Rethink Retirement: Start Living Life Now - Derek Coburn #121

What if the goal isn’t retirement—but living better now?

Author Derek Coburn explains why extending your work horizon—or keeping a small, enjoyable income stream—can radically reduce savings pressure today and increase fulfillment. We cover post-exit blues, mini-retirements, the Two Tony's math, redefining success around family and freedom, and Derek’s “$50,000 moments” lens for presence.

Derek joins The Inner Entrepreneur to challenge the traditional “work hard, retire at 65, then start living” script. We explore why many high achievers feel flat after an exit, how extending your working horizon (or earning a small later-life income) can slash today’s savings pressure, and why purpose and relationships—not a retirement number—are the real drivers of a rich life. Expect practical math, mini-retirements, post-exit realities, redefining success, and Derek’s $50,000 moments framework for being present with your kids.

 

Key themes

• Retire Retirement: design a life you don’t want to retire from.
• Math that frees you: planning to earn something into your 70s can reduce current savings pressure massively.
• Post-exit truth: money solves money problems, not purpose or connection.
• Happiness vs. meaning: pursue contribution; happiness follows.
• Life phases: work hard early, then rebalance—don’t stay stuck on the treadmill.
• Mini-retirements & sabbaticals: shake the snow globe, rewrite your script.
• Presence with family: “$50,000 moments” and flexing free time, not watches.

 

• 00:00 – Intro & “Retire Retirement”
• 01:13 – Why traditional retirement fails many high achievers
• 03:57 – The Tale of Two Tonys: small change, huge savings impact
• 06:28 – When “save 20%” backfires & what to do instead
• 08:16 – Where “65” came from & why it no longer fits
• 10:01 – Flexible work in later life: money and meaning
• 13:18 – The “unretirement” wave: connection & contribution
• 14:09 – Post-exit reality: losing purpose after the big check
• 15:56 – Happiness vs meaning: the body keeps score
• 17:23 – Reader stories: concrete lifestyle shifts
• 19:18 – €40k part-time vs €1M nest egg framing
• 21:01 – Work hard early; later, invite ease & flow
• 23:59 – Mindset: stop assuming it must be hard
• 25:33 – Rebalancing across life phases
• 26:40 – Sabbaticals, meditation & rewriting the “prove them wrong” script
• 29:39 – Bring future joys into today (date nights, travel, play)
• 31:29 – Redefining success: flex your free time
• 35:49 – “$50,000 moments” with your kids
• 37:03 – What are you really financial-planning for?
• 38:24 – Derek’s mantra & who this book is for
• 39:23 – Where to find Derek & replacing “retirement” with “living better”

Guest links: derekcoburn.com

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About the host:

Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.

 

Connect with the host:

 

https://www.theonehourceo.com/

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/