In this episode of the Behind the Village Podcast, we explore early retirement, work‑life balance, and how to choose presence and purpose even when life takes unexpected turns. Our guest today, Mark Vessey, shares a candid story about retiring before 50, navigating a career pivot from burnout to small‑business ownership, earning a commercial captain’s license, and confronting a stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
The Villager Magazine
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Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:51 - Mark’s Career Path
08:03 - Balancing Business and Life
13:36 - Early Retirement Strategies
14:59 - Life After Retirement
16:43 - Cancer Diagnosis
18:55 - Accepting Terminal Illness
24:15 - Facing Mortality Questions
27:56 - Staying Authentic in Tough Times
31:35 - Pride and Regrets in Life
