1330: Encoraco: From Career Pro to Purpose-Driven Retiree with Retirement Transition Expert Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons

Sunday, June 1, 2025

For a lot of people, retirement isn't the relaxing reward it's made out to be—it feels more like losing a piece of themselves. After spending years tied to routines, responsibilities, and roles that defined them, stepping away can feel disorienting. The quiet that once sounded like freedom can become uncomfortable fast. It’s not just about having free time—it’s about figuring out who you are when the title, the office, and the calendar are gone. That shift can shake you more than anyone expects.

Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons helps high achievers rethink retirement as a launchpad, not a finish line. With her book Encore, she guides professionals through the emotional and identity shifts that come with stepping away from traditional careers. Today, she shares how purpose, structure, and personal growth are just as vital as savings when planning for life after work. Drawing from her own early retirement at 35, she emphasizes designing a future rooted in meaning, not just money. Elizabeth believes that retirement should feel like a new beginning, not an end. Stay tuned!