Finding Meaning and Purpose In Early Retirement
- Jake Tiesler
- Oct 13, 2025
- 3 min read
If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or depressed, it’s likely not depression. It’s a lack of a meaningful goal that aligns with your values and motivates you to act. My name is Jake. I moved to LA in 2009, ended up living in my car after a toxic relationship, with no friends, family, or money. I started training people for $100 an hour, working with clients like André 3000 from OutKast and a Saudi prince’s son. This built my early retirement fund, aiming to retire by 40. Now at 42, I’m halfway there, but I’ve learned that financial independence without meaning and purpose feels empty. This post is for early retirees, semi-retired folks, or anyone in a midlife crisis looking to find their path.
My Story: From Rock Bottom to Financial Independence
In 2009, I moved to LA and hit rock bottom. After a toxic relationship, I lived in my car with no support or resources. I started personal training, charging $100 an hour, driving to clients’ homes, and working with high-profile individuals. This allowed me to save for early retirement. My goal was to retire by 40, and I’m halfway there at 42. But I realized money alone isn’t enough. Without a meaningful purpose, even financial independence feels hollow. I hit a wall, questioning what I’d been doing with my life. That’s when I shifted focus to what truly matters to me: cars, financial independence, and helping others find their purpose.
You’re Not Depressed—You’re Missing Purpose
What you might call depression is often a misperception of what you can do with your life and how to get rewarded for it. I trained people to fund my early retirement, not because I loved fitness or nutrition, but because it paid well. Now, in my midlife, I won’t work for less than $150–$200 an hour. Why? I know my value, and I’m focused on what aligns with my values: buying undervalued cars like 996 Turbo Porsches or Land Cruisers, running my automotive YouTube channel with nearly 20,000 subscribers, and coaching others.
Your values are what you spend your money and thoughts on. If you say you want to be rich but spend on dining out or car payments, you’re living someone else’s values. For me, it’s about financial independence, investing in assets like silver, and helping people find their purpose. That’s what drives me.
How to Achieve Early Retirement with Purpose
Early retirement is simple, but it’s meaningless without purpose. Here’s how I approached it:
Earn More Than You Spend: I trained clients for $100 an hour. Find a skill that pays well and aligns with your values.
Save Aggressively: Cut expenses that don’t reflect your values. Aim for a 50% savings rate.
Invest Wisely: Put your savings into an S&P 500 index fund. With a 50% savings rate, you can retire in about 10 years.
Know Your Values: I value cars, financial independence, and coaching. I don’t care about being a fitness guru. What do you value?
When I lived in my car, I focused on survival. Once I had money, I realized early retirement isn’t the goal—it’s the starting point. Without a purpose, you’ll feel lost, no matter how much you have.
Midlife Crisis: A Chance to Redefine Your Path
A midlife crisis isn’t a breakdown—it’s a chance to reassess. At 35–45, you might question if you’ve been on the right path. I got married and divorced quickly, moved back from LA, got shot at seven times, and became a coach. At 40, I got in the best shape of my life, but I realized fitness wasn’t my passion. I care about cars, investing, and helping others. I want to buy undervalued cars, feature them on my YouTube channel, sell them for profit, and coach people to find financial independence and purpose.
If you’re feeling stuck, it’s not depression—it’s a lack of clarity about your values. Take time to reflect, understand what drives you, and build a plan. For me, it’s combining my love for cars, financial independence, and coaching into a life mission. I study markets, buy silver, and spend hours on personal development because that’s what matters to me.
Take Action: Find Your Purpose
You’re not depressed—you just haven’t found what’s worth your time. Early retirement gives you freedom, but purpose gives you direction. Reflect on your values, cut expenses that don’t align, and invest in what matters. If you need help, visit jaketiesler.com for a free call. I’ve gone from living in my car to financial independence, building a YouTube channel, and coaching others. You can find your path too.
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