Ian Waite, 21, of Boca Raton, Florida, founded Bigger Than Sports, a nonprofit that helps young athletes prepare for life after high school sports. The youth-led group offers one-on-one mentorship to help teens create post-graduation plans beyond going pro.
Q: What inspired you?
A: After high school, some of my old teammates—who were so talented on the field—were lost and didn’t know what they wanted to do. I couldn’t play sports [basketball, baseball, and cross-country] after high school either, but my older sister had helped me unravel my mind as to what I could do.
Q: Why is mentorship crucial?
A: Not many athletes actually go to the pros. Mentorship can help them take what they learned from sports and translate it into a sustainable future, like going to college or into the workforce.
Q: The mentors are in college. Does their age help them connect with the athletes?
A: Yes. We understand what they’re going through because we just went through it. That leads to breakthroughs that the traditional system often misses.
Q: Any advice for teens?
A: Ask yourself what you want to do, not what others want you to do. If you dive deep into your mind, that’s when you find a path that lights you up.
(This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.)