The Masters Athlete Survival Guide
We explore thriving as an athlete after 40. Each episode, we’ll dive into tips, hacks, and inspiring stories from seasoned athletes and our personal experience. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitive pro, this podcast is your playbook for staying fit, strong, and motivated
A Practical Guide to Perimenopause Training Recovery and Hormones with Annie Gaudreault
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We talk with nutritionist Annie Gaudreault about how perimenopause can reshape training, recovery, mood, sleep, and long-term health for active women. We dig into practical ways to advocate for better care, build strength and metabolic resilience, and stop treating midlife like something to “white knuckle” through.
• Annie’s path from marketing executive to endurance athlete to menopause-focused nutrition practice
• Why women often have a shorter healthspan than men and what that means for athletes over 40
• What perimenopause is and why hormone swings can feel like a biological tsunami
• The most common early...
How To Release Tight Muscles Without Fighting Pain with Butch Phelps
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We sit down with functional massage therapist Butch Phelps to unpack why most stretching advice fails masters athletes and how the brain drives “tightness” more than your hamstrings do. We leave with a simple, repeatable Stretch and Release approach that improves mobility, reduces pain, and supports lifelong strength.
• Butch’s origin story from severe low back pain to creating the Stretch and Release technique
• Why flexibility is a nervous system safety issue more than a “short muscle” issue
• Short repeated stretches versus long static holds and why it matters for performance
Masters Athlete Optimization Checklist
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We get real about what changes for athletes as we age, from blood sugar management and energy swings to the quiet loss of speed and easy recovery. We argue that we can still improve year to year by training smarter, warming up with purpose, and leaning on skill instead of brute force.
• diabetes as a constant decision loop around food, energy, and training
• why strength can stay while power and speed fade
• using technique, timing, and “cheat codes” to compete well
• endurance cliffs and longer recovery after hard events
• tendons and...
Ten Simple Movement Tests For Stronger Aging
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We turn a goofy smelling-salts moment into a serious question about aging: what should an active person over 40 be able to do, right now, to stay independent and athletic. We build a simple baseline using real-life movements that expose mobility limits, weak balance, low work capacity, and the habits that lead to falls.
• moving well with clean air squats and controlled reps
• getting off the floor without using hands as a strength and mobility check
• standing up from a hard chair without grabbing support
• single-leg balance and the eyes-closed reality chec...
Willie Wessels: USS Strongman Behind the Scenes
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We sit down with USS Strongman owner Willie Wessels and get the behind-the-scenes truth about what it takes to build a fair federation, run better contests, and keep masters athletes competing longer. Willie shares how community and service keep the sport alive, plus a raw survival story from his leukemia diagnosis that reframes what “no excuses” really means.
• Willie’s path from a sports-obsessed kid to leading USS Strongman
• How benefit shows like Love Like Ben raise real money and build real community
• What Willie actually does when he travels to events, f...
Grit After 60 with Ed Shore III
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We sit down with 60-plus strongman Ed Shore to talk about the mix of technique, conditioning, and stubborn grit that keeps him competing at a high level. We trade stories on multi-sport athletic development, adapting when events change, and why masters athletes often outshine younger lifters on mindset and community.
• Ed’s athletic family background and how he defines his own edge through motor, technique, and analysis
• Why multi-sport training builds better balance, agility, and long-term durability than early specialization
• How youth sports economics pushes year-round play and what parents can do inst...
How To Run A Safe Sports Competition After 40
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We break down what it really takes to run a competition that feels fun, tight, and safe, using our strongman charity event as the template. We talk through the decisions we make as athletic directors so athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators all leave wanting to come back.
• treating safety as the first job, not a footnote
• choosing controllable events and building in physical safeguards
• managing crowds, kids, and spectator flow in a small space
• using cleanliness and layout as part of risk reduction
• building a reputation that grows entries without...
Athletic Legacy: What Do You Want to Be Proud of in 20 Years?
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We ask what masters athletes should chase as they age, then realize the proudest moments often have nothing to do with medals. We lay out how we pick competitions that fit our bodies, build community, and keep the sport fun for the long haul.
• redefining pride as a memory and a milestone
• why masters athletes compete for benchmarks, learning and joy
• experiences versus medals as the main driver after 40
• choosing events that match your body and recovery
• why cherry-picking easy wins poisons the culture
• local competitions as the fastest way to...
Peptide Therapy Explained for Masters Athletes with Dr. Ink Young
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We bring Dr. Ink Young on to cut through peptide hype and talk about what peptides are, where they may help, and why chasing a shortcut can backfire. We also lay out the foundational habits that actually drive healthspan so any advanced tool sits on a solid base.
• defining peptides as signaling tools and why supervision matters
• setting a clear goal before choosing any peptide
• treating peptides as a tool in a toolbox rather than a replacement for basics
• seven foundational habits that support healthspan: community, nutrition, smart supplementat...
What We Would Tell our 15-Year-Old Self About Training and Life After 40
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We start with a disgusting Instagram ad and somehow end up in a real conversation about the advice we wish we could give our 15-year-old selves. We talk mindset, training basics, smart risks, and why we might not change a thing even after plenty of mistakes.
• there is no time, start today and let consistency compound
• letting the small stuff go, caring less about what people think
• mastering basics that carry over into sport, work, and health
• choosing the harder path on purpose and taking smart risks early
• slowing down, r...
What If Your “Type 2” Diagnosis Is Wrong? LADA with Ginger Vieira The Diabetes Nerd
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We sit down with Ginger Vieira "The Diabetes Nerd" to unpack why “Type 2” can be the wrong diabetes label for active adults and how understanding LADA may change what works for you. We leave with concrete tests, training insights, and mindset shifts that make diabetes management feel less like guessing and more like coaching ourselves with better data.
• LADA defined as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults and why it’s type 1
• Adult-onset type 1 facts and why misdiagnosis is common
• C-peptide testing and what it reveals about insulin production
• Autoantibody testi...
Are You Self Limiting What is Possible? (Spoiler: Probably)
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New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Perimenopause GLP-1s and the Real Work of Primary Care with Meghan Fox, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
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We sit down with Meghan Fox, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, to get a clear view of what primary care actually looks like for active adults, and why honest health history beats “winging it” at 40, 50, and beyond. We dig into hormones, diabetes, GLP-1 meds, supplements, and the small medical details that can quietly shape performance and long-term health.
• gerontology versus geriatrics and what adult health really covers
• what “doctor” means in clinical versus academic settings
• nurse practitioner scope of practice and collaborating physician realities
• perimenopause symptoms, sleep disruption, and quality of life impact
•...
Use Cold Plunge to Find Your Fearless Self
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@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Training For Heavy Stone Carries After 40 with John "Rockman" Johnson
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We chase the Husafell stone dream and admit why a 39 meter carry feels terrifying when the weight is awkward and your lungs get crushed. We swap real stone stories, debate technique, and build a smarter training approach that respects strength after 40 while still pushing a big stretch goal.
• committing to Husafell Summer 2027 and why long timelines help masters athletes
• the wrong stone story and how conditions change everything
• pick mechanics, lap position, and why stone geometry beats you up
• Atlas sandbag carries, diaphragm pressure, and carry conditioning
• natural stone faux pas...
Change Outclassed to a Learning Opportunity
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@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Work Directly with Bruce Young, Mindset Coach
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Contact Bruce at beyoungcoach on IG
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
What To Ask Your Doctor As An Athlete Over 40
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We talk about why masters athletes over 40 need real medical baselines instead of guessing, especially when training hard can hide early warning signs. We share the questions we bring to annual physicals so we can advocate for ourselves, track trends, and keep doing what we love for decades.
• why men often avoid the doctor and why that backfires
• what to ask at an annual physical and how to think about screenings
• how bad measurements happen and why cuff size matters for blood pressure
• building baselines so a single lab result does...
Masters Mindset Minute: Be the Small Fish in a Big Pond to Expand Your Skills
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A one minute mindset reset to start your week off right
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Masters Mindset Minute: Rejecting Negative Vibes for Peak Performance
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A One Minute Reset to Help You Dominate the Upcoming Week
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Old Men With Microphones
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We record from the Arnold Sports Festival and use open-ended questions to get honest about meaning, friendship, and what we want our lives to add up to. The talk goes from jokes to real “old man wisdom” on leadership, legacy, aging, and staying in the game as masters athletes.
• moments we look back on and smile, from family milestones to shared stories with friends
• “meaningless” activities reframed as recovery, connection, and stress relief
• traits of leaders we admire, especially humility and empowering others
• the legacy we want to leave through service, car...
Masters Mindset Minute: Consider What You Can Control
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A one minute reset to start your week off right!
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Masters Mindset Minute: When Things Don't Go As Planned
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A one minute reset to start your week off right!
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Bruce Young on Normalizing Success, Practicing Failure, and Mindset Mastery
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We sit down with Bruce Young, a 62-year-old, four-time CrossFit Games athlete, to unpack the mindset, coaching, and habits that keep masters athletes sharp and improving. From GNAT to PAT, process over results, and training failure states, we map a clear way to compete stronger at any age.
• finding the sport you love and committing
• building a tribe that normalises success
• separating results goals from process goals
• replacing negative automatic thoughts with positive ones
• writing the target number before the lift
• pre-competition centering and gratitude rituals
• practi...
Masters Mindset Minute: Facing a Heavy Lift (or Any Physical Challenge)
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A one minute reset to start your week off right!
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Masters Mindset Minute: Winning Every Workout
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A one minute reset to start your week off right!
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Mastering Pain: How Athletes Over 40 Tell Hurt From Harm
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We question the line between hurt and injured, then map a practical way to keep training after 40 without quitting. Warmups become diagnostics, mobility turns into insurance, and goals give way to systems that keep you consistent and strong.
• defining hurt versus injured for masters athletes
• using warmups to detect red flags
• avoiding hidden compensations and imbalances
• mobility and prehab as first training block
• simple tools for resilient joints and core
• intelligent modifications to keep momentum
• systems over brittle outcome goals
• when to consult PT, coach, or doctor...
Coach Joe "Big House" Kenn’s Blueprint for Stronger Training After 40
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We sit down with veteran NFL and college strength coach Joe "Big House" Kenn to talk about what actually keeps athletes strong as they age and why the basics beat the flashy tools. We dig into Block Zero, the Tier System, and the mindset shift that helps masters athletes train hard without chasing who they used to be.
• Joe Ken’s coaching background across college football and the NFL
• why mobility, stability, and simple positions come before heavy loading
• Block Zero as an on-ramp for athletes who are not ready to lift har...
Masters Mindset Minute: Centering and Gratitude
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A one minute reset to start your week off right!
@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG
New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday!
Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night
Moderation With Muscle: Smarter Training After 40
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We tackle caffeine habits, realistic training for masters athletes, and why processes often beat goals when consistency matters most. The thread is accountable moderation: push just past comfortable, track what matters, and build systems that last.
• dialing back caffeine and understanding tolerance
• energy drink choices vs coffee and pre-workout timing
• processes as a foundation for sustainable progress
• realistic goals, discipline and avoiding all or nothing
• bodyweight basics for balance and fall prevention
• 80 percent training and knowing when to stop
• interval ideas, walking meetings and daily movement
•...
From Muay Thai to Mindset: How Fitness and Grit Saved Ty Wilson
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We share how training saved Ty’s life after a brutal car crash, then unpack the mindset, habits, and community support that carried him through recovery and back to service. We also break down Muay Thai lessons, youth coaching, and The MYCROBIG Project’s blueprint for turning ideas into impact.
• fitness as protective armor after 40
• injuries, setbacks, and rebuilding identity
• fixed mindset versus growth mindset
• Muay Thai conditioning and core endurance
• coaching kids’ minds before mechanics
• MYCROBIG intake, LLC and 501c3 support
• Destination We, camps, and a new school
Classroom To Kali: How Martial Arts Built Community and a Champion with Shannon Duval
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We welcome Shannon Duvall, a philosophy professor turned martial artist and coach, to explore how community, grit, and simple routines can change a life. From founding a dojang in ten days to competing in Filipino stick fighting, she shows how showing up builds confidence at any age.
• school is people, not a building
• starting martial arts as a parent alongside kids
• parking-lot plan that launched a new dojang
• how Kali works, from armor choices to ring control
• talent vs trainability and learning through feedback
• running, long COVID, and i...
Trade Intensity for Longevity and Win Your 40s and Beyond
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We unpack the gap between weekend intensity and weekday inactivity, then lay out a practical path for masters athletes to build consistency, protect joints, and keep playing longer. Mobility, skill practice, and short strength-conditioning sessions turn fear into confidence.
• defining weekend warrior versus competitive athlete
• risks from sedentary weeks and sudden intensity
• mindset shifts after 40 and fear of injury
• why consistency outperforms intensity for longevity
• mobility as daily warm-up and real-life strength
• blending carries, sleds, and sandbags for safe conditioning
• simple frameworks: circuits, Tabata, and short sprints<...
Recovery That Works When You’re Over 40
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We break down why stiffness after long days of sitting feels worse than soreness, how short movement breaks change posture and breath, and which recovery methods actually help athletes over 40. Morning vs evening workouts, heat vs cold, and the non-negotiables of hydration, protein, sleep.
• remote work posture and breathing impacts
• difference between stiffness and soreness
• movement breaks, standing desks, walking treadmills
• ten-minute walks as a daily anchor
• dynamic warm-ups and kettlebell prehab
• morning versus evening training trade-offs
• hydration, electrolytes, and alcohol as a diuretic
• heat, cold, comp...
Cutting Through Fitness Noise After 40
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We unpack why a Masters Athlete Survival Guide matters and map out a smarter path for training after 40. Between laughs and whiskey tastings, we outline recovery-first programming, mindset tools, and realistic goals that survive busy lives.
• why training after 40 needs a new guide
• injury prevention and strategic recovery
• filtering bad advice and AI-fueled fitness noise
• six pillars: recovery, life integration, progressive adaptation, technical skill, personalized programming, mind-body balance
• sustainable goal setting and milestones
• dealing with setbacks and getting back on plan
• upcoming guests on mindset and mobility
New Habits in 2026: Build Habits That Create Real Change
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We share a new year mindset shift: stop chasing results and build systems that make progress unavoidable. We offer simple ways to start at the gym, reduce fear, and turn small habits into a lasting routine, with a nod to Atomic Habits for practical guidance.
• why goals often fail without systems
• how to design small, repeatable habits
• practical first steps for the gym
• using staff and simple plans for confidence
• leveraging AI to draft a basic routine
• making progress with low friction actions
• reframing outcomes as outputs of...
How We Use YouTube To Lift Better, Hurt Less, And Stay In The Game
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We riff on how YouTube became our most useful training partner and where it can lead you astray. From fixing a good-morning deadlift to building finger strength and dialing recovery, we share channels worth your time and the BS meter every masters athlete needs.
• using video to improve deadlift setup and bar path
• climbers’ methods for finger and tendon strength
• warm-up volume for longevity and pain control
• simple hydration and electrolyte habits
• spotting fake weights and risky advice
• tailoring popular programs to masters needs
• caffeine strategy without...
Adriane Wilson On Mobility, Masters Strength, and Celebrating the Warrior Games
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Adriane Wilson joins us to show how daily mobility, honest intensity, and smart recovery keep a world-class thrower competitive as a masters athlete. We unpack her one-hour training template, nutrition resets, and the lessons she brings from coaching the Warrior Games.
• Adrian’s path from collegiate throws to Highland Games world titles
• Why twenty minutes of mobility anchors a one-hour session
• Simple warm-up primers that raise heart rate and pattern the lift
• Managing a “spicy” hip with blocks, variations and RPE
• Season planning for strength early, speed late
• Compr...
Travel To Compete: Community, Grit, And Growth After 40
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We drive home from a strongman meet and dig into why traveling to compete after 40 sharpens focus, grows community, and raises your game. Real stories of grit, the difference culture makes, and how to handle costs, logistics, and recovery without losing the joy.
• why travel builds sharper focus and intent
• meeting new athletes who push different gears
• lessons from a truck pull and teen tenacity
• sharing technique across strength sports
• culture, charity, and choosing the right meet
• costs, packing lists, and recovery on the road
• training deadl...
Redefine Greatness: Let Longevity Set The Frame And PRs Fuel The Journey
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We weigh the tradeoffs between chasing lifetime PRs and training to stay strong for decades, then land on a simple rule: let longevity set the frame and let smart, contextual PRs keep you hungry. Strain becomes the guide—enough challenge to adapt, not enough to break.
• setting longevity as the framework and performance as fuel
• defining “strain” as appropriate challenge across sports and life
• redefining PRs by age, bodyweight, and context
• building capacity: gas tank, bone density, joint resilience
• warm-ups, recovery, sunlight, nutrition as longevity levers
• listening to your...
