EPISODE NOTES
In this week’s Five Minute Friday, podcast host Bob Preston reflects on the true joy that comes from giving back — inspired by one of his lifelong heroes, legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who once said:
“Nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another.”
From growing up a passionate UCLA basketball fan to serving today as Vice Chair of Communications on the UCLA Parents’ Council, Bob shares how volunteering has become a cornerstone of his retired life — providing connection, community, and renewed purpose. He explores why giving back isn’t just about helping others — it’s also about nourishing the human spirit and rediscovering our sense of worth beyond work.
Key Takeaways
• Retirement gifts us something precious — time — but how we choose to use it defines our fulfillment.
• Volunteering bridges the gap between purpose and community, keeping us connected and grounded.
• Studies show retirees who give back experience better health, lower stress, and greater happiness.
• Service is a way to stay engaged and apply the leadership, empathy, and wisdom built over a lifetime.
• As Coach Wooden taught us: “The greatest joy in life comes from helping another.”
Call to Action
If this message resonated with you, pay it forward!
Share The Retired Mindset podcast with a friend, leave a review, or tell Bob about your own volunteer journey through social media comments or through our website TheRetiredMindset.com.
And remember, in retirement, “Soul Meets Body.”
Join us as we post new episodes weekly!
Connect with Bob: BobbyP@theretiredmindset.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.
VIDEO
TRANSCRIPT
Bob: 0:06
The Retired Mindset Five Minute Friday. Short episodes in five minutes or less.
Hey mindsetters, TGIF, and welcome back to another one of my Five Minute Fridays, your five-minute burst of inspiration to launch the weekend. I’m Bob Preston. Hopefully you know me by now, affectionately called Bobby P by some of my closest friends and family. And look where I am today. If you don’t recognize this setting, I’m on the beautiful campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California, where I happen to be involved in many volunteer activities as not only an alumni advocate, but also a parent ambassador for the university because my daughter is a junior here at UCLA.
So it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about something close to my heart, and that’s the incredible power of giving back and volunteering in retirement. But first, let me take you back a bit into my childhood and where I grew up so you can understand my connection also to UCLA and volunteering. I grew up right here in Southern California, and if you knew me back then as a kid, you’d know I was all in on UCLA basketball. Bill Walton, Jamal Wilkes, I mean all these incredible players that came through this university. And my hero was the legendary coach John Wooden, the man, the myth, the legend. And to this day, one of my favorite Wooden quotes still guides how I live. And that goes like this: “Nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another”. And that’s a direct quote from John Wooden.
Even as a kid, I didn’t fully understand what he was talking about. But now, especially in retirement, I totally get it. That’s what this stage of life is really about for me, helping others, sharing what I’ve learned, and staying connected through all of the service that I’m able to provide. You see, when we retire, we suddenly gain something we haven’t had in decades, time, right? And at first, that feels like total freedom. There are no deadlines, no staff meetings, no overflowing inbox in your email. But after that novelty wears off, a quiet question kind of creeps in. You know, what now? I almost have too much time, and I’m getting a little bored. Well, that’s when the real journey begins. And I found this in my life these days. Finding new ways to connect, to contribute, and feel needed is a huge part of being happy in retirement. And that’s where volunteering becomes a huge game-changer. And I know it was for me.
Giving back has always been part of who I am. Still, in retirement, I’ve been lucky enough to serve in a few meaningful volunteer roles, including right here at UCLA as the vice chair of communications on the UCLA Parents Council. It’s my way of staying connected to the Bruin community and giving back to the university that has shaped so many lives, including my own, within the UC system. I’m a graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree and also an MBA from UC Irvine. And so my own sense of values as an alumnus and my pride as a lifelong fan help me, you know, feel good about what I’m doing every day.
Every time I collaborate with other parents, share ideas, or communicate our mission, I get that same sense of purpose I once found in leading teams in my career. And it’s a reminder that our skills and our heart for service, those don’t retire when we do. Volunteering for me has fed something profound in my human spirit, and I think it will for you, too. It fills the space once occupied by work deadlines, goals, and team projects with something much richer: connection, gratitude, and a sense of belonging. It’s not just emotional. Studies show that retirees who volunteer regularly have lower stress levels, better physical health, and even live longer. And we all want that to happen. But the real benefit is simply the joy, like John Wooden said, right? The quiet satisfaction of knowing you made someone’s day easier, gave them hope, or showed up when it mattered, and taught them something that they didn’t previously know. That’s self-worth in its purest form.
So if you’re feeling aimless in retirement, here’s a simple challenge for you today. Please find a way to give back, whether it’s mentoring children or young professionals, students from the college you finished at, joining a nonprofit board, serving at your local food pantry, or helping at a community event. Could you just start something? It can be small, it doesn’t have to be big, because when we volunteer, we’re not only helping others, we’re also reminding ourselves that we still have value in this life and have energy and purpose to share. And as Coach Wooden taught us, nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another. Turns out he was right all along.
All right, mindsetters, that’s your five-minute inspiration for today. I hope it’s been helpful. If you like this message and it resonated with you, please pay it forward. Share the Retired Mindset podcast with a friend, subscribe to our YouTube channel, leave a review, or tell me about your volunteer story. You can do that through social media by leaving a comment. You can also text me, or find my contact information on our website, theretiredmindset.com. Until next time, keep your heart open, your spirit generous, and remember, the best way to receive joy is to give it away. This is Bob Preston, Bobby P, signing off and reminding us all in retirement. Soul meets body. Hey, thanks for joining me today. I look forward to seeing you next time.
The Retired Mindset, 5 Minute Friday. Short episodes in five minutes or less.