Wales fans were saddened to see one former team talisman retire from rugby at the peak of his powers to start a peculiar second career while chasing his passions
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
09:30, 23 Nov 2025Updated 09:38, 26 Nov 2025
Josh Navidi (middle) ended his Wales career before beginning a new life as an entrepreneur and DJ(Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Former Wales fan favourite Josh Navidi was considered a great loss when he hung up his rugby boots in 2023. But while one door closed for the 14-year Cardiff veteran, another opened as he went on to chase his second passion in DJing.
Navidi’s nous for the wheels of steel was well-known among many team-mates and fans before injury forced him into early retirement. But the 34-year-old has since embraced his musical side and is even still seen on matchdays around the Principality Stadium thanks to his entrepreneurial endeavours.
Navidi spent most of his career with Cardiff and some of his younger years developing in New Zealand. Despite being first capped by ex-Wales coach Warren Gatland in 2013, it was another four years before he went on to receive his second.
The back-row talisman finally got the recognition he deserved after becoming a more frequent fixture in the Wales squad from 2017 onwards. This culminated with Navidi playing a key role in Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam in 2019, two years before he was called up as injury cover for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa.
That series ended up being largely responsible for his early departure, however. Navidi – whose father, Hedy, was a wrestler in his homeland, Iran – suffered a neck injury in South Africa that ultimate playing a big part in him hanging up his boots in 2023 at the prime age of just 32.
Some star athletes take their time in finding new streams of revenue after leaving the world of sport. Not Navidi, though, as he has maintained his links at the Principality and Cardiff Arms Park after opening a mobile pop-up bar made out of shipping containers.
Navidi has become head of athlete and brand partnerships for Bearhug, a company that makes joint supports and works with former club Cardiff(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
The Bridgend-born star became accustomed to spending matchdays inside the ground as he braced himself for some of the biggest fixtures in Welsh rugby. Now, however, it’s not uncommon to see Navidi perched above his own bar providing the musical entertainment from on high.
The pop-up establishment was in business throughout this year’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures. However, it’s also been seen outside the Arms Park on matchdays, and Navidi also brought it along to Glamorgan Cricket Ground for a string of international games in the summer.
It’s a win-win for Navidi, who gets to fuel his passion for DJing while giving fans the matchday experience they deserve. And it’s certainly no bad thing if the added atmosphere helps drum up some additional morale for Wales in the process.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
DJing has given Navidi a focus outside of rugby for years. However, it wasn’t always easy to maintain his second love while juggling his rugby career.
“It’s something I really enjoy and it’s something different compared to rugby,” he told Wales Online. “Obviously when I’m fit and training it can be quite tough considering I’d finish DJing at 3am, by the time I get home it’s 3.30am, and then I’m up at 7am for training again.”
Juggling those commitments can be all the more difficult when carrying an injury or two. That’s another area where Navidi has looked to exploit his expertise and turn a negative into a positive, joining joint support company Bearhug as its head of athlete and brand partnerships.
Given the rate at which Navidi is moving in retirement, it’s evident staying still isn’t really in his repertoire. And his eye for a business opportunity has seen him make seriously quick strides while keeping his rugby links alive and thriving.
Watch the Autumn Nations Series on TNT Sports
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£30.99
TNT Sports
The Rugby Autumn Nations Series gets underway on November 1 with Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland among the teams in action. Fans can watch every game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.