A couple of months ago, Julian Wilson knew it was time for a break.
The rigours of spending most of his adult life on the world surfing tour, coupled with the uncertainty of a COVID-affected sports landscape were enough for the 32-year-old to walk away this season.
“You’re not just the athlete that everyone sees. There’s a deeper connection that creates that expression that you have on the field or in the water,” Wilson told Wide World of Sports.
But after representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics, it was when he was due to hit the road again that enough was enough.
“It was a three and a half month commitment away from my family and COVID was rampant over there – to go into the unknown, leaving a young family, it was all pretty daunting,” he said in regards to the new tour season, due to start in Hawaii in January.
“There was a lot of contributing factors but the alarm bells started going off from that first commitment, and obviously that recurred a couple more times after that which led to the decision to put my family and my own well-being and happiness as the priority.”
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It was a decision that got the backing of those closest to him.
“They just wanted me to make the decision for myself, and let me know that I’d be supported with whatever decision I chose to make,” he said.
But family is one thing. How would the wider surfing community handle one of the best in the world abruptly packing it in?
“Once I made that leap, I was extremely overwhelmed with the response,” he said.
“I think a lot of people are in similar situations and fighting with what’s inside them. It’s a tug of war trying to make peace with those emotions.
“That’s what blew me away. I’m not alone. So many people could completely understand it, if not going through it themselves.”
Wilson said he’d enjoy doing some local competition early next year when the opportunities arise, but has given himself a 12 month timeframe before he reconsiders his involvement in the international tour.
“If it’s something that I can do with the family in the right way and put everything in to chasing the ultimate goal of a world title, then I’m not ruling that out,” Wilson said.
In his down time, he’s become the face of a new Oakley campaign ‘Be Who You Are’, which will explore his decision to take time away from the sport.
“I think the message is really important and one I’m really proud to share,” he said.
“My whole career I’ve tried to make time for the things I grew up doing and the things that made me who I am like skateboarding and riding bikes … it’s a tough one when you’re chasing your goals with the pressure of performing and you want to push those things aside.”
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He said he was encouraged that more people, in general, seem to be putting their own interests ahead of others more than in the past.
“People are just connecting with what matters most to them, and giving themselves permission to put themselves first which is always a big decision when you’re being responsible and chasing your goals.”
Wilson said he was pleased to see anyone taking time off to do what’s best for them, but thinks the number of athletes stepping away from sports at the moment won’t last.
“I think it’s short-term. I think COVID has really shocked the whole world, it’s affected everyone in some way. It just seems like a huge system reset – even for myself, I never considered I’d be in the position that I am today 12 months ago, but that’s what’s right for me now,” he said.
“But I think there’s some great messaging with some of the athletes who are following their hearts and making these tough decisions and letting the next generation know that if you are chasing something that you’ve dreamed of, to not neglect the things most important to you.”