Retirement isn’t what it used to be. In fact, according to entrepreneur and speaker Bob Loudermilk, traditional retirement as we know it is obsolete.
His new book, “Never Retire: Reinvent Yourself for Life’s Second Half,” invites readers to reject the old notion of slowing down and instead embrace life’s second half as their most meaningful, adventurous, and impactful season yet.
For generations, people have been taught that the pinnacle of success is reaching the day you stop working. But Loudermilk argues that the traditional script is broken. Longer lifespans, shifting economies, and a universal longing for purpose mean that “checking out” at 65 is not only unrealistic for many-it can also be harmful.
“Traditional retirement too often leads to boredom, loss of identity, and even decline,” Loudermilk says. “But what if these years could actually become your most vibrant, productive, and meaningful chapter yet?”
“Never Retire” shows readers how to trade the myth of retirement for the joy of reinvention. With a blend of powerful storytelling, practical strategies, and research-backed insights, Loudermilk paints a picture of what’s possible when people bring the same creativity, grit, and courage that shaped their first half of life into the second.
Readers will meet people who refused to fade away-entrepreneurs who started businesses later in life, artists who created masterpieces in their seventies and eighties, and everyday men and women who found new callings that gave them a fresh sense of joy and contribution.
“Many people, after retiring from an active career, loose their vitality quickly if they don’t remain active,” Loudermilk said. “Parking in front of the television and not engaging in social interaction is a recipe for rapid decline. My slogan is, don’t retire FROM something, retire TO something. The book is all about mindset and strategies to make your second half of life some of your best years.”
Loudermilk said this is not a book of theory. It is a practical roadmap for designing a second half filled with purpose, vitality, and lasting impact. Each chapter helps readers think differently, dream bigger, and take meaningful action to create a future worth living into. “It’s different from anything else on the shelf, and I think it will resonate with readers who are 50+,” he said.”
Loudermilk said the release of “Never Retire” is incredibly timely. With approximately 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day in America, this cultural moment demands a new way of thinking.
Loudermilk believes now is the time to dismantle outdated views of aging and replace them with a vision of possibility.
“The message is clear: the second half of life is not about retreat-it is about reinvention,” he said.
Dave Sheets of BelieversBookServices praised Loudermilk’s book.
“Bob Loudermilk doesn’t just challenge the idea of retirement-he dismantles it with wisdom and hope,” he said. “This book is a must-read for anyone approaching life’s ‘next act.’”
Loudermilk brings decades of entrepreneurial and mentoring experience to this message. He is also the cofounder of the Second Half Expo, the annual event that equips thousands of adults 50+ to thrive with resources, inspiration, and community. His passion for helping others live boldly in their later years flows through every page of the book.
The official launch celebration for “Never Retire” will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Second Half Expo inside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Attendees will hear Loudermilk speak, connect with others who share the vision, and join in the book launch party at 10 a.m., marking the beginning of a movement. Details for the Expo are at www.SecondHalfExpo.com
Loudermilk said his message to readers is contained in this declaration: “I am not done yet. There is more in me than I realized. I have a legacy that I will be leaving, and I am creating my legacy right now. There is more ahead.”
He concluded “The closing chapter is about living by an ultimate operating system, which is faith. It is about living with an expectation that you have a purpose and that your life matters.”
Readers can download free sample chapters of the book or order their copy today at https://secondhalfexpo.com/never-retire/ . • story by Van Mitchell, staff writer
