Navigating My Transition: From Strength and Conditioning to Sports Science and Technology

Some Get It. Some Don’t. Changing career paths isn’t easy. Some people understand why you’re making the shift—they see the bigger picture. Others don’t, and that’s okay.

This year, I made a decision to step away from strength and conditioning and focus on sports science and technology. It hasn’t been a straightforward journey, but it’s been the right one for me.

Why Strength and Conditioning No Longer Felt Right

For years, I worked with elite teams like TNT Tropang Giga and the Philippine Azkals. My role was about helping athletes improve their physical performance. While rewarding, it started to feel like I wasn’t fully using my skills or pursuing what truly interested me.

I realized that my curiosity wasn’t just about training—it was about understanding performance on a deeper level. I wanted to explore how technology and data could uncover patterns, provide better insights, and create smarter strategies.

Explaining the Shift: Mixed Reactions

When I shared my decision to transition, the responses varied.

Some people immediately understood. They saw how my background in strength and conditioning could connect with performance analytics and technology. They encouraged me to take the leap.

Others questioned it. “Why would you leave something you’re already good at?” they’d ask. To them, it seemed like I was starting over.

What they didn’t see was that I wasn’t abandoning my past—I was building on it.

How I’m Making the Transition

This shift hasn’t been easy, but I’ve taken specific steps to move closer to my goals:

1. Building on What I Already Know My experience in understanding athlete performance has been a solid foundation. Concepts like recovery, workload, and game readiness apply directly to sports science and technology.

2. Learning One Tool at a Time I’ve been learning tools like Python and SQL to analyze data, but I’m not rushing. Focusing on one skill at a time has helped me avoid feeling overwhelmed.

3. Applying New Skills to Real Problems I’ve started small—analyzing box scores, looking at shooting trends, and exploring how tools like Catapult Focus can help improve performance. These hands-on projects have kept my learning grounded in reality.

Moments That Prove It’s Worth It

One project stands out. I analyzed shooting efficiency for TNT Tropang Giga, using box scores and insights from my sports science background. This work provided meaningful recommendations for the team’s rotations and player usage.

That moment reminded me why I chose this path. It’s not about reinventing myself—it’s about evolving into a role that aligns with my interests and goals.

What I’ve Learned

Not everyone will understand your decision to pivot, and that’s okay. What matters is believing in your choice and staying committed to the journey.

For me, this transition is about combining what I already know with what I’m learning to create something new. It’s challenging, but every step brings me closer to where I want to be.

Are You on a Similar Journey? If you’re considering a career shift into sports science, technology, or analytics, let’s connect. I’d love to hear about your experience and share ideas.

(P.S. The right path is rarely the easiest, but it’s always the one worth taking.)