About Me

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like growing up in a world before smartphones, computers, or even color television, I’m living proof that it was a completely different scene. Born in 1944 in South Africa, my early days offered a pace of life and technology that would seem almost ancient by today’s standards. Here, I’m giving you a full look into my lifelong adventure, from childhood to career changes and unexpected setbacks, ending up as an online learner fascinated by the endless resources the internet has to offer.

Early Days in Oldschool South Africa

Things looked pretty different in 1944. South Africa was still a country shaped by big global shifts, but as a kid, my view of the world was much more local and simple. I grew up at a time when entertainment was listening to radio stories, playing outside from sunrise to sunset, and reading paperbacks. There were no TVs buzzing in the living room, no phones ringing in our pockets, and “Googling it” didn’t exist. The idea of the internet or calculators wasn’t even in our wildest dreams.

My family encouraged curiosity, imagination, and handson skills. Asking neighbors for help or sharing stories at the dinner table was our real life social network. Looking back, it all seems pretty basic, but those early years built my work ethic and created a strong sense of community.

South Africa during my childhood was full of unique traditions and close knit neighborhoods. Saturdays meant watching cricket matches at local fields, and Sundays were reserved for big family meals. The daily rhythm focused on being present in the moment and making the most of what you had.

Life Lessons from School and Work

I wrapped up school in 1962. Back then, formal education meant chalk on the blackboard, slide rules for math, and endless handwritten notes. The biggest “tech” in the classroom might have been a wall clock or a box camera on photo day. Many of my classmates headed straight into the workforce, and so did I. Jobs weren’t just about money; they were seen as a daily responsibility, a place to build friendships, and a vital part of your identity.

Looking for steady work right after school pushed me to grow up in a hurry. There wasn’t any career advice hotline or internet job portal. Finding work was mostly wordofmouth or trying your luck by knocking on doors, resume in hand. That meant learning to handle rejection and developing a thick skin very quickly.

Each job during those early years taught me how to spot opportunity and act quickly. Simple skills like punctuality, clear communication, and following through on promises turned out to be just as valuable as any formal training.

Decades in the Hospitality World

I settled into the hospitality industry, where I spent nearly my whole career until 2018. For me, it became more than just a job. I learned everything on the fly, from customer service and teamwork to leadership and budgeting. The hustle of a busy kitchen, the challenge of organizing events, and daily interactions with guests from all walks of life became part of who I am.

Hospitality teaches you to keep cool under pressure, connect with people genuinely, and solve problems as they come. These skills grew more valuable over the years, especially as the industry changed. I worked before the era of online booking engines, review sites, or automated reservations. When technology did arrive, it changed the work pace and nudged me to stay adaptable and keep learning no matter my age.

What I loved most about hospitality was the variety. No two days were ever the same. One day I’d be sorting out staffing issues, the next ensuring a wedding reception ran smoothly. The constant flow of new faces and challenges helped me build confidence and resilience that I’d draw on later in life.

Everything Changed: My Health and Finances

Things took a hard turn for me in 2018 when I survived a stroke. Recovery shook my whole foundation; suddenly, daily routines I took for granted became challenges. On top of that, it wiped out my finances. Facing a future with fewer resources and physical setbacks, I realized I had to look at opportunities in a completely new way.

It’s tough to admit when you need to switch up your plans at a stage when you thought life might get easier. But after a lot of thinking, I knew I didn’t want to just “get by.” I wanted to stay involved and try building something new. The idea of sitting around waiting for things to happen didn’t fit my nature.

My recovery tested my patience and willpower. Each step forward, even small ones, felt like winning a marathon. It was a reminder that personal growth never stops, even when circumstances are tough.

Stumbling Upon Wealthy Affiliate: My Second Act

The urge to try something different led me to Wealthy Affiliate, an online platform built to teach people the ropes of digital marketing, affiliate programs, and starting online businesses. I barely knew where to begin. Logging in, creating a profile, or learning basic website building was all entirely new.

I’d spent most of my life far away from computer screens. This wasn’t just learning a new program; it meant getting comfortable with things like SEO, analytics, and online content. At first, the learning curve felt like climbing a mountain. But with consistent effort, I saw that Wealthy Affiliate had tons of resources for newbies and pros alike.

The community aspect really stood out. Regulars on the forums gave friendly advice, staff responded to support questions, and there was a feeling you could ask anything without feeling silly. For someone like me, that kind of encouragement was a huge boost. The helpful nature of the group really made the difference when the going got tough.

My Approach to Lifelong Learning

After making the switch to online learning, I realized how valuable it is to keep your brain busy, especially as you get older. Starting from zero meant searching for answers, following tutorials, making mistakes, and trying again. Over time, I found practical tactics that made things easier, like breaking tasks into bitesized pieces, cheering small wins, and accepting that frustration is a normal part of growth.

The key for me has been patience and a willingness to experiment. I still carry the lessons from decades in hospitality—people skills, staying organized, thinking on my feet—into everything I now do online. Lifelong learning requires an open mind and the grit to bounce back after setbacks. I’ve learned that curiosity and adaptability will always be your best allies, no matter your age or experience.

There’s a unique joy in picking up brand new skills later in life. It puts the excitement back into each day, knowing you’re always learning and evolving, even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Challenges and What Helped Me Tackle Them

• Technology Hurdles: Learning basic computer skills, using new apps, or troubleshooting software was a real push outside my comfort zone.
• Keeping Motivation Up: It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t click right away. I kept momentum by pacing myself and reaching out to the Wealthy Affiliate community when I hit a wall.
• Financial Pressure: Budgeting carefully and using as many free resources as possible helped keep risk low while I learned and explored.

With support from friends and the online groups, sticking with the process gradually paid off. Having real discussions, sharing stories, and seeing others on similar adventures made the difference. Facing tech issues no longer felt overwhelming when I knew there was a community ready to assist me with advice and encouragement.

I also learned to love the process of figuring out small problems on my own. Each roadblock helped me grow and build confidence, ready to tackle bigger challenges as they came up.

Practical Tips if You’re Starting Over

1. Don’t Rush: Take one topic at a time. Trying to master everything at once just leads to burnout.
2. Ask for Help: Online communities and forums can be far more helpful than trying to figure everything out solo.
3. Celebrate Progress: Mark your small wins, whether it’s building a simple webpage or mastering a new task.
4. Find a Routine: Set aside a bit of time each day to chip away at your learning instead of long marathons once in a while.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Some days won’t work out as planned. That’s normal. Taking breaks and having patience makes the biggest difference.

Another tip: don’t be afraid to try new tools or courses, even if you feel uncertain. Often, growth happens when you get a little uncomfortable and push yourself past the familiar.

Frequently Asked Questions About My Story

How did you make the jump from oldschool jobs to online work?
Starting from scratch took a lot of patience. I focused on the basics: learning to search for info, following stepbystep guides, and building online connections just like the facetoface ones from my previous career.

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Wasn’t it scary facing so many changes, especially after your stroke?
It was definitely scary at times, but the need to keep moving forward helped me stay focused. I leaned on friends, family, and online communities for guidance and support every step of the way.

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Do you have any advice for people who feel “too old” to learn digital skills?
I say go for it. Age really is just a number, and every bit of learning adds up. There’s always going to be someone else in the same boat. Helping each other out is a huge part of the fun.

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The Value of Continuing to Grow

Life rarely stays on one single track. For me, each change, even the challenging ones, has opened up chances to explore things I’d never considered before. Switching from hospitality to digital marketing made me realize that adaptability and curiosity are way more important than being “techsavvy.”

Wealthy Affiliate gave me a launch pad, but it’s really the accumulation of all my experiences, both oldschool and newage, that keep me moving forward. Learning something completely new, especially after a tough setback, gave me a reason to keep going every day. If you’re ready to flip the script on your own story, it’s worth checking out the resources and communities out there. You just might surprise yourself with how far you can go.

Wrapping up, I believe that lifelong learning is the best way to stay sharp, connected, and motivated no matter where you are in life. Age or setbacks don’t have to define your path. What matters is your willingness to keep exploring what’s possible and to enjoy every step of your ride.