The Health Risks of Early Retirement

If you’re not giving mental and physical health the same level of attention as your financial health, you’re playing with fire. In this episode, Jason talks with Eric about what steps he’s taking to prioritize his own wellness in early retirement, including a frank conversation about mental health. Here they discuss steps to promote wellness, the distinct challenges of retirement, and much more. Be sure to check out the show notes below, which include a link to a blog post Jason wrote to go along with this episode.

Show Notes

Subsequent to recording this episode, Jason wrote a blog post called “Let’s talk about mental health“. Check it out for additional insight beyond the conversation in this video.

Essential Background:

• We all daydream about what retirement will be like, but does reality live up to expectations? In early 2022, we spoke with Fritz Gilbert, who blogs at The Retirement Manifesto. Recorded nearly four years after he retired early, Fritz brought insightful perspectives to our conversation with topics like finding purpose, working “one more year”, and the keys to success in retirement.
• In a related vein, Jason recently spoke with Jordan, “Doc G” Grumet. Check out “Fulfillment Beyond FI: Life After Early Retirement with Jason” for the Earn and Invest podcast episode in question. But that actually wasn’t the first time we talked with Doc G. In fact, one of our most popular Two Sides of FI episodes of 2022 was our conversation with him titled “Will You Run Out of Money or Time? FI Advice From a Hospice Doctor“. In those show notes, you’ll also find a link to our earlier joint appearance on E&I as well as to Doc G’s impactful book.
• For more on Jason’s FI journey, check out these episodes centered on his retirement milestones to date: What I Learned in My First Year of “Early Retirement (1 year), My New Life: Two Years After Early Retirement (2 years), and Finding My Way in Early Retirement: A 30 Month Check-In (2.5 years).

As we discussed in the episode, both Eric and Jason read physician Peter Attia’s book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity”. In the latter’s opinion, this is among the most important books retirees (or those anywhere on a FIRE path!) should read. To obtain a copy of this book in paperback, Kindle ebook, or Audible audiobook (read by the author), check out this link.

Unbeknownst to us at the time, we recorded this conversation on World Mental Health Day. For more on the essential topic of mental health and wellbeing, be sure to check out the WHO’s webpage on this subject.

Have you checked out the Two Sides of FI Discord server? If you’re not familiar, this is an instant messaging social network. Ours is meant to be a community for viewers of our show, as well as a space to discuss all things relation to FIRE. It’s totally open, free of charge, and is anonymous as you’d like. This makes it a safe space to talk about financial topics you might otherwise be sensitive about sharing. Come check it out and see if it fits your interests! There are both desktop and mobile apps available.

Did you know Jason resumed blogging? To be notified of his future posts, please consider subscribing here. He’s also archived his old blog, which documents the first two years after he retired from his career, and started even before Two Sides of FI began. Get more information on those archived posts here.

You can find information on the tools we mention in each episode along with additional information in the Resources section of this site.

• Eric’s business: 30X40 Design Workshop
• Jason’s blog: the next phase is now
• Eric’s YouTube Channel
• Our podcast