Picture this:
I’m standing in the ocean in Kauai and I just wrapped three days of XPT training with a few hours before my flight. The last thing on my mind? A deep convo about “extreme ownership” with a stranger. But that’s exactly what happened.
I thought I was just saying hello to a guy next to me in the water—cool sunglasses, fit, tan, middle-aged. We weren’t old friends. No podcast swap planned. Just two midlife guys, standing in the ocean, wired the same way: curious, driven, working on ourselves. That’s how it usually happens. Not from a Rolodex. In the wild. And it sticks.
Nick was training for a half Ironman with his coach. I was there to reset. Five days of movement, nature, and space. Five minutes of conversation later, we’d covered mindset, accountability, and what it means to truly own your life. Then we exchanged numbers, Instagram handles and here we are.
Nick is 47. Single. Never married. No kids. Youngest of eight. His family’s a kid factory—he’s the outlier. But he’s not the “I’m old, it’s too late” guy. He still wants the wife, the kids, the life. And he’s training for it. Not from ego. From purpose. From vision. That mindset flips everything.
He’s exceptionally fit, wildly successful in real estate, and relentlessly focused on leveling up. When guys like us cross paths, it’s because we’re both doing the work. That energy connects fast.
This is what Midlife Male is about. Real conversations with men doing the work—married, single, training, transitioning, building, rebuilding. Different circumstances, same mission: make midlife matter.
Nick told me something I’ll never forget:
“My ‘why’ isn’t abs. It’s being ready for my future wife and kids. In every workout, I picture a little girl running to me. That’s the fuel.”
Same for me. I lost my dad at 47. He lost his at 44. That number hits different. At 47, I had a choice—coast or go full throttle. I chose fuel. So did Nick. Different stories. Same mission.
We get into it in our conversation: fitness, aging, fatherhood, purpose, tech. The next decade is critical for us. If you’re in your 40s now and you play it right, you’ve got 40+ high-quality years ahead. That’s the mindset shift.
This episode is an invitation. Listen in. Reflect. Pull what you need. And know this: you’re not alone. There’s more in the tank.
Let’s get into it.
— Greg
On Purpose:
“Seeing life at any age as loaded with living, backed by years of wisdom, can drive you toward meaningful goals like starting a family or pursuing new dreams.”
On Mindset Shift:
“Viewing any stage of life as not half gone but filled with opportunity flips how you approach your years, opening up new possibilities for growth.”
On Motivation:
““My why isn’t abs. It’s being ready for my future wife and kids. In every workout, I picture a little girl running to me. That’s the fuel.”
On Self-Care:
“Taking care of yourself now, like choosing to stay put for breath work, prayer, workouts, and clean eats instead of a packed travel schedule, leads to better leadership and long-term success.”
On Pace:
“Keeping your heart rate steady during a run, finishing like you’re mid-stride rather than sprinting, teaches a sustainable rhythm for any demanding task.”
On Balance:
“Mastering the middle—neither sedentary nor 24/7 hustle—creates a sweet spot in life that’s messy but attainable, like choosing a nine-minute mile over a six to finish strong.”
On Family Collaboration:
“Ditching the ego at the door and saying ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ when working with others, like siblings in a business, keeps shared endeavors strong and aligned on core values.”
On Legacy:
“Growing a legacy tenfold, twentyfold, or thirtyfold by building on the foundation of those who came before motivates meaningful work that honors the past.”
On Health Transformation:
“Shifting from a cycle of partying to early morning workouts after a life-changing event, like losing a loved one, can set you on a path to a healthier, more disciplined lifestyle.”
On Intentionality:
“Committing to intentional acts—like holding a door, saying hello to a stranger, or sending a handwritten note—builds stronger, more meaningful connections with others over time.”
On Selective Growth:
“Choosing to spend time with people you admire, in groups like a leadership forum or a private business club, shapes the person you want to become by surrounding you with growth-oriented influences.”
On Personal Style:
“Wearing sharp outfits that feel good, like a tailored cashmere shirt jacket, boosts your mood and makes a strong first impression, proving that how you present yourself matters.”
On Reading Habits:
“Reading a few pages from multiple books daily, picking what fits your energy—like philosophy, business, or inspiration—keeps your mind engaged and adaptable.”
On Pacing Goals:
“Setting one step toward a big goal each day, like 330 acts a year if you’re 90% consistent, builds steady progress toward long-term dreams, even on off days.”
On Discipline:
“Committing to early morning routines, like showing up at the gym at 4 a.m. to train with disciplined mentors, helps shift your choices away from late nights and builds lasting habits.”
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach
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