Why we’re building LivOn

When my dad retired, he did what many people do — he tackled every house project that had been sitting on his list for years. He built a beautiful firepit area in the garden, cleaned out the garage, reorganized the shed, painted a few rooms, and worked in the yard for hours on end. For nearly two years, he kept busy fixing, tidying, and finishing the things that had been on hold during his working years.

But once the projects started to slow down, he realized he needed something more — not just something to do, but something to look forward to.

He’s always been active. In his younger years he did triathlons. In his 40s and 50s, he was an avid squash player. But osteoarthritis eventually caught up with him, and after two hip replacements and years of managing recovery, squash was no longer an option. His doctor advised him to find something lower-impact. That was tough to hear. He missed the competition, the rhythm, and the social environment that came with belonging to a club.

That’s when he discovered pickleball. It started with YouTube. He taught himself the rules, watched gameplay videos, and eventually bought a paddle and signed up for a drop-in session at the local community centre. I had also been gently nudging him to find an activity — something with a social component, especially since he’s a natural introvert. He gave it a try. And it clicked instantly.

It was everything he missed about squash — the strategy, the pace, the energy — but easier on his joints. He quickly became a regular, joined multiple clubs, started entering competitions, and even joined a pool league with some of his new friends. I’ve never seen him this social. It’s been one of the most meaningful transformations I’ve witnessed.

A few years later, my mum retired. She’d always been active in her own way — daily walks, casual bike rides — but she’d never played a team or racket sport. One of her friends had also recently retired and suggested they try a pickleball session together. It was a steep learning curve, but she stuck with it. Three years later, it’s one of the highlights of her week. She’s made friends, built confidence, and found something that’s hers.

Watching my parents thrive has been one of the biggest inspirations behind LivOn. But it also raised a question I couldn’t shake:

What if they hadn’t found pickleball?

What if my dad hadn’t had the competitive drive and discipline to go looking for something new? What if my mum’s friend hadn’t retired at the same time or suggested trying it together? So much of their happiness in this stage of life came down to timing, persistence, personality — and honestly, luck.

But not everyone is that lucky. I’ve heard stories from them about friends who are still struggling. People who moved to new cities after downsizing and are now finding it hard to rebuild social circles. Friends who quietly admitted they felt aimless, or less like themselves. Others who told me they never imagined retirement would be this hard.

And it’s not just them. My own friends have told me stories about their parents going through the same thing. This transition isn’t always easy, but no one really talks about it. Retirement is portrayed as either pure freedom or a slow slide into needing support services. But there’s a huge middle ground — a space where people are healthy, energetic, and finally have time to explore life outside of work or parenting… but no idea how to begin.

That’s why we’re building LivOn.

Not to replace hobbies or social groups, but to make it easier to discover them. Not to offer one-size-fits-all advice, but to help people ask better questions. Who am I now, outside of my job? What lights me up? How do I want to spend my time, and who do I want to spend it with?

Retirement shouldn’t feel like an ending. It should feel like an opening.

We built LivOn to be a supportive, empowering platform for this next chapter — one that meets people where they are and helps them find clarity, connection, and confidence. My co-founders joined me because they saw the same challenges in their own families and friends, and together, we’ve committed to building something that doesn’t just fill the gap, but redefines how this stage of life is viewed.

Because retirement isn’t about winding down. It’s about discovering what’s next — and making sure everyone has the tools, support, and inspiration to truly live on.