Staying Fit
MARTY SCHATZ, 67 | $40-100 per hour
"I get to enjoy my interest in history and the beauty of the Pacific coast."
Home: Culver City, Calif.
Previous life: History teacher
Why he did it: After retirement in 2013, I volunteered as a historical guide on the Santa Monica pier. I heard that a café chain that had a large fleet of rental bikes here was looking for tour guides.
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How he succeeded: To train, I shadowed an experienced tour guide. Each tour is four miles, from the Santa Monica Pier to the Venice canals. Along the way, we stop to show large photos of what used to exist at the particular location. I’ve invested a lot of time researching this area’s history. When I travel myself, such as to visit the younger of my two sons in Thailand, I take historical tours and get ideas about leading them.
What you need to know: I meet people from all over the world and get exercise while supplementing my pension income. I get to enjoy my interest in history and the beauty of the Pacific coast.
