Retire Ready Canada

I’m honoured to be part of the Thryve & Shine Speakers Series.

Tomorrow, Wednesday November 12th at 1:30 pm, I will be presenting on how planning for your retirement is necessary for having a fulfilling and meaningful next stage in your life.

Learn how having a purpose, creating a new identity, being healthy and active and surrounded yourself with family and friends can help you not only live longer but experience a rewarding lifestyle - one that is truly your own!

Register today to reserve your FREE spot at www.thryveandshine.ca

🌟Excited to be Speaking at the Thryve & Shine 55+ Lifestyle Planning Series🌟

I’m thrilled to be joining Selena Pollard and the Thryve & Shine community on November 12th at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643 in Etobicoke to talk about a topic that’s close to my heart — retirement coaching.

Retirement is more than a financial milestone, it’s a whole new season of life.
During this session, Planning Your Next Chapter: Retirement Coaching, I’ll share tools and insights to help you prepare for the emotional, social, and lifestyle transitions that come with this next chapter.

If you (or someone you know) are starting to think about retirement and want it to feel meaningful, balanced, and rewarding, I’d love for you to join us!

📅 Date: November 12, 2025
🕐 Time: 1:30–3:00 PM (doors open at 1 PM)
📍 Location: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 643, 110 Jutland Rd, Etobicoke, ON

🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://thryveandshine.ca

Let’s start designing the retirement you truly deserve. 💫

When I first met Don Akchin I was struck by his warmth, wisdom, and deep curiosity about what comes after a long and meaningful career.

His new book, The AfterWork: Finding Fulfilling Alternatives to Traditional Retirement, explores exactly that — how to craft a purposeful, connected, and vibrant life beyond the 9-to-5.

I’m truly honoured that Retire Ready Canada is mentioned among Don’s insightful resources. As I share in my testimonial on the front cover, The AfterWork is “a powerful wake-up call as to why the myth of traditional retirement has fast become a relic of the past.”

Don’s perspective beautifully aligns with my belief that retirement isn’t an ending — it’s a reimagining of who you are and how you want to live.

If you’re approaching or already in retirement and wondering what comes next, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

📘 Learn more about Don’s work at donakchin.com

📖 OrderThe AfterWork on Amazon: www.amazon.ca/AfterWork-Finding-Fulfilling-Alternatives-Retirement-ebook/dp/B0FKZM1KMB

As a retirement coach, I couldn’t help but think how beautifully an experience going to a place like Canyon Ranch Tucson fits into a retirement lifestyle plan. It’s not just a vacation—it’s an investment in your wellbeing. The chance to reset, discover new passions, and build healthy habits is invaluable at any stage of life, but especially as you step into retirement. See why in this month's feature ⏬

https://retirereadycanada.com/a-magical-escape-at-canyon-ranch-tucson/

Unretirement isn’t about going back to the grind — it’s about finding what fits you in this chapter of life.

For some, that’s a part-time role with more flexibility. For others, it’s consulting, freelancing, or diving into the gig economy. You might finally start that small business you’ve dreamed of, or explore volunteer work that offers both meaning and (sometimes) a modest income.

The key is designing this stage around your strengths, lifestyle, and goals — not simply returning to “what you’ve always done.”

If you’re curious about what unretirement could look like for you, my latest blog dives deeper, and I’ve created a free guide to help you update your resume for this exciting new chapter.

📄 Read & download at retirereadycanada.com

🧠 Most people think retirement has two stages: working… and then not.
But the truth? There are five — and one of the hardest is Stage 3: Disenchantment.

On The Boomer Woman’s Podcast, I shared why financial planning alone isn’t enough — and how to prepare for the emotional and identity shifts that come with this major life change.

🎧 Listen now: https://retirereadycanada.com/retirement-planning-besides-the-financials-the-boomer-womans-podcast-with-agnes-knowles/

I recently had the pleasure of joining The Boomer Woman’s Podcast to talk about something that’s often overlooked in retirement planning: the emotional and lifestyle side of this major life transition.

🎧 Listen to the episode right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UykP0kKdfsM

We covered so much in this conversation — from identity shifts and the five emotional stages of retirement, to why “just winging it” rarely works. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about what comes after work, or if you’re craving more than just financial security, this episode is for you.

Here’s a glimpse of what we discussed:
The 5 stages of retirement and why many people get stuck in Stage 3: disenchantment

How I support clients in building identity and purpose beyond the job title

Common misconceptions that hold people back from enjoying this new chapter

Why emotional planning is just as vital as financial planning

“You can have all the money in the world, but still feel lost if you haven’t thought about how you’ll spend your days — and who you’ll be — once the job ends.”

Retirement Planning Besides The Financials with Jennifer Rovet Source:https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-bvey2-191caedJennifer Rovet is a Certified Professional Retirement Coach who works with individuals and couples alike, ...

It’s true—many people spend more time planning a two-week vacation than they do preparing for a retirement that could last 20 years or more.

But don’t worry—I’m not saying you need to plan every minute of your day.

You just need a starting point. A bit of clarity. Some intention.
That’s where real fulfillment begins.

📘 Download the free retirement guide at retirereadycanada.com
📞 Or book a free 30-minute consultation—let’s explore what you want retirement to look like.

Kate didn’t take the time to think or plan past those first few months. She thought, “I’ll just wing it.” But as her story shows, that approach often leads to feeling lost or disconnected.

When we leave behind our careers, we also leave behind routines, roles, and relationships that gave us meaning, purpose, and identity.
To build a fulfilling retirement, we need to take time to rediscover those things—on our own terms.

Feeling stuck months into retirement? You’re not alone.

After stepping away from her career of nearly 30 years, Susan was excited for the next chapter—but eight months in, she felt lost and uncertain. The word “retirement” still didn’t sit right.

That’s when she reached out to me.

Through creative coaching and open conversation, we worked together to explore new directions. Susan found clarity, confidence—and ultimately, a fulfilling path forward through bridge employment.

✨ If you’re in this in-between space, know that it’s okay to not have all the answers. That’s what I’m here for.

Book a free 30-minute consultation at retirereadycanada.com. While you’re there, explore helpful articles, real client stories, and download your free retirement guide—because you’re not alone in feeling this way, and support is available.