The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward With Mark Singer

The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward With Mark Singer

From Healthy Advisor by Diana Britton

December 17, 2025 · 27 min

About this episode

Mark Singer shares his life-changing experience of a stroke and how it reshaped his view of success and identity.

For 35 years, Mark Singer owned an independent financial planning firm, Safe Harbor Retirement Planning, in the Boston area, a Commonwealth Financial Network affiliate. During that time, he was living life at full speed—running three businesses, exercising, playing golf, boating, spending time with grandchildren—until he had a life-changing stroke in October 2022. He lost his ability to speak, swallow, eat and perform the most basic functions. His recovery forced him to slow down and retire from the business earlier than he expected. In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton talks with Mark Singer, a retired financial advisor, about how the stroke reshaped his view of success and identity. His story points to the strength of resilience, perspective and compassion, both in business and in life. Diana and Mark discuss: Mark’s journey from textile manufacturing to founding Safe Harbor Retirement Planning in Boston The moment the stroke upended his life, and how he figured out a way forward Mark’s mantra of “focus on the what is, not the what if.” How things played out with his financial planning business The role of friendships, community and client relationships in…

People in this episode

Host: Diana Britton

Guest: Mark Singer

Topics covered

  • stroke recovery
  • financial planning
  • resilience
  • success
  • identity

Keywords

  • financial advisor
  • retirement planning
  • life lessons
  • perspective

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Safe Harbor Retirement Planning

Books & works: The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward, The Healthy Advisor, The Six Secrets to a Happy Retirement, 5 Star Wealth Manager Award

Places: Boston

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