Empowering high performing athletes
Trusted By
The Transition Problem
The reality of life after football
Our Vision
A world where high performing athletes continue to lead - on and off the field.
Where sports men and women shape the future in business, media and social impact.
By fostering connection with leaders and investing in lifelong growth, Grit Circle transforms transition into a springboard for purpose and influence.
Why Now
Football is in a retirement crisis
Professional footballers dedicate their entire lives to the game - but when the final game ends, many are left unprepared for life beyond the field.
These struggles are not isolated incidents. Compared to the general population, players are twice as likely to lose their sense of self, ten times more likely to face financial ruin, and are nearly universally detached from life beyond the pitch.
At Grit Circle, we believe these numbers tell a bigger story: the system has failed to prepare athletes for the mental, emotional, and personal challenges of transition.
That’s why we are building a new model of support - one that focuses on developing a high-performance athlete that extends beyond the game.
The Cofounders
Marianna Kinsella
Co-Founder | Director, Corporate Relations
Inspired by her father, an international tennis player forced into early retirement, Marianna has always been passionate about exceptional talent reaching their full potential.
Marianna is a lawyer turned business executive and gender equality advocate. She began her career at elite law firms in Brussels and London representing multinational clients at European courts and institutions, before serving as Senior Adviser to the UK Prime Minister.
She has worked for and founded several companies and served on the Boards of The Behavioural Insights Group, All In Tech and the Whitehall Gender Equality Group.
Paloma Rivero
Co-Founder | Director, High Performance Talent
Paloma is a high-performance coach and sports psychologist, working with elite athletes at top clubs including River Plate, LA Galaxy, Khimki FC, Atlético de Madrid, and FC Barcelona.
Her PhD research focuses on emotional management as a driver of peak performance, making her a leading voice in sports media and athlete development.
A qualified lawyer, Paloma has also worked at the highest levels of global politics, contributing to the Clinton Presidential campaign, President Obama’s administration, and collaborating with several Nobel laureates.
Our Story
How it began
Grit Circle was founded by two friends with a simple conviction: the mindsets that create world‑class performers on the field - discipline, grit, clarity under pressure - are the same ingredients needed to succeed beyond it.
Yet elite athletes are often left without the practical playbook and networks to make that transition.
Grit Circle bridges this gap.
Our approach is rooted in high performance.
We bring deep experience advising and operating alongside high performers in sport, high stakes business and global politics - and a practical understanding of the psychology that underpins sustained greatness.
Leveraging a curated network of former professional athletes, senior industry leaders and specialists across media, investment, entrepreneurship and more, the founders designed a solution that blends power skills, high performance coaching and real‑world opportunities.
Career design for smart athletes.
Let's build yours.
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