Midlife Men Mayhem is officially here and it is giving real talk, real bodies, real nervous systems.

In this episode, I’m joined by Derek and Jensen for the first time together, and we dive into what happens when diet culture meets midlife, masculinity, and metabolic reality. Derek shares an honest update from the trenches: coming out of full blown starvation mode, increasing calories, watching his weight fluctuate and then normalize, and realizing his brain fog, sleep, motivation, and strength were all screaming for nourishment.

Jensen breaks down why the scale is the worst emotional support system, how to set performance based goals that don’t trigger a spiral, and why “get healthy first” has to come before fat loss. We also go deeper into the part nobody really talks about: men starving themselves, men ignoring red flags, and why so many guys were taught that having a problem means you are the problem.

We get into nervous system basics, why under fueling fuels anxiety and harsh self talk, and how hunger is about more than food: it’s mood, motivation, and your zest for life coming back online.

If you’re a woman listening for your partner, we also talk about how to have the hard conversation without it turning into shame, shutdown, or future weaponization. Because yes, that fear is real, and we’re naming it.

This episode is part health journey, part therapy session, part “please make the phone call before you hit rock bottom.”

Stay tuned: this is the beginning of a series and we’re tracking Derek’s progress in real time.

You can follow this journey and connect with them here: 

Jensen: Instagram: @coachjensenh

Derek: Instagram: @derekamcclure

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

What if your “weight problem” was never actually about weight?

In today’s 1:1 episode, Derek gets radically honest about the connection between diet culture, shame, trauma, and survival coping—and how food became both comfort and armor long before he had words for what happened to him.

We talk about the part nobody wants to say out loud:

• how under-eating/starvation can feel like “discipline”… while quietly wrecking your brain, energy, and body
• how body dysmorphia isn’t about the mirror—it’s about the voice in your head
• why the scale can be “the same number” and your self-talk can swing from pride to disgust in seconds
• and what it looks like to stop chasing skinny and finally choose health first (even when it feels like war)

Derek shares his last two years of intense burnout, panic, and rebuilding… plus the moment that changed everything: a choice between “busy living or busy dying,” and the promise he made to his inner child to create a safe life—one real step at a time.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of restriction → binge → shame → repeat, this conversation will feel like someone finally turned on the lights.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, disordered eating, body shame/dysmorphia, panic symptoms, and suicidal ideation references (not graphic, but direct).

Follow Derek’s journey (IG): @derekamcclure

Listen to the Jensen episode mentioned here for more context, then come back to this one for the full story.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

The rules change in midlife—and pretending they didn’t is what keeps so many men stuck. We go straight at the hard truths: why the old workouts stall, how undereating can keep you overweight, and what it takes to move from “normal range” labs to truly optimal health. Jensen joins to share his path from brutal warehouse‑gym coaching to a data‑driven approach that blends hormone literacy, practical nutrition, and real‑world accountability for dads and midlife guys who want their edge back.

We unpack the emotional side of fitness—the parts of yourself you only meet when a workout gets hard—and contrast it with the quiet sabotage of low‑calorie diets. You’ll hear why many men need to eat more before they can lose fat, how consistent tracking beats guesswork, and when to stop relying on churn‑and‑burn checkups and talk to a hormone specialist who reads symptoms and numbers in context. We also talk labs and baselines, the value of measuring over decades, and how to use weekly data to adjust macros, energy, and recovery without obsession.

None of it sticks without environment, so we dig into the home front: creating safety to talk about fatigue, libido, stress, and mood; getting family buy‑in so your plan isn’t battling your pantry; and cutting the opportunity cost of months of DIY tinkering. Whether you need a focused two‑hour consult or a six‑ to twelve‑month rebuild, the roadmap is the same: establish a healthy intake, optimize hormones, align habits to your season, and make support a feature, not a flaw. If you’re ready to trade noise for a plan and excuses for progress, hit play, then share with someone who needs the nudge. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us the first habit you’ll upgrade this week.

Jensen Hendriks:

Husband, father of 3, former Muay Thai fighter and trainer, retired college professor and your new favorite nutrition coach.

Instagram: @coachjensenh

Book your free consultation with Jensen: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAQCVtA0bYJFrngh9T4mYTJomGfobOHwY8APoTIrusJtTUtQ/viewform

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

A suitcase collision in Orlando, a hawk eating a dove on the wing of a plane in New York, and a body that finally refused to push through—this is the moment a career story turns into a nervous system story. We pick up after 2015’s “Owen’s legislation” milestone and follow a series of visceral wake‑ups that reframe anxiety as physiology, codependency as conditioning, and healing as a set of daily, trainable skills. The path runs through panic, a father’s steady presence, and a decisive vow to never have another attack—and then into months of breathwork, outdoor yoga, journaling, grounding, and co‑regulation that reset baseline from the inside out.

That personal rebuild becomes professional fuel. A homegrown workbook and a yoga partnership evolve into Holding Space, a nonprofit teaching six- and twelve-week programs for women navigating stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and depression. A social impact incubator sharpens the model while underscoring a key truth: information doesn’t regulate; practice does. Along the way, PSYCH‑K enters as the missing piece, a subconscious change modality that dissolves the roots of triggers and reshapes attachment without white‑knuckling. The result is surprising ease—behavior changes because the beliefs beneath it change. During the pandemic, virtual Coffee Talks and Fireside Chats bring community, regulation, and relief when the world needs it most.

We land in a full-circle moment, teaching mindfulness and parenting at the Family Sleep Institute while running a one‑on‑one and couples practice focused on nervous system care, codependency recovery, and subconscious rewiring. If your body is shouting no while your mind keeps saying yes, consider this your invitation: practice the tools, borrow calm until you build your own, and watch the story of your life reorganize around safety and choice. If it resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review to help more people find their way back to calm.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

*This is an unedited episode I recorded with my Dad <3*

A mentor/colleague's offhand comment—“you must have a trust fund”—opens a raw, revealing conversation about money myths, private school optics, and what wealth actually feels like from the inside. We trace the route from exposure to wealthy circles to the lasting sense of being “other,” and how that friction shaped a career, a value system, and a stubborn commitment to fairness over flash.

We dig into the practices that build real security: paying off a mortgage early, cutting up credit cards, resisting lifestyle creep, and treating debt aversion as resilience rather than fear. Then we put numbers in their proper place. Is wealth a net worth target or a lived experience of time freedom, repair money, and steady breathing when the unexpected happens? We bring three lenses—financial, lifestyle, and emotional—and test them against messy reality, including why almost no one with means admits they’re rich.

The story isn’t just about money; it’s about identity and ethics. We talk impostor feelings, undercharging to avoid scrutiny, and the late epiphanies that come from seeing peers up close and realizing you belong at the table. We examine leadership styles—the axe swingers who break things versus the builders who align people first—and how pace and consent turn change into progress. We also interrogate generational wealth: why many fortunes fade, how structure and stewardship matter, and why character beats optics when choices get hard, whether that’s skipping an unnecessary loan or telling a 14-year-old the limo can wait.

If you’ve ever felt mislabeled by your background, hesitant to charge your worth, or unsure where prudence ends and fear begins, this conversation offers tools and language to reset your money story. Listen, reflect, and share your take: what’s your working definition of “enough”? If this resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to someone rewriting their own narrative.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

What if the most important career decision you ever make is refusing to play by rules that don’t help people? I share the unvarnished path from a shaky start in college to a high-achieving grad career, then straight into the harsh reality of public mental health—where stabilization trumped healing and paperwork stood in for progress. Leaving that system a few hundred hours short of licensure felt reckless, but it opened the door to a different kind of impact: entrepreneurship with a mission.

A mentor’s blunt truth steered me away from corporate consulting and into pediatric sleep coaching, a nascent niche that blended science, psychology, and coaching. I went all in—certification, hundreds of families, and the unsexy backbone of business growth: a hand-coded website, SEO, and 323 research-driven blog posts. The work was intense and deeply human, meeting parents at the edge of exhaustion and guiding them toward steadier routines and calmer minds. And then a single blog post changed everything.

After writing about a baby named Owen who died due to unsafe daycare practices, I connected with his mother and helped mobilize consultants to push for change. Missouri passed safe sleep legislation the following year. That moment reframed my purpose: yes, sleep matters—but safety, advocacy, and parental regulation matter just as much. Today, I teach as faculty with the Family Sleep Institute and direct safe sleep education, turning updated AAP guidance into practical training for consultants and practical protection for families.

This episode is for anyone who wants to build something real without a safety net. We talk mentorship that tells you the truth, niche selection that actually differentiates you, marketing that compounds over time, and why your nervous system is your most important business tool. If this story resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who’s on the edge of a pivot, and leave a review to help others find it. What rule are you ready to stop following?

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

The year I vanished didn’t disappear me—it rebuilt me. What started as “I’ll tough it out” turned into a full-body audit: why my knee kept swelling, why my cycles stole weeks of my life, and why I was sick four times after moving into a new house. The answers weren’t motivational quotes; they were mechanical facts. A misaligned patella had ground down cartilage for years. My iron tanked under constant blood loss. Our HVAC and guest bath hid mold that kept my immune system stuck. Once I stopped normalizing pain, I could change the structure around it.

We tell the whole story, from repainting a bachelor pad into a supportive, organized home to scheduling a hysterectomy that finally promises relief. I share the MRI that made everything click, the small win of beef organ capsules when iron wouldn’t budge, and the jaw work that gave me my first relaxed shoulders in memory. There’s romance in here too—the almost-proposal over insurance, my candlelit “Will you marry me on Sunday?” and his kitchen re-proposal with a diamond once the chaos settled. It’s messy and funny and deeply human, the way midlife tends to be when you stop apologizing for needing care.

If you’re navigating chronic pain, hormone storms, home health, or the myth that “it’s all in your head,” this conversation offers practical hope: peptides and HRT as tools, mobility training to unwind compensation, mold remediation that actually matters, and the courage to seek surgery when it restores quality of life. I’m also bringing two co-hosts aboard—my husband, who beat 20-year migraines with peptides, and my best friend—so we can keep unpacking healing, relationships, and the science behind feeling good. Subscribe, share this with someone who’s been told to “just keep an eye on it,” and leave a review with the one change your body is asking for right now.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

Have you ever felt your body tense up the moment your partner walks into a room? That unconscious physical reaction might be telling you something crucial about your relationship's health. I'm diving deep into the challenging question so many couples face but rarely discuss openly: "Has too much happened for me to stay in this relationship?"

The truth is uncomfortable but important - yes, relationships can reach a point of no return. For many couples, certain patterns become so deeply ingrained that their bodies enter a stress response at the mere presence of their partner. This physiological reaction isn't just uncomfortable; it literally shuts down the parts of your brain needed for healthy communication. When your nervous system perceives your partner as a threat, productive conversation becomes neurologically impossible.

What's fascinating is how many couples are trying to solve complex relationship issues without having mastered the fundamentals. As I explain in this episode, it's like attempting to sprint when you haven't even learned to crawl. The foundation of relationship repair requires two essential skills: recognizing when you're dysregulated and knowing how to practice active listening. Without these basics firmly established, couples find themselves trapped in damaging cycles that eventually create what I call a "zone of chaos" - where the accumulated damage becomes irreparable.

This episode provides a clear framework for understanding whether your relationship challenges are temporary hurdles or signs of fundamental incompatibility. If you're struggling in your relationship or know someone who is, this conversation offers both validation and practical guidance for moving forward. Listen now to understand the science behind relationship breakdown and discover if repair is still possible for you.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

Picture this: you've hit your 40s, and life starts to feel like a new chapter, full of both challenges and opportunities. Join us, Natalie Diaz and Katie Kovaleski, as we embark on a heartfelt conversation about embracing midlife and transforming it into a time of growth. Together, we share personal stories and insights into navigating the chaos that often accompanies this decade, all while nurturing our nervous systems and enhancing our intuition. It's about recognizing the beauty and complexity of these years, celebrating the good days, and finding gratitude in life's evolving experiences.

Our discussion takes a thoughtful turn towards the importance of aligning with our true selves and dreams. We emphasize how gradual transitions and flexible work arrangements can support this journey, offering a softer landing as we pursue what truly fulfills us. Through therapy, yoga, and even the playful practices of vision boarding and crystal use, we explore how to strengthen our intuition and make decisions that resonate with our deepest desires. This conversation is a gentle nudge to care for our nervous systems, allowing us to listen to our inner voice and make changes that lead to personal transformation.

Finally, we celebrate the newfound autonomy that comes with life's transitions, often referred to as "second puberty." This phase invites us to reevaluate what truly matters, shedding unnecessary distractions and focusing on self-care. We explore the bittersweet nature of watching our children grow and the joy of small victories, all while mastering the metaphorical tandem bike ride of midlife. As we look toward the new year, we invite you to join our Midlife Mayhem Women's Group, a virtual gathering designed to explore and embrace these challenges together. With humor and hope, let's be "hope dealers" for ourselves and those around us.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.

Have you ever considered the holiday season as the ultimate test of your year's personal growth? As we gear up for the festive chaos, we're exploring how December becomes a "final exam" to evaluate the boundaries we've set, our communication skills, and the compromises we've mastered. This episode also delves into the vibrant tapestry of holidays like Hanukkah, offering a perspective on how to manage the spectrum of holiday emotions with awareness and care.

Personal stories weave through our discussions, shedding light on the art of compromise in relationships. Who knew choosing a bed could be a journey of practicality versus luxury? This simple decision reveals deeper insights into partnership dynamics, underscoring the importance of self-awareness, calmness, and respect for each other's needs. We'll share strategies to maintain a cool head, ensuring that our emotional responses don't derail our communication efforts.

Lastly, we navigate the whimsically termed "second puberty," those midlife changes that often go unspoken. This phase is not just about hormonal shifts but an opportunity for self-discovery and empowerment. From tracking cycles to aligning personal growth with natural rhythms, we underscore the importance of understanding one's body during these transformative years. Whether you're setting goals or riding the waves of hormonal changes, December offers a chance to align with your inner cycles for optimal growth and energy.

You can reach us here:

Katie Kovaleski:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Work with me: Book your 20 minute connection call here:

Let's Connect

Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.