Maurice Clifton

© Jason McAdam

Second chapters

A new life chapter may be motivated by the desire to fulfill a long-held passion, inspired by a chance encounter, or even set into motion by an illness or setback. These “second chapter” Costco members all had one thing in common: a mindset open to opportunity.

stories edited by Will Fifield and T. Foster Jones

“I turned 85 in May. I always thought of woodworking as a hobby. Now, after 14 years as a bank executive, then 45 years as a real estate broker, I have time to really get to know wood in its thousands of colors, textures, densities and uses.

“I work with ancient olive wood that comes from Jerusalem, and new, sustainable wood cultured and grown recently. Once cut down, a tree is dead and lost to usefulness unless something beautiful and useful is made from it.

“I created a small company I call Wood That Would Last. I make jewelry/keepsake boxes, furniture and everything in-between. The goal I have is to make a tree have a life past its growing years.

“I also teach woodworking to youngsters who may not have access to life-skills training, or lack the resources such as time, money or a woodworking shop.

“If you have a hobby or anything that has sustained you in body and spirit up to now, go for it!”

Janice Booth (far right) with her students.

© Kathleen Janowiak

“After spending decades at the helm of three national nonprofits, I retired in 2009.

“My second chapter—the one that makes me feel like a kid again—is teaching the art of acrylic pouring to kids (12 and up), seniors in assisted living facilities and at a local art school.

“Nothing has lit me up as much as this has. I love seeing the smiles and delight on their faces. They can’t believe how beautiful their paintings are! I love that they get permission to just let go of expectations, doubts and rules, and just play with paint like they were a kid with nothing to worry about.

“In my former career, I had so many deadlines and fires to put out, with hardly time to take a breath. Now, I encourage my students to be patient and simply be in the moment.

“I have applied those philosophies to my own approach to life. As a result, I can take the time to let things evolve on their own. It’s a freedom that still feels novel—and wonderful.

“Second chapters are a great gift, not to be squandered. It’s been a great start and I can’t wait to see where it goes.”

Left: Cathi Colas; Right: Jib Liska.

Left: © cathi colas; Right: © Marcie Wolf, Abuzz Creative.

After pursuing a variety of vocations—yoga teacher, vet tech, personal trainer, groomer, customer service—Cathi Colas says she finally found what she was looking for when she turned 53.

"Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to act but never had the confidence to really put myself out there. That dream never really went away, but how could I act without being seen?” Her lightbulb answer: audiobook narration.

“I started in 2017 and now have over 60 books on Audible, from self-help to mysteries, detective novels, classic literature and more,” she says, adding that she has also branched out into other areas of the industry, such as coaching and audio editing. “I now have a full-time career doing what I always dreamed of doing, just coming at it from a different angle.”

“I am an elementary school teacher by trade, but left the profession to raise my children and never went back. Over time, I cooked and baked more and more—taking on catering jobs, etc.

“I didn’t even realize I was heading into a new career because it happened over such a long period of time. Ten years ago, I opened my own bakery—My Sister’s Bake Shop.

“In an unintentional nod to my school teaching days, my shop is open September through May, then closed in the summer when I attend our local farmers market.

“My advice for others considering a career shift would be to learn all you can about your new venture and take baby steps to be sure you like the direction you are going. Seek advice and feedback from friends and family—you may not like everything they have to say, but they have your best interests in mind.

“I never in a million years thought I would be doing what I do, but I absolutely love it!”

Jared Gunnerson

© cate gunnerson

Until 2018, Jared Gunnerson spent nearly 20 years as an environmental resource consultant for an international firm based outside of Washington, D.C. Suffering from burnout and needing to be at home more with his wife, and his son who has autism, he decided to leave his career behind.

He began to paint original works of art, rediscovering an artistic passion he had when he was young. It quickly turned into a full-time business—he now shows regularly at art festivals throughout the western U.S. “Switching careers fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist—it has felt like coming home,” says Gunnerson. “The work is often hard and frustrating but I’ve never felt so complete as I do now. I have gained an entirely different perspective on life.

“For anyone considering making a change, life is too short to wait,” he says. “The sooner you make the leap the better. Find and surround yourself with people who can support you during this scary, yet incredible transition. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without an extremely supportive wife, and extended family and close friends. Be true to yourself, trust yourself and make an extraordinary leap of faith.”

Left: Susan Miller; Right: Sky Bergman

Left: © Fin Smith; Right: © Jess Lazar.

After a 30-year career in teaching, Sky Bergman became a filmmaker and activist. “I realized that I had fulfilled my teaching career and decided to look through a different creative lens,” says Bergman.

Motivated by her 100-year-old grandmother, and approaching her own 50-year milestone, the former professor of photography and video started working on her first film, Lives Well Lived. The film, which aired on PBS, celebrates the wit and wisdom of adults ages 75 to 100 who are living their lives to the fullest.

Bergman is now working on her encore career full-time, creating films and projects that inspire and foster intergenerational connections.

“I have always believed that if you have a passion for something, you can make it happen,” says Bergman. “Living with purpose is the drive that keeps us going and feeds our curiosity. Our sense of purpose can change over time depending on our life circumstances. My advice to anyone contemplating a career shift would be to follow your passion.”

In November 2021, Susan Miller received a call that led to “a crazy and exciting” new career adventure. “I was asked if I would consider becoming a full-time professor at the University of Michigan,” says Miller.

Adhering to her motto of “crazy might just work,” eight weeks later, at age 63, she launched a brand-new career as a college professor, passing along the business and marketing wisdom she has accrued as an entrepreneur.

“Starting a new career at the same time that many of my friends were retiring has been energizing and gratifying,” says Miller, who teaches business communications and coaches MBA students. “Taking on a new professional challenge can open you up to finding energy, joy and satisfaction.

“I realize that new chapters can be written at any age—you are never too old or too late in your career to try something totally new.

“For me it worked out beyond anything I could have imagined.”

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