Totally Rewired for retirement
Angellica Bell’s guests are making the most of later life
Necessity is, the saying goes, the mother of invention, but for some, reinvention can be a life-changing and indeed life-saving move. That’s the theme around the Rewirement podcast, hosted by Angellica Bell, where the TV and radio presenter chats to people who have taken retirement by the scruff of the neck.
Bell, 45, studied politics before making her way into TV, becoming a household name in the early-Noughties on CBBC. More recently she will be familiar to many as Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, as well as co-hosting The One Show, and The Martin Lewis Money Show.
That latter post is ideal background for Rewirement, as her range of guests include experts on topics like financial planning and health, as well as people who’ve embraced opportunities to retrain, relocate or restart later in life.
“It’s challenging stereotypes about retirement and encouraging people to think, actually, I can still be healthy, happy, financially comfortable,” says Bell. “Loads of older people now are living really fulfilled lives, it’s not just about having a cup of tea and doing word puzzles. It’s travelling, exploring the world, fulfilling dreams they always had…”
One of her favour- ite interviews was with a man who, after losing his job in the mines, decid- ed to do something totally different and trained as a ski instructor. She also talked to a woman who did a master’s degree in her 50s, someone who finally got their dream home after retiring, and people who found love further down the line.
“It’s been really eye-opening for me as well,” Bell continues. “There’s so much wisdom amongst the older generation, people who have lived their lives…”
“You know, sometimes, you’re in your own world – your own bubble – but there are people everywhere who’ve got these stories, these adjustments,” Bell reflects. “Everyone has their crosses to carry... but it’s amazing when you hear it.”
The podcast aims to provide advice too – but Bell is keen to emphasise it’s not about “telling people what to do”, rather “empowering people to make informed choices.
“You’ve got to do what’s right for you,” she says. “Sometimes, when you’ve got all these other people saying this is what you should be doing, it can be quite confusing. You have to live with yourself, you know how you feel about things, you have to really be in tune and tap into those feelings to get the best out of you. And that’s all that matters, isn’t it? How you feel and what makes you happy.”
Angellica Bell was speaking to Abi Jackson. Rewirement is available on Apple, Spotify and all podcast providers.