Send us a text In this soulful and scenic episode, recorded amidst mountain winds coming off of Lake McLeod in the Eastern Sierra, host Bob Preston sits down with longtime friend and nature photographer Alan Kassan. In retirement, Alan traded his career and office life for wide-open skies, rugged alpine trails, and a custom Sprinter van built for adventure. Together, they explore what it means to retire with intention and purpose —not away from something, but boldly toward a life filled with passion, creativity, and connection to the natural world. From the Sierra Nevada to Yosemite to the eastern edge of Highway 395, Alan shares how the road became his teacher, his retreat, photography studio, and his canvas. Episode Sponsor: Find The Good In retirement, there is a need for a shift in all of our mindsets, so we built an apparel brand to do just that. We're here to focus on the good and build a community of people looking to encourage others to do the same. Shop today for hats, hoodies, shirts, and the like. Use the promo code: BOBPRESTON for exclusive discounts on merchandise! https://www.findthegoodbrand.com Themes: 1. Retiring Toward Something Meaningful Alan’s journey illustrates the mindset shift that makes retirement transformative: choosing purpose over pause, exploration over stagnation, and curiosity over comfort. 2. Roaming with a Purpose: Alan dives into nature while traveling in his customized Sprinter van—off-grid camping, favorite routes along Highway 395, the challenges behind the scenic Instagram moments, and the incredible payoff of waking up exactly where inspiration strikes. 4. Photography as a Passion Photography became more than a hobby—it became a new identity that gave Alan structure, creativity, and personal meaning in retirement. He shares how being behind the camera helped him slow down, pay attention, and live more mindfully. 5. Beginning a Creative Journey at Any Age: For listeners dreaming about writing, painting, photographing, or building something new, Alan offers grounded, heartfelt advice: Start small. Start messy. Just start. Key Takeaway: Retirement Is a Beginning, Not an Ending: Letting go of a career opens space for reinvention, self-discovery, and ambitious personal adventures. Call to Action: If this episode inspires you, take an intentional step toward something that sparks curiosity or joy. Whether it’s a creative pursuit, a new outdoor habit, or simply exploring a passion you’ve put off—start today. 👉 Check out Alan’s photography: https://www.aklightplay.com 👉 Join The Retired Mindset Community: • Like the video • Subscribe to the channel • Leave a comment sharing your biggest insight • Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it Join us as we post new episodes weekly! Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.