The Better Man Podcast

Have you ever wanted to meditate but you just don't know where to start? And then you get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of different types of meditation?

If so, you're not alone. I go through the same cycles myself.

And that's what led to me inviting Jon Macaskill - a retired Navy SEAL turned performance coach, mindfulness teacher, author, and podcast host - onto this episode.

When Jon was a SEAL, he was supposed to be deployed on an operation where 19 men died, but he was stuck at a desk instead. And then he became riddled with survivor's guilt and PTSD because he should've been there with his squad.

This caused all sorts of mental health problems that medication and even therapy on its own didn't solve. But he was lucky enough to have a therapist who recommended meditation and mindfulness - and those two practices ended up saving his life.

If you ever wanted to start meditating, learn more about its benefits, or just hear an incredible story about how meditation and mindfulness saved Jon's life, listen to this episode now.

Here's what Jon and I discuss:

• How to start meditating and living a more mindful life

• Why Jon says meditation saved his life

• The many health and personal benefits you unlock when you start a consistent meditation practice

Highlights from this episode:

• The one habit that most in the MFY Community don't do that everyone really ought to do on a daily basis because it's been proven over and over again (1:01)

• Why meditation and mindfulness are the closest you can get to performance enhancing drugs (without actually using drugs!) (4:57)

• How Jon came down with a severe case of survivor's guilt and post-traumatic stress while being a Navy SEAL (and how meditation helped him free himself from his mind) (9:13)

• Why exercise can work against depression (and other mental health ailments) up to a point … and then it can actually become harmful (13:40)

• How medications took both the negative and positive edge away from Jon (and why he personally preferred the benefits of meditation & mindfulness) (15:20)

• Why therapy combined with mindfulness is the best combo for leaving your mental health problems in the rear view mirror (20:21)

• Want to start meditating but don't know where to begin? Jon takes you through his step-by-step process from when he first started up into what he's doing now (21:29)

• Why setting the bar low (whether for yoga, meditation, or any other wellness practice) leads to better long-term results than setting it high (22:38)

• The best way (according to a Navy SEAL) to become less reactive at work, more present with your family, and calmer under stress (23:49)

• Why thinking you're bad at meditating during your meditation is actually proof that you're doing it right! (28:33)

• Jon answers my rapid fire questions at (51:13)

Guest bio:

Jon Macaskill (pronounced Muh-KAS-kill) is a retired Navy SEAL Commander turned performance coach, mindfulness teacher, author, and podcast host. He's taking what helped him excel in his professional life and heal in his personal life and now sharing this with others to help them do the same.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Check out Jon's Podcast, Men Talking Mindfulness: Visit the site here: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/ or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.

2. Keep in touch with Jon:

If you'd like to learn more about Jon, you can find all his links (including a link to his latest book, his email newsletter, his free Awareness Self Assessment, and more) using the link below:

https://linktr.ee/JonMacaskill

3. Magic Mind: Magic mind is my favorite caffeine supplement for when I need an extra boost of energy. Try it here: https://ManFlowYoga.com/MagicMind

4. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Today's guest, Jeff Weiss, wasn't always an "athlete." In fact, after starting a family, he went two decades without exercising in any meaningful or consistent way.

But when his father passed away as he neared age 50, he knew that he had to make a change and start taking his healthspan seriously.

And so, he joined a running class and signed up for a 10k race - his first ever race - at the ripe age of 48. He quickly fell in love with running (partly because his body was fresher because he didn't exercise for two decades and partly because he couldn't finish at 10k when he was 17).

Since that initial 10k run, he's gone on to run multiple half marathons, marathons, ironmans, and even a 72-mile long ultra marathon. Most of which he completed after his 50th birthday.

Jeff is proof that you can start your fitness journey at any age. And he's a wealth of knowledge for taking your first step towards becoming a healthier version of yourself - even if you're in late middle age.

Here's what Jeff and I discuss:

• Why trying to become fit and a fitness expert backfires and makes you unhealthier (and an easy way to prevent this)

• How to be kinder to yourself even when you miss a workout or mess up

• Why it's not too late to start your fitness journey

Highlights from this episode:

• How to make time in your day for fitness when you're too busy to even think about it (and why you may need it more in busy seasons than you realize) (5:38)

• 2 of the deadliest time killers that are making you more anxious and less fit (7:18)

• Why you have naturally more control if you work out first thing in the morning than you do when you wait until the end of your day (8:06)

• The weird way exercising in the morning puts you on an emotional high for the rest of the day (14:14)

• Why you might actually be better at exercising in your 40s and 50s than you were in your teens (this exact scenario happened to Jeff after he finished his first 10k at age 48) (16:08)

• How your fitness routine must change and adapt when you enter your 60s (20:16)

• Why labeling yourself is one of the worst habits you can get into in (even "good" labels eventually prevent growth and self-compassion) (28:39)

• How to start running without pain - from a guy who ran his 10k at 48, his first ironman at 57, and his first ultra marathon (that's 72 miles) at 61 (32:51)

Guest bio:

Jeff Weiss is the author of Racing Against Time: On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life, an award-winning fitness and personal transformation memoir. It tells of his mid-life adventures in extreme sports, including finishes at Ironman Arizona (twice) and the 72-mile ultramarathon Midnight Express between the ages of 57 and 61. These were the culmination of a fitness journey that began with a first 10K at the age of 48. Jeff's story demonstrates the possibility of radical, life-altering change even during late middle age.

Jeff is also an accomplished entrepreneur, having served for more than 10 years as a C-suite executive in a start-up that recently sold for $3 billion. His adventures in the competitive and high stakes world of start-ups overlapped with his journey into extreme sports, and Jeff sees a direct link between his fitness successes and his professional accomplishments.

Racing Against Time is Jeff's third book.

In addition to undergraduate and law degrees, Jeff holds Master's degrees in International Law (Georgetown University Law Center) and in Biotechnology (Johns Hopkins University).

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Check out Jeff's Book, Racing Against: Time On Ironman, Ultramarathons, and the Quest for Transformation in Mid-Life, for an extra burst of motivation and inspiration on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957354690

2. Keep in touch with Jeff:

Author Website - https://www.jeffreyweissauthor.com

Linked-In - www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-l-weiss

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.weiss.author

Visit Ben's website: And learn more about his coaching, meditation trainings and courses, and other ways he can help you here: https://benkattofficial.com/

3. Firm Tech: An "Oura Ring" for your Johnson. Save 15% by using my link: https://myfirmtech.com/manflowyoga

4. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Every human on the planet gets called to a different adventure at some point (usually around mid-life) that opens up the doors to a more fulfilling life.

But the problem is, we're not great at hearing this call-to-adventure. It shows up in different ways for everyone. And modern life puts so many distractions at our fingertips that it's hard to create the necessary space to listen to (and obey) your inner voice.

But you know what?

You don't have to put your entire life on hold to embark on a years-long spiritual journey that completely transforms you.

In fact, today's guest, Ben Katt (meditation teacher, spiritual coach, and author) embarked on such a journey even though he was married, had children, and was drowning in the pressures of work.

But how can you actually slow down enough to listen to - and then obey - your inner voice that wants to help you lead a more fulfilling life?

That's what you'll discover from Ben in today's show.

Here's what else Ben and I discuss:

• Why the soul is in a battle with the ego (and how to notice when your ego's pretending to be your soul)

• How to accept your masks, grieve them, and eventually direct them on command

• Why guilt, shame, and distractions are NOT the enemies you think they are (the real "enemy" is far more insidious and destructive)

Highlights from this episode:

• How to go on a deeply fulfilling inner journey that makes you whole (even if you're married, have kids, and have job responsibilities) (5:39)

• Why removing your masks is the critical first step towards building a more rewarding life (and how to do it) (8:55)

• Do you constantly ruminate on your past or worry about your future? Here's how to slowly tap into the chaos of the present moment (11:15)

• Why getting back into a relationship shortly after getting divorced begets another divorce in your future (12:24)

• The "Hero's Journey" method (which has been used to tell ancient myths as well as recent stories like Star Wars) for letting go of your attachments, trusting the unknown, and feeling safe no matter what external events happen around you (13:51)

• 4 different types of life calling you into a different adventure that most modern men completely miss (16:33)

• How to know when to trust your gut instinct and when it's misleading you (21:08)

• The creative, crafty, and cunning ways your ego tricks you into betraying your soul (and how to work with your ego instead of against it) (29:15)

• Why subtracting things from your life is the best way to create more space for internal development (and how to start "microdosing solitude" today) (33:36)

• The secret to having life create mystical and magical opportunities for you (40:43)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Buy Ben's Book, The Way Home: Discovering the Hero's Journey to Wholeness at Midlife: Available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Home-Discovering-Journey-Wholeness/dp/1250910447

2. Visit Ben's website: And learn more about his coaching, meditation trainings and courses, and other ways he can help you here: https://benkattofficial.com/

4. Man Flow Muscle [Sale Extended]: If you're ready to combine Man Flow Yoga and Funk's "Swole & Shredded" dumbbell workouts, this brand-new program from Funk and me is currently available at a hefty 50% discount until Monday, November 2, 2026 here: https://manflowmuscle.com/

5. Magic Mind: Magic mind is my favorite caffeine supplement for when I need an extra boost of energy. Try it here: https://ManFlowYoga.com/MagicMind

6. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Nothing is a better one-two punch for burning fat, building muscle, and building a pain-free and injury-free lifestyle if you're over 40 than by combining strength training with yoga.

But not just any kind of strength training.

And not just any kind of yoga.

That's why I partnered with Funk Roberts, a strength and conditioning coach for men over 40, to create a brand-new way to train your body:

Man Flow Muscle!

Nobody understands all the nuances that go into programming a strength training program like Funk. Plus, Funk's style is a lot like my style: we both make follow-along workouts with muscle and body cues at the exact time you need them.

In today's show, Funk and I reveal…

• Why Man Flow Muscle is the most effective way to workout if you're in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or 70

• How to avoid the common mistakes men make when they first start lifting and when they first try yoga

• How to join Man Flow Muscle at a fat 50% discount

Highlights from this episode:

• Why yoga is actually the missing piece to becoming jacked after 40 (0:54)

• The BEST way to eliminate your anxiety and overwhelm about the gym entirely (3:10)

• What most men over 40 who stop lifting because their body hurts don't understand (your body doesn't need to hurt as long as you do THIS) (5:39)

• How doing yoga will make you stronger when you lift weights (and also makes every other aspect of everyday living more enjoyable) (6:26)

• Why Funk stopped training MMA and UFC fighters to help men over 40 build strength instead (13:29)

• 3 big fears that cause most men to shy away from yoga (even though it's perhaps the best way to sustain your fitness, improve your lifts in the gym, and make you more fulfilled in everyday life) (21:29)

• Why 95%+ of yoga programs simply don't work for men over 40 (21:56)

• Why "metabolic training protocol" (which the entire Man Flow Muscle program was built around) is the single most effective way to build muscle safely - and as quickly as possible - if you're 40+ (28:50)

• The "sweet spot" of time spent in the gym for men over 40 according to Funk (and why it's far LESS time than you probably think) (32:02)

• How shorter workouts actually improve your results after age 40 (and the opposite is even more true: overtraining jacks up your hormones in a bad way) (32:58)

• The Afterburn Effect: How Funk's lifting system sometimes causes men to keep sweating even two hours after they complete the workout because their body is still burning calories (33:35)

• How to burn fat while building muscle at the same time (35:24)

• The "Active Reminders" method naturally baked into Man Flow Muscle that will prevent your fatigue from deteriorating your technique (41:52)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Man Flow Muscle: If you're ready to combine Man Flow Yoga and Funk's "Swole & Shredded" dumbbell workouts, this brand-new program from Funk and me is currently available at a hefty 50% discount until Sunday, October 25, 2026 here: https://manflowmuscle.com/

Coach Patrick, trained therapist and our mental and emotional health coach at Man Flow Yoga, and I recently hosted a Be The Better You Retreat.

Each one of these retreats hones in on a different theme based on the guys who attend. This most recent event was about finding yourself, or as Coach Patrick puts it:

Remembering yourself!

As we grow up, we put on different masks (or act as different characters) because somewhere along the way, usually by age 7, our subconscious mind discovered that this was the way to receive love and to feel safe.

But while it was true during childhood, it morphs into something sinister in adulthood that usually manifests itself as shame, self-hatred, a lack of confidence, and zero motivation.

This saps your energy, traps you in a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and anxiety, and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. But the solution is as simple as it is difficult:

Taking off your mask, setting down the characters, and becoming more of yourself again each day. You can do this on your own with the help of a therapist and a journaling and meditation practice. Or, as Coach Patrick and I have realized through hosting these retreats, you can accelerate your journey of remembering yourself through community.

Here's what Coach Patrick and I discuss:

• How shame-based motivation saps your energy and motivation and will eventually make you hate exercising

• Why the natural male inclination to solve instead of listen is part of the reason we feel so isolated and alone

• The importance of community in accelerating your self-discovery journey

And so much more including…

• Why men find it easier to "remember themselves" than to "find themselves" (and how this makes you more confident, motivated, and whole) (3:33)

• Have you done the "7 Why's" exercise to motivate yourself to become healthier but it didn't work? Here's the reason it didn't work and wasn't sustainable: (4:20)

• The strange way your subconscious creates patterns when you're young that subtly control your behavior into adulthood (5:31)

• 3 difficult questions fear asks that prevents you from taking off your mask and being your true self (7:13)

• How community is a cheat code for fostering confidence, self-love, and personal growth (7:46)

• The deeper truth about why you're living under constant stress (8:38)

• How to practice your personality in the same way you'd practice yoga or strength training (14:00)

• The single most insidious subconscious belief pattern that quietly affects more men's lives than perhaps any other belief or external thing (19:23)

• How to eradicate your fear by asking yourself one question again and again (21:22)

• Why saying things out loud (with your actual vocal cords) instantly cuts through your bullshit (26:11)

• How undigested guilt eats your energy, drains your motivation, and puts your fear in the driver seat (27:15)

• The "shoulding yourself" trap that's so easy to fall into and so devastating to believe (32:51)

• The weird way being silly and unserious makes it easier, or less daunting, to confront the heavier stuff (35:41)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. 2027 Man Flow Yoga Events: If you're interested in joining the next Be The Better You Retreat (happening in Austin, TX in spring 2027), join the interest list here: https://manflowyoga.com/training/in-person-events/

2. Rapid Release: The mobility tool I've been obsessed with these past couple of months because I can use it while I watch TV to free myself from pain and tightness. Save 10% when you use my link here: https://manflowyoga.com/rapidrelease

3. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Do you ever feel like you're just wandering through life without a purpose … or like you're in the midst of a mid-life crisis?

These experiences start hitting you between your mid 30s to late 40s - and they bring up a bunch of difficult emotions.

But here's the good news:

I invited Connor Beaton of ManTalks back onto the show to share a few tricks to reframe your mid-life crisis (and turn it into a positive transformation). He reveals why fueling yourself with Dark Motivation (from internal shame) leads to a crisis in your 30s or 40s. And he also explains why running on shame-based motivation for too long is a recipe for depression.

If you're feeling off, without a true purpose in life, are in the middle of significant life changes, or feeling a depressive bug lately and you can't explain why, Connor gives you the step-by-step playbook to conquer these feelings and get closer to your true self.

Here's what Connor and I discuss:

• How Dark Motivation works in the short-term (and comes with a hefty cost not worth paying over the long-term)

• How stepping into the unknown frees you from the shackles of your rational mind and lets you step into the wisdom of your body

• Why your refusal to let certain things go is the #1 thing keeping you stuck (and how it's creating stress and disease in your body)

Other highlights include:

• Why do so many men struggle with therapy and is there a more effective strategy for us? (6:47)

• Do you feel like you're just wandering through life without a purpose? Here are a few reasons behind why so many men feel like this (9:55)

• How men twist and contort to themselves to please other people without realizing it (and how to feel more comfortable in your own skin) (22:29)

• The "Dark Motivation" trap that fuels some level of success and then causes a full-blown mid-life crisis (29:53)

• How celebrating yourself, recognizing yourself, and validating yourself can save you from the brink of Dark Motivation-induced depression (31:22)

• A simple mindset shift that reframes your midlife crisis as a positive and healthy evolution of your true self (35:33)

• The scary way we let the stock market influence our beliefs about ourselves (even if you have nothing invested into the market) (39:19)

• 3 basic principles (that sound too simple to be true) to choose your own Odyssey and become the man you've always wanted to be (46:56)

• How to listen (and then trust) your own intuition (51:45)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. The ManTalks Alliance: If you want to join a group of other men committed to personal development, surrendering, and tangible growth, join Connor's ManTalks Alliance here: https://mantalks.com/alliance/

2. ManTalks Podcast: Check out Connor's podcast, Man Talks, wherever you listen to podcasts.

3. Follow ManTalks on Instagram: @ManTalks or via this link: https://www.instagram.com/mantalks/

4. Magic Mind: Magic mind is my favorite caffeine supplement for when I need an extra boost of energy. Try it here: https://ManFlowYoga.com/MagicMind

5. Man Flow Yoga Events: We have one more in-person event for 2026. Get your ticket (and stay up-to-date on 2027 events) here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/

6. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Bobby B. (Man Flow Yoga Member and today's guest) went his first 40 years without exercising.

He wasn't an athlete.

He didn't come from a particularly healthy or active family.

And to tell the truth, he frankly had other areas of his life that deserved more of his attention than working out.

But then he turned 40, saw the black balloons and ominous tidings in Spencer's, and then went to have some blood work.

While his health wasn't in critical condition, his doctor noticed a few risk factors that shouldn't be ignored. And so, his doctor gave him three choices:

Get on medications (something that Bobby didn't want to do), get a CT scan to get a clearer picture of his health risks, or try to improve his markers with a little D&E (diet and exercise).

Bobby chose the latter, found Man Flow Yoga, and used it as a catalyst for becoming healthier in nearly every aspect of his health and fitness. Yes, even after age 40.

If you need an extra dose of motivation, this episode is for you.

Here's what Bobby and I discuss:

• How a life-changing hiking trip in Japan made Bobby even more dedicated to fitness than his doctor did

• Why it's never too late to take your first step on your fitness journey (and how to do it without giving up a couple of weeks in)

• The Man Flow Yoga Catalyst Effect that Bobby (and thousands of our Members have experienced)

And more, including…

• How Bobby feels younger today at 42 years old than he felt when he originally turned 40 (6:23)

• How to decide to become invested in your fitness (even if you went your first 40 years - or more - of life without exercising at all) (12:24)

• Why "liquid sugar" is probably the worst beverage to drink if you're interested in feeling better, looking leaner, and getting healthier (Bobby dropped 30 pounds by just cutting out liquid sugar) (15:43)

• Bobby's doctor gave him the choice of medications, a CT scan, or diet and exercise when his blood pressure and cholesterol were in bad shape. Here's how he used diet and exercise to lower his health risk (19:31)

• How to conquer mental roadblocks that are stopping you from working out (22:32)

• The single most effective way to exercise when you have a bad case of gym anxiety (23:32)

• How Man Flow Yoga turned Bobby into a morning person (25:24)

• The hiking trip in Japan that gave Bobby his why: How hiking up stairs (taking 42,000 steps or walking 19 miles) made him realize that fitness is necessary if you want to do cool shit (27:59)

• The Man Flow Yoga Catalyst Effect: How it inspired Bobby to lift weights (even though he has significant gym anxiety) (32:41)

• Here's a physical therapist confirming that joints can be loud as long as they don't hurt! (38:48)

• How Bobby conquered his significant gym anxiety for good (and why he thought he was silly after overcoming it) (43:13)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Berski Beef Sticks: Use code ManFlowYoga to save a chunk of change on these delicious and extra nutritious snacks here: http://eatberski.com/MANFLOWYOGA

2. Man Flow Yoga Events: We have one more in-person event for 2026. Get your ticket (and stay up-to-date on 2027 events) here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/

3. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

If you were born in the 80s, then you might be at a higher risk for gut dysfunction than the average person.

Today's guest, Ben Brown (founder of Body Systems Coaching and Head Nutrition & Fitness Coach of 20+ years) learned this the hard way:

He was plagued by gut issues throughout his teens, but never realized the significance of gut issues until much later. As he went about undoing the damage he had accidentally done to his gut health, he started realizing that his energy came back online, his immunity strengthened, and his mood improved.

Today, Ben coaches men over 40 look at their body holistically to reach their weight loss, health, and fitness goals. And with over 20 years experience being a nutrition and fitness coach, he's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to gut health, the implications your gut has on your overall health, and the steps you must take to reach any goal you have.

Here's what Ben and I discuss:

• Why so many people overlook the importance of gut health (and some simple, low-friction ways to restore function to your gut)

• The role pain plays in creating lasting, internal motivation

• How building a new identity that's aligned with your fitness goals keeps you accountable when discipline and motivation dip

And more, including…

• Why do digestive issues plague so many men (and why do they go completely overlooked for most of your life)? (3:40)

• How antacids made Ben's digestive problems worse (5:30)

• The strange connection between being born in the 80s and GI distress (6:06)

• Why ignoring your gut problems can make you more susceptible to infections, take your mental health down a dark path, and create an unshakeable sense of fatigue that sleep can't fix (10:39)

• How to improve your gut health, slowly but surely, over time without spending a small fortune on supplements and lab tests (13:30)

• What to do if you're having fewer than two bowel movements per day to start to address any underlying gut dysfunction (17:54)

• Which kinds of processed foods are less bad for your gut? Ben shares some tips for making smarter and more informed tradeoffs here: (23:52)

• How social media traps you into a more dichotomous way of thinking that keeps you stuck on a yo-yo diet (28:12)

• Do you struggle with motivating yourself to get healthy? Here's how one of Ben's clients (who weighs 290 lbs) decided to make a lasting change (35:58)

• How to develop a stronger sense of self-kindness (52:36)

Guest Bio:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Ben Brown's Body Systems Coaching: If you liked what Ben shared in today's show, you can learn more about his Body Systems Coaching on his website here: https://bodysystems.com/

2. Follow Ben on Instagram: @bodysystemscoaching. His DM's are open if you have a question or need help!

3. Check out Ben's Podcast, The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show: On Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-nutrition-made-simple-show-with-ben-brown/id1244912234 (or wherever else you listen to podcasts).

4. FirmTech: An "Oura Ring" for your Johnson. Save 15% by using my link: https://myfirmtech.com/manflowyoga

5. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/

6. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

If you're an achiever or find that you're endlessly striving for, well, something greater, then you know the path isn't full of clarity.

It certainly wasn't for today's guest, Caleb Campbell. Caleb is a West Point graduate, former Army officer, and former NFL linebacker. But he was always followed by a sense of not being enough.

At first, he turned his sense of not being enough into fuel. This actually worked pretty well: He achieved his dream of making the NFL, becoming the second ever draft pick from West Point, and even being called "America's Athlete" on ESPN after being the first player to serve and play concurrently.

But achieving his dreams didn't fix the disconnection he felt internally. In fact, it made his emotions leak out in strange and counterproductive ways.

And so, he decided to leave the NFL and become a janitor in a mental health facility in Canada. During the five years he spent getting free therapy there, he made a seismic shift:

He moved from his survival path and instead started walking down his soul path. He argues this is something that every man secretly yearns for, but we don't know how to interpret the signs, especially when the path isn't clear.

If this resonates with you as much as it did for me, you're in for an absolute treat in this episode as Caleb and I discuss:

• Why a mid-life crisis is an invitation to a mid-life reinvention

• How to sync back into the "original knowing" that your body felt when you were still in the womb (and why this lights up your soul's path)

• What to do after realizing that what got you to the point you're at today can't get you to where you want to go (and how to embrace "unstriving" instead)

And more, including…

• How to participate with the ongoing energetic evolution of your life (and why your natural instinct to fight against it leads you astray) (2:50)

• The weird way being celebrated for your ability to perform or hold it all together slowly but surely sabotages your internal valves (this is what caused Caleb to have a mental breakdown at West Point) (15:33)

• Why compartmentalizing your anger and pain to use it as fuel works in the short-term (and how it leaks out as rage over the long-term) (16:47)

• A definition of anger that will forever change how you think about it and wield it in your life (21:37)

• How a story of not being enough haunts almost every action and behavior that follows (and rewriting the story unlocks control over emotional reactions and outbursts) (24:12)

• Why being the second NFL draft pick in the history of West Point and the first to serve and play concurrently only made Caleb feel more broken (28:25)

• How Caleb becoming a janitor in a mental health facility in Canada after leaving the NFL moved him from survival and into his soul's path (31:31)

• What your sense of fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix is trying to tell you (46:43)

• Why all men are secretly longing for a deep belly "Grief Cry" (50:05)

• How to use nature to grieve the past selves of yourself that no longer exist (53:33)

Guest Bio:

Once known as "America's Athlete," Caleb Campbell is a West Point graduate, former Army officer, NFL linebacker, and author of Unstriving: 12 Lessons on Authentic Success from a Recovering Overachiever. Caleb knows firsthand what it costs to perform when the pressure is real and the path forward isn't clear. Today he works with leaders and teams navigating the defining challenge of this moment—how to stay at your best when the stakes are high, the uncertainty is relentless, and the margin for error is shrinking. Through his story and a hard-won actionable framework, he helps organizations turn pressure into a competitive edge.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Pre-order Caleb's book releasing on September 22, 2026: If you liked what Caleb was putting down in today's episode, his book, Unstriving: 12 Lessons on Authentic Success from a Recovering Overachiever, releases in a few days. Get your copy here: https://www.calebcampbell.me/unstriving

2. Follow Caleb on social media:

Instagram: @caleb_campbell

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

Caleb's Website: https://www.calebcampbell.me/

3. Rapid Release: The mobility tool I've been obsessed with these past couple of months because I can use it while I watch TV to free myself from pain and tightness. Save 10% when you use my link here: https://manflowyoga.com/rapidrelease

4. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/

5. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

The topic of AI is unavoidable. The cat is already out of the bag with this piece of technology.

The questions then become:

Can it make you a better man?

Can you use it to get more of your own time back?

Is using AI ethical?

And so, I invited Ted Phaeton, productivity coach and host of the Modern Man Podcast, back onto the show to discuss AI with me.

Here's what Ted and I discuss:

• The personal and mundane use cases of AI

• Some of the ethical concerns regarding AI and intellectual property

• How to reframe your underlying beliefs that makes accepting change harder

And more, including…

• How to get AI to help you use your groceries more efficiently (and make weight loss easier than its ever been) (14:00)

• 2 software tools you probably haven't heard about that can help you learn almost any topic at lightning speed (18:19)

• Why AI won't be able to solve your back pain, why it might make it worse, and my personal rule of thumb to be able to tell when AI's hallucinating (22:27)

• Here's the dark (but true) reason behind why AI chatbots seem empathetic to you (24:08)

• How to use AI to reach your goals faster than you otherwise would (28:23)

• Should we be worried about the future of AI? Here are some reasons to be hopeful (33:39)

• How using AI tools for the mundane parts of life can give you more free time in your day (45:10)

• Don't know what to make of AI? Neither do Ted and I… we discuss some of the grey areas at (54:06)

Guest Bio:

Ted Phaëton is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and host of The Modern Man, a top 2% globally ranked podcast dedicated to helping men unlock their full potential. As a performance architect, he specializes in the Ops Audit, helping high-achieving entrepreneurs and leaders implement the Optimized Performance Systems required to master their time and scale their impact. Ted provides the proven frameworks and discipline necessary for men to lead with purpose and reclaim their freedom.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. The Modern Man Podcast: If you liked what Ted was putting down in today's episode, head to his website to listen to The Modern Man Podcast he hosts and the Noble Knights men's group he leads: https://TheModernManPodcast.com

2. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/

3. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7