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Today, I get to speak with Elizabeth Parsons, who is a retirement transition expert, author and coach. She helps high achievers navigate the confusing and often disorienting period that follows leaving a long and successful career.
A former Wall Street attorney, Elizabeth learned firsthand how challenging it can be to move from a demanding professional life into an open, unstructured chapter. That experience inspired her to guide others through what she calls the “graduation into more,” or the encore stage of life after retirement.
In our conversation, Elizabeth shares insights from her work with hundreds of clients, as well as lessons from her book, “Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in Retirement.”
She explains why retirement is not an ending but a transition, and how people can design their next chapter with greater joy, purpose and confidence. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
• First, retirement can feel disorienting for high achievers. People accustomed to validation through work often struggle when external rewards and structure disappear.
• Second, identity bridging is essential. Before retirement, individuals should reflect on who they are apart from their job titles and achievements.
• Third, life restructuring provides stability. Without work as the scaffolding of daily life, retirees must intentionally design new routines and goals that create fulfillment.
• Fourth, preparation should begin early. Elizabeth recommends starting 12 to 18 months before retirement to plan for lifestyle changes and emotional readiness, not just financial security.
• Finally, communication is key. Couples need to discuss expectations, roles and personal interests well before retirement to avoid friction and ensure both partners thrive in this new stage.
After turning 50, Elizabeth Parsons found that meaning and purpose came from helping others make their own successful transitions into retirement.
She thrives on showing people that this season of life isn’t about retreating but about expanding and exploring what truly lights them up and gives their lives meaning.
She does that through speaking, writing and leading programs that help people reimagine what’s next.
Elizabeth continues to coach individuals and couples as they prepare to leave the workplace. She helps them build bridges between their professional identities and their next adventures.
Her work gives her the joy of seeing clients rediscover passions, revive friendships and rekindle their sense of possibility.
For Elizabeth, fulfillment today comes from witnessing those transformations. She loves seeing someone’s eyes light up when they realize that retirement isn’t the end of purpose, but the beginning of an encore life that is designed around contribution, curiosity and connection.
If you’d like to learn more about Elizabeth’s work or her book, you can visit www.highachieverretirement.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.
I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.
