Retired career coach now embracing retirement with purpose, passion and new beginnings. Creating videos on retirement lifestyles, staying healthy, and finding encore careers and side hustles. I will also do videos regarding my passion for photography. Older videos, yet still relevant, remain available for resumes, interviewing, LinkedIn and job search strategies.

#retirement #retirementplanning #retirementlifestyle #earlyretirement #aginginplace #seniorfitness #emotionalwellbeing #digitalphotography #photography #creativephotography


Bill Benoist

I just posted a video that's a bit different from my usual content. It's more personal, more reflective.

My neighbor Sue passed away recently. She was 80 years old and had been my neighbor for over 30 years. We'd weed our shared garden area together, have dinners, and just... talk about life.

Her passing has brought up this Buddhist concept I've been thinking about a lot: impermanence. Nothing stays the same forever, and while that's hard to accept, there's also peace in understanding it.

In this week's video, I share some thoughts on dealing with loss and change, including:

• Why practicing gratitude matters even more during difficult times
• The importance of staying connected (not isolating)
• Finding meaning through creative pursuits
• Accepting that we'll always have "unfinished business"

This one's dedicated to Sue. It's short, but it comes from the heart.

https://youtu.be/A4pcTgbMvM8

4 days ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for many retirees, it can also stir up feelings of loneliness, stress, or sadness. If that’s you, I want you to know something important—you’re not alone, and your feelings are completely normal.

After working with people for years, both in career coaching and now in retirement wellness, I’ve seen how tough this time of year can be, especially when life has changed in ways we didn’t expect.

Maybe the house feels quieter than it used to. Maybe a spouse is no longer here, or the kids live far away. Maybe the holidays bring financial stress or memories that weigh heavy. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s valid.

I just posted a short video where I talk directly about this and offer a few simple steps that truly help: getting sunlight, moving your body, and practicing daily gratitude. These small actions can make a real difference in how you feel.

If the holidays hit a little harder this year, I hope you’ll take a moment to watch. You deserve support, peace, and a brighter season ahead.

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Retirement isn't the end—it's a new beginning! But are you making the most of this chapter you spent decades working toward?

In my latest video, I break down the 5 essential priorities that will help you experience retirement with MORE joy, freedom, and meaning:

💰 Financial stability (without living like a miser)
💪 Health and wellness (no marathons required!)
🎯 Purpose and meaning (beyond the "retired" title)
👥 Social connections (they won't maintain themselves)
🧠 Personal growth (keep that mind sharp!)

I share practical tips like how I cut my phone bill from $135 to $55/month and why walking just 30 minutes a day can dramatically reduce your health risks.

You deserve to thrive in retirement, not just survive.

Watch now to discover actionable strategies you can implement today.

https://youtu.be/3T_TIavIS5I

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I'm sharing something deeply personal in my latest video - my family's struggle with alcoholism and why this matters so much for retirees.

My dad was an engineer on the Apollo moon rockets, but alcoholism took his life at just 44 years old. His father also died an alcoholic in his mid-forties.

With the hereditary factors at play, I know I need to be careful. And in researching this, I've discovered something crucial about retirement that nobody talks about.

Here's the reality: Many retirees drink more heavily because they lack structure. But here's what's really happening - alcohol raises your "hedonic set point" of happiness. Suddenly, the things that used to bring you joy - golf, gardening, photography - just don't excite you anymore.

The good news? This can be reversed.

If you've noticed you're drinking more and enjoying life less, this video explains the science behind why that happens and what you can do about it. This could be the most important conversation about retirement wellness you'll hear.

Watch the full video to understand how this affects you.

https://youtu.be/r-sVx0XIZas

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Bill Benoist

I just released a new video that I think many of us in midlife and retirement can relate to, because it gets right to the heart of something we deal with every time we step into a doctor’s office: why does the U.S. spend more money on healthcare than any other country, yet still rank near the bottom in life expectancy among wealthy nations?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to face this question personally. I went decades without seeing a doctor, and it wasn’t until I had a serious issue with my eye at age 60 that I was pulled back into the system.

What I found wasn’t what I expected. Instead of real preventive care, everything felt focused on reacting to illness, not stopping it.

And when you add the maze of insurance rules on top of that, it’s no surprise so many people feel frustrated and confused.

In this video, I talk openly about what I learned, what I’m doing differently now, and the simple, practical steps you can take to protect your health as you age.


https://youtu.be/7_rFRZaa9Wc

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

My mom used to tell me she'd never turn 30. Every birthday, same answer: "I'm always gonna be 29."

What started as a quirky thing she said became this weight I didn't even realize I was carrying. Because she passed away at 54, and that joke? It hit different.

Here's the thing about the traits we inherit from our parents—even the ones that drive us crazy. Sometimes we spend YEARS trying not to become them, only to realize we're doing the exact same things.

In today's video, I'm sharing a personal story about birthdays, my mom, and the moment I finally made peace with something I thought I hated.

It's about embracing retirement with purpose and understanding how our past shapes our present.


https://youtu.be/JlSNr7Z4Yc0

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Bill Benoist

When we retire, we lose the structure that kept us moving.

Many of us end up on the recliner thinking "I'll do it tomorrow" – but tomorrow never comes.

In my latest video, I share why action comes FIRST, then motivation follows – not the other way around. I break down:

✅ Why "cutting to the chase" is killing your momentum

✅ The real reason motivation feels impossible some days

✅ How progress (not perfection) creates lasting motivation

✅ My personal system for staying consistent in retirement

This isn't about discipline or willpower. It's about understanding how motivation actually works and using that knowledge to design a retirement filled with purpose and energy.

If you've been stuck in the "I'll start tomorrow" loop, this video will change how you approach your days.

https://youtu.be/Yp6bJ-w8p7E

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Bill Benoist

Remember when Christmas morning felt like an eternity away? When you couldn't wait to turn 18? Now the years seem to blur together...

In my latest video, I dive into the fascinating science behind why time feels like it's speeding up as we get older. I explore the "Proportion Theory" and the concept of "novelty" - and more importantly, share practical strategies to help slow things down:

✨ Breaking routines and creating new experiences
✨ Learning something completely new
✨ Creating future markers to look forward to
✨ The power of morning journaling (life-changing!)

This really helped me understand what's happening with my perception of time, and I think it will resonate with you too.

Watch the full video to discover how you can make your days feel more meaningful and memorable.

https://youtu.be/J1ALHIrFDgM

1 month ago | [YT] | 5

Bill Benoist

For decades, I obsessed over legacy—in corporate America, as a career coach, and now creating content. I earned a master's degree at 50, worked 40 years climbing the ladder, all while asking:

"How will I be remembered?"

But here's what I finally realized: Legacy isn't about being remembered forever. It's about the impact we make in the moment.

When I helped someone get promoted, when a client landed their dream job after months of unemployment, when you find the answer you need in one of my videos—that's legacy. Not monuments or eternal fame, but meaningful moments that matter RIGHT NOW.

In my latest video, I share this shift in perspective that's completely changed how I view my life's work. If you've ever stressed about leaving your mark on the world, this one's for you.

https://youtu.be/a3j9VEnj98o

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

Bill Benoist

Recently, a close friend (65, VP with 35 years at the same company) was forced into early retirement after just 6 months with a new boss. Healthy, sharp, and incredibly knowledgeable—but gone.

This isn't the age discrimination story you might expect.

Here's what really happened: A new C-level executive came in with fresh ideas and a need to prove themselves. My friend, set in his ways after decades of success, resisted the changes. Six months of butting heads later, he was offered a severance package.

The hard truth? He admits he could have handled it differently.

In my latest video, I break down:

• Why flexibility matters more than experience sometimes
• How to work WITH new leadership instead of against them
• Practical tips to position yourself as an ally, not an obstacle

Watch the full story and learn how to protect your position when change comes knocking.

https://youtu.be/r-sVx0XIZas

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 3