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Ideas to Generate a Side Hustle as a Semi-Pro or Pro Athlete


Introduction: The Athlete's Dilemma


Being a semi-professional or professional athlete in today’s world means balancing grueling training schedules, performance pressures, and tight time constraints. Despite the focus on performance, many athletes today are looking for ways to monetise their skills and passion outside competition. But how can you generate income when you're already giving 110% to your sport?


This blog explores sustainable, flexible, and rewarding side hustle opportunities for athletes, optimized for limited time and high impact. Whether your thing is sport climbing, F45, netball, wingsuiting, running, skipping, jumping, swimming, pickleball, cricket, golf, or anything in between, the opportunity to share and sell your expertise has never been more accessible.


Time-Rich in Expertise, Time-Poor in Hours


Let’s face it — athletes aren't lacking in knowledge. From freestyle swimming technique to weightlifting technique, you carry years of discipline, repetition, and high-performance experience. The problem? You have very little time—and your training always takes priority.


So what do you do with your:

  • Deep technical skillset

  • Audience on Instagram or YouTube

  • Credibility as a high-level performer


You build smart side hustles that work for you, not against your schedule.


Swimmer responding to client before getting into the pool
Swimmer responding to client before getting into the pool

Top Side Hustle Ideas for Athletes


Here are five flexible, scalable ways athletes are building extra income without compromising performance.


1. Online and Remote Coaching


Remote coaching is booming. Platforms like mySport.guru make it seamless for athletes to list themselves, take on one-off client engagements, and deliver coaching by video, chat, or pre-recorded plans.


Perfect for

  • NZ Cricket Coach offering bowling analysis

  • Swim athletes teaching freestyle swimming technique or swimming drills for beginners

  • Runners providing strength training workouts at home or running strength training


Resources

  • CoachView

  • Any LLM like ChatGPT or Claude


2. Social Media Monetization


If you have a following, you have influence. Learning to monetize Instagram, YouTube, or even Facebook is about building authentic content that resonates with your sport niche.


Tips

  • Use hashtags related to proper running technique, squats technique, or massage technique

  • Share tips on strength training using bands or freestyle technique swimming

  • Leverage your sport’s current events or sport news for content themes


Revenue Options

  • Ad revenue (YouTube)

  • Brand collaborations

  • Affiliate links (think kit reviews for Wilson, apparel reviews for Fila, or reviews for gear sold by retailers like Rebel Sport)


Resources


Bonus: Post content that ranks for SEO-friendly terms like sports coach gifts or strength training programme for runners.

3. Product Sponsorship and Brand Ambassadorship


Sometimes they reach out to you, but reaching out to one per day would significantly improve your chances. First look in your gearbag for the brands to reach out to, then search for brands in apparel, nutrition, equipment, sports science, or better still, contact your sport’s sporting body within your region and ask a player representative or commercial manager for help to find sponsorship.


How to Attract Brands


  • Post consistent technique content: squats technique, swimming breathing technique, strength training for hips

  • Tag relevant brands

  • Offer packages: 1 post, 1 story, 1 review


Stand Out: Athletes using science-backed training or citing sports science journalists like Joanne Elphinston JEMS gain greater credibility.


4. In-Person Coaching and Speaking Engagements


For athletes with a local profile, consider:

  • Hosting weekend clinics

  • Giving talks at schools or clubs

  • Partnering with local gyms for Functional Strength Training or Pickleball dinking sessions


Example


A cricket coach could deliver a half-day workshop on high-performance strategy and muscle conditioning technique in injury prevention.

This builds trust, brand, and opens long-term opportunities.


5. Funding from Government or Non-Profits


Many countries have funding schemes to support athlete development. Research the organisations available in your region and what criteria you need to meet. Your next goal might not be running 100m in under 11 seconds—but qualifying for coaching grants that help you get there.


Athlete responding to a client before their own track running session
Athlete reviewing client lesson before a run.

Why mySport.guru is the Best Platform for Athlete Side Hustles


mySport.guru was built specifically for athletes and coaches who want to share their expertise without jumping through admin hoops.


Why it's different:

  • You don’t need to build your own website

  • You reach people already searching for Cricket Coaches, Swim Coaches, or Strength Coaches

  • It’s built for sportspeople by sportspeople


You can:

  • Get paid and appreciation for what comes easy to you

  • Upload credentials and content to stand out

  • Link to your social profiles to boost traffic


Get Started Today


Your time may be limited. But your value as a coach, mentor, or educator is massive and can extend well beyond your high-performing years. Whether you're interested in growing an online audience, launching a mini-coaching empire, or representing great gear brands, your side hustle potential is real and mySport.guru is a very low risk place to start.


Explore, list, and grow your side hustle with:


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