Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!

While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.

WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.

“Early in my naval career, I made a decision that changed everything—I shifted from the Administrative to the Operational Cadre in my eighth year of service. Many would have seen that as a late and risky move. For me, it became the defining moment of my professional journey. Despite the odds, I not only found my footing but rose to key command appointments, often outpacing peers who had started ahead.

I don’t consider myself to have had conventional failures, but that one decision—to change tack—could easily have turned into one. Instead, it taught me something deeper: success often lies on the other side of courageous change.

Over the years, I’ve been impacted by many mentors and role models. It wasn’t just one person but a constellation of influences across moral, strategic, and operational dimensions of life. I carry forward their insights every day, especially in how I lead and inspire.

If I had to pinpoint the skill that most contributed to my growth, it would be the ability to stay self-motivated in adversity—and to keep my teams equally inspired. Resilience wasn’t just a trait; it was a practice. And it made all the difference in both peace and conflict.

Even now, post-retirement, I stay engaged in business and speaking roles. I remind myself daily: I’m retired, not tired. Staying active keeps me grounded, purposeful, and, hopefully, a role model to those watching—including my children.

Some advice to my peers is as follows: Don’t downscale your goals as you age. Scale up your abilities instead. Set benchmarks not just for yourself but for the next generation. They’ll watch how we walk, not just what we say.

If I could change one thing, it would be how people perceive change. We resist it instinctively—but often, change is the very thing that shapes our greatest victories.“

Explore more inspiring journeys—read more Wisdom Stories here.

Photo and Interview credits – Saonli Bedi of WisdomCircle