In our second episode of season 2 we were joined by Anthony Cato. With Anthony being an ex academy footballer with experience competing as a semi professional footballer and currently working as transitions officer and careers lead at League Football Education. It is no surprise that this episode is full of incredible in-depth discussions around not just the struggles footballers face but how they can be supported to tackle these challenges. Throughout this episode Anthony gives fantastic advice on how to develop as a young player as well as what support to seek. Take a listen to some of the tips he gives for young athletes and those aspiring to work in the world of sport. We hope you enjoy! Talking points: 1. Intro and welcome to episode (00:00 - 03:14) 2. Anthony's experience in sport growing up and his journey (03:15 - 06:30) 3. His experience of wellbeing and sport psychology as a youth player (06:31 - 11:01) 4. His experience of living in "digs" as an academy footballer and the impact this had on his wellbeing (11:02 - 14:13) 5. How the sacrifices made trying to make it pro effects the people involved (14:14 - 16:31) 6. His personal experience with managing his athlete vs non-athlete identity (16:31 - 21:30) 7. His transition from academy to semi-professional football and how he managed this change (21:31 - 29:00) 8. Finding a career outside of being professional footballer (29:01 - 33:41) 9. League Football Education and his role at the organisation (33:42 - 45:00) 10. Steps to take when thinking about future careers and working on our developing multiple identities (45:01 - 49:38) 11. How skills developed as a footballer translate to life skills (49:39 - 55:24) 12. How athletes can look after their wellbeing (55:25 - 59:49) 13. Biggest influences (59:50 - 1:02:01) 14. Advice for academy players (1:02:02 - 1:04:30) 15. Closing thoughts and further information around the LFE (1:04:31 - 1:09:05)