I Used to be Somebody

How does a Tax Preparer from Minnesota end up moving his family to a little village in the French Countryside end up becoming an award-winning food writer and publishing his memoir about the experience with a big-time book publisher?   

Today's guest Steve Hoffman's story is so unlikely. Back in 2012, Steve dreamed of living in France with images of swimming in the ocean on the coast and then sipping with a wonderful glass of Rosé. The reality was that he brought his wife and two children to a hard-working, hot and dusty winemaking village. No one spoke English. To say the beginning of this adventure was rocky is a understatement. 

Once Steve and his family stepped back and let their French experience evolve on its own, it was transformative. It's all shared in his memoir, "A Season for That, Lost and Found in the Other Southern France". 

Steve still lives two lives. For 6 months a year, he runs his self-stated "boring" job of tax preparation that pays well and the other half of the year is devoted to his creative life, winning a James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.

• More about Steve Hoffman: https://www.sjrhoffman.com/

• Steve's book "A Season for That": http://tiny.cc/z37uzz

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Steve-Hoffman-Interview-Food-Writer-and-Author-of-French-Countryside-Experience

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

We've gone CAT crazy this month on the podcast. They say cats have 9 lives. Our guest Suna Kneisley is probably on life #5. Her story starts in Korea where she was born. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest where she was the only Asian kid in town. At 12 years old, she helped run her family's 24-hour donut shop.

In her 20's, Suna lands in Silicon Valley as a marketing exec at Intuit and Oracle. Eventually, she launched her own real estate investment company. And this is when things get even more interesting. She sees an opportunity and pounces on the Cat business, running a non-profit and buying a successful boutique Cat Hotel as a third, maybe 4th act. It's a super fun story full of lots of twist and turns. Suna is full of optimism and has some great (un)retirement advice for you!

• More about Suna Kneisley:  https://patsplaceforcats.com/about/meet-the-owners 

• Pat's Boarding House for Cats: https://patsplaceforcats.com 

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Suna-Kneisley-Interview-Kitty-Hotel-Second-Act-Success-Story 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die 

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/all-tours 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Carl interviews "Stacking Benjamins" host Joe Saul-Sehy. Joe is a former financial advisor and has represented American Express and Ameriprise in media. He left his financial advisor career at age 40 and reinvented himself into what he truly wanted to do. He was the "Money Man" on WXYZ-TV in Detroit and has appeared in countless newspapers and magazines, including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Detroit News and more.  And now, his award-winning podcast is one of the most listened to in the personal finance sphere. Plus, he's funny as hell! (Full disclosure: Carl is a total fanboy of the show.)

Joe's show Stacking Benjamins has the same tone as the former NPR show "The Car Guys". With Car Guys, you didn't need to be a car person to love listening to the show. Same can be said about Joe's show. You don't need to be financial investment aficionado to love listening. Joe and his cast of characters make it entertaining to listen to a subject matter that is generally perceived as dull to the general public. "Stackers" (reference to the listeners of the show) are anything but bored listening to him and his sidekick Josh Bannerman (AKA OG), Doc G, Paula Pant and of course Mom's Neighbor Doug. Oh, the running gag is that the show is produced in Joe's Moms basement.

Joe is a perfect example of an (un)retirement success story. As a young man he was personally a financial disaster. Ironically, he became a very successful financial adviser. But at 40 he realized he liked his job but didn't love it. He sold his business. And 18 years later he's become a financial media star. Helping hundreds of thousand listeners stacking benjamins one at a time!

• More about Joe Saul-Sehy:  https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/about/

• Joe's Book STACKED:  https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/stacked/

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Joe-Saul-Sehy-Interview-Stacking-Benjamins-in-his-Moms-Basement

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to "I Used to be Somebody" newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

THREE for the price of one! What a deal. Yes, we're shaking things up in this episode with a little different format. Instead of just one guest who's had a really interesting second act, we're talking to 3 great minds in the (un)retirement world. With a little twist is that they are from three different age perspectives. 

Meet Paul Long a former TV newscaster, weatherman, film content creator who just created a movement "New Way Forward" (1:58). Gary Sirak is an author, speaker and financial advisor best known for writing How to Retire and Not Die (30.12) And Dr. Ron Kaiser a psychologist, coach, keynote and TEDx speaker, podcast host and author of REJUVENAGING. (51:04)

• More about Paul Long: https://www.newwayfwd.com/story/

• More about Gary Sirak: https://garysirak.com/about-gary/

• More about Dr. Ron Kaiser:  https://thementalhealthgym.com/meet-dr-ron-kaiser/

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Meet-the-Unretirement-Experts-Interview-Paul-Long-Gary-Sirak-and-Dr-Ron-Kaiser

• I Used to be Somebody World Tour: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the I Used to be Somebody Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Meet the remarkable Edward Hechter, a high school dropout full of surprises. Edward started his career in the high-tech world at 17 years old. He rose through the corporate ranks to executive level and ultimately played a key role in helping this company Website Pros go public. And retired.

He missed the challenge of solving business problems but this time came back to the working world as first-time entrepreneur where he and his wife re-launched one of the first online party supply companies out of their garage. Starting with two orders a day, the company eventually grew into a $5 million dollar a year business. And he retired again.

The next time he re-entered the biz world was a deep dive into the exploding sport of pickleball. He eventually served as CEO of Pickleball Central, the world's largest pickleball company. And Edward's story takes off from there!

• More about Edward Hechter:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardhechter/

• Episode Content:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Edward-Hechter-Interview-High-School-Dropout-Hits-it-Big-Time-as-an-Entrepreneur-and-in-Pickleball

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage:  https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures: https://www.zephyradventures.com/

• I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal, Pickleball Adventure: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

In 1995, Mary-Lou Nash showed up in South Africa on a whim with just a backpack. And she never left. Today she is a Winemaster of her own brand, Black Pearl Wines, producing some of the best wines in the country and it's even sold in some high profile locations in the US.

She was born in England, grew up with a determined New England attitude and has thrived in South Africa. She had no experience in growing grapes, harvesting or making wine. In fact, before arriving in South Africa she was a beer drinker and who occasionally would drink cheap jug wine. 

Her story is one of taking chances, a lot of hard work and dogged perseverance. She even shares a recent harrowing experience that has led her to an entirely new lifestyle, which she explains and now loves. Mary-Lou Nash is a true inspiration!

• More about Mary-Lou Nash and Black Pearl Wines: https://blackpearlwines.com/

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Mary-Lou-Nash-Interview-Moves-to-South-Africa-and-becomes-a-Winemaster

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die/

• Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide/

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures and Taste Vacations: https://www.zephyradventures.com/

• I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal, Pickleball Adventure:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

This month's guest Stephanie Stuckey brings Carl down memory lane. He has great childhood memories of begging his mom for a Stuckey's Stop, a popular roadside oasis in the 60's! Apparently, there are millions of people that have the same memory. At its height, there were over 350 Stuckey's stores across the country filled with candy, novelty toys and their world famous pecan log rolls. 

Stephanie's grandfather sold the business in 1964 and over the course of time the Stuckey's stores were in a state of disrepair. The brand was practically extinct when Stephanie bought back the business in 2019. She and two business partners have totally rebranded and modernized the company.

The Stuckey's story and Stephanie Stuckey's personal life journey from a public defender to politician to entrepreneur are truly inspiring.

• More about Stephanie Stuckey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Stuckey

• More about Stuckey's: https://stuckeys.com

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Stephanie-Stuckey-Interview-Rebuilding-Stuckeys-a-part-of-Americana

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures and Taste Vacations: https://www.zephyradventures.com 
 • I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal, Pickleball Adventure:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter: https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

The Martinus Evans story is a very surprising one. As an adult he had many jobs, including a career  as a suit salesman at The Men's Warehouse. Being on his feet 10 hours a day caused him hip pain. He saw a doctor that said, "Your hip hurts because you're too fat. You should walk to lose weight." Martinus was shocked and angered by his doctor's words. And then he turned that into the goal to  run a marathon. He's never looked back.

Martinus launched a blog, 300 Pounds and Running, is an 8-time marathon runner, formed the Slow AF Run Club that now has 30,000+ members, graced the cover of Runner's World and is now a bestselling author of th book The Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run. 

In his common sense, wickedly funny way Martinus inspires all of us to get off the couch and work toward for our dreams!

• More about Martinus Evans:  https://300poundsandrunning.com

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Martinus-Evans-Interview-Founder-of-Slow-AF-Run-Club 

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die:  https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die 

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide 

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures and Taste Vacations: https://www.zephyradventures.com 

• I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal and Arizona Pickleball Adventure:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour 

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe 

Everyone please rise this week on I Used to be Somebody. Carl interviews his first judge ever! Jeannine Barr was an assistant district attorney who decided after 9 years to throw her hat in the political ring, (brave move) and then became a criminal district court judge for 24 years. She oversaw cases on "all the people you are afraid of." She tells us what it was like to have a high profile, elected position as a Texas judge.

In another big brave move, Jeannine left the bench and has created a fascinating second act as a storyteller/singer and songwriter. She has a beautiful voice and is also a talented writer. In this interview, she details her journey from confidently directing bailiffs in the courtroom to becoming a first-time singer-- scared to death at her first public singing appearance. I think we can all relate to being a newbie in a brand new environment and Jeannine is unstoppable.

Bonus: Jeannine surprises host Carl with a song she wrote just for him. Of course it's titled, "I Used to be Somebody". 

• More about Jeannine Barr: https://www.jbarrmusic.com/about

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Jeannine-Barr-Interview-Here-comes-the-Judge-Now-Singer-Songwriter

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die: https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright from Zephyr Adventures and Taste Vacations: https://www.zephyradventures.com

• I Used to be Somebody World Tours -- Tuscany, Portugal and Arizona Pickleball Adventure:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody" Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe

Sky Bergman has a zest for life and wants to share it with you. Her positivity is infectious. An accomplished and award-winning photographer and professor, it is no wonder her university students love her! She's also on a passon mission to capture the beauty of life and wisdom of older people as they tell their stories. Sky released her debut documentary, Lives Well Lived to sold-out live audiences and has two more films in the works. There's no stopping this woman's positive energy!

Sky started pursuing her second act in her 50's as a filmmaker. She hit it big with her very first movie, now airing on PBS and all the other streaming services. Make sure you listen in for how she financed her documentary. Sky finds solutions in inventive and creative ways, to be sure.

• More about Sky Bergman: https://www.skybergmanproductions.com/about2

• Episode Content: https://pickleballmediahq.com/blog/Sky-Bergman-Interview-Professor-Turns-Filmmaker

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die https://garysirak.com/how-to-retire-and-not-die

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage: https://capitaladvantage.com/promotion/retirement-planning-guide

• (Un)Retirement Travel with the Pro, Allan Wright: Zephyr Adventures: https://www.zephyradventures.com

• I Used to be Somebody World Tours: Tuscany, Portugal, Arizona Pickleball Adventure: https://pickleballmediahq.com/tour/tuscany

• Subscribe to the "I Used to be Somebody Newsletter:  https://pickleballmediahq.com/contact/subscribe