The aim of the current study was to extend our understanding of athlete burnout using a qualitative methodology. In total seven national and international athletes from a range of sports participated in this study. Participants were instructed to write an ‘Older, Wiser self’ letter (in hindsight) to their younger self, describing the advice they would have wanted to receive at that time. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the letters, whereby five themes were produced: the danger of being a unidimensional athlete, appreciate and love your sport, supportive and unsupportive social actors, it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and exhaustion to breaking point. To present the results a creative non-fiction composite letter was used which incorporated these five themes.