Ivan Miljković, once one of the most dominant figures in world volleyball and an honored member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame, has found a new calling long after leaving the court. Today, he shares wisdom, guidance, and thoughtful reflections with athletes and professionals through his LinkedIn platform.
His recent post, “One day, when the magic is gone (Letter to all athletes),” has captured widespread attention — not because it’s glamorous, but because it’s true.
Life at the Top — Until the Cheers Become Echoes
Miljković opens with a sobering scene: the moment when the energy of packed arenas fades into memory. For years, athletes live in an extraordinary world — one filled with adrenaline, fame, and a lifestyle that rarely requires looking at price tags. Money flows predictably. Opportunities arrive easily. Comfort becomes routine.
He reminds readers of the quiet privileges that come with elite status:
Menus without prices that matter
Credit cards with limits based on your name, not your balance
Vacations chosen by comparison, not cost
Flights upgraded without a second thought
A steady paycheck that wipes away yesterday’s problems
It’s a rhythm that feels permanent — until one day it isn’t.
The Day the Magic Leaves the Room
What makes Miljković’s message so powerful is the way he describes this shift. There is no dramatic crash, no sudden collapse. Instead, the “magic” he speaks of slips away gently, almost respectfully, leaving behind the true version of reality.
This new reality includes moments many retired athletes quietly face:
Choosing a gas station based on price
Accepting that sneaker collections now live only in old photos
Booking economy class and hoping for extra space
Saying “no” to loved ones for the first time
Planning vacations according to budget, not desire
Feeling guilty about small purchases after years of buying big ones
Realizing the latest car model can wait
Canceling subscriptions you didn’t even know you had
Wearing the same outfit multiple times — and realizing nobody notices
And perhaps the hardest moment of all: watching teammates who are still playing, still shining, while you stand on the other side of that chapter.
Not a Warning — A Reminder
Despite its emotional weight, Miljković’s letter isn’t meant to scare anyone. Instead, it’s a gentle reminder about where true value lies.
According to him, the magic was never in the money or the fame.
It wasn’t in the luxury, the travel, or the applause.
The magic was the athlete — their strength, their discipline, their passion.
And those qualities don’t disappear. They evolve.
A New Kind of Power Emerges
Miljković ends his message with a hopeful truth: when the arena lights turn off, something else turns on — a deeper sense of awareness and purpose. The same determination that fueled victories can now build a stable, intentional, meaningful life beyond sports.
His final call to action is simple and strong:
“Start now.”
Whether you’re an athlete nearing the end of your career or someone stepping out of a major chapter in life, Miljković’s words remind us that every ending holds the seed of a wiser beginning. The magic changes — but it never truly fades.
