Skip to main content

There have been so many inspiring work-optional lives highlighted this month that I needed to share some of them with you, and at the same time, ask you an important question.  New identity creation/purpose finding is the #1 challenge for those facing retirement. People with purpose and inspiration live happier and longer lives.  So my question is which of the incredible people below do you identify with, and why? Drop me a quick note and share with me your inspiration.

Here we go:


81 year old earns her PhD
Olive Bryanton, of P.E.I., completed her studies and earned PhD at the age of 81. She returned to school in 2009.
#2
59 year old man latest Canadian
to summit Mt. Everest

At 59-years-young, Minto, N.B., native Rick Irvine might be the first New Brunswicker to scale Mount Everest.
Senior entrepreneur now sells 12,000 cases a day at places like Trader Joe’s and Publix.
Yuval Zaliouk retired from a career as conductor of the Toledo Symphony and started a business with his wife selling cookies based on his grandmother’s recipe.


100 year old is the oldest park ranger
She’s been a published author, a songwriter-activist during the civil rights movement and a businesswoman and now serves with the National Park Service — holding the title as the country’s oldest ranger.

#5
At 91, the Iron Nun is still running
At age 48, a chance conversation with a priest changed her life. “He mentioned that running had many benefits, including a way to ‘harmonize mind, body, and soul.’ That concept was really appealing to me.”

#6
Volunteer Fire Fighter – 70 years on the job

Robert Mitchell completed just under 26,000 days of service, a volunteer career spanning about 70 years.