In this episode of The Real Retirement Show, hosts Yasmin and Kathleen welcome Polly Chandler, a leadership development and transition coach. They explore Polly's journey from academia to coaching, highlighting how she helps individuals navigate major life transitions by leveraging their strengths. Polly shares her innovative approaches, including the use of the StrengthsFinder tool and her concept of a 'Hope Journal,' to inspire people to discover their true calling and find joy and purpose. The conversation delves into topics such as addressing career transitions, finding hope, combating fears, and realizing one's potential using a strengths-based approach.

00:00 Overcoming Roadblocks and Finding Purpose

01:27 Welcome to The Real Retirement Show

02:10 Introducing Polly Chandler: A Journey of Reinvention

04:25 Polly's Transition from Academia to Coaching

09:02 The Hope Journal: Finding Hope and Purpose

14:08 Strengths-Based Approach to Life Transitions

22:31 Exploring Strengths and Individualization

23:04 Coaching Through Transitions

23:39 Energy and Alignment

24:20 Understanding and Utilizing Strengths

26:53 Navigating Roadblocks and Comparisons

31:43 The Role of Community and Mentorship

32:35 Optimism, Hope, and Action Plans

39:04 Finding Your Tribe and Passion

42:27 Final Thoughts and Anchors

About Polly Chandler

Polly Chandler is a Leadership Development and Transition Coach for Polly Chandler Coaching. This career path evolved from an intentional decision to focus on what energizes her most: coaching, mentoring and training facilitation. Her previous career was in higher education where she served as the Chair of the Department of Management and Director of the MBA in Sustainability at Antioch University New England.

Polly now coaches individuals and trains teams in many sectors. She is particularly interested in helping people to navigate personal and professional transitions. Her speciality areas are strengths based leadership development, post career reinvention, and serving people and the planet.

Website: http://pollychandlercoaching.com

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pchandler1

Real Retirement Video Podcast: Real Retirement - YouTube

In this episode of The Real Retirement Show, hosts Yasmin and Kathleen delve into the evolving concept of retirement with guest Marilyn Hintsa. Marilyn shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting her pivot from a corporate career to becoming a retirement coach. She discusses the pressures and expectations surrounding retirement, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and rejecting societal 'shoulds.' Marilyn also introduces her initiative, Next Chapter Dialogues, which offers group sessions encouraging retirees to explore life after work. Through meaningful conversations and community support, Marilyn helps clients find joy and purpose in their post-career lives. The episode underscores the value of direct conversation, shared experiences, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Retirement

00:51 Welcome to The Real Retirement Show

01:35 Meet Marilyn Hintsa: A New Path in Retirement

02:43 Marilyn's Journey into Coaching

05:17 Challenges and Insights in Retirement Coaching

06:24 The Importance of Group Dynamics

07:15 Mindset Shifts and Overcoming Fear

14:05 Purpose in Retirement

21:48 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability

28:34 Final Thoughts and Farewell

About Marilyn Hintsa

Marilyn has been on her own retirement journey since late 2019 when she was unexpected “early retired” from a corporate career. Not ready to go out to pasture, she became certified as a leadership coach, decided to use her new skills to help her contemporaries lead themselves into their post-career lives, and set up her practice, ULeadU Post Career Pathing, in 2021. Since then, her practice has evolved and recently launched Next Chapter Dialogues, a weekly, Zoom-based, guided discussion group that people join on a monthly subscription basis. Next Chapter Dialogues is a powerful opportunity for people anywhere on a retirement journey to travel together in community and, with Marilyn’s guidance, explore topics related to life after work, aging and longevity.

Website: https://www.uleadu.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hintsa/

Real Retirement Video Podcast: Real Retirement - YouTube

In this inspiring episode of The Real Retirement Show, hosts Yasmin and Kathleen sit down with Mike Drak—retired financial services professional turned author, public speaker, and Ironman-in-training at 70—to explore the non-financial dimensions of retirement. Mike shares his powerful journey from retirement shock to personal reinvention, revealing how he overcame fears, embraced purpose, and adopted the principles of a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. Together, they discuss the importance of physical vitality, meaningful relationships, and a growth mindset—and why financial advisors must expand their role beyond numbers to guide clients through life’s next chapter. Tune in to hear how Mike is breaking stereotypes and redefining what it means to truly thrive in retirement.

00:00 Discovering Your Purpose and Overcoming Fears

02:00 Welcome to The Real Retirement Show

02:43 Meet Mike Drak: Author and Retirement Expert

03:33 Mike's Ironman Challenge at 70

05:24 Redefining Retirement: The Retirement Rebel

08:12 The Concept of Watching Your Life Movie

09:59 Experiencing Retirement Shock

14:57 The Nine Principles for a Fulfilling Retirement

16:41 Longevity and Retirement: Bridging the Gap

18:12 Practical Steps to Extend Your Health Span

19:58 Inspiration from Clive: A Model for Active Aging

20:39 The Importance of Fun and Connection in Fitness

21:49 Balancing Purpose and Consistency in Life

23:08 Financial Mindset in Retirement

24:47 Navigating Finances with a Partner

26:38 The Role of Advisors in Holistic Retirement Planning

31:48 Personal Growth and Overcoming Fears

36:47 Resources for a Fulfilling Retirement

38:25 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

About Mike Drak

Mike is an author, public speaker and recognized authority on the non-financial aspects of retirement. After having spent 38-years in the financial services industry, Mike retired and personally faced what he called “retirement shock”. During this time, Mike found himself on a journey of self-discovery and authored three best-selling books on retirement; Victory Lap Retirement, Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose? and Longevity Lifestyle By Design. Mike is a Senior Contributor at Booming Encore and dedicates his time to helping other retirees design a fulfilling, meaningful retirement lifestyle for themselves.

Resources

Get both these books for free at https://boomingencore.com/

• Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose?
• Longevity Lifestyle by Design

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-drak-6b401095/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirement_rebel/

Real Retirement Video Podcast: Real Retirement - YouTube