Courtesy of Karina Monesson
Courtesy of Craig Moody
Lanna Apisukh for BI
Taylor Glascock for BI
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Shmarak, a 56-year-old communications and PR professional from Northbrook, Illinois. It's been edited for length and clarity.
Sabrina Lim
Courtesy of CJ Gustafson