You may know what you want to change. You may even understand the habits and beliefs holding you back. But what happens when your mind continues pulling you back towards the same reactions?

In this episode of The Resilient Life, I speak with happiness strategist Monique Rhodes about why happiness is not something reserved for the lucky, successful or wealthy. It is a skill, and like any skill, it can be trained.

Monique shares how a traumatic childhood and a suicide attempt at 19 began a lifelong search to understand why some people cope emotionally while others struggle. That search led to more than 30 years of meditation and work helping people manage stress, anxiety, overwhelm and depression.

We explore why changing a belief is often not enough, how unconscious habits and hidden rewards shape our behaviour, and why getting to the root of the problem means developing a better relationship with your own mind. Monique also explains the difference between doing something that feels meditative and having a formal meditation practice.

We also discuss resilience, Monique's recovery from a serious autoimmune illness and cancer diagnosis, and the psychological risks of entering retirement without replacing the identity, structure, relationships and purpose that work once provided.

This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about becoming less reactive, more conscious and better able to handle whatever life brings.

Content note: This conversation includes discussion of childhood trauma, suicide and serious illness.

Find out more about Monique and take her happiness quiz at IIntendToBeHappy.com.

What if your best decades started after 60? Norman Calvo proves they can. 

At 72, he is running half marathons, training in the gym, practising handstands, and even stepping onto the stage as a singer, and his story is a blueprint for anyone who wants to stay strong, capable, and fully alive as they age.

I talk with Norman about the wake-up call that changed everything: being overweight, dealing with high blood pressure, and struggling up subway stairs in Manhattan before deciding to reinvent his health at 60. 

What followed was not a quick fix, but a total shift in identity, discipline, and the way he thinks about success.

You'll discover how Norman applied the same planning, vision, and consistency that built his mortgage business to his health, why “non-negotiable habits” matter more than motivation, and how he trains his body and mind with a weekly routine built around running, strength work, and challenge. I also unpack the idea of “performance span”, the ability to keep doing the things you want to do, not just live longer.

We break down the value conflict that keeps so many people stuck, why comfort can quietly erode resilience, and how discomfort, failure, and even embarrassment can become part of your growth. 

Norman shares what he wishes he had done at 45 and 50, why he believes limits are often self-imposed, and how starting late still beats never starting at all.

Essential listening if you're over 50, worried that age is slowing you down, or ready to build a healthier future before your body forces the issue.

Welcome to The Resilient Life, the podcast for people who want to stay healthy, capable, and strong through every stage of life. I’m Chris Deavin, and in this show we explore the habits, mindset, and resilience it takes to keep performing at a high level, especially as we get older.

In this guest podcast, I speak with John Uttley.

Some people don’t just survive pressure, they learn how to move through it without losing themselves. John Uttley shares the hard-earned perspective behind a life in high-stakes finance, a long career in the UK electricity industry, and the habits that helped him stay strong, active, and grounded into later life.

Raised in post-war Lancashire, educated at Oxford, and rising quickly to finance director and deputy chief executive of the Central Electricity Generating Board, John brings a rare view of change from the inside. He lived through austerity, the miners’ strike, privatisation, and the relentless demands of leadership, and he explains how those experiences shaped his understanding of resilience, work, and wellbeing.

You'll discover:

• Why sport became more than fitness for John - it became social connection, mental reset, and a practical way to cope with change
• How football, cricket, walking, the gym, and even dogs helped him stay active without chasing extremes
• What it was like carrying major responsibility through the stress of industry upheaval and why he thinks some people have “another gear”
• How upbringing, environment, and mindset shape resilience long before adulthood
• Why his view of success has shifted from status and ambition to perspective, usefulness, and living well

We also break down the tension between modern comfort and older forms of toughness, why too many people back away the moment change gets uncomfortable, and what younger generations might learn from a mindset built on getting on with it rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

John also reflects on writing later in life, including his trilogy and standalone novel, and why storytelling still matters when it helps even a few readers feel seen. It’s a thoughtful conversation about ageing, discipline, family, faith, and the quiet value of keeping going.

Essential listening if you care about longevity, resilience, and building a meaningful life without being ruled by stress.

In this episode of The Resilient Life Podcast, Chris sits down with Kendra Kinnison for a candid conversation about balancing a demanding professional life with long-term health and well-being. Kendra shares how years of high stress, poor habits, and physical pain led her to make intentional changes that transformed the way she works, moves, and thinks about success.

They discuss the link between health and leadership, why daily habits matter more than big breakthroughs, and how resilience can be built like a muscle. Kendra also opens up about self-experimentation, managing energy, supporting blood sugar health, and making healthy choices the default part of everyday life.

This episode is a practical, motivating reminder that success is not just about achievement, it’s about staying capable, clear, and resilient enough to keep showing up well for your work, your family, and yourself.

In this episode of The Resilient Life, Chris is joined by Steve Dye for an honest conversation about staying fit, strong, and healthy over 50 while balancing the demands of business, family, and everyday life.

Steve shares how his approach to health evolved from sports and occasional activity into a more intentional long-term practice, shaped by work, fatherhood, and the realities of ageing.

They explore the idea of success, the importance of resilience, and why staying physically capable helps support every other part of life.

It’s a thoughtful discussion about building habits, adapting to changing priorities, and making sure the “legs of the stool” stay balanced as life gets busier.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the conversation on aging, health, and life balance

02:05 - Steve's background in fitness and how it evolved over decades

04:35 - The impact of life events—marriage, kids, career—on fitness habits

07:04 - Early ambitions and long-term planning for life and health

10:31 - Recognizing the importance of long-term health at different ages

12:41 - The aging process and adapting fitness routines over time

13:44 - Planning for health longevity and avoiding regret in later years

15:41 - Redefining success in health, business, and life

16:01 - The evolving definition of success as we age

19:02 - The significance of process appreciation over results

20:40 - Comparing success in health versus business

21:12 - The team sport of business and individual journey of health

22:51 - Marrying personal health goals with business responsibilities

25:10 - The challenge of balancing family, business, and fitness

28:04 - Navigating overcommitment and prioritization in life

30:20 - Maintaining non-negotiable habits during travel or hectic periods

33:31 - Building resilience through physical activity and mental focus

34:34 - Lessons learned from challenging moments like marathons and hikes

36:25 - Applying fitness lessons to business decision-making

38:28 - How aging impacts strength and capacity for work and life

40:44 - Staying capable and energetic through fitness as we age

41:40 - The importance of physical health to sustain all areas of life

44:18 - Daily habits for sustainability and resilience

45:12 - Favorite books and sources of inspiration

46:11 - Mentors and influences shaping success and resilience

47:45 - The best ways to stay fit and active

48:55 - Advice for professionals over 50 aiming for sustained high performance

49:57 - What a resilient life really means

51:12 - The value of staying capable and helping others as we age

53:14 - The impact of perspective and continuous learning

54:22 - Closing thoughts on the journey of health, success, and resilience

Resources & Links:

• [Lord of the Rings by J.

R.R. Tolkien](amazon.com/s?k=Lord+of+the+Rings)

• Benjamin Franklin Biography

In this episode of The Resilient Life: The Art of Aging Strong, Chris Deavin speaks with business coach Lydia Axe about building a successful life on your own terms.

Lydia shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the mindset shift that helped her leave the “proper job” path behind, and why she believes success means living in alignment with your own values.

The conversation goes deep on failure, resilience, and the lessons that come from taking risks, making mistakes, and learning to keep going.

Lydia also opens up about the role of sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management in sustaining high performance, especially as you move into your fifties and beyond.

If you’re a professional, entrepreneur, or simply someone wanting to stay strong, capable, and energized for the long haul, this episode offers practical wisdom and a refreshing perspective on what it really takes to thrive.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Lydia's background: from corporate to coaching and entrepreneurship

02:21 - Childhood influences and how they shaped her entrepreneurial mindset

03:41 - Redefining success beyond societal standards

06:15 - The vital role of failure in achieving success and resilience

08:42 - How health affects professional performance and personal well-being

10:31 - The importance of sleep and managing stress for sustained energy

12:55 - Living in alignment with personal values to define success

16:24 - Embracing failure as part of the journey, not an obstacle

22:11 - Practical insights on celebrating failure and learning from setbacks

24:27 - The influence of health on productivity and mental clarity

30:35 - How nutrition and movement impact stress and energy levels

36:32 - Future-proofing health and business in the coming decades

45:01 - Practical tips for staying active and resilient into the 50s and beyond

55:20 - The power of walking, scenery, and mindset in health maintenance

58:00 - Final thoughts on integrating health and career for longevity

Resources & Links:

• Andrew Huberman, PhD - Neuroscience and health discussions
• Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies Personality Framework
• Ari Mazel - Productivity and health expert
• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

What if ageing well isn't about doing more, but doing the right things consistently?

In this episode of The Resilient Life, I share the seven habits that have become the foundation of my own health after more than 25 years of coaching, competing in endurance events, and now navigating life in my mid-50s.

These aren't hacks or quick fixes. They're practical habits that help busy professionals stay strong, energetic and capable while balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities and the realities of getting older.

You'll discover why strength training should become non-negotiable, how sleep influences every health decision you make, why nutrition is more about systems than willpower, and why thinking in decades, not days, can completely change your approach to ageing.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, improve your fitness, boost your energy or simply maintain your independence for years to come, this episode will help you focus on the habits that deliver the biggest return on your investment.

• Why strength becomes your greatest asset after 50.
• How better sleep improves performance at work and in life.
• Why you should train for the life you want to live, not just the body you want.
• The simple nutrition systems that outperform restrictive diets.
• Why recovery is just as important as training.
• How to stop relying on motivation and build lasting consistency.
• Why every decision today shapes the next 30 years of your life.

If you're a professional, business owner or leader over 50 who knows what to do but struggles to stay consistent, I'd love to help.

Book a free Discovery Call and let's build a personalised strategy that helps you stay strong, healthy and capable for decades to come.

Remember: Your goal isn't simply to live longer, it's to live stronger.

The problem isn't knowing what to eat, it's building a nutrition system that supports your health, performance and resilience when work, stress and life are at their busiest.

Most successful professionals don’t need another diet.

They already know what healthy eating looks like. The real challenge is staying consistent when long working hours, stress, travel and decision fatigue get in the way.

In this episode of The Resilient Life – The Art of Ageing Strong, I explore why intelligent, driven leaders often struggle with nutrition despite succeeding in almost every other area of their lives. Drawing on over 25 years of coaching, my own experiences preparing for endurance events, and real client stories, I explain why lasting health is built on systems rather than willpower.

You’ll discover how to reduce decision fatigue, why protein becomes increasingly important after 50, how your environment shapes your eating habits, and why planning your nutrition like you plan your business can dramatically improve your health, energy and performance.

If you’re a business owner, executive or busy professional who wants to perform at your best while protecting your long-term health, this episode will give you practical strategies you can start using immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why successful professionals struggle with nutrition despite knowing what to do.

• How decision fatigue affects your eating habits.

• Why systems outperform willpower.

• The importance of protein for strength, energy and healthy ageing.

• How to build nutrition around a demanding schedule.

• Why your environment has a greater influence on your eating than motivation.

• How to shift your focus from weight loss to long-term performance.

Ready to Build a Health Strategy That Works With Your Career?

If you’re over 50 and want to improve your health, nutrition, fitness and resilience without relying on motivation or restrictive diets, I’d love to help.

Book a complimentary Discovery Call, and together we’ll identify what’s preventing you from staying consistent and create a personalised strategy that fits around your career, family and lifestyle.

Visit www.myhealthcoach.online to book your free Discovery Call today.

Many successful professionals see their health as something they need to fit around their career. But what if that's the wrong way of looking at it?

In this episode of The Resilient Life – The Art of Ageing Strong, Chris Deavin explores why exercise, nutrition, sleep and recovery aren't simply health habits, they're performance habits. Drawing on his experience as a health coach, business owner and ultra-runner, Chris shares why looking after yourself may be one of the most effective ways to improve your energy, focus, resilience and effectiveness at work.

If you're a business owner, executive or professional over 50 who feels like health and career success are constantly competing for your time, this episode will encourage you to think differently.

• Why "things calming down" rarely happens
• The hidden connection between health and professional performance
• Lessons learned while training for a 24-hour Backyard Ultra
• Why the healthiest professionals don't see health as a separate activity
• How exercise, sleep and recovery help you become more capable in business and life
• Why health may be the foundation that supports your success

If you want to stay healthy, fit, strong and capable while continuing to perform at a high level in your career, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Resilient Life, I share the story of my Backyard Ultra experience, why I deliberately chose a challenge that only had a 50/50 chance of success, what kept me focused throughout months of training, and how falling short of my goal ultimately made me stronger.

We explore the power of consistency, the camaraderie of endurance events, the difference between motivation and discipline, and why setbacks should be viewed as feedback rather than failure.

• Why challenging goals accelerate personal growth
• How uncertainty can increase commitment and focus
• The mindset needed to keep going when things get difficult
• What 15 hours of running taught me about resilience
• Why failure is often the best teacher
• How these lessons apply to health, fitness, strength and life after 50

Whether you're training for an endurance event, trying to lose weight, build strength or simply become more consistent with your health habits, this episode will help you see setbacks differently and approach your next challenge with greater confidence and resilience.

Subscribe to The Resilient Life – The Art of Ageing Strong and discover how to stay strong, fit and capable for life.