The Retirement Mindset Shift with Lindsay Troxell
The Humans vs Retirement Podcast
Understanding Purpose Before Goals in Retirement Planning
This chapter highlights the significance of discovering one's purpose as a precursor to establishing values and goals in retirement planning. The speaker argues that a deeper understanding of personal identity is essential for making meaningful life decisions in the later stages of life.
Episode Summary
Retirement isn’t just a financial transition, it’s a psychological and emotional one, too. In this episode of Humans vs. Retirement, I sit down with Lindsay Troxell, a coach and life planner who has been at the forefront of shifting the financial industry’s focus toward a more human-first approach.
Lindsay shares powerful insights on mindset, identity, and habits, and why most people unknowingly experience an identity crisis in retirement. Lindsay and I explore how to reshape your beliefs, redefine purpose, and build new habits for a fulfilling second half of life.
If you’ve ever asked yourself: Who am I without my job title? How do I retire with meaning? or Why does retirement feel like a letdown?, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode- Why retirement isn’t just about money—and why financial security alone won’t make you happy.
- How habits and mindset shape your retirement experience (and how to rewire them).
- The common identity crisis retirees face—and how to navigate it with confidence.
- Why traditional financial planning treats retirement as a math problem, when it’s actually a human challenge.
- How to develop purpose, fulfillment, and structure in retirement.
- The importance of coaching and why having a financial plan isn’t enough.
- How Lindsay’s business, Discretionary Inc., helps child-free entrepreneurs create a unique life plan that reflects their values and goals.
[00:02] – Introduction & Catching Up
- Lindsay’s background in financial coaching and life planning.
- The shift from numbers-focused planning to a holistic, human-first approach.
[00:10] – The Mindset Shift for Retirement
- Why people treat retirement as a math problem (and why that’s wrong).
- The emotional journey of retirement—why so many people feel lost after stopping work.
- The three-dimensional approach to retirement: wealth, health, and identity.
[00:25] – Identity & Purpose in Retirement
- The biggest identity crisis retirees face (losing structure, title, and purpose).
- Why your identity is more than your job title.
- The "retire with" framework: What are you bringing into retirement?
[00:40] – Mindset, Habits & Breaking Old Patterns
- How beliefs shape our retirement experience.
- The role of growth mindset and beginner mindset in reinvention.
- The importance of failure and experimentation in building a fulfilling retirement.
[00:55] – Retirement & Relationships: The Gray Divorce Trend
- How retirement impacts marriages and partnerships.
- The rising trend of gray divorce (and why couples struggle post-retirement).
- The three journeys: Your individual path, your partner’s path, and your shared path.
[01:10] – The Future of Retirement & Financial Planning
- Why coaching is the missing link in financial planning.
- How financial professionals need to adapt their services to serve clients better.
- Lindsay’s business Discretionary Inc. and why child-free entrepreneurs need specialized financial and life planning.
[01:25] – Final Takeaways
- Why the traditional retirement model is outdated and needs to evolve.
- Practical steps to redefine your mindset and habits for a more fulfilling life.
- Lindsay’s best advice for people approaching retirement.
Books:
- The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck
- Let Them – Mel Robbins
- Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
- Letters from a Stoic – Seneca
- The Bhagavad Gita – Hindu Philosophy on Purpose & Duty
Research & Studies:
- Retirement & Depression: 40% increased risk of depression in retirees.
- Gray Divorce Trends: Divorce rates for 60+ have risen from 9% (1990) to 40% (recent years).
Additional Resources:
- Morgan Housel’s Blog on Behavioral Finance
- Carol Dweck’s Research on Growth Mindset
- George Kinder’s Life Planning Method
Follow Lindsay Troxell:
- Website: www.ourcoachinginitiative.com/
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaytroxell/
Follow Dan & The Podcast:
- Website: www.humansvsretirement.com
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dan-haylett-retirement-coach/
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
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