EPISODE 42: He’s 65!
Reflections on Age, Wisdom, & Building a Legacy
If you’ve ever looked at a milestone birthday and thought, “Wait, how did we get here?”… you’re in good company.
Darren just turned 65. That’s right, sixty-five. The number feels surreal when you say it out loud, especially when the man in question still mountain bikes, bleeds from the occasional wipeout, and refuses to park in the senior parking spot at grocery stores.
This post isn’t just a birthday celebration, it’s a moment to reflect on what it really means to grow older while still growing, especially when you’re building a business from the ground up in your 60s.
More Than a Number
Here’s the truth: 65 doesn’t look like what we thought it would.
When Darren was a kid, 65 meant retirement. A slower pace. Golf. Afternoon naps. Crossword puzzles. But that’s not our life. And honestly? We’re glad.
These days, Darren’s still building, strategizing, leading, and dreaming big. He’s not winding down; he’s pressing in. And sure, he may crash a little harder on the couch at night than he used to, but the drive is still there. In fact, it might be stronger than ever.
The Wisdom You Don’t Get in Your 30s
One of the biggest gifts of age is perspective.
When you’ve lived through economic crashes, recessions, high interest rates, family business fallouts, and tight years with young kids and tired eyes… you start to see life in cycles. What used to trigger panic now triggers preparation. What used to feel like failure now just feels like a pivot.
Darren’s learned that the fear you feel in your 30s and 40s is often just a lack of experience. At 65, you know that things work themselves out. That your worst day isn’t the end. That the economy will dip and rise, and so will you.
And maybe most importantly, you learn to stop competing. You’ve got nothing to prove. You just keep showing up.
Too Young for the Old Crowd, Too Old for the Type-As
We’ve found ourselves in a weird age bracket.
Too young in spirit (and ambition) to fully relate to the “slow down and retire” crowd, but not quite keeping pace with the personal-best-obsessed 30-somethings who want every group ride or pickleball game to be an Olympic qualifier.
It’s a funny spot to be in. We’re not trying to beat anyone anymore, we’re just trying to enjoy it. Because joy matters more now. So does peace. And if that means letting someone else "win" while we ride at our own pace? That’s a trade we’ll take any day.
Choosing Legacy Over Limbo
Maybe the biggest surprise of 65 is how much more we still want.
Not more stuff. Not more status. But more meaning.
That’s why Door Gurus is still such a big part of our lives. We’re not building it because we’re trying to be “successful” in the traditional sense. We’re building it because we believe in creating something that lasts; something that reflects our values, something that our kids and grandkids can be proud of.
We’ve seen what boredom does to people as they age. And we’ve seen what purpose can do instead.
So while Darren might have a few more scars and a couple of slower recoveries after his mountain biking crashes, he’s still showing up with the same fire… and maybe even more clarity.
Final Thoughts from 65
So what would Darren say to our sons, now in their mid-30s?
“It’ll get better. The kids will grow up. The stress will soften. And you’ll finally have space to enjoy the partner you built this life with.”
Honestly? That’s not just advice for them. It’s a reminder to us, too.
We’re not slowing down, we’re getting sharper. More intentional. More grounded in what matters most. And yes, that includes Darren swearing off senior parking for as long as he possibly can.
Here’s to continuing to stay young while we age well, and to building something with meaning, mile after mile.
Stay Connected with Mr. & Mrs. CEO
We’d love to continue this conversation! Connect with us on social media:
Darren’s Instagram: @darren.hiebert
Kim’s Instagram: @kimberley.hiebert
Darren’s LinkedIn: Darren Hiebert
Kim’s LinkedIn: Kimberley Hiebert
Website: Mr. & Mrs. CEO