When the Game No Longer Fits
Why Dani Reches stepped away from professional hockey—and what he’s building to help others find their way
For most of his life, Dani Reches didn’t just play roller hockey—he was roller hockey. He started at three, signed his first professional contract at 18, and built his entire identity around the sport. He trained constantly, doubled up on teams, and competed with players he once watched on TV.
But at 20, despite external success, Dani made a decision most couldn’t understand.
He walked away.
And not because of injury, or age, or opportunity. But because the joy was gone—and he had the courage to admit it.
“All my life I had this value: if I’m not happy, I don’t want to do it anymore.”
A Kid with a Stick and a Dream
Dani’s earliest memory is stepping onto the rink in a Barcelona tournament at just four years old. He trained with older players by age six and spent weekends with his dad watching professional teams. At home, hockey was everything—conversation, culture, identity.
He climbed the ranks fast, guided by a mentor coach who saw his potential early and helped him break into elite competition. By the time he was a teen, he was playing in Spain’s top tournaments, being preselected for national teams, and eventually signing with one of the best clubs in the world.
It was the dream. But living the dream isn’t the same as loving it.
When Success Isn’t Enough
His second year of pro was different. He moved to a new city, lived alone, and joined a team where he was no longer the standout. He trained less. Played less. Felt disconnected from teammates and unsupported by coaches.
There was no mental health staff. No one to help process the sudden drop in joy or identity. Just pressure.
“I started to look at the clock in training—counting the minutes until it ended. That’s when I knew.”
The decision to walk away wasn’t just professional. It was deeply personal.
For Dani, roller hockey had always been more than a sport—it was his primary connection to many of the people he cared about. Conversations, routines, family dynamics—they all revolved around the rink. So when he chose to walk away, it didn’t just create distance from the game. It created distance from the people closest to him.
Some didn’t understand. Others didn’t know what to say. The silence that followed was its own kind of grief.
Still, Dani held to his values. He chose himself. Even when no one else could yet see why.
Reinvention by Any Means
What came next was not a polished rebrand—it was hard, humble, and honest.
Dani started going to the gym. He dove into bodybuilding—not to compete, but to heal. In a world where tracking your food and filming workouts felt “strange,” he did it anyway. People called it a waste. His dad didn’t get it. But Dani kept going.
Then he bought a one-way ticket to Australia.
He didn’t speak English. Had never flown alone. Had no job lined up. He lived in hostels, washed dishes, worked in a bakery, and eventually trained clients at a local gym. It wasn’t glamorous—but it gave him something he hadn’t had in a long time:
A fresh start.
A Business with Purpose
After two years in Australia, Dani came to the U.S. on a visa that allows him time to build. He now lives in Chicago, working with a host family while building an online coaching business that helps former athletes navigate life after sport.
He doesn’t call himself a psychologist. He’s a guide. Someone who knows how hard it is to leave something you love. Someone who rebuilt his life one small decision at a time.
“There’s no magic pill. But there are tools. And now I have them.”
He’s quietly confident in what he’s building. He’s studied business, invested in tools, built a five-week program, and learned how to reach people through YouTube. Most importantly, he’s grounded in why he’s doing it.
Because no athlete should have to face that moment alone.
What He’d Tell His 15-Year-Old Self
“Find help mentally. Because I was in an environment where, at that time, if you saw a psychologist, it meant you had a problem. But you don’t—you’re just human.”
Work with Dani
Dani Reches now runs a coaching program designed specifically for retired college athletes navigating the emotional and professional transition away from sport.
His 5-week mentorship program—called the Beyond the Game Blueprint—guides athletes through:
Identity redefinition
Skill-building & career planning
Mental resilience & emotional well-being
Integration of new purpose and daily routines
The program combines personal coaching with structured tools and reflection exercises—perfect for athletes who feel lost after sport and want a more intentional life beyond competition.
Who it’s for:
🎓 Retired college athletes (ages 20–25)
🧭 Anyone facing identity loss, career uncertainty, or a lack of direction post-sport
💬 Those seeking mentorship from someone who’s lived it
If you or someone you know is navigating life after sport, reach out to Dani at info@beyondthegameblueprint.com or follow his journey on YouTube . He’s building something powerful—for athletes, by an athlete.
