Most men don’t collapse overnight.They slip slowly, and call it “normal.”Then one day they look around and realise they became the man they promised they never would.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Michael Guadagnino, a chiropractor and author focused on strength, mobility, and healthful longevity. We talk about resisting the cultural pressure to accept decline, and why midlife is a season for standards, leadership, and ownership.

What we cover:

• “strong father and actually a strong grandfather” and how standards get formed
• The moment that shook him: “some of the folks just didn’t take care of themselves”
• The real cost of neglect: “he died early in 68 because of this”
• Why quick fixes fail and what replaces them
• Discipline, small goals, and building confidence over time
• Legacy, leadership, and being “the protector”
• Meaning vs pleasure, and how men find the balance

Join the Midlife Mavericks Brotherhood (Skool): https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about

Guest links:Website: drmguad.comAutographed books: FitnessOver50.net

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Midlife Question

13:47 Choosing a Path: From Medicine to Chiropractic

20:49 Health and Fitness: Overcoming Challenges in Midlife

25:50 Setting Goals: The Importance of Direction

31:04 Gratitude and Presence: Reflecting on Life's Journey

35:31 Resisting the Narrative: Aging and Health

39:54 The Pain of Change and Motivation

42:17 Navigating the Diet Landscape

45:40 Long-Term Health vs. Quick Fixes

48:52 Shifting Goalposts in Midlife

50:16 Building a Legacy

51:30 Daily Motivation and Gratitude

52:39 Leadership and Setting an Example

55:12 Personal Motivations and Family Influence

56:49 Finding Meaning and Pleasure

01:00:04 Accountability and Connection

01:03:21 Standards and Mediocrity

01:05:18 Lies We Tell Ourselves in Midlife

01:07:21 Life-Changing Responsibilities

01:08:28 What We Stand For

01:10:57 Navigating Midlife Challenges

In this episode, I sit down with a cardiologist who speaks honestly about heart disease, modern medicine, and the growing gap between treatment and true health, especially for men in midlife.

WHAT WE COVER

• Why heart disease is not being reversed
• The blind spots in modern cardiology
• Stress, inflammation, and lifestyle risk
• Natural vs pharmaceutical interventions
• COVID, trust, and medical authority
• Why responsibility is the real medicine

👉 Join the Midlife Mavericks Brotherhood: https://www.skool.com/midlife-mavericks-7896/about

GUEST LINKSWebsite: https://naturalcardiologyinstitute.com/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jamesknellermd

Chapters:

00:00 The Shift in Men's Health Perspectives

06:59 The Journey to Cardiology

12:43 The State of Cardiology Today

18:27 Preventive Measures in Cardiology

23:52 Nutrition and Heart Health

29:42 The Impact of Seed Oils

35:23 Dealing with the Pressure of Patient Care

46:05 The Role of Medical Professionals in Patient Care

52:42 The Benefits and Risks of Turmeric

01:01:45 Impact of COVID-19 on Cardiology

01:09:44 Reforming Healthcare: A Call for Equity

Most men don’t fall apart in midlife, they quietly fade.They keep going, keep providing, keep performing… until something cracks.In this episode, Michael Tierno reveals why men break down, why success can feel empty, and how brotherhood restores what modern life strips away.What we cover:

• Why men hit emotional breaking points
• The hidden cost of emotional suppression
• Masculinity, identity, and midlife transition
• Why men heal faster together
• Reclaiming purpose without burning everything down

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michael Tierno

04:07 The Journey of Continuous Learning

06:10 Rediscovering Purpose and Direction

09:49 The Ayahuasca Experience: A Turning Point

12:42 Transformative Insights from Ayahuasca

17:06 Shifts in Beliefs and Understanding

20:33 Exploring Idealism and Consciousness

25:09 The Impact of Ayahuasca on Gratitude and Compassion

31:16 The Evolution of Michael's Work

33:02 Unique Approaches in Retreats

33:31 Building a Supportive Community Post-Retreat

38:18 Redefining Masculinity and Vulnerability

49:40 Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth

53:35 The Role of Integration in Lasting Change

59:57 Misconceptions About Psychedelics and Healing

01:07:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery

01:12:51 Understanding Expanded States and Their Impact

01:16:35 Caution in Seeking Guidance

01:22:31 The Importance of Slowing Down

01:24:24 Legacy and Personal Reflections

01:26:23 Midlife: A Reckoning, Not a Crisis

Join the Midlife Mavericks Skool Community:https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about

Michaels links:

Website: https://www.michaeltiernoguide.com/

Email: [email protected]

You feel exhausted. Your labs say you’re fine.Something doesn’t add up.

In this episode, Dr. Kevin Smith explains why most men in midlife are misdiagnosed, under-tested, and over-medicated, and how thyroid dysfunction quietly destroys energy, sleep, and testosterone.

What we cover:

• Why “normal” blood tests miss real problems
• The thyroid–testosterone connection most doctors ignore
• Early signs of thyroid dysfunction in men
• Autoimmunity, stress, gut health, and hidden triggers
• Why lifestyle load matters more than genetics

Guest: Dr. Kevin SmithWebsite: https://metabolicsolutions.net

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsmithdc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cccpa1

👉 Join the Midlife Mavericks Skool communityhttps://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about?ref=13988353f9c0420e9b33e4ff258e3924

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:30 The Journey to Functional Medicine

11:38 Understanding Patient-Centric Care

21:37 The Thyroid: A Small Gland with Big Impact

30:02 Autoimmunity and Its Complexities

31:32 Understanding Autoimmune Diseases and Their Impact

37:46 The Immune System: TH1 vs TH2 Dynamics

43:18 Quality of Supplements: The Importance of Sourcing

46:15 Thyroid Health and Its Connection to Testosterone

50:53 Lifestyle Changes: Small Steps to Big Impacts

54:15 Nutritional Approaches for Thyroid Health

Most men in midlife don’t realise they’re carrying emotional patterns they never chose. Patterns that shape their relationships, their health, their sense of purpose, and even their identity.

In this powerful conversation, men’s coach Michael Read reveals the hidden forces that cause men to shut down emotionally, repeat the same relationship cycles, and run from the discomfort that could actually save their lives.Michael calls it emotional constipation, a simple but confronting idea that explains why so many men feel stuck, numb, overwhelmed, or disconnected.This episode is raw, science-backed, and deeply relatable.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I react like this?” or “Why do my relationships keep playing out the same way?”…this conversation might hit harder than you expect.

00:00 Introduction to Men's Health and Relationships

05:43 Understanding Relationship Patterns and Personal Growth

08:26 The Impact of Childhood on Adult Relationships

11:37 Recognizing Signs of Relationship Issues

14:25 Navigating Relationship Dynamics and Communication

17:37 Strategies for Reconnecting in Relationships

20:30 Emotional Self-Regulation and Conflict Resolution

27:32 Navigating Difficult Conversations

29:47 The Impact of Parenting on Emotional Development

33:42 The Importance of Emotional Expression in Men

36:26 Therapy vs. Men's Groups: Finding Support

39:32 Breaking Generational Patterns of Emotional Disconnection

42:58 Facing Discomfort: The Path to Transformation

51:11 Understanding Avoidance and Distractions

53:46 The Role of Hormones in Relationships

56:37 Healing Through Vulnerability and Connection

59:22 Navigating Relationship Needs and Communication

01:03:28 Understanding Gender Differences in Relationships

01:08:30 The Importance of Honest Conversations in Relationships

01:11:06 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Midlife

👉 Join the Midlife Mavericks Community (Free) A brotherhood for men ready to reclaim their strength, health, and purpose. Connect with other men doing the work: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about

🎙️ Listen on Your Favourite Platforms

Spotify: You're here.YouTube: https://youtu.be/f-EhFuj2uFI

📚 Connect with Michael Read

Website: https://www.adaptivemen.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdaptiveMen

🔥 If this episode hit something in you…

Leave a comment, what part spoke to you the most?And share this with a mate who might need to hear it.

In this episode, I sit down with William C. Spears, a U.S. Navy submarine officer, philosopher, and author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. We explore what it means to live with honor, integrity, and emotional control in a world that often rewards the opposite.

William shares how Stoicism applies beyond the battlefield, to leadership, parenting, and midlife purpose. We talk about morality, legacy, and the timeless pursuit of wisdom. This episode is a reminder that true strength is not about suppressing emotion but mastering it, and living in alignment with your values.

William's Details

Website: https://williamcspears.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1636246230

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/will.spears.18

Midlife Mavericks Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about?ref=13988353f9c0420e9b33e4ff258e3924

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Stoicism teaches emotional mastery, not suppression, wisdom over impulse.
• Morality, courage, justice, and self-control form the foundation of character.
• True integrity means your values align with your actions, even under pressure.
• Leadership and fatherhood require emotional awareness, not detachment.
• Legacy isn’t about titles or status, it’s about who you become and what you teach.
• Philosophical reflection and journaling help men align success with virtue.
• Physical health, sleep, and discipline are modern moral imperatives.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to William C. Spears

07:22 Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy

16:30 Navigating Chaos with Stoicism

22:15 Masculinity and Emotional Expression

29:12 Teaching Stoicism to Young Men

34:58 Recognizing the Signal from the Noise

42:09 The Challenges of Stoicism in Adversity

46:59 The Journey of Writing a Stoic Book

01:04:04 Defining Success and Future Aspirations

01:10:38 The Quest for Integrity in Midlife

01:11:08 Understanding Stoicism: A Path to Wholeness

After achieving everything he thought he wanted, business success, travel, recognition, Christian Schnepf found himself suicidal, realising that ticking all the boxes didn’t mean living a meaningful life.

His story is one of awakening and rebuilding, from chasing external success to cultivating inner fulfilment. Through years of self-reflection, research, and a PhD project, Christian developed the Good Time Ratio (GTR), a metric that measures how much of your life feels aligned, energised, and meaningful.

In this episode, Christian and Stretch explore:

• The emptiness of “success” when it’s out of alignment
• How breakdowns can spark deeper transformation
• The five key areas that determine life satisfaction
• Why flow and self-care are essential for men in midlife
• How to use data to identify what truly gives, or drains, your energy
• The future of the Good Time Ratio app and how it’s helping people optimise their lives

Website: https://chrisw.co/

App:  goodtime.app

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisw.gt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisw.gt 

Midlife Mavericks Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about

Key Takeaways

• Fulfilment ≠ achievement: You can have everything on paper and still feel empty.
• Energy is the compass: What feels attractive and energising points you toward flow.
• Measure what matters: The Good Time Ratio helps visualise where energy flows or gets blocked.
• Self-care is leadership: Taking care of yourself first enables you to serve others better.
• Solitude brings clarity: Periods of isolation help quiet external noise and reconnect you to your inner voice.
• Men need “good times” too: Joy, movement, challenge, and freedom are essential forms of masculine self-care.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Life

03:11 Reflections on Youth and the Standard Script

06:07 The Downward Spiral and Realisation of Emptiness

10:11 Finding Hope and the Decision to Change

12:48 Steps Towards a New Life

16:25 The Journey of Self-Discovery

20:14 Embracing Minimalism and New Opportunities

24:06 Crafting a Vision and Mission Statement

28:24 The Importance of Joy and Fulfillment

32:47 Inquiring into Identity and Choices

33:29 The Good Time Ratio and Insights on Success

34:29 The Pursuit of Good Times

36:53 Measuring Good Times: The Good Time Ratio

41:19 The GoodTime App: Navigating Life with Data

47:25 Five Areas of Life: Understanding Energy Flow

55:10 Self-Care: The Key to Sustainable Happiness

01:01:45 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

01:08:25 Accessing the Good Time Ratio App

01:14:02 The Essence of Christian's Journey

In this conversation, Stretch sits down with Clinical EFT practitioner and NeuroChange Solutions consultant Sophia Torrini to explore practical self-healing for men in midlife.

Sophia shares her personal journey from a near-fatal health event and years of lingering symptoms to meaningful change through Emotional Freedom Techniques, Reality Hacking, and Meta Consciousness.

The discussion clarifies what EFT is, why tapping while naming emotions can calm the nervous system, and how unprocessed stress patterns can hard-wire into the body.

Sophia explains heart–brain coherence, the role of brainwave states, and why you cannot plant new habits until you pull the emotional weeds.

You will hear simple entry points like body scans, happy memory priming, breathwork, and short morning practices that build safety and momentum.

The big idea is straightforward.

Feel it safely, clear the charge, then rehearse the future you want.

For men who have followed the script but feel restless, this episode offers a grounded pathway to reclaim clarity, energy, and personal power.

Sofia's Website: https://www.tapintoyourbestself.com/

Sofia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapintoyourbestself/

Sofia's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tapintoyourbestself.EFT

Join The Midlife Mavericks Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about

Key takeaways

• EFT is a structured tapping method that helps down-regulate stress and rewire emotional patterns
• You cannot reprogram on top of repression. Pull the emotional weeds before planting new habits
• Heart–brain coherence increases calm, focus, and better decision making
• Anxiety is often multiple alarms at once. Separate the signals, then resolve them
• Simple daily inputs work. Short body scans, breathwork, and happy memory priming build safety
• Younger brains may rewire faster, but consistency beats intensity at any age
• Movement, play, and joy help teach the body it is safe
• Final step. Rehearse the future self you want to become

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Freedom Techniques

03:26 Sophia's Journey to Healing

16:47 Understanding Emotional Freedom Techniques

22:44 The Science Behind Emotions and Disease

30:20 Connecting with Emotions: Tools for Men

34:06 The Importance of Heart-Brain Coherence

36:54 Experiencing Change Through Emotional Release

39:23 Transformative Experiences and Identity Shifts

40:31 The Science of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

42:57 Healing Through Emotional Work

46:10 Commitment to Healing Practices

49:10 Individual Differences in Healing Journeys

52:58 Managing Stress and Anger

55:18 Understanding Emotions as Messages

57:55 The Connection Between Beliefs and Health

01:02:05 Creating Reality Through Belief

01:07:52 Shifting to a Healthier Version of Yourself

01:11:23 Hacking Reality and Memory Reframing

01:16:19 The Essence of Healing

Ep34 Show notes

When Andrew Robinson set out to jump into a freezing New Zealand lake every day for 100 days, he wasn’t chasing followers, he was chasing connection.

The project became Tough Yarns, a movement blending physical challenge, vulnerability, and men’s mental health.

In this conversation, Andrew and Stretch unpack how discomfort builds character, why we struggle to ask for help, and how conversation itself can save lives.

They explore the science of suffering, rites of passage, and Andrew’s next mission: a 5,500 km solo ride across New Zealand for Movember.

You’ll leave this episode reminded that doing hard things isn’t about proving toughness, it’s about discovering truth, purpose, and connection.

Andrew's Website: https://toughyarns.com/

Andrew's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toughyarns/

Andrew's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@toughyarns

Andrew's Movember Donations: https://nz.movember.com/mospace/15361970

Join The Midlife Mavericks Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about 

Key Takeaways

• Discomfort builds connection. Doing something hard — like cold water plunges — lowers defenses and opens space for honesty.
• Courage starts with curiosity. Asking deeper questions, even of strangers, creates real human connection.
• Men need modern rites of passage. Without structured transitions, many men stay stuck in the “warrior” phase and burn out.
• Vulnerability is leadership. Sharing your story first gives others permission to do the same.
• Ask and listen. Not everyone needs fixing — sometimes they just need space to be heard.
• Service creates meaning. Andrew’s 5,500 km Movember ride proves that personal challenge can drive collective change.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Andrew Robinson's Journey

03:28 The Power of Physical Challenges

06:32 Exploring Mental Health Through Physicality

09:31 Personal Reflections on Family and Growth12:27 Lessons Learned from Challenges

15:33 The 100-Day Cold Lake Challenge

18:41 Engaging Strangers and Building Connections

21:36 The Impact of Vulnerability and Trust

23:45 Self-Discovery Through Challenges

27:40 The Importance of Vulnerability

30:35 Rites of Passage and Masculinity

36:09 Transitioning from Physical to Emotional Challenges

41:21 The Journey of a 5,500 km Bike Ride

47:20 Breaking Down Communication Barriers

48:09 The Journey of Self-Discovery

49:33 Transforming Sales into Genuine Communication

50:25 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health Conversations

51:58 The Power of Group Dynamics in Conversations

52:50 The Connection Between Physical Movement and Emotional Well-being

55:17 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability

57:11 The Importance of Listening in Relationships

01:00:48 Navigating Difficult Conversations

01:02:07 Understanding Others' Struggles

01:05:07 Setting Boundaries in Conversations

01:09:09 Future Aspirations and Community Engagement

01:11:23 Introduction to Tough Yarns and Movember Ride

In this powerful episode, Jason Gilbert joins Stretch to share his journey through chronic pain, spinal surgery, mercury toxicity, and gut dysfunction, and how these challenges led him into the world of functional health, movement therapy, and longevity.

With 30 years in health, 20 years on the World Surfing League medical team, and personal experience overcoming burnout and brain fog, Jason brings both clinical wisdom and hard-earned life lessons.

Topics include:– The real root causes of chronic back pain– How diet, stress, and lifestyle affect inflammation and recovery– What most people get wrong about exercise in midlife– Jason’s 10-year journey with mercury detox and Gerson therapy– Why he's obsessed with Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and how it’s changed his life.

Whether you’re burned out, in pain, or simply ready to feel like yourself again, this conversation will help you reconnect with your body and reclaim your health.

Jason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasongilbertofficial/

Jason YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jasongilbertofficial

Jason Website: https://jasongilbert.com.au/

👉 Midlife Mavericks Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about?ref=13988353f9c0420e9b33e4ff258e3924

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:56 Journey to Chiropractic and Back Pain

13:07 Crisis and Spinal Surgery

19:00 Nutrition and Inflammation

25:05 Exercise and Stress Management

32:13 Exploring Fast Twitch Muscle Training

35:28 Navigating Pain in Training

45:36 Journey into Functional Medicine

50:55 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A New Frontier

01:00:26 Back to Basics: Foundations of Health

01:08:28 Taking Ownership of Health

01:13:19 Introduction to Midlife Mavericks Podcast