Ep 18: Lost my job at 54 years old | Was it a gift?
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- I've been truly blessed in my life. Beautiful, loving wife...amazing children...everyone is healthy....what else could anybody want. When I lost my job in late 2023, I felt all sorts of feels but quickly realized that I've been blessed again with the gift of TIME. Life has been great....can't really complain.
Inspired by vloggers like @amy.cycling.adventures @TheCyclingTattooist @avocado.cyclist @fede1275 @TheVCAdventures @ianhow and so many other awesome cycling vloggers.
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I was made redundant at 55. Fortunately being a long term employee of 38 years, I received a partial pension so I could effectively retire. It’s been 7 years of being out in the fresh air cycling with mates and not being stuck in a toxic work environment. So it was the biggest and best gift I ever got
That's amazing and so happy for you. Keep living your best life!! Cheers!
I’m in Maryland. I’m 51 and got laid off last month. I got 6 month severance so taking little time to enjoy biking. I saw this video and so timely and can relate. Doing Century tomorrow. Ride on!
Yes, take the time as this is a gift! Ha, I used to live in MD too (Montgomery County) & worked in Bethesda before moving to Canada. Anyway, stay positive & ride safe! Cheers!
@@CyclingMartin0731wow, I live in Montgomery county in Germantown. My wife works in Bethesda. Small world. Cheers!
I was very fortunate. I retired at 51. Been retired now 7 years. Got back into riding a few years ago it’s been a blessing. I ride with some of my neighbors who are also retired. Wake up in the morning and live.
@@bald1der love it! Living the good life every day!
I am 68 and retired from two full time jobs to one part time job and am now riding my bike on the bike trails three times a week. The bike is the best medicine I have ever had. The Doctor who told me I was going to die is dead! He owned a boat I own a bike. I believe I made the correct decision. See you out there. Happy trails!
@@donaldoutterson3071 Thanks for the comment. So happy for you and happy to hear this!! Keep riding and stay safe out there. Cheers!! 👊
At year ago at 58 I threw up my arms and gave the finger to all the bullies at work. My wife was made redundant 6 months later. We've learned a lot about needs vs wants, and living on less. Cycling has become a huge part of my life, I have probably seen you on the trails. Overall the change has been the gift that keeps giving, you cannot put a value on the loss of stress, and a return to focusing on what's important. Great video.
Thanks for the comment! The moral of life’s story is be happy and surround yourself with people, things, experiences, etc that make you happy. Live every day sir!! If you see me, pls call out. Ride safe!
Just took voluntary redundancy and finished yesterday. Got a month before my next thing! I'm laughing 😃
@@TheGoodUn5 Happy for you. Enjoy the month off! Safe rides. Cheers!!
While working the eriks bike shop in st cloud Minnesota, i stumbled across the sales guys stealing my sales commissions. I contacted corporate and they let me go... 😂. Greatest gift i ever got was losing my career as a seevice manager at the largest bike retailer in the midwest. I got my health back, spent my days with my family and coaching my son to road race. i started racing again also! My customers from eriks noticed the shit service, found me online and now i make a living doing the same thing, same customers, just from home. Makes me more money, and saves them money. Win win. Good for you buddy! ❤❤
So happy to hear that it worked out very well for you and your family. It's amazing the toll a shitty work place can have on oneself. Happy days ahead. Ride safe out there!
@@CyclingMartin0731 you too brother man! Stay blessed! 🙏😇
In the same boat. I was laid off at 55 and I’m enjoying my family time and tons of riding. Not ready to retire but the extended break and recharge is an amazing gift . Greetings from north of you in the GTA.
Yup, that's me too for sure. Time is super precious and spending it with family & investing in yourself (physical & mental health) are two of the best things. EVER! Wishing you all the best my friend! Greetings from the SIX.
Do a ride across Newfoundland. What a wonderful place.
@@drpulpit That would be an amazing place to ride, I bet. Maybe I can convince a few friends to do that with me. 🤔
Congratulations. I hope I am in your position and be able to say the same things when I turn 55.
@@adsasd9629 Thank you for the comment. I wish you the best as well and hope one day you’ll be in an even better position. Ride safe!
Enjoy life as much as possible it all can come to an end in the blink of an eye keep cycling my friend.
Thanks for the comment!! That is soooo true. I've known a few folks who 'kicked the bucket' a month into their retirement. Gotta keep living every day! Keep cycling and stay safe. Cheers!
I was laid off in June. Your perspective helped. It's been tough but trying to turn it into an opportunity 🚴♀️✨✨
@@kawabus sorry to hear about what happened. There are still so much to be thankful for in life. Take this time as a gift and find the opportunities to keep you happy. Good luck to you. Ride safe!
1:02 i just bought a hybrid gravel bike. i would have just cycle over the mud. anyway, I just quit my job recently. I've been in an out of jobs all my life. the good thing is now, i found something i like or a new hobby. cycling and photography. i cycles all over my country taking videos and photography. great fun when you have all the time in your life and don't have to wait for just weekends.
Thanks for the comment. I prefer staying on the pavement with my current bike. Agreed! This time has been amazing and well used on the bike and with quality family time.
Im 54 and paddling every chance I get, life is good. Keep on paddling.
@@j.melena46 Amazing! Glad you are enjoying life and living every day! Cheers!!
I have always ridden a bike since a kid, and racing in my younger years road and MTB. I always worked part time because I loved cycling so much. Later in life I worked a full time job doing graphic design till I was laid off in late 2019 when I was 64. Like you I felt apprehensive and unsure of my future. But taking a ride the next day after being let go, I felt the old freedom I had missed working full time, any financial worries just got washed away. The best part of being laid off was getting 100% control over my 401K. I rolled that over into my IRA and invested all my $120K into Tesla stock 100%. I definitely turned my sour lemons into strawberry jam, with Tesla going parabolic in 2020-2021. After all the splits I’m still way ahead with my Tesla shares. Also buying up a load of Nividia in late 2023, I’m doing fine in both stocks. I can travel, ride my bike and enjoy my retirement to the max.
Thanks for the comment. Yes, gotta accept what happens and then you realize the universe lobbed you a peach to smash with a baseball bat! Great investing moves too. All the best and ride safe out there!
I'm the same age as you, turning 55 at the end of this year. You don't seem the least bit stressed out for getting laid off, nor did I hear you even mention that you'll need a job anytime soon. That is a GOOD position to be in! Preparation is everything, and yes, health is number one!
Thanks for the comment. I've learned to control what I can, which has helped me control stress levels generally. Still working on it, though. Not in a hurry to look for a job at all, life is short and having a little bit of a financial cushion helps for sure. Loving this phase of re-framing what's important in life. All the best to you.
Good to hear that you found it a gift bro. Sometimes a negative could be a positive. At least now you can focus on yourself and the fam 🙂
@@avocado.cyclist 100% true. Thanks so much!
I hadn't been able to work for almost three years, finally got a job then my car broke it's control arm. Sold it and bought bikes..funds are running out but I enjoy it for the most part .get exhausted easily but I'm at 5200 elevation and I'm biking more than I did 20 yrs ago 😊
Health is wealth my friend! Not many have that privilege. Ride safe always!
I thought I recognized those bumpy roads and flooded park. I was laid off last fall at 62, and although it was stressful at the time, it's definitely been a blessing in disguise. I've been getting a lot of riding in this year as well, which has been great. Maybe I'll see you out on the road sometime. Cheers.
The universe has a funny way of sorting itself out. Happy for you that it's also been a blessing. If you see me on the road, pls shout out. Stay safe out there. Cheers!
Happened o me at 50. I'm 65 now and the last 15 years were better than the 15 before I was cancelled
Thanks for the comment, Peter. Happy for you that the last 15 yrs have been better....that's how it should be. Health is wealth!! Ride safe. Cheers!
This is a rough time to be starting out. You’re blessed to be finishing up
@@GoogleGradschool Thank you for the comment. I’m looking forward to maximizing this time for me and my family. Cheers!!
I'm glad you've maintained a positive outlook. I've never really cared much for jobs. I've had literally dozens of them. They're just a means to an end. Too many people get wrapped up in defining themselves by how they choose to pay their bills.
Yup, I was in that exact thought paradigm for so many years. Now, a totally different outlook! I love this time I have now so I will milk it for everything. Keep cycling & stay safe out there. Cheers!
Gummies ❤
Thanks!
I’ve been fired from every job I have ever had. I could care less. Yeah we need money so I found amother gig . I became a teacher. If I get fired from that I’ll look for another job. Jobs suck anyway lol. Family health is number. Retirement. You’re way too young pal. Keep smashing the world.
@@therealsugarking thanks so much. Yeah, life has a way of putting things in perspective. I appreciate the kind words. Cheers!!
One more thing for the list of things to be thankful for: grandchildren. They come a bit later in life, but boy, are they ever worth the wait!
Ah yes, but we aren't there yet. I am looking forward to that for sure. Thanks!
Wishing you all best from the UK 🇬🇧
Enjoy Your New Lifestyle, it's a blessing in disguise.
Thanks for the comment. Yes, it def has been a blessing. Not taking it for granted. Cheers from Canada!! Ride safe.
Appreciate your attitude. Keep on keeping on.
Thanks John!
What a refreshing channel and outlook Martin, love your content! I was out on a Friday morning ride a few weeks ago and saw you and your son at The Good Neighbour on Annette. I wasn’t 100% sure it was you at the time (wasn’t as familiar with your content) but I’ll be sure to say hi next time!
@@iFlar3 thanks for the comment. Really appreciate it. Next time you see me at the coffee place, please let me know.
Yep, i`m 55, i enjoy cycling too, and have running friends, how odd.
Amazing! I kinda consider myself a runner with a cycling problem. 🤣🤣
Enjoy it and the best of luck. I'm 62 and can't afford to retire 😢
@@shivsnorman Thanks for the comment. Ride safe.
Health is wealth. Cliched but still true 👍
100%. Thanks for the comment!! Ride safe.
I like your attitude. Check out Mr. Money Mustache. I think he was from near Toronto. You are halfway to what he did. It's been a good Summer in the Midwest. If you were stuck behind a computer, perhaps the Summer may not have been as good. I'm 68 and sometimes think of going back to work. Your video helped me say, "Nah." Life is short. This time is a gift as it is only once.
Thanks for the comment and yes, I'll check that out. Loving this time that has been gifted to me. Life is indeed short and so we gotta live everyday. Cheers!
I'm 58 I ride a recumbent trike a Catrike 700.
May I asked you a honest question regarding working and THEN being laid-off.
What did/are you doing for finances?
Obviously we all need a certain amount of money.
At 55 what direction are you going to do?
I ask because none of us are exempt from this happening in our lives.
I am debt free, except for the monthly bills. I have no family obligations.
I wish I could retire but I don't have any pension...I work as a steel fabricator/welder, but my company doesn't have any pension.
Thanks 👌
@@The-GreenHornet thanks for the comment. Great question. To be honest, I was really good at saving and investing for retirement so we have some squirreled away. Not sure if I’d go back to the workforce as it’s been so great for my physical and mental well being. It’ll have to be a really good opportunity to do that.
So many reasons to enjoy life now while we are still able to vs later when we r older and can’t travel or enjoy for whatever reason. Good luck to you!
Cheers and ride safe!
I know exactly how you feel,we will be dead one day ,one life ,live it .
That's exactly right!
Stop for stop signs! You need to be predictable. Part of taking your RIGHTFUL place on the road is being considerate of OTHERS and following the laws that you are bound to. You're probably quick to notice when drivers speed, or come to close, or run stoplights. Accept your responsibility.
Whoa, easy there tiger. The stop sign I rolled on by was in the park, early in the morning with no cars around. I consider myself a respectful road user and will attempt to stay safe at all times. I can & do take calculated risks and at my age, I know already what I can or can’t do.
Telling a cyclist to stop at all signs is like telling a motorist to follow the speed limit...
@@itstrbo 👍
Don't worry just go cycling works a con
Indeed!! 😂😂
Yes, it's a gift to not have to work. Time > Money.
Very true. I am fully aware not everyone can afford to do this so I am super grateful for it. Thanks for the comment!
Once anyone hits the age of 50+ (of course there are a few exceptions) that person has a target on their back for being laid off. Companies seem to shoot the older, more expensive employees. The moral of my observation: Retirement savings MUST be geared towards beginning at ages 25/30 and ending 50/55. Anything after that MUST go towards your 401/3 K/B. The sad fact is later in life your income is great AND so are your financial OBLIGATIONS. Forget 65+ or Full Retirement Age. Good luck and be careful. ❤❤❤😂😂
@@joecunningham7513 Joe!!! Thanks for the comment. Hope you’re well my friend. Miss you and the days we worked together. You were definitely one of the best!!
What's your FTP son
No idea. I'll do an FTP test on Zwift when it gets too cold outside to ride.