DC Mentor Project
A Trip to Murcia
As I sit on the bus heading to the airport after two incredible days in Murcia, I’m taking a moment to reflect. Hosted by UCAM, these past couple of days have been nothing short of fantastic, particularly in the context of the EU Erasmus+ project, DC Mentor. This initiative brings together a number of passionate European partners, all committed to one shared vision: supporting student-athletes.
A dual career athlete is someone who embarks on a dual journey—focusing on both athletic and academic development. Navigating this path is far from easy. Alongside obvious challenges like time constraints, these individuals often face deep inner conflicts: should they prioritise a key match or an essay deadline? How do they maintain balance when almost every waking hour is absorbed by study or sport?
Then there’s the question of what little time remains. Should it be spent with family? Cultivating romantic relationships? Investing in social circles—or simply resting? Financial pressures, decisions about future paths, and a constant re-evaluation of priorities add further layers of complexity.
That’s why it was so refreshing to walk into a room at UCAM—a stunning university campus—filled with individuals just as committed to supporting this unique population. There’s something special about gathering with like-minded people who care deeply about making a difference in the lives of young athletes.
The DC Mentor programme is designed to offer information, tools, and support to help student-athletes manage their journey more effectively. But beyond the practical, it also champions something that resonates deeply with me on a personal level: mentoring.
My background, both professionally and voluntarily, is rooted in mentoring. It’s not just a job—it’s something I identify as a fundamental aspect of human development. I truly believe the world is lacking the natural flow of intentional mentoring relationships. These are purposeful connections built around wisdom-sharing, goal-setting, and equipping the next generation to reach their potential—whatever that may look like for them.
I consider myself fortunate. Throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded by people who have intentionally ‘poured into’ me, with the sole aim of helping me grow. Without these relationships, I’m certain I would’ve made more poor decisions and lacked the role models who helped shape my direction.
One phrase that has stuck with me comes from leadership expert Bob Buford, who said: “Your fruit grows on other people’s trees.” It’s a beautiful and poetic way to describe the ripple effect of mentoring. Even now, in my mid-to-late thirties, I actively seek out mentoring relationships with those older and wiser than me—people I’m eager to learn from.
When I take on the role of mentor myself, I always begin the first session with this thought: “Whatever you learn from this experience is not just for you—it’s to be passed on to the next generation.” This generational model of mentoring, I believe, is key to developing strong, thoughtful individuals who will shape the future.
We’re currently living in a world shaped by the explosion of AI. And while there are clear benefits—having the world’s information at our fingertips—there’s one thing AI will never replace: wisdom. AI cannot analyse life experience in a way that’s personal, empathetic, and tailored to the complexity of a human journey. It cannot provide the transformative guidance that only lived experience, shared in relationship, can offer.
So, whether you’re a dual career athlete, a former athlete transitioning into the professional world, or simply someone who stumbled upon this article—I’d like to leave you with two questions:
- Who are you intentionally seeking out for wisdom and guidance—people who are trusted and more experienced than you?
- How can you generously share your own journey with the next generation? Who specifically can you identify as someone ready to embark on that journey with you?