness to step away from competitive swimming by participating in the trials for the World Championships the following year. “I decided I would go to the trials for the World Championships, knowing that I wouldn’t be selected, I wouldn’t make the team, but I wanted to see how that made me feel,” she explains. This was a pivotal moment for her, testing whether she was truly ready to leave the sport. “I was okay with it; I was okay with not making the team. It just felt like the right time to move on.”
Leaving behind a career that had been the cornerstone of her identity was no small feat. Now, Karen openly talks about the emotional challenges she faced after retiring. “I think it helped to know that whenever I did feel down or feel confused, or felt I’d lost my identity, I also knew that that wasn’t forever,” she reflects.
In those moments of doubt, she found comfort in trusting they were a temporary part of the process of moving on. She encourages other athletes to recognise this too—to understand that it’s okay to feel those emotions and that they won’t last forever.
Karen’s self-awareness played a crucial role in her ability to navigate the transition. “I was always very aware of what I was going through, and I think that makes a difference,” she says.
This awareness became something of a compass, helping her manage the emotions that come with leaving a sport. “If you don’t understand why you’re feeling it and you start to either fight it or just get stuck in it, I think that’s when it can really cause problems,” she explains.
In the years following her retirement, Karen sought out new challenges to fill the void left by competitive swimming. She pursued extreme activities, hoping to recapture the thrill she once felt in the pool. “I ran a marathon, I climbed Kilimanjaro, I trekked the Great Wall of China… but none of them felt like touching the wall,” she says.
Instead of endlessly chasing those feelings, Karen found comfort in staying connected to the sport through sports commentary with BBC 5Live and Channel 4. “I was still around the pool; I was still watching it… I had a little taste of that being part of a team,” she reflects.
Commentary allowed her to remain close to the sport, offering her a new way to engage with the swimming community and maintain her connection to the sport she loved.
In her journey of transitioning away from competitive swimming, Karen realised the importance of emotional support and connection. Drawing from her own experiences, she became actively involved with the BEAA (then the British Athletes Commission) as Chair for 12 years. Reflecting on this decision, she shares, “I didn’t feel I had anyone to turn to through that time, and I didn’t want any other athletes going through that.” This commitment underscores her desire to offer guidance and support to others facing similar challenges.
In an unexpected twist, Karen embarked on a completely new career path after retiring from swimming. “Just over a year ago, I qualified as a mortgage advisor, so I went a bit off pace to do something completely different,” she says with a laugh.
“I’m a single mum. I needed something that was secure rather than the work that I was doing presenting and commentating, which is not secure at all,” Karen explains. This new direction was challenging, but she embraced it with the same determination that made her a champion in the pool.
“Once I started studying, I found that I really enjoyed it,” she reveals. “I liked the challenge of studying… I just found it really rewarding, and I quite like the puzzle of it, trying to figure out how to help somebody.” Her journey into a new career is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to find a new path, even in a field far removed from what you have known.
One of the most profound lessons Karen learned during her transition, and one she wishes to share with others considering retirement, was the importance of redefining success. Although she left the sport with a sense of closure, it took her years to genuinely appreciate her career.
“It’s taken me a long, long time to understand that… up until very recently, I still saw my swimming career as a failure because I hadn’t got an Olympic medal,” she admits. Karen emphasises the importance of celebrating your accomplishments, as this can make the transition out of sport smoother and less burdened by emotions like guilt or regret.
In addition, she encourages her fellow athletes to use the skills and networks they developed during their sporting careers. “Use all the tools that you’ve got in your bag from your sport, but it’s okay to not know everything,” she advises, reassuring those who might feel lost in their new endeavours.
Karen highlighted that finding a new vocation may take time and that prioritising patience is vital. “It might have taken you 10 years to get to where you are in sport… it might take you another 10 years to do that in your next career,” she says. Her message is clear: the transition out of sport is a journey, not a race, and it is crucial to “enjoy the route” and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Karen’s story is one of hope, demonstrating that life after sport can be as fulfilling as the years spent competing. “Just remember that pretty much everyone goes through it, you all have the same loss,” she says. But her journey shows that with time, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, there is a whole new world of opportunities waiting beyond competitive sport.
Want to watch more from Karen and access a community exclusively for former elite athletes? Register to join our alumni platform here!
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