94: Practicing for Retirement: Balancing Creative Pursuits and Financial Planning with Mary Jo Hoffman

Take Back Retirement

“Think about practicing for retirement long before you get there.” -Mary Jo Hoffman

Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with aeronautical engineer-turned-artist Mary Jo Hoffman. Renowned for her captivating photography project, Still, Mary Jo shares her extraordinary journey from a 17-year career as a scientist into becoming a renowned essayist and found nature photographer!

Discover the pivotal moment when Mary Jo and her husband decided to switch roles in their professional lives, allowing her to fully embrace her creative passions. She talks about her spur-of-the-moment family move to France, which offered a cultural immersion for their children and a glimpse into what retirement could look like for her.

Balancing family life with a burgeoning creative career is no small feat. Mary Jo explains how she was able to integrate her newfound passion into her daily routine, and her secrets to staying productive as a creative while also being a stay-at-home parent.

They also delve into the practicalities of sustaining a creative career without compromising financial stability. Learn how living below your means can create the space needed for artistic endeavors.

Stephanie, Kevin, and Mary Jo touch on the importance of exploring various interests in preparation for retirement. According to Mary Jo, adaptability and thoughtful planning are non-negotiables on the road to a rewarding post-career life!

Key Topics:

• Practicing Retirement (0:03:38)
• Diving Headfirst into the Arts in Retirement (0:14:56)
• Being a Creative and Raising Kids (0:19:25)
• “Start Now and Start Soon!” (0:25:27)
• Monetizing Her Art and Writing Her First Book (0:31:24)
• “Taking a Picture a Day” (0:44:28)
• Why Mary Jo Had to Retire Before Becoming a Found Nature Photographer (0:48:27)
• What Most Retirees Love to Do (0:53:29)
• Our Closing Thoughts (0:56:58)

Resources:

• Mary Jo on Instagram
• STILL (blog)
• STILL: The Art of Noticing (book)
• Take Back Retirement Episode 87: Cultivating Creative Connections for Lifelong Wellness with Claire Waite Brown
• Take Back Retirement Episode 16: She Did It! Real Retirement Stories with Lori Osterberg

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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.

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