Despite a 256-game career spanning 13 years, life after footy came quicker than what Travis Cloke had expected.

Video produced by John Holdsworth and Simon Davies

The two-time All-Australian announced his retirement from the AFL at the conclusion of the 2017 season, despite having one year left to run on his contract following injuries, form and mental health issues.

After contemplating retirement and eventually making the decision to step away from the game, Cloke said he was ready for life after football.

“I knew I always loved football but it was in different ways so I just needed to figure out where and what I wanted to do in life and how I wanted to incorporate enjoyment and do something with a purpose,” he told aflplayers.com.au.

Unsure of his next steps, Cloke attended the AFL Players’ Association Transition Camp where he met with career coaching firm TwoPointZero, who facilitate workshops at the camp focusing on career decision making and job search skills.

Cloke said he was thankful for the support of TwoPointZero to help prepare him utilise the skills he developed throughout his playing days and transfer them to his every day life.

“I obviously never had a resume and you can’t just write down, ‘I played football for 13 years,”” he said.

“To be able to sit down and chat about a few avenues, things I want to do in life and where I want to go and then to put it all together was the important thing for me.”

Cloke is about to start a role at Collingwood working full-time with their pathways and academy programs.

After spending the past 12-18 months developing himself, Cloke is now working with the next generation of AFL stars.

“I go back to Collingwood a different person,” Cloke said.

“I don’t go there as a 17-year-old kid with bleached hair that wants to be the shining light. I go back there now as someone that actually wants to make these kids better people.”

At 32 Cloke is looking forward to the next phase of his life.

“I’m still young and I can’t sit at home and be retired… there’s a lot of life to be lived.”

TwoPointZero helps clients discover their career passion and direction and provide them with the tools and insights they need to pursue a happy and healthy professional life. TwoPointZero’s programs, based in Melbourne and Sydney, are designed for graduates, students and young people in the early stages of their careers, who are looking for career counselling, guidance and coaching to help them find the right career options.

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