Olympic gold medalist Sam Quek has spoken openly about the challenges she has faced in defining her identity since retiring from professional field hockey in late 2016. Quek, who earned 125 international caps for England and Great Britain before transitioning to a career in broadcasting, described a significant period of adjustment after leaving the structured environment of elite sports.
"I think every athlete after an Olympics has a little bit of a comedown and a bit of like, 'who am I? What do I do?'" Quek stated in an interview with the Daily Mail. She explained that exiting the system designed to support athletes in achieving their goals left her feeling a sense of loneliness and uncertainty about her next steps. This transition was further complicated by societal pressures on women regarding physical appearance.
"You know, I will die with an Olympic gold medal list on my gravestone, which I'm so proud of," Quek said, acknowledging the lasting impact of her athletic achievements. However, she also noted the internal pressure that comes with being an Olympic champion, expecting herself to maintain a certain image and level of fitness years after her competitive career ended. The experience of body transformations following retirement and the birth of her two children, Molly Doris and Isaac Gregory, added to these personal challenges.
Quek married property tycoon Tom Mairs in August 2018. Despite both having successful careers, the couple maintains a highly competitive dynamic in their personal lives. "We get competitive with everything," Quek revealed. This competitiveness extends to activities like playing football with their children, visiting arcades, and participating in pub quizzes. Quek also mentioned her enjoyment of playing video games like Call of Duty with her husband and his friends.
Professionally, however, they offer each other significant support. Quek explained that they prioritize each other's careers, adjusting their focus based on who needs more support at any given time, acknowledging that they aren't always operating at peak capacity simultaneously.
Her husband's career in a different industry has provided Quek with a sense of normalcy away from the entertainment world. She values the ability to separate her public broadcasting persona from her roles as a mother and wife. "Getting to my leggings and my hoodie. Just put me eyebrows on. Have a ponytail in for a week," she described as a welcome contrast to her television work, though she also expressed enjoyment for the glamour and creative aspects of her broadcasting career.
Quek has also partnered with the seltzer brand White Claw to address the topic of 'friendship recession,' highlighting the difficulties adults face in maintaining social connections. Research indicates that a significant percentage of adults view maintaining friendships as demanding and dedicate substantial time to socializing. Quek commented on the effort involved in keeping friendships active, especially in adulthood when daily responsibilities often take precedence.
"I think as girls, I think we are really bad at making time for ourselves and going out and having a glass of wine with the girls," she said, encouraging her husband to maintain his social connections and emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interaction. The research accompanying the campaign suggests a decline in the conditions necessary for friendships to form, such as time and proximity, leading to increased loneliness despite constant connectivity.
White Claw's 'Find Your People' initiative aims to foster new friendships through various experiences and events.