My Retirement Didn’t Go as Expected
When I retired over 10 years ago, I had no idea what retirement involved. I didn’t know it was a major life transition or what to expect.
After the first-year “honeymoon phase,” I was surprised by the emotional shift that followed with the “loss and lost” phase—loss of identity, purpose, status, and social connection, all of which are more common in retirement than most people realize.
That experience eventually led me to a deeper question: How could I help others navigate this same transition more smoothly?
Discovering Retirement Coaching
After reinventing my retirement to gain a sense of meaning and purpose, I began reading, speaking, and writing more about the topic of retirement.
I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the whole picture—what makes for a fulfilling retirement, and why so many people struggle with it. I enrolled in the Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC) program. This rigorous, academically based, and practical course examines the psychological, social, and lifestyle challenges associated with retirement.
Even though I didn’t begin with the intention of launching a coaching practice, the training opened my eyes to how much support people need during this life stage—and how well my own experience prepared me to help.
Why I’m Starting a Coaching Practice
As a part of the course, I engaged with four clients in three one-hour sessions. Watching those individuals grow in clarity and confidence convinced me that coaching is a practical, effective way to help individuals navigate retirement, whether to prepare for it or to support those already in retirement who want to make it more productive and joyful.
I didn’t just study retirement—I’ve lived it. Over the past decade, I’ve worked through the initial honeymoon phase and the deeper, more personal questions of identity, purpose, and reinvention.
My experience spanning decades as a teacher, minister, chaplain, and attorney has given me the tools to support others—not just with insight, but with empathy.
What to Expect: Sessions, Structure, and Tools
I envision my practice as limited and part-time. I have no intention of doing this full-time. After all, I’m retired, and I have lots of other interests, projects, and curiosities to explore as well. Therefore, I will limit the number of clients I work with in retirement coaching.
Here’s what you can expect from working with me:
• Remote sessions via Zoom, FaceTime, or your preferred video platform.
• Three- or four-session discounted packages, each session lasting one hour.
• 4 sessions are ideal (3 can feel rushed but are available).
• Worksheets and exercises to help explore identity, purpose, health, values, and relationships. These tools help us go beyond casual
conversation to a thoughtful exploration of what a fulfilling retirement looks like—for you.
• A limited, part-time practice—I work with a small number of clients so I can remain fully present and engagedLet’s Work Together—Here’s How
I’m now taking clients. You can learn more about the process and pricing on my coaching page, which explains the entire process, the cost, and includes FAQs.
I’m also offering a complimentary one-half-hour discovery call to answer questions and determine if I can help and if I’m a good fit for the person seeking assistance.
Payment is processed securely via Stripe. Once you sign up, I’ll send an intake form and worksheets to complete before our first session.
Not Sure What Comes Next? That’s a Great Place to Start
You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. If you’re asking, “What now?” or “Is this all there is?”—those are the right questions to bring to retirement coaching.
Let’s talk. I’ll listen, guide, and help you discover what a fulfilling next chapter looks like for you.
Contact me to schedule your free discovery call.
AI Note: I wrote this blog post myself, using my own words and thoughts for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, and text improvements.