Why This Short Online Course Is Godsend to Digitally Challenged Elderly Link Me
How I went from ‘no clue’ to bestseller Substack author and now Patreon creator thanks to a bit of grit, guidance, and good humor. Now I know what Patreon Is and I can use it to share my content with the world.
Summary: The author, a retired healthcare scientist, shares his journey from digital confusion to success by taking online courses. After initially struggling with tech, he completed Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s courses on Substack and Patreon, becoming the first graduate of each. The courses reignited his passion for learning and creativity, showing how platforms like Patreon can foster genuine connections between creators and supporters. Emphasizing that age shouldn’t deter anyone from adapting, he encourages others to pursue digital skills, underscoring the value of lifelong learning and the importance of community support in today’s challenging landscape for creators.
Dear Subscribers,
Yesterday I wrote a story on Medium.com titled Yes, You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks If the Dog Is Willing to Learn. It was because I always enjoyed learning but it became an extra passion for me in my elderly years as it got easier and more enjoyable.
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I say that’s rubbish. You just need the right teacher, a steady Wi-Fi signal, and maybe a coffee or two. I bet smart folks like Dr Yildiz and Aiden MC can definitely teach new tricks to old folks like me.
A few years back, I had no idea what Substack was. I thought it was a type of sandwich. Yet somehow, with the help of Dr. Mehmet Yildiz’s book Substack Mastery and Aiden’s course “From Zero to Substack Hero,” I ended up earning a shiny “bestseller” badge on Substack.
I wrote about it before so I won’t repeat the Substack sandwich stuff here.
I’m the First Student Completing Level 3 of From Zero to Substack Hero
I’m not a hero yet, but this course helped me make all my key stats green again, boosting my dopamine to work harder.medium.com
Not bad for a bloke who still occasionally calls his laptop “the typewriter.”
Back to Patreon Mastery Stuff
So, when Dr Yildiz dropped another gem yesterday called the Patreon Mastery Course, I thought, “Alright, mate, let’s see if this old dog’s still got a few neurons firing.”
I logged on Udemy, enrolled the course quickly paying only around 10 bucks with his generous 82% discount and completed it in four hours earlier today.
And what do you know?
I became the first graduate again. Certificate and all. 🎓
But this wasn’t just another tick-a-box course. This was a creative awakening for me just like a dream came true.
Here is my proud course certificate in case you wonder about it, or might think I am hallucinating, as it is hard for many to even start the course on the second day. I have already finished and earned a Udemy certificate.
From Confusion to Clarity Without the Tech Headache
Before the course, I thought Patreon was something fancy influencers used to make money off selfies. Turns out, it’s a genuine platform for writers, educators, coaches, creators, and even retired scientists like me who give away free value daily and rarely get a fair go from algorithms.
Dr Yildiz, being both a scientist and storyteller, broke it down with the precision of a neurosurgeon and the warmth of a good mate at the pub. Of course, my Aussie friend who narrated the course gave me an extra boost, as I like his cute accent and clear pronunciation, which sounds like music to my old ears.
They said that Patreon isn’t just a tip jar but a relationship hub. I loved this idea.
A place where your loyal readers or clients can support you because they believe in what you do, not because you gamed some social-media feed.
The course walks through everything from designing simple tiers (without feeling like a dodgy salesman) to connecting Patreon with your Substack, Medium, or website to build your own little creative ecosystem.
And the best bit is it is affordable, about the cost of two meat pies and a flat white if you get in early.
In the past, we used to spend at least a week in a classroom and pay at least $3000 to get the certificate. But now I can finish such a course in 4 hours for just $10. This makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I can now learn at lightning speed, sad because I was born in the wrong era.
What Makes This Course Different
Dr Yildiz has this rare knack for turning neuroscience and creativity into something even an old Aussie like me can grasp. He doesn’t preach; he teaches through logic and empathy.
In his lessons, he connects your mindset, focus, and neurochemistry to how you create, plan, and even price your work. He calls it a neurostrategic approach, a term that sounds fancy until he explains it with the simplicity of “train your brain before you train your audience.”
I realized that my procrastination, my doubts about tech, and my habit of over-giving for free weren’t personal flaws. They were just patterns I could change.
That insight alone was worth the price of admission.
Finding My Creative Voice Again
By the time I finished the Patreon Mastery Course today, I’d not only launched my first Patreon page, which I will announce soon, but I’d rekindled the joy of creating with purpose.
I will share exclusive content with my readers, behind-the-scenes stories, health insights, and creative reflections without feeling guilty for asking for support.
That’s something many of us in health, science, and coaching struggle with: we’re wired to give, not to ask. But Dr Yildiz reframed it beautifully with his neurostrategic framework:
“You’re not selling yourself, you’re offering value that deserves to be sustained.”
That line stuck with me.
Because the truth is, whether you’re a writer, researcher, business coach, therapist, counselor, or creator, your work has value. It changes lives, sparks ideas, and builds communities.
Why shouldn’t that be rewarded sustainably?
The Joy of Learning in Late Life
I’ve spent decades in health, science, and education, and yet, learning these new digital skills has been one of the most rewarding challenges of my later years.
There’s something deeply satisfying about proving to yourself that you can still adapt, still create, still thrive.
That’s what I hope this story inspires in others, especially my fellow “seasoned professionals.”
You don’t need to chase trends or pretend to be 25 again.
You just need curiosity, patience, and a mentor who actually understands how the digital world works.
Dr Yildiz’s Substack Mastery or the new Patreon Mastery courses deliver that in spades.
Why Patreon Matters, Especially Now
We’re living in a world where creative professionals are constantly under pressure. Writers are being replaced by bots, educators are overworked, and health professionals are burnt out trying to keep up with endless content demands.
Patreon offers something refreshingly human: connection and sustainability.
You can share your wisdom, your art, your ideas, and your audience can choose to back you directly. No middlemen. No algorithmic roulette. Just genuine appreciation and recurring support.
It’s like having your own community of mates who buy you a coffee each month because they want you to keep going.
A Bit of Aussie Wisdom to Close
So, here’s my message to my fellow creators, coaches, and professionals:
If you’ve ever muttered, “I’m too old for this tech stuff,” I hear you.
But here’s the secret: you’re not too old. You’re just too experienced to waste your energy on the wrong stuff.
With the right tools and the right guidance, you can absolutely build your creative freedom online.
I’m living proof. This old dog learned a few new tricks and even got a shiny certificate to show for it.
So go on, mate. Take the leap. Sign up for the course. Build your Patreon. Share your voice.
Because if this retired health pro from down under can do it, so can you.
And who knows? You might even find yourself wagging your digital tail with pride. 🐶
If you missed the story of Dr Yildiz yesterday here is a link to it. He made it both educational and inspiring.
What If Your Creativity Could Fund Your Financial Freedom for a Lifetime?
Here’s Why I Created a Patreon Mastery Course for Creators, Freelancers, and Professionals on Udemy and How You Can…medium.com
Thanks for reading my story and have a good one!
Here is what Dr Mehmet Yildiz, the creator of the course wrote about it on his digitalmehmet content ecosystem about Patreon Mastery which can inspire you:
Check out what is happening in the AI world!
1.3 Quadrillion Tokens Monthly Just By Google AI and Counting
What Happens When AI Started Talking More Than All of Us on the Planet Combinedmedium.com
Here is sciency health story for you.
Methylene Blue Is an Old Drug with New Hype
Does Methylene Blue Prevent Dementia? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Purchase It and Poisoning…medium.com
If you need a bit of fun this weekend, check out my gaming adventures:
How Gaming Gave Me a Second Youth and a Few Senior Moments Worth Laughing About
Why Gaming in Your Golden Years Might Be the Best Medicine You Never Knew You Neededmedium.com
About me
I am a retired healthcare scientist in my mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can find my distilled content on Substack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly. I also do guest-blogging. Welcome to Substackmastery.com! I started blogging at Blogger too.
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