If you’ve ever been laid off and thought, “How the hell am I going to start over at this age?” — this podcast episode is for you.
Fernando Labastida has been laid off three times.
Once during the 2008 crash.
Again during the “AI apocalypse” of 2023.
And one more time after 50 — when most people start thinking their best days are behind them.
But instead of crawling back to another job, he flipped the script.
👉 He took the same skills that got him hired in the first place and built a new business that no algorithm can replace.
Fernando calls it finding your superpower combo — that mix of abilities that feels normal to you but is gold to everyone else.
In this episode of Redefining Retirement, we talk about what really happens after a layoff and how to turn it into your next launchpad instead of a dead end.
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How to bounce back after getting laid off in midlife
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Why layoffs can be the best reset you’ll ever get
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The real reason Gen Xers undervalue themselves
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How to make your career AI-proof without starting from zero
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Why creating your own “category” beats chasing job listings
This isn’t about “finding yourself.” It’s about using yourself better.
Fernando’s story proves you can rebuild at 50+ using the same tools that took your old career apart — experience, adaptability, and a little AI.
If you’ve ever been laid off, worried about staying relevant after 40, or just need a good dose of motivation you’ll want to listen to the entire conversation.
Press play to watch on YouTube:
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