The Mindful FIRE Podcast Retiring at 40 with Laurie Stephens (Part 2) - The Mindful FIRE Podcast - Episode 5
Welcome to the Mindful FIRE Podcast, where we explore living mindfully on the path to financial independence and beyond. I’m your host Adam Coelho and I’m glad you’re here.
On today’s episode I’m joined by my friend Laurie Stephens, the Executive Director of Hood River Education Foundation a non profit helping students in Hood River, Oregon. We had a great conversation exploring how they made it happen and how they went about designing their life both before and after retiring early including what career to pursue, where to retire to and what to do with all their free time once they made it happen.
Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation and in it we explore how Laurie and her husband Doug retired at the age of 40 and what they’ve been up to since.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- How Laurie reinvented herself over and over, pursing new types of work
- The great thing about living in a small town
- How Laurie is at a crossroads in her life and how she is thinking through what's next
- How having kids impacted Laurie and Doug’s journey to FI
- How they avoided the trap of lifestyle inflation and still do
- Why it's so important to reflect on what you want and why you want it
- How we can be open and ready to receive opportunities in our life
- Why self awareness is the foundational for both mindfulness and financial independence
Today’s Mindful FIRE Final Four:
- What Laurie most grateful for
- Laurie’s top advice for people just getting started on the path to Financial Independence
- Laurie’s top advice for those approaching financial independence
- Laurie’s thoughts on how mindfulness factors into financial independence and designing a life that you love
And so much more. I hope you enjoy my wonderful conversation with my friend Laurie Stephens.
Join the Mindful FIRE Legends community at MindfulFIRE.org/join.
PS: Introducing the… 🔥 FIRE Starter Group Coaching Program
You did the “money” part. You saved, invested, and built real options. But if you’re being honest… FU money alone isn’t enough—and you might still feel stuck in “one more year syndrome,” unclear on what you actually want next.
In 10 weeks or less, we’ll help you get clear on what you want—and start living it now—using envisioning, mindfulness, and practical mini-experiments (not endless overthinking).
Interested? Let’s chat: https://mindfulfire.org/chat
🔥 WHO I’m creating this for
This is for you if you’re at or near FI (Coast FI or full FIRE) and:
- You feel stuck after “doing everything right,” but you’re not sure what you’re optimizing for anymore.
- You’re caught between freedom and overwhelm (“I could do anything… so I do nothing”).
- You want clarity and momentum—but you don’t want someone to tell you what to do.
🔥 WHAT we’ll do together (over 10 weeks)
In a small group (mastermind-style), you’ll:
- Get clear on what you actually want (beyond expectations, comparison, and “shoulds”).
- Create a big, meaningful vision for your next chapter—one that fits who you are now.
- Learn the brain science behind envisioning (why it works, and how to use it).
- Turn yo...