The Better Man Podcast

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

After an accidental mushroom experience, I experienced a panic attack and realized I've been living with low-grade anxiety for far longer than I realized. 
 
And so, over the past couple of years, I've been on a winding and tumultuous emotional journey. It hasn't always been a linear path of growth either. I'd make some progress, then tumble down. I'd think I'd beaten it, but then it came back. 
 
But the process taught me a lot about myself, about my subconscious beliefs, and what to do when my emotions are overwhelming - both for short-term emergency fixes to get me through the day and long-term strategies to address the root cause of it. 
 
Anyway, I dive into the full details in this episode. 
 
But the reason I turned it into a podcast is because I know a lot of men are going through similar things. 
 
Whether your anxiety influences your decision-making, interrupts your presence, or turns into a full-blown panic attack … or you've pushed down your emotions in exchange for unhealthy (or even healthy) coping strategies, today's show will give you new (and hopefully more effective) ways to think about and approach your emotional health.
 
Listen now.  
 
Highlights include: 
 
The weird way I used work and productivity to hide myself from my emotions (and how to tell if you're also doing this) (4:58)

How stepping out of my head and into my body was the #1 most helpful thing to stopping my frequent panic attacks and low-grade anxiety (9:25) 

Why exercising worked better for emergency relief from panic than busy work or mindfulness (12:03)

A new way to think about anxiety that reduces some of your fear around it (16:33) 

How I came to realize I struggled with anxiety my entire life (and why I went most of my life without realizing it) (17:27) 

How to actually get out of your head and into your body (this was particularly tough for me - and I've heard similar things from other guys too) (23:36)

Why treating your emotional triggers as gifts empowers you over fear (43:10) 

 
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
 
1. 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 
 
2. Man Flow Yoga Events: If you've been battling some of the themes I brought up in today's show alone, I want to invite you to come to an in-person event with me and other like-minded men. 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

Today's guest, Coach Allan Misner and host of the 40+ Fitness Podcast, almost drove himself to the ER when he was 39 after playing a half of a round of beach volleyball. 
 
His story may even resemble yours:
 
He prioritized his career over his fitness, over his health, over his family, and over his relationships for years without even noticing. 
 
That half round of volleyball was his wake-up call… but he was still battling a shoddy mindset which threw a wrench in his tires every time he tried to better himself. And so, he rode the fitness rollercoaster for another 8 years until his daughter said something to him that made him take his health and fitness seriously. 
 
And then, at age 47, he did two things you weren't "supposed" to be able to do: He lost 66 pounds of fat and gained 11 pounds of muscle at the same time. He also decided to start the 40+ Fitness Podcast because nothing of the sort existed at the time. (This was back in 2012-2013.) 
 
Anyway, after getting his fitness in order, he decided to help other people over the age of 40 take back control of their health, fitness, and lifestyle. 
 
And you know what?
 
He realized there were three key ingredients that determine your success regardless of your age or current fitness level: Your mindset, your limiting beliefs, and your motivation. 
 
And so, today's show takes a 40,000 foot view and gives you the strategy for getting fit after 40. We don't talk about any tactics because, as you'll hear, tactics can only work when they're used in support of a successful strategy. 
 
Here's what Allan and I discuss: 
 
Why you must change your approach to fitness after 40 (and how to actually do it) 

How fixing your mindset and limiting beliefs will naturally motivate you more than beating yourself up ever could 

The most effective way to set fitness boundaries with your family and get them to join you in your mission 

 
And more!
 
Listen now.  
 
Other highlights include: 
 
How one game of beach volleyball made Allan think he needed to head straight to the ER at only 39 (and how he transformed his fitness in his late 40s) (8:21) 

Why one conversation Allan had with his daughter finally forced him to get his fitness in order after riding the "yo-yo rollercoaster" for 8 straight years (9:08) 

How one bad workout can "taint" your entire perception of exercise when you're over 40 (even a bodyweight only workout like Allan explains at) (12:04) 

Here's exactly what Allen did to lose 66 pounds of fat and tack on 11 pounds of muscle - at the same time! - at age 47 (and why he thinks Man Flow Yoga is better than his strategy was) (14:47) 

How to break through the barrier of self-hatred and shame (which can be motivating when you begin, but becomes lethal over time) and find a more positive source of motivation (21:41) 

Why the choices you make today will determine how involved you are in your kids' or grandkids' lives 30 years from now (29:12) 

A straightforward way to reframe your anxieties and actually enlist the people in your life to help you conquer them (33:10) 

How to set boundaries with your fitness and nutrition in a way that lets your family join the fight with you (39:04) 

The "Head Straight" secret to simplifying your fitness and aligning every aspect of your life (52:22) 

How to create an identity around your new fitness regimen (and why this allows you to stay consistent without even thinking about it) (59:08) 




Guest Bio: 
 
Allan Misner is a health and fitness coach who helps people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s get strong, healthy, and capable for the life they actually want to live. He is the host of the 40+ Fitness Podcast, one of the largest and longest-running health and fitness shows for people over 40, and the author of the award-winning book The Wellness Roadmap: A Straightforward Guide to Health and Fitness After 40. He and his wife live on a Caribbean island off the coast of Panama, where they run Lula's Bed and Breakfast.
 
Connect with Allan below: 
 
Podcast: 40+ Fitness (available anywhere you listen to podcasts)
Website and coaching: https://40plusfitness.com 
The Wellness Roadmap (book): https://amzn.to/3TZTHPv 
Email: 40plusfitnesspodcast@gmail.com
 
Resources mentioned in this episode: 
 
1. 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 
 
2. 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 
 
3. FirmTech: An "Oura Ring" for your Johnson. Save 15% by using my link: https://myfirmtech.com/manflowyoga 
 
4. Man Flow Yoga Events: If you've been battling some of the themes I brought up in today's show alone, I want to invite you to come to an in-person event with me and other like-minded men. 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