Ep 211 Thriving in retirement (and other transitions) with Elizabeth Parsons

Episode Description

What happens when the career that once defined you no longer fits—or ends entirely?

In this episode of the BOSS Business of Surgery Series, host Dr. Amy Vertrees sits down with Elizabeth Parsons, former Wall Street lawyer and author of Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in Retirement. Elizabeth shares her deeply personal journey of leaving a prestigious legal career at age 35, only to discover that financial security alone was not enough to replace the identity, structure, and purpose her work had provided.

Together, Amy and Elizabeth explore why high-achieving professionals—especially those in service fields like medicine and law—often struggle with retirement or major career transitions. Elizabeth introduces the concept of “identity bridging” and explains why retirement isn’t just a financial decision, but a psychological and emotional one.

This conversation challenges the idea of retirement as an “ending” and reframes it as a new graduation—an opportunity to intentionally design a next chapter filled with meaning, agency, and fulfillment.

If you’re a surgeon or professional thinking about retirement, scaling back, or simply wondering “what’s next?”, this episode offers powerful insights and practical guidance.

What You’ll Learn

Why high achievers excel as “reactors” but struggle to become “creators” of their own lives
The concept of identity bridging and why retirement disrupts more than just your schedule
The three motivational pillars of identity: communion, agency, and cohesion
Why staying too long can diminish a career—and why “leaving on top” matters
How to develop new internal metrics for success beyond professional recognition
Why retirement planning should begin at least two years before your exit
How to experiment with new interests without needing immediate competence or validation
Why succession planning is emotionally harder than most professionals expect

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00:02 – Elizabeth Parsons’ journey from Wall Street lawyer to retirement transition expert
00:04:21 – From problem-solver to life designer: reactor vs. creator
00:06:06 – Identity bridging and the three motivational properties
00:08:31 – Common pitfalls: why career-adjacent options often fall flat
00:11:11 – Creating new metrics for success without external applause
00:13:46 – Finding your “second curve” and rediscovering dormant interests
00:18:25 – Life restructuring after work: avoiding “365 Saturdays”
00:21:39 – Knowing when it’s time to retire—and why leaving on top matters
00:24:53 – Succession planning and the emotional difficulty of handing over the reins
00:32:29 – Elizabeth’s programs, intensives, and resources

Action Items

Begin thinking about retirement or major transitions at least two years in advance
Identify how your current identity is tied to belonging, agency, and routine
Create personal definitions of a “great day” that don’t rely on professional validation
Pay attention to persistent annoyance with work—it may be a signal, not a flaw
Explore interests with curiosity and experimentation, not immediate mastery

Resources & Links

Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in Retirement by Elizabeth Parsons
Learn more about Elizabeth’s programs: highachieverretirement.com
Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn

About the Guest

Elizabeth Parsons is a former Wall Street lawyer and the founder of High Achiever Retirement. After leaving her legal career early, she experienced firsthand the identity loss that often follows high achievement. Today, she helps accomplished professionals navigate retirement and major career transitions with intention, clarity, and purpose.