As a child, I loved to ride my bike. I would get on it in the morning and disappear for most of the day, coming back to the house just in time for dinner.
The best summer job I ever had involved using my bike to deliver telegrams to businesses in downtown Toronto for CNCP Telecommunications. Like most kids, I used to dream about competing in the Olympics or riding in the Tour de France. But, again like most kids, I wasn’t good enough.
Then one day, I got a real job and stopped riding for the next thirty years.
In my fifties, I started riding again to help me manage stress from work. I remember suffering while riding from my home in Richmond Hill, to Newmarket, which is about 20k one way. It was hard and I never thought I was going to make it back home that day, but I did, and my joy for riding had returned.
Then one day I watched Ironman on TV and my life changed. Ironman is one of the toughest one-day endurance events in the world, combining a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km marathon—all done back-to-back. I loved hearing the stories of the age groupers and why they were doing the race, I would cry as they struggled to reach the finish line before the 17-hour cutoff.
For some reason, I felt the need to become an Ironman, and I eventually completed one in Lake Placid in July 2007. Then life got in the way again, and the bike was put away until I decided to give Ironman Cozumel a try in 2022, at age 68. I didn’t finish that race and I promised myself I would never attempt another. But, like they say, never say never, and I’ve decided to give Ironman Ottawa my last shot. Call it unfinished business. Taking on this challenge at 70 isn’t just about finishing a race—it’s about proving what’s possible at any age.
Empowered by HomeEquity Bank – Living Life on My Terms
That’s why I’m excited to announce that HomeEquity Bank, provider of the CHIP Reverse Mortgage, is sponsoring and supporting my Journey to Ironman. They’re the perfect partner, because like me, they believe in challenging outdated thinking about retirement and what it means to grow older.
Retirement today isn’t just about finances—it’s about identity, purpose, and staying mentally and physically strong. While many retirees wonder what comes next, I see this stage of life as an opportunity to grow, take on new challenges, and redefine what’s possible. HomeEquity Bank shares that vision.
As a purpose-driven organization, they go beyond financial solutions to help Canadians 55+ live with independence, dignity, and empowerment. Together, we’re proving that retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.
We all have something worth chasing in retirement. If this speaks to you, I’d be grateful to have your support. Follow my journey on Instagram @Retirement_Rebel as I push limits, challenge expectations, and show that the best years are still ahead!
The Iron Man Challenge: Better Late Than Never
The Ironman is regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races, and fewer than .01% of the world’s population have completed one.
To earn a finisher’s medal you need to complete the swim, bike and run, , with no breaks and completed under 17 hours.
The race will push your body and mind to the limit taking you way out of your comfort zone and keeping you there for the duration.
Can a 70-year-old like me do it – you betcha but you need some strong WHYs to make it to the finish line During your long training days, 5–7-hour bike rides, 3-4 hour runs, 90-minute open water swims, you will constantly ask yourself ‘why am I doing this’ and you better have some good answers, or you will quit before the race even starts.
Why do an Ironman?
Following are my “WHY’s for attempting an Ironman
- I was getting tired of people telling me I was too old to do some things like getting on a ladder and cleaning the eavestrough.
- I didn’t want to cringe when I looked into the mirror anymore.
- I wanted to serve as a good retirement role model and inspire others to go for the gold, whatever their definition of gold is.
- I wanted to become healthy again, so I can do the things I love to do for as long as I can.
- I wanted to remind myself what I’m capable of because sometimes I forget and begin to doubt myself.
Redefining Retirement: Embracing Challenge and Growth
Just because I’ve turned 70 doesn’t mean it’s time for me to start playing it safe and become a couch potato in hopes I don’t get hurt. Far from it. Instead of slowing down and taking it easy, I’m busy looking for new dragons to slay.
Why settle for a mediocre retirement – sitting in front of the TV doing nothing; or repeating the same boring day over and over again, when you are capable of so much more. Find your own dragon to slay, be it an Ironman, writing a book, or starting a new business. It’s in discomfort and through doing hard things that retirees grow and thrive.
It’s better to wear out then rust out from disuse
The story we’ve been told of automatic decline in retirement isn’t accurate. Age is just a number, and the truth is that we can accomplish some amazing things late in life – if we want to and are willing to put in the work.
Aging is No Longer What it Used to Be
People are living longer than ever before, and retirement rebels are the poster children of this longevity revolution. We are redefining the old-fashioned beliefs about what it means to grow older, and we’re having a lot of fun in the process.
I’m just your average retirement rebel that enjoys doing hard things because those are the things that make retirement exciting, meaningful, and worth living. I also want to avoid looking back with regret which is why I’m going after the gold one last time, while I still have the chance.
Want to see what pushing boundaries at 70 looks like?
Follow me on Instagram @Retirement_Rebel as I share life lessons from the road—on purpose, wellness, and stepping outside your comfort zone—one challenge at a time.
