There are certain summers that stick with you—not because everything went smoothly, but because life had a way of handing you exactly the lessons you needed. My internship in the state of Washington, the summer of 1980, was one of those. Back then, I was a junior at Iowa State, trying to line up all the things I thought would guarantee a good job after graduation: solid grades, some campus involvement, and most importantly, that golden ticket on any engineering résumé—an internship in your field. So I spent the spring sending out application after application, collecting a thick stack of rejection letters in return. It became routine enough that some days I’d find myself laughing at how efficiently companies could say “No thanks.” My dorm room wall was full of “flush letters” and I treated it like it was a badge of honor.
West Egg Living?
West Egg Living?
Why West Egg Living? A Name, A Mission, A Movement
When choosing a name for a brand, it’s more than just finding something that sounds good or rolls off the tongue—it’s about capturing the spirit of the mission behind the work. For us, West Egg Living isn’t just a name. It’s a declaration of intent, a nod to literary history, and a personal statement about how we choose to live our lives—and help others do the same.
To understand the soul of West Egg Living, we have to go back to the Roaring Twenties and one of America’s greatest novels—The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
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The Literary Roots: West Egg vs. East Egg
In Fitzgerald’s classic, two fictional towns sit on the opposite shores of Long Island Sound: East Egg and West Egg.
* East Egg is home to the aristocracy—those born into wealth, status, and tradition. It’s the seat of “old money,” where privilege is inherited and social circles are closed.
* West Egg, by contrast, represents “new money.” It’s where self-made individuals like Jay Gatsby build their fortunes from scratch. A place for dreamers, doers, and those who forged their future with grit, effort, and ambition.
While Fitzgerald critiques the shallowness of the American Dream, he also highlights the tenacity of those who dare to believe in something better.
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Why West Egg Resonates With Me
I grew up surrounded by educators, books, and thought-provoking conversations. My parents worked in the school system, and I had four older brothers who challenged me intellectually from a young age. Whether it was trivia nights, debates at the dinner table, or reading encyclopedias for fun, my thirst for knowledge started early.
But financial wealth? That wasn’t handed down. Everything I’ve built—my health, business, investments, and resilience—was earned. It took mistakes, learning, discipline, and persistence.
That’s why West Egg spoke to me. Not because of Gatsby’s grandeur—but because of the belief that anyone can build a better life with vision, consistency, and action.
West Egg is about what you become—not what you were handed. And that belief is the cornerstone of West Egg Living.
And Why “Living” Matters
The second half of our name matters just as much: Living.
Living isn’t passive—it’s active, intentional, and bold. It means showing up with purpose, making values-based decisions, and designing a life you’re proud of. At West Egg Living, we believe in a vibrant life, grounded in four powerful pillars:
🌱 1. Wellness and Vitality
Living well begins with feeling well.
We empower our community with simple, sustainable practices that promote energy, strength, and longevity:
* Gentle but effective movement—like chair yoga, strength training, and walking
* Whole-food nutrition that fuels, not restricts
* Prioritizing sleep, hydration, and stress management
* Building habits that meet you where you are, not where others expect you to be
We created programs like “Fit After 50 Blueprint” and “Nine Steps to Better Health” because we know: it’s never too late to take control of your health.
❤️ 2. Relationships and Legacy
You don’t build a beautiful life alone.
Our second pillar celebrates the power of human connection and the impact we leave behind:
* Deepening family bonds, especially with grandchildren and adult children
* Building emotional legacy alongside financial legacy
* Living out values that inspire future generations
* Embracing community over isolation
Living vibrantly means loving fully, mentoring wisely, and leaving something meaningful behind.
📚 3. Wisdom and Growth
No matter your age, you are a student of life.
At West Egg Living, we believe in the transformative power of curiosity and lifelong learning:
* Sharing your story and learning from others
* Pursuing new skills, ideas, and creative passions
* Reflecting on life’s lessons to make your future even better
* Journaling, reading, and engaging in meaningful conversations
This pillar honors not just what we know, but who we become as we learn, unlearn, and grow.
💰 4. Financial Prosperity
Because peace of mind is part of vibrant living.
Without financial stability, wellness is harder to sustain. And without wellness, money can’t buy joy. So we help you:
* Budget with clarity and live aligned with your values
* Understand the basics of investing and retirement
* Create income through digital entrepreneurship and side hustles
* Pass on financial knowledge to your kids and grandkids
Our goal isn’t fast money—it’s lasting freedom, built on wisdom and action.
A Community for Doers, Dreamers, and Late Bloomers
The West Egg Living community is filled with people who:
* Want to reclaim their health after years of putting others first
* Are starting new businesses after 50
* Are redefining retirement, not retreating from life
* Are learning how to manage finances smarter and simpler
* Want to stay vibrant, engaged, and fully alive
These are people who believe: It’s never too late to live your best life.
West Egg Living Is for You If…
✅ You want more energy and purpose—not perfection
✅ You’re building a legacy that reflects your values
✅ You believe in learning, growing, and doing
✅ You’re ready to turn your second half into your best half
In Closing: The West Egg Way
West Egg Living isn’t just a clever name—it’s a mission, a mindset, and a movement. It stands for rising above circumstance, embracing lifelong vitality, building deeper relationships, growing wiser each year, and creating a secure, meaningful financial future.
We’re not East Egg—and we’re proud of that. We’re not about polish, privilege, or appearances. We’re about intention, transformation, and truth.
So if you’re ready to live well, live boldly, and live free…
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The Internship That Changed Everything
Long Lake Summers
There are seasons in life you don’t see coming—chapters that don’t announce themselves with fanfare, yet settle so deeply into your memory that years later you can still smell the lake water, feel the pull of the tow rope, and hear the hum of a boat engine echoing across a still summer evening. For me, one of those chapters began the moment I graduated from Iowa State in May of 1981 and took my first real job at 3M. I was barely 22, carrying that mix of confidence and cluelessness that only a new graduate can pull off, and ready to step into the adult world.
Hero of the Beach
When I think back to my childhood— maybe around nine years old—there’s a very specific smell, a very specific feeling, that comes rushing back: the scent of ink and old paper from a stack of Marvel comic books. It’s funny how memory works. I can’t remember what I ate last Tuesday, but I can still picture—clear as day—the cover of The Amazing Spider-Man #56 with the Daily Bugle headlines screaming "Spidey joins Doc Ock" sitting on the floor of my bedroom, or the way the corner store rack looked when I spun it, hoping for a new issue of anything with the red-and-blue web-slinger on the front.