July 01, 2025

198: The Recovering Man: Life After Prostate Cancer with Mish Middelmann

1 hour 5 minutes

In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Nurse Practitioner and Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett chats with Mish Middelmann — a prostate cancer survivor, men’s leadership coach, and founder of The Recovering Man. Mish is also the author of a book about sex beyond erections, called Beyond Erections - reclaiming sexual pleasure and intimacy with erectile differences.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, Mish shares his raw and insightful journey of treatment, recovery, and rebuilding life as a man post-cancer. From Johannesburg to Canada, his story spans continents and emotions — and ultimately, his experience led him to create a space for other men navigating the often-silent challenges of prostate cancer recovery.

Mish now supports men and their partners through personalised coaching, offering emotional guidance, tools for self-reinvention, and a path toward rediscovering identity and intimacy. He also speaks about the recent release of his book — including why the original title sparked controversy and was later renamed.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Mish’s prostate cancer diagnosis and the decisions he faced

The physical and psychological recovery process after treatment

How prostate cancer affects male identity, sexuality, and relationships

The importance of support networks for both men and their partners

His work as a men’s health coach and the creation of The Recovering Man

The evolving conversation around masculinity, vulnerability, and healing

Insights from his newly released book on finding sexual pleasure without relying on hard erections.

Key Takeaways:

Life after prostate cancer is about more than just surviving — it’s about reclaiming who you are. Mish encourages men to explore healing not only of the body but also of self-image, connection, and purpose.

Resources & Links:

Book a confidential consult, in clinic or on telehealth, with our sexual health nurse practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic

For more information check out our websites www.rshealth.com.au , www.makehardeasy.com.au and www.melissahadleybarrett.com.au

Visit The Recovering Man: https://www.recoveringman.net/ – Coaching, articles, and resources for men navigating life after prostate cancer.

Book by Mish Middelmann: Beyond Erections available as paperback or eBook. Details at www.beyonderections.com/book.

Learn more about men’s sexual health services: www.rshealth.com.au

Listen & Subscribe

If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to follow, subscribe to the podcast and help us reach more men by rating and reviewing the show. Because penile health matters — and it’s time we talked about it.

Connect With Us

We love hearing from real people navigating penile health—just like Mish. If you’d like to share your journey or ask a question, get in touch. Email: [email protected]

Website: www.rshealth.com.au

Websites:

https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

https://makehardeasy.com.au

https://melissahadleybarrett.com

http://prost.com.au/

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett

Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

TEDX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA

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By Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett

4.4

2121 ratings