When the real estate market collapsed in the early 1990s, Don Cote lost nearly everything he owned. Within a short time, his investments evaporated, his marriage ended and he found himself homeless.
It was a crushing fall for a man who had been considered a success story throughout the 1980s.
Yet, that season of hardship became the turning point that shaped the rest of his life. Instead of allowing failure to define him, Don used it to fuel a lifelong mission of helping others rebuild their own sense of purpose and prosperity.
Today, at 67, he leads Successful Seniors Media, which is a fast-growing platform and newsletter that encourages older adults to live vibrant, purpose-filled lives after 50.
He also just founded the Summiteers online community to connect success-minded, action-oriented seasoned citizens with each other to turn their goals into reality.
Learning to rise again
Don’s first lesson in resilience came from a mentor who asked him a simple question: “Have you ever read the book ‘Think and Grow Rich?’”
He had. In fact, he read it once years earlier when he was building his real estate empire. But when his mentor told him to read it again — and to keep reading it until he truly understood it — Don thought it was foolish advice. Still, he had nothing left to lose, so he bought another copy and started reading.
As he turned the pages, something shifted. The timeless principles in Napoleon Hill’s book began to take root again.
Don realized he had once applied those lessons unconsciously during his rise to success, but after years of prosperity he had abandoned them. This time, he decided to study the ideas until they became part of him.
“I knew the answers were in that book,” he recalled, “but I needed a way to apply them in a step-by-step fashion.”
Unable to find such a system, Don created one himself. He called it the LifeWorks Life Mastery System, based on three simple steps: create a clear vision, develop a measurable plan, and execute that plan with excellence.
The formula worked. Soon, Don was back on his feet, and friends began asking how he had turned his life around. When he explained the process, they asked him to teach it. Over time, thousands of people around the world adopted his system to achieve their own personal and professional goals.
From teaching success to sharing wisdom
Don wrote about his journey and philosophy in a book titled “How Life Works.” It told the story of his losses and the principles he developed to rebuild his life.
Later, he worked with some of his students to publish anthologies filled with personal success stories from people who had used the LifeWorks system to transform their lives.
As fulfilling as those projects were, Don still felt drawn toward something more. After decades of coaching and training people in business, leadership and mindset, he began noticing a troubling pattern among his peers. Too many people approaching retirement were drifting.
“They were sitting at home watching television or scrolling through the news, feeling like their best years were behind them,” he said. “They had incredible life experience and wisdom, but they weren’t using it. That kind of inactivity and disconnection often leads to depression and even early cognitive decline.”
Don knew there had to be a better way.
Creating Successful Seniors Media
When his wife, Gabriella, continued to work several jobs after turning 50, Don realized he needed something meaningful to do as well. He wasn’t ready to retire completely, and he suspected many other seniors felt the same way.
He began researching the unique challenges older adults face and discovered that while the details may differ, seasoned citizens struggle with the same six areas as everyone else. They are health and fitness, wealth and income, love and relationships, meaning and purpose, and maintaining a sense of joy and contribution.
“I thought, what if I could create a platform that offered practical solutions to these challenges,” Don explained. “Something that helped seniors live healthier, wealthier, and more purposeful lives.”
That idea became Successful Seniors Media, a multi-channel platform that includes a newsletter, blog and podcast. What started as a simple email newsletter quickly evolved into a full media hub thanks to a publishing platform that automatically generates a website and audio version for each article.
Through Successful Seniors Media, Don shares insights, inspiration and real-world strategies for living better after 50. Topics range from fitness and brain health to financial independence and relationships. He also highlights stories of active seniors who are creating businesses, mentoring others and volunteering to make a difference in their communities.
Helping seniors generate income
One of Don’s most popular topics is helping older adults generate extra income. Many of his readers are financially comfortable but wish they had just a bit more to travel, dine out or pursue hobbies without guilt.
“A few hundred or a few thousand dollars a month can make a huge difference,” he said. “And it doesn’t take a lot of time if you build something around what you already know and love.”
Don encourages readers to draw from their own experiences, whether it’s a professional skill or a long-held hobby, then share that knowledge through writing, teaching or consulting.
He is currently developing a course that shows people how to build small, purpose-driven media businesses that can bring in modest income while enriching others’ lives.
“The goal isn’t to go back to working full-time,” he said. “It’s to do something fun, creative and meaningful that keeps you engaged with life.”
He practices what he preaches, often sharing how he uses AI tools to streamline his own newsletter creation.
“I name my AI assistant Ava,” he joked. “I talk to her like a real person. It’s a way to stay curious and keep learning, which I think is vital as we age.”
Why connection and contribution matter
Don often reminds readers that one of the greatest dangers of aging is isolation.
“Many people become introverted without realizing it,” he said. “They stop going out, and over time, they lose social contact. Before they know it, they’ve become shut-ins and it’s entirely self-inflicted.”
He urges seniors to counteract that tendency by staying active and connected, whether through volunteering, joining community groups or simply meeting friends for coffee.
“There’s plenty of scientific proof that social interaction improves your health, your mood, and even your longevity,” he explained.
For those unsure of where to start, Don recommends volunteering.
“If you don’t yet know what gives you purpose, volunteer while you figure it out,” he said. “You’ll meet people, learn about different causes, and eventually discover something that really lights you up.”
He and Gabriela experienced this firsthand when they became certified personal trainers. What began as a personal health journey turned into a shared mission of helping others.
Today, Gabriela volunteers to teach early-morning CrossFit classes at a nonprofit gym that serves veterans, while Don focuses on mentoring seniors through his writing and media projects.
Finding joy through helping others
At the heart of Don’s work is a simple belief that purpose always involves helping others.
Whether through business, art or community service, he said fulfillment comes when we use our gifts to make someone else’s life better.
He recalled the story of an older man who made sculptures from driftwood and rare timber.
“It might not seem like he’s helping people directly,” Don said. “But, those pieces of art bring joy to others. His work enriches their lives and gives him a sense of contribution. That’s purpose.”
Don also encourages readers to think about the “legacy within,” which encompasses the wisdom and skills they’ve accumulated over a lifetime. He believes too many retirees overlook the opportunity to pass that knowledge to younger generations.
“Apprenticing used to be common, but it’s rare today,” he said. “If you can share what you’ve learned with someone else, it’s life-changing for them and incredibly fulfilling for you. That’s how we create lasting impact.”
A mission that keeps growing
Since launching Successful Seniors Media, Don has been surprised by how quickly it has grown. Thousands of readers now subscribe to the free newsletter, and many send him personal messages of gratitude.
“I respond to every email,” he said. “The feedback has been overwhelming. People tell me how much the content resonates with them or how they’ve applied something and seen a positive change. That’s the greatest reward.”
Financially, the venture has also been successful, but Don insists the real value lies in seeing others rediscover purpose. He envisions the platform continuing long after he’s gone, led by others who share his passion for helping seniors thrive.
“I want Successful Seniors Media to become a legacy project,” he said. “A place where people over 50 can find encouragement, resources and a sense of belonging.”
Living forward with purpose
For Don, success is no longer measured by bank balances or property holdings. It’s measured by lives touched and purpose renewed. Through his writing, teaching and mentoring, he has built a second act defined by generosity, creativity and joy.
He hopes others will realize that growing older doesn’t mean growing obsolete. It means having the freedom and perspective to make the years ahead the most meaningful yet.
“The key is to stay curious, stay connected and keep contributing,” he said. “That’s how you live forward from 50.”
For more information
Readers can connect with Don in a variety of ways, including:
- Website = www.successfulseniorsmedia.com, where people can subscribe to receive his free newsletter
- Website = summiteers.org
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/drdoncote
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/don.cote.phd
If you order a book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
