Retirement Shock with Mike Drak episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 31, 2023 · 47 MIN

Retirement Shock with Mike Drak

from Happiest Retirees · host Ryan Doolittle

After working in the banking industry for thirty-eight years, Mike Drak was exhausted. With high blood pressure and low motivation, he searched for an exit. To his surprise, the bank showed him the door. Instead of quitting for free, he was now flush with freedom and a severance at fifty-nine years old. The retirement honeymoon didn’t last. After a few weeks, he was miserable. His wife and friends were all still working. He had the free time he’d been dreaming of but no longer felt the desire to pursue his favorite activities. He was experiencing what he now calls retirement shock. After an arduous journey of self-discovery, he found his way to the other side. He’s authored two best-selling retirement books, is a Senior Contributor at Booming Encore, and dedicates his time to helping other retirees avoid the mistakes he made. In other words, he’s happy. 00:00-Start 02:08–“let me start at the beginning…” 05:06–Miserable? 06:58–The money is important, but… 07:20–The Ikigai Process 10:21–Giving is living 12:29–What makes a happy retiree? 16:35–Tiers of retirement 20:00–Finding purpose with pets 22:00–Core pursuit finder 27:32–The Iron Man 31:29–Retirement rulebreakers 32:50–Mike’s perfect day 35:00–Travel! 38:34–Find your tribes 40:46–“The Mexican Fisherman” 42:22–Recreating your identity 45:35–Redefining retirement 47:10–Where to find Mike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After working in the banking industry for thirty-eight years, Mike Drak was exhausted. With high blood pressure and low motivation, he searched for an exit. To his surprise, the bank showed him the door. Instead of quitting for free, he was now flush with freedom and a severance at fifty-nine years old. The retirement honeymoon didn’t last. After a few weeks, he was miserable. His wife and friends were all still working. He had the free time he’d been dreaming of but no longer felt the desire to pursue his favorite activities. He was experiencing what he now calls retirement shock. After an arduous journey of self-discovery, he found his way to the other side. He’s authored two best-selling retirement books, is a Senior Contributor at Booming Encore, and dedicates his time to helping other retirees avoid the mistakes he made. In other words, he’s happy. 00:00-Start 02:08–“let me start at the beginning…” 05:06–Miserable? 06:58–The money is important, but… 07:20–The Ikigai Process 10:21–Giving is living 12:29–What makes a happy retiree? 16:35–Tiers of retirement 20:00–Finding purpose with pets 22:00–Core pursuit finder 27:32–The Iron Man 31:29–Retirement rulebreakers 32:50–Mike’s perfect day 35:00–Travel! 38:34–Find your tribes 40:46–“The Mexican Fisherman” 42:22–Recreating your identity 45:35–Redefining retirement 47:10–Where to find Mike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Retirement Shock with Mike Drak

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This episode is 47 minutes long.

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This episode was published on October 31, 2023.

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After working in the banking industry for thirty-eight years, Mike Drak was exhausted. With high blood pressure and low motivation, he searched for an exit. To his surprise, the bank showed him the door. Instead of quitting for free, he was now...

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