Carl is excited to interview Dan Rudd, a noted psychologist, Ironman competitor, trainer, poet, public speaker and now a wedding officiant. As a second act, Dan has officiated 35 weddings and 9 funerals. He also was a founding member of the successful "Every Man" meetings and retreats, focusing on men's issues. Right before the interview, Carl taught Dan how to play pickleball for the first time. Dan says, "I like it because you can just start playing,"

Dan was born in New York and moved to Tucson with his family at the age of 3. His mother was in poor health and his father worked seven days a week as a DJ and in Radio to support the family. As a chubby kid, Dan saw himself as not very athletic. After graduation from UC Santa Barbara, he went on to graduate school and became a psychotherapist, focusing on marriage/relationship therapy.

At 28, a friend invited Dan to participate in a triathlon at Donner Lake, taking on the swimming portion. Dan says his first thought after finishing was, "This is fun!" He eventually went on to participate in 200 triathlons and 8 Ironman competitions. More amazingly, Dan didn't compete in his first Ironman until the age of 51. "I've never been a frontrunner, but I have great endurance," Dan tells us with a smile. He says he met many good people who became friends while competing. No surprise, Dan also still trains and coaches athletes.

Dan semi-retired at 70, moving into a physical therapist's office and learning more about sports psychology. Now 75, Dan says he's retired. "I want to focus more on my inner world. The inner world is about checking in with yourself, becoming more mindful and not worrying about the past or future." Dan has two grown sons and lives with his wife Amy in the Sacramento region. He enjoys adventure travel, family, gardening, learning Spanish, meditating daily and officiating weddings. "I don't feel like I have to reinvent myself right now, I know there will be something else eventually!

Dan Rudd's (un)retirement advice:

• "The winner is the one who has the most fun!"

• "Be more kind than you need to be--to yourself and others."

• "Do what you love, do what brings you light."

• "Now you have the time to do what's important to you!"
   

• Sponsored by The Monkey Creative

• Sponsored by Capital Advantage

• Sponsored by How to Retire and Not Die
  
   

Diana Landau is the Content Wrangler for Pickleball Media. After 15 years in corporate marketing, in 2012 she pivoted to write and wrangle content for Niche Media's weekly blog. She now manages the “I Used to Be Somebody” blog.

Tags:    blog   interview   Dan Rudd   psychotherapist   ironman   wedding officiant   unretirement   ironman competitor