– You have so little to do that you don’t get to do anything. It’s pretty boring. That’s what an open-hearted Tande tells, who meets news at the bottom of the Olympic hill in Lillehammer. On Friday, the World Cup season starts in Tande’s current home town, but for the first time in ten years he is not involved. It has been two months since he emotionally announced that his career as a ski jumper was over. The time after has not been easy for the former WC and Olympic winner. – There was an emptiness, says Tande. For ten years, Tande has traveled the world with his teammates. Overnight it disappeared. – Now I try to find something I can look forward to getting up in the morning for. Tande describes that he has felt “out of control”, and that it has been difficult to get off the sofa. – Financially, I manage for a while, but because of my own mental health, I want to put a little short deadline. – How does it affect your mental health? – Walking in circles on the living room floor is not healthy for anyone. I think we depend on having some routines and something fixed to spend our days on, says Tande. – It became such a downward spiral which is terribly boring. You depend on near and dear ones, family and friends and the lady who helps push you out the door, he continues. – Dark thoughts come quickly Psychologist Dag Sørum has worked closely with several athletes. He says that the period after the end of his career can feel like heartbreak. – They know the group better than their own family, and in a way you lose the sense of belonging they have to the group, says Sørum. SPECIALIST: Dag Sørum. Photo: Lars Thomas Nordby / news – You often sit a little powerless and discouraged again, and often feel apathy and some sadness, he continues. The psychologist’s clearest advice is to reverse the negative thought process quickly. – Because the dark thoughts come quite quickly. And once they come, they are often difficult to reverse. If they sit alone in their own little echo chamber, says psychologist specialist Sørum. When Daniel-André Tande was about to do one of his wildest ski jumps ever, it went horribly wrong. Those close to him feared that Daniel would die. Thanks his partner The former ski jumper thanks his girlfriend Karoline Lobben for her support after he quit. – The most important thing for me has of course been the nagging partner. But that’s only because she wanted to push me out of the self-pitying state I was in for periods of time. To actually get up and get what I want. The two got together last winter, and Tande singles her out as his most important supporter this autumn. Next week the couple will move away from Lillehammer, and to Frogner in Oslo. – She has of course been very important. Otherwise I would have just been lying on the sofa. There is no doubt about that. GIRLFRIENDS: Karoline Lobben and Daniel-André Tande, here from the Jumping National Championships in Lillehammer in March. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Struggling with learning difficulties Tande has navigated the job market, but is struggling to find something that suits him. He has tried to get an education during his career, but has not been able to. – I have never been a big fan of school, so I have done very little to prepare for this type of transition. It is something that many athletes may also recognize, says Tande. START OF SCHOOL: Tande on his first day of school. Already from primary school, he struggled greatly with dyslexia. Photo: PRIVAT Tande has struggled with reading difficulties all her life, and says that it has been a big challenge. But he hopes that it will not hinder him in his search for a new life. – I can imagine that it is very difficult to find a job, although it probably isn’t. – As long as I get some help with spelling, it will probably go very well. I almost think I have to try my hand a bit, and then find out what suits me along the way, he says. Daniel André Tande had big problems at school. He struggled with dyslexia. Fortunately, a teacher saw him and realized that there was plenty in him. So much so that he is now one of the world’s best ski jumpers. Gets professional help The 30-year-old is part of the Next Step project. It is a collaborative project with the Olympiatoppen that will help athletes enter working life. – It is very useful. I have made contacts there, who I think I will talk to further. Then it might happen that the road looks easier in a month’s time than right now, says Tande. NEXT STEP: Ingvild Lappegård. Photo: Lars Thomas Nordby / news Ingvild Lappegård is the recruitment and partner manager in the project, and she has great faith that they will be able to help him find the right path. – There is a great deal that is not about understanding numbers or reading and writing, but about working towards results, being disciplined and structured. Being part of a team, says Lappegård and continues: – There are an incredible number of qualities and skills that top athletes bring with them from their active careers, which are super valuable to take with them into working life, and which I know that employers greatly appreciate. HOPE: Daniel-André Tande will maintain contact with the jumpers, but is also looking forward to getting to know other environments. Photo: Brede Bleiklie Thomassen / news Published 22.11.2024, at 09.44 Updated 22.11.2024, at 10.03
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Daniel-André Tande is unemployed after his career as a ski jumper – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
