Walking away from sport can feel like losing your identity. For Brett Stern, former collegiate tennis player turned entrepreneur, the hardest part wasn’t competition — it was life afterward. Without the structure of sport, he had to rebuild the scaffolding of discipline, accountability, and purpose that once defined his success.
Lessons From the Court
Tennis taught Brett how to grind. Unlike team sports, there’s no hiding behind teammates when you’re on the court. You’re forced to adapt, strategize, and fight through setbacks alone. Those lessons of grit, self-discipline, and accountability carried forward into his entrepreneurial career — even if it took years to realize they were transferable.
The Family Business Trap
Brett entered his family’s apparel business right after college, thinking it would be easy. Instead, he found himself without a clear role, guidance, or succession plan. It was here he learned that nepotism doesn’t guarantee fulfillment. The patience, salesmanship, and resilience he developed in tennis became the bridge to find his footing in business.
Building OneThrive
With the launch of OneThrive, Brett applied his lessons to create tools for structure and clarity. More than just organizational boards, OneThrive is about discipline that looks good on the wall. From moms managing busy households to professionals staying on track, the system helps people see their goals daily — and act on them.
So What’s the Point?
When the scaffolding of sport disappears, you must rebuild your own — discipline, accountability, and clarity don’t retire when you do.
Your Next EASIEST Step:
Audit your structure. Ask yourself: If I didn’t have a coach, a team, or a boss — what system keeps me disciplined today? Write it down, put it on your wall, and start practicing presence and accountability in the everyday.
Join the Alignment Village
If you’re ready to align your health, wealth, relationships, and time, join us inside the Alignment Village. Download free resources, connect with leaders, and create a system that keeps you accountable: NextLevelVillage.com