A short story about me
Hi, I’m Wendell (Ventana in Mexico)—retired, recharged, and maybe just a little rebellious about what aging is supposed to look like.
I spent 37 years working with Southwest Airlines, retiring at 60. That career gave me more than a paycheck—it gave me the freedom to explore, to meet people from everywhere, and to realize that the journey doesn’t stop when the job does.
I’ve been with Lisa—my partner in crime—for 22 years, and we’ve been married for 10. She’s not just along for the ride—she’s doing her own workouts and bringing a sharp, real perspective to this project, especially on the women’s side of aging boldly. I'm counting on her for insight, support, and the occasional reality check.
Travel is our passion, and I’m lucky to have somebody who shares it—someone who can roll with trip changes, reroute mid-journey, and still be smiling when we arrive.
We live part-time in Austin, Texas, and part-time in Cozumel, Mexico—and we enjoy both equally. I will be writing about each one.
Most people think 69 is the age to slow down. I think it’s the perfect time to see how high you can go—literally. I’m training to pole vault again, decades after I last flew over the bar.
But this isn’t just about me—it’s also about you.
It’s about challenging what we think we’re supposed to do at a certain age. It’s about the idea that curiosity, strength, fun, and risk-taking don’t expire when you retire. Whether you’re 49, 69, or 89, there’s still time to chase a dream, start something weird, or rewrite your own playbook.
Why I'm doing this at 69
Pole Vaulting Into the Unknown at 69
When most people think of pole vaulting, they picture high school or Olympic athletes in their prime—not someone pushing 70.
But I’m doing it anyway.
I’ve decided to train seriously to pole vault again—not just as a throwback, but as a personal challenge to see how far I can go physically, mentally, and emotionally. My goal? To clear a serious height. Maybe even set a world record for my age group.
What Happens At 69 PLAYLIST