--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I retired when I was 40. I started when I…" description: "\"I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former self and have people say, 'He's not as good ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg" --- # I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never… ![“I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former self and have people say, 'He's not as good as he used to be.'” quote by Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg) > “I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former self and have people say, 'He's not as good as he used to be.'” [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on retiring early to avoid becoming a diminished version of himself, valuing personal integrity over prolonged fame. **In simple terms:** He quit before feeling like a shadow of his younger self. Key Takeaway Retire before you lose your spark. Themes career self‑respect aging legacy identity Mood thoughtful determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career transition - personal health decisions - avoiding burnout - maintaining reputation - planning retirement Key Concepts integrity self‑preservation life planning Questions to Reflect On - What defines your sense of self beyond work? - How will you measure a fulfilling life after retirement? A Different Perspective Retirement can bring financial and identity challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [40 Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/40-started-2630907/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Retired](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retired/) [Retired 40](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retired-40-3942427/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Shell Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shell-self-1396369/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Started 19](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-19-2340320/) ## Related quotes > [Remember Judy Garland? She retired 40 times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-scott/remember-judy-garland-she-retired-40-times/) [Willard Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-scott/) > [I was nearly 40 when I started. I had no fear that I wasn't going to write. I knew it was just delayed. Then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-gardam/i-was-nearly-40-when-i-started-i-had-no-fear-that-i-wasn-t-going-to/) [Jane Gardam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-gardam/) > [I never really participated in specific sports or anything, but once I hit 40, I started to get a little bit more active and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeru-miyamoto/i-never-really-participated-in-specific-sports-or-anything-but-once-i/) [Shigeru Miyamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeru-miyamoto/) > [When I started out, at 19, I was told, by the media and the film industry to do a certain kind of films and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/when-i-started-out-at-19-i-was-told-by-the-media-and-the-film/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [I started when I was 19 and Kelly Kelly was such a big name in the WWE and it was my persona for seven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-kelly/i-started-when-i-was-19-and-kelly-kelly-was-such-a-big-name-in-the/) [Kelly Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-kelly/) > [I'm very comfortable with what I do, but it just seems like yesterday that I just started, at 19, and it's been like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mekhi-phifer/i-m-very-comfortable-with-what-i-do-but-it-just-seems-like-yesterday/) [Mekhi Phifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mekhi-phifer/) > [“I ordered it online because I'm basically a shell of my former self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-taylor/i-ordered-it-online-because-i-m-basically-a-shell-of-my-former-self/) [Kara Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-taylor/) > [She was just a shell of her former self, functioning and talking but hardly alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/she-was-just-a-shell-of-her-former-self-functioning-and-talking-but/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Though the terror of the sea gives to none security, in the secret of the shell. Self preserving we may dwell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-iqbal/though-the-terror-of-the-sea-gives-to-none-security-in-the-secret-of/) [Muhammad Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-iqbal/) > [I don't want to be a shell of my former self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-penn/i-don-t-want-to-be-a-shell-of-my-former-self/) [B. J. Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-penn/) > [I retired one year in 1959. But then I realized I wanted to play more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-blanda/i-retired-one-year-in-1959-but-then-i-realized-i-wanted-to-play-more/) [George Blanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-blanda/) > [I don't do plays without jokes anymore. I've retired from those plays. I think it's bad manners to invite people to sit in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/i-don-t-do-plays-without-jokes-anymore-i-ve-retired-from-those-plays/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [I want to concentrate on winning things with Barcelona and Argentina. Then if people want to say nice things about me when I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-want-to-concentrate-on-winning-things-with-barcelona-and-argentina/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [I've retired my sneakers for stilettos, baby!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivica-a-fox/i-ve-retired-my-sneakers-for-stilettos-baby/) [Vivica A. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivica-a-fox/) > [As a professional athlete and someone who has spent almost his entire life in boxing, not a day goes by when I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-de-la-hoya/as-a-professional-athlete-and-someone-who-has-spent-almost-his-entire/) [Oscar De La Hoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-de-la-hoya/) ## More by Christian Cage > [I never looked at being second banana to anybody, I never felt that way, ever. If other people did, that's the way they looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-never-looked-at-being-second-banana-to-anybody-i-never-felt-that/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [I think I have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, but I think that's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-think-i-have-a-little-bit-of-a-chip-on-my-shoulder-but-i-think-that/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [With The Brood, it was cool because it had the music, it had the different look and at the time reality-based characters were really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/with-the-brood-it-was-cool-because-it-had-the-music-it-had-the/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [Coming from a wrestling background with WWE, I know how much the fans love WWE. They come out every time we're there and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/coming-from-a-wrestling-background-with-wwe-i-know-how-much-the-fans/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [People don't realize what a hard job commentary is. It is so hard and one of the hardest jobs in the industry. I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/people-don-t-realize-what-a-hard-job-commentary-is-it-is-so-hard-and/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [My favorite Wrestlemania moment is Wrestlemania 2000 in Anaheim. Edge and I won the tag titles for the first time, and back then, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/my-favorite-wrestlemania-moment-is-wrestlemania-2000-in-anaheim-edge/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [I always said to myself when I walked into the arena 'today they're going to know how good I am' and that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-always-said-to-myself-when-i-walked-into-the-arena-today-they-re/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [I mean, you can't just stop WWE. It is an entertainment company. It puts on a live show every week and prides itself for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-mean-you-can-t-just-stop-wwe-it-is-an-entertainment-company-it-puts/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [It's funny, I do think I've been somewhat overlooked, but I've always viewed that as a challenge. Everyone else seems to get more upset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/it-s-funny-i-do-think-i-ve-been-somewhat-overlooked-but-i-ve-always/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [When I left WWE, I always knew that I wanted to come back when the time was right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/when-i-left-wwe-i-always-knew-that-i-wanted-to-come-back-when-the/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [Tag team wrestling is what put myself, Edge, the Hardys and the Dudleys all on the map. It made us into WWE superstars, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/tag-team-wrestling-is-what-put-myself-edge-the-hardys-and-the-dudleys/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [My biggest fear, the only fear that I have is failing. I hate to fail at anything that I do and that's really my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/my-biggest-fear-the-only-fear-that-i-have-is-failing-i-hate-to-fail/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [All three teams will always be linked. If you think of the Dudleys, you think of Edge and Christian and The Hardy Boyz, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/all-three-teams-will-always-be-linked-if-you-think-of-the-dudleys-you/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [I think the knock TNA had is they seemed to worry too much about what WWE was doing instead of focusing on their own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-think-the-knock-tna-had-is-they-seemed-to-worry-too-much-about-what/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) > [I have talked about this before, I have always been bad at saving memorabilia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-have-talked-about-this-before-i-have-always-been-bad-at-saving/) [Christian Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) [Explore all 99 Christian Cage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/) ## More Good quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [Today I didn't even have to even use my A.K ! I got to say it was a good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/today-i-didn-t-even-have-to-even-use-my-a-k-i-got-to-say-it-was-a/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [If you want to edit your photos and make yourself look different, go for it. That is up to you, but in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-list/if-you-want-to-edit-your-photos-and-make-yourself-look-different-go/) [Peyton List](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-list/) > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/) [Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Eric Clapton's scales - when he comes off a high note and it's time for a refrain or a little bit of a rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-rea/eric-clapton-s-scales-when-he-comes-off-a-high-note-and-it-s-time-for/) [Chris Rea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-rea/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [My only close-to-game-plan is to follow good writing. If the writing is in TV or if it's in theater or in film, that's it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-driver/my-only-close-to-game-plan-is-to-follow-good-writing-if-the-writing/) [Adam Driver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-driver/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) [Browse all 40,882 Good quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former self and have people say, 'He's not as good as he used to be.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christian Cage" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i-was-19-i-never-wanted-to-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Good" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i-was-19-i-never-wanted-to-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c3/christian-cage-6337_good_i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i_2873262.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former…” — Christian Cage", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christian Cage", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cage/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I retired when I was 40....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i-was-19-i-never-wanted-to-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cage/i-retired-when-i-was-40-i-started-when-i-was-19-i-never-wanted-to-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```