It was “the toughest choice of my life,” according to the 32-year-old Scot, the world and European mixed doubles champion.
She is unsure “what’s next for me,” – but additional media work is possible.
Muirhead told BBC Scotland, “I have had such a spectacular season; it’s always wonderful to go out on top.”
“I thought now was the moment to put up my curling shoes from the top. Future-related excitement and fear are both there for me, but the fear is healthy.”
Perth-born Muirhead captained the Great Britain women’s team that won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
As skip, she finally won a gold medal in China after four tries, capping off a career in which she amassed more medals than any other curler in Scotland’s history.
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She became the youngest skip to win an Olympic medal in 2014 when her team took the bronze.
Muirhead, who represents Scotland, has won three European Championships. He and Bobby Lammie earlier this year won a sixth global mixed doubles championship.
She received further recognition for her contributions to curling in the most recent Queen’s Birthday Honours this year when she was named an OBE. She was given an MBE in 2020.
Muirhead believes she leaves British and Scottish curling “in a good position” and has inspired women to exercise for physical health and their “emotional side as well.”
She said that there were occasions when she didn’t want to undertake physical education. Because it wasn’t cool to lie, there were instances when I pretended I didn’t have my PE gear.
Muirhead acknowledged that stopping daily training for sports would be difficult, but he had spent “a lot of time to make sure I made the proper choice.”
She said, “There is life beyond curling, and that is what I want to investigate.
“The ideal situation would be that I would love the media aspect of it much and be fortunate enough to work with 5 Live at the golf, a sport in which I have a keen interest. There are a few choices available to me.”
Stewart Harris, CEO of SportScotland, praised Muirhead’s “unparalleled” influence on the sport of curling in her native Scotland and said that her 11 gold medals from the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships are “a true testament to her dedication to curling over these years.”
