I Used to be Somebody

Melissa Davey's story is simply a delight. What is the probability that a 65 year-old successful insurance executive has a chance encounter with a world renowned film director and then is inspired to make her own movie? Just how happenstance led Melissa to create her Second Act would make a great movie script. Her story is one of inspiration and her advice is to always take the detour in life. Now 71, Melissa completed her moving documentary, Beyond Sixty and is inspiring tens of thousands of older people. The film is about the fascinating lives and accomplishments of women in their 60's, 70's and beyond. As Melissa says, "The film brings women's voices forward...and there is still have much time left to do new things." Her story inspired Carl to pursue making his own documentary, a lifelong dream of his. It's never too late! • Melissa Davey's Beyond Sixty Project: https://www.beyondsixtyproject.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Melissa-Davey-Interview-Take-that-Detour • This Week's Sponsor is The Monkey Creative: https://themonkeycreative.com • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

What a super fun conversation this week with Henry and Carl. Henry Schulman has been the beat writer for 30+ years covering the San Francisco Giants. He just retired a couple of months ago, so it's an interesting perspective from an (Un)Retirement newbie. The conversation is about way more than just sports. Henry raised by his Jewish immigrant parents who were also Holocaust survivors. He is very honest and frank about all the ups and downs in his career and life. His battle with cancer (and recovery) and all that entails being on the road for a long career. And Carl who is a lifelong Giants fan, couldn't help himself to ask about his relationship with the SF Giants' former star Barry Bonds. It's a no-holds-barred conversation. Henry is definitely going to squeeze fun and discovery into every minute of his new (Un)Retirement life and he shares his optimism for an adventurous future! • For more about Henry Schulman: https://sanfranballscribe.blogspot.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Henry-Schulman-Interview-Its-Really-Not-Just-About-Baseball • This Week's Sponsor is The Monkey Creative: https://themonkeycreative.com • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

Caroline is a dynamo in every sense. In her college years, she was a very accomplished classical pianist and studied at the world famous Juilliard School. Even though she was incredibly talented, she figured out at this young age that she didn't have a passion for it and quit. She eventually went on to big success as a career coach for some of the most successful companies in the world, appearing as an expert on major TV network business shows, writing columns in Forbes and now has a successful real estate business in Costa Rica. In her spare time, she's a stand up comedian and writing and producing horror films. She is a true inspiration---to follow ALL your dreams and do what makes you happy in life! • For more about Caroline Ceniza-Levine: cenizalevine.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Caroline-Ceniza-Levine-Interview-Do-What-You-Love-to-Do-And-Quit-What-You-Dont • This week's sponsor The Monkey Creative: https://themonkeycreative.com • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

It's been an interesting and wild 60 year ride for Mike Branon. After some ups and downs in life, Mike became an entrepreneur in the 1990's, finding a niche in construction storage units. That business took off to the point that he was able to sell his business and retire at 40 years old. During the past 20 years Mike has reinvented himself many times -- as a microbrewery owner, teacher, philanthropist, world traveler, massage therapist and now a Pickleball Instructor and first-time book author. Mike wrote Pickleball & the Art of Living in 2020 during the pandemic, trapped on a cruise ship near the shores of Australia for 20+ extra days. Mike shares his lessons learned and secrets to a happy, adventurous (un)retirement life. • For more about Mike Branon: https://www.mikebranon.com • Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Mike-Branon-Interview-Keep-Moving-Forward • This week's sponsor The Monkey Creative: https://themonkeycreative.com • Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

About 10 years ago, Chris Welles took a big family trip (which he was hesitant to go on) to East Africa. The safari adventure was transformative for him. He fell in love with Kenyan wildlife and more importantly, the people. Chris's story is amazing! He ended up giving up his very successful executive recruiting business and without any experience whatsoever in the apparel business, he launched American Rhino. He also created a foundation to help support Kenyan wildlife conservation, as well as the local communities. There are so many life lessons learned in this episode. Plus a ton of laughs shared between Chris and Carl. For more information about Chris Welles and American Rhino: https://americanrhino.com Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Chris-Welles-Interview-Out-of-Africa-a-Second-Act-Found-Him Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/

Carl learns this week from Ed Casey that the brand licensing business is a $292 billion dollar global business. That is Billion with a capital B! Ed likes to say he's in the "smile business". Who doesn't wear their favorite team T-shirt, sip from a novelty mug or treasure cool memorabilia from their childhood? Working in the corporate licensing biz for almost 40 years, Ed's been involved in the marketing of the cult favorite Doctor Who television series, the Cartoon Network properties, tons of major sports leagues and literally hundreds of other brands you know. But it's the past two years of working for himself and experiencing the world of (un)retirement that has Ed totally excited now. He shares the secrets on how to cultivate a new zest for life and why making new connections is so important. For more information about Ed Casey: https://www.lrstudiohub.com Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Ed-Casey-Interview-Youd-Be-Surprised To Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

Mike Drak abruptly experienced "retirement shock". Which in his case, was having a successful career with one company for 36 years (!) and in just one day it all went away. This is an amazing story about how Mike went from a devastating first day of retirement to becoming a leader in the (Un)Retirement movement! You'll laugh and shed a tear while listening to this popular Canadian's poignant journey to his 55+ dream life. For more information about Mike's book Retirement Heaven or Hell https://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Heaven-Hell-Principles-Post-Career/dp/1988344301 Visit the show content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/mike-drak-interview-how-to-have-a-fun-exciting-meaningful-never-boring-unretirement To subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com

Today Carl talks with Devon Zagory -- one of the world's foremost experts on food safety. Not so exciting, you might think. But Devon's life journey has been anything but boring. This hippie college dropout hitchhiked around the world, found clarity in drug exploration and ends up not only graduating from college but obtaining a PHD and a second degree, with a passion for helping poor farmers in rural countries around the world. After years of financial struggles, Devon became a reluctant entrepreneur and eventually a multi-millionaire. It's quite a trip! And now he shares what he is discovering about himself in (un)retirement. It's fascinating. • To subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com • For more information, visit the web blog: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Devon-Zagory-interview-Food-Safety-Superhero

Our show is now way more cool with this week's guest, Val Haller. She is the founder of Val's List, which is a boutique music site unlike any other. She creates awesome playlists just for 50+, so they can easily get to know new groups on the scene. Val is a high energy, right brain-artist-entrepreneur who wants to bring great music to everyone...one note at a time. You'll be motivated whether you're a music aficinanto or novice. A fun listen to someone truly young at heart! For more information about Val Haller: https://www.valslist.com To subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com For more information, visit the show notes at https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Val-Haller-Interview-Bringing-Music-to-the-People

This week's interview was different, as Carl interviewed the person that may be the all-time expert about (un)retirement. Over the last 3 years, Andy Levine has interviewed 90+ guests for his own show". He also happens to be in the process right now of creating his own Second Act. He's phasing out of his big-time career and "testing out" 5 completely different acts. It's a lot of trial and error. And predictably he provides a whole boatload of amazing (Un)Retirement advice! For more information about Andy Levine: https://www.secondactstories.org To subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com For more information, visit the show notes at https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Andy-Levine-Interview-The-Master-Becomes-the-Student