Norman Calvo has spent his life going against the norm. A graduate of Princeton University, he went on to build one of the most successful mortgage brokerage companies in Brooklyn, serving as its CEO before selling the firm to a New York City bank after more than three decades in the industry. But rather than slowing down after a long and successful career, Norman decided to reinvent himself in ways few people expect.
At age 62—despite never having sung a note publicly in his life—Norman decided to become a singer. A few years later he was performing his own one-man, sold out cabaret show in New York’s Times Square theater district. Along the way he also ran the New York City Marathon and 12 half-marathons, proving that the so-called “third act” of life can be a time of bold reinvention rather than quiet retirement.
Today Norman is the host of the podcast Against the Norm, where he interviews fascinating people who have chosen unconventional paths and refused to settle for ordinary lives. Through these conversations—and through his coaching—he inspires others to rethink what’s possible in the later chapters of life and to pursue adventure, creativity, health, and purpose with renewed energy.
Norman Calvo is living proof that the second half of life can be the most exciting chapter yet. A former mortgage executive who reinvented himself as a cabaret performer, marathon runner, and podcast host in his 60s, Norman now helps people design a bold and meaningful “third act.” Through his podcast Against the Norm, he explores how curiosity, courage, and a little humor can lead to extraordinary lives at any age.
At age 62 I decided to become a singer—even though I had never sung a note publicly in my life—and a few years later I was performing my own, sold out one-man cabaret show in New York’s Times Square theater district.
- Reinventing Yourself After 60
- Healthy Aging & Fitness After 60
- Selling a Business & Life Transitions
- Personal Reinvention & Late-Life Creativity
- Mindset & Breaking Limiting Beliefs
- Finding Purpose in the Second Half of Life
- Courage to Try Something New
- Designing an Adventurous Life
Men over 50 who are entering the “third act” of life and want to stay vibrant, healthy, and engaged—particularly professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees looking to reinvent themselves, pursue new passions, and live more adventurous lives.
Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on aging and reinvention. They’ll learn how to break through the mental barriers that stop people from trying new things later in life, practical ways to start a meaningful “third act,” and how health, creativity, curiosity, and courage can transform the years after 50 or 60 into some of the most exciting and fulfilling of life.
- What made you decide to become a singer at age 62—even though you had never sung publicly before?
- What lessons did you learn from building and selling a successful business that helped you reinvent yourself later in life?
- Why do you believe the “third act” of life can actually be the most exciting and adventurous chapter?
- What are the biggest mental barriers that prevent people from trying new things later in life—and how can they overcome them?
- What practical steps can someone take if they want to reinvent themselves after 50 or 60?
Host of the podcast Against the Norm, where I interview people who have built adventurous and unconventional lives and challenge traditional ideas about aging and retirement. I am also developing the Retire Against the Norm coaching program, designed to help people create a vibrant and meaningful “third act” focused on health, creativity, and purpose.
In addition, I write essays on reinvention and late-life adventure through my Substack and blog Against the Norm. I also created and performed a sold-out one-man cabaret show in New York’s Times Square theater district and am currently developing the sequel, Beyond the Norm, which continues the theme of pursuing bold new passions later in life.
Graduate of Princeton University. Founder and CEO of one of Brooklyn’s most successful mortgage brokerage companies, later sold to a New York City bank after more than three decades in the mortgage industry. During his over 44 year career in mortgage banking, Norman consistently ranked among the top 100 mortgage professionals in the United States and was a featured speaker at national mortgage conferences in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Creator and performer of a sold-out one-man cabaret show in New York’s Times Square theater district, with a sequel show (Beyond the Norm) currently in development. Host of the podcast Against the Norm, where he interviews people who are living adventurous and unconventional lives. Also a finisher of the New York City Marathon and multiple half-marathons.
Norman was a featured speaker at national mortgage industry conferences in Las Vegas and Atlantic City during his career as founder and CEO of a leading Brooklyn mortgage brokerage firm, and as such was frequently interviewed on NPR, quoted regularly in the New York Times and numerous mortgage publications. He regularly spoke on business growth, leadership, and mortgage industry trends and guidelines.
In addition, he created and performed a sold-out one-man cabaret show in New York’s Times Square theater district, combining storytelling, humor, and music. And very frequently he also performs at various cabaret venues in the City along with many other singers. He also hosts the podcast Against the Norm, where he leads conversations about reinvention, creativity, and building a vibrant third act in life.
Against the Norm
Substack newsletter: ~325 subscribers
LinkedIn professional network: 700+ connections
Blog: Against the Norm (growing readership)
Podcast: Against the Norm (available on major podcast platforms)
Visit my website at https://www.againstthenorm.net to learn more about the Against the Norm podcast, my writing on reinvention and adventurous living, and my work helping people design a vibrant third act of life.
Happy to tailor the conversation to your audience and the themes of your show. I’m also glad to help promote the episode through my podcast, Substack, blog, and LinkedIn network. Looking forward to a fun and engaging conversation.