Inspirational thoughts and actions.

Inspirational thoughts and actions.

It’s been a pleasure to spend some time with a number of our clients this past few years, enjoying a chat around their retirement and stand out memories. Some have moved to fulfil their dreams; some took on trips and overseas experiences and some have ignored age as a barrier and taken on physical challenges. One of my clients took to mountain bike riding later in life and his exploits learning to do drops and jumps is amazing. Recently I have spent time with a client who is an Iron Man competitor. His comments are below and I think you will all agree he has totally ignored what the accepted norm is for retirement and taken a leap into the unknown. I hope he inspires some of you to follow your dream whatever it is.

So what do you do with your time once you retire?

Words from Neil:

I worked hard whilst working and only started to slow down in my early sixties, by which time I had dabbled in a little swimming, cycling and running.

My ambition is now to enter the Ironman World Championships in Kona before I am 70.  An Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim (3.9km), 112 mile bike (180.2km), and 26.2 mile run (42.2km) against the clock with time cut offs and to be done within 17 hours.

I used to play golf a bit but had done no other real sport since I was in my early 20’s.  I dipped my toe in by buying a bike (I now own 4) and doing a bit more swimming and running.  I now look good, feel good and have a health age confirmed by Garmin that is 11 years younger than my actual age.  My life should be prolonged, but most of all I am the healthiest I have ever been with a reduced heart rate and good sleep patterns.

Anyone can do this and one major benefit is it takes 6 days of otherwise tedious week up.  I have a local specialist technical swim coach and a remote bike/run coach who was a GB World Champion athlete and now commentates for the BBC on TRIATHLON.

So even coming from a hard working senior leadership role in business I can still deploy some attributes I learnt whilst working (focus, planning, competitive nature, self-motivation, completing tasks) to my new passion and raise funds through sponsorship for my preferred charity – Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall.

So what is your passion?  Whatever it is, commit to it and just do it.  If it can involve something that improves your health and fitness all the better.  Good luck.

Best Regards

Andy

Andy Brooks, Managing Director, FPFS Cert CII (MP) Chartered Financial Planner & Fellow of the CII.