The Humans vs Retirement Podcast The Retirement Mindset Shift with Lindsay Troxell
Mar 15, 2025
Lindsay Troxell, a coach and life planner, dives into the emotional side of retirement. She reveals how financial readiness doesn’t guarantee happiness and discusses the identity crises that often accompany this life transition. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of redefining purpose and values, advocating for a holistic approach to planning. She encourages embracing a growth mindset to find joy and fulfillment in the second half of life, especially for child-free entrepreneurs, shifting the focus from mere numbers to authentic living.
01:07:54
Shape Retirement Identity Purpose
- List all your identities, intentional and assigned, then decide which to keep or release going forward.
- Explore the values, actions, and purposes tied to your core identities to shape your post-retirement self.
Try New Personas Playfully
- Create a new persona to explore potential identities without self-imposed biases or pressures.
- Use this playful approach to try on new versions of yourself and release what doesn’t feel authentic.
Start Planning with Identity
- Start retirement planning by exploring core identity and purpose, not just values or goals.
- Knowing who you want to be clarifies values and shapes meaningful, aligned goals for retirement.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Redefining Retirement: Beyond Finances
02:31 • 28min
Embracing Growth and Curiosity in the Second Half of Life
30:19 • 3min
Understanding Purpose Before Goals in Retirement Planning
33:31 • 3min
Exploring Identity, Values, and Purpose in Life Planning
36:17 • 3min
Rediscovering Ancient Wisdom in Modern Complexity
39:22 • 3min
Navigating Retirement Transitions through Coaching
41:55 • 18min
Empowering Child-Free Entrepreneurs
01:00:13 • 8min
#3
• Mentioned in 1,042 episodes
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
#115
• Mentioned in 162 episodes
Letters from a Stoic
Seneca
Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles.
Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace.
Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living.
They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.
#20
• Mentioned in 384 episodes
The Psychology of Money
Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
Morgan Housel
In 'The Psychology of Money,' Morgan Housel delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of financial decisions.
The book consists of 19 short stories that illustrate how personal history, worldview, emotions, and biases influence financial outcomes.
Housel emphasizes the importance of behavior over knowledge in managing money, highlighting the power of compounding, the dangers of greed, and the pursuit of happiness beyond mere wealth accumulation.
He advocates for a frugal lifestyle, long-term perspective, and a balanced approach to investing, stressing that financial success is more about mindset and discipline than about technical financial knowledge.
#84
• Mentioned in 195 episodes
Mindset
The New Psychology of Success
Carol S. Dweck
In this book, Carol S. Dweck introduces the concept of two mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.
People with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are static, while those with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.
Dweck shows how these mindsets influence success in school, work, sports, and personal relationships.
She also discusses how to adopt a deeper, truer growth mindset, and how this can transform individual and organizational cultures.
The book emphasizes the importance of perseverance, learning from failures, and embracing challenges as key components of the growth mindset.
#57
• Mentioned in 239 episodes
Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata.
It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu.
The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action).
The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice.
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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