The Better Man Podcast

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