Morning, Greg here! Welcome to Issue No. 28 of Midlife Male, the lifestyle magazine for midlife men, by midlife men. I wanted to personally welcome all our new readers, and if this newsletter was forwarded to you, subscribe below.
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How I See It with John Sanei
You know when you see a guy and think, “That guy’s got it figured out?” That’s John Sanei. Entrepreneur. Thought leader. Author. Speaker. Podcast host. At 50, John is a walking masterclass in personal growth, transformation, and reinvention. He’s been ahead of the curve in industries like hospitality, fitness, and now artificial intelligence—constantly evolving, always adapting.
John’s journey hasn’t been all wins and smooth sailing. He’s faced and conquered mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial challenges. But instead of letting them define him, he’s used them as fuel—leaning into surrender, connection, curiosity, and collaboration. Now, he’s sought after around the world for his insights, intellect, and perspectives. And the best part? He brings both style and substance to everything he does.
Based in Dubai, John is leading the charge in biohacking, sustainability, and longevity. He’s a student and practitioner of Joe Dispenza’s meditation principles, blending spirituality with real-world action. He has a unique ability to take complex ideas—whether it’s cutting-edge tech or deep human truths—and distill them into practical, actionable insights that actually make sense.
In this conversation, we go deep. John opens up about his intentional approach to what he puts in and on his body, his dedication to staying in peak shape, and his impeccable sense of style. But more than that, we get inside his mindset—how he sees, operates, and thrives in today’s world. And most importantly, how you can take what he’s learned and apply it to your own midlife journey.
This is our interview with John Sanei. To hear the full, unedited conversation, join our inner circle—where members get exclusive access to all of our in-depth interviews.
How I See It
Greg Scheinman: John, it’s great to meet you. I’ve been following you for a while, and your work is truly inspiring. I appreciate you taking the time to chat.
John Sanei: Thank you so much, Greg. I really appreciate your warm welcome. I’ve been watching your work as well—congratulations on everything you’re doing.
MLM: I like to record right from the start because sometimes the best conversations happen off-air. That sound good to you?
JS: Absolutely. Some of the best stuff happens when you least expect it.
MLM: One thing I try to highlight in my work is sharing perspectives from people like yourself. My audience often asks how these conversations happen. Do you already know these people? Do you just reach out? There’s this perception that successful connections come easy, but there’s often a lot of persistence and effort behind the scenes. What’s your take on networking and building relationships?
JS: I once did a podcast on networking and the idea that “you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with.” But I think that gets misused by people trying to force their way into circles they haven’t earned. My belief is: If you want to be around certain people, become like them. It’s about frequency. When you’re on the same level of ambition, integrity, and openness, connections happen naturally. It’s an energy thing—you can just sense it.
MLM: That makes a lot of sense. You attract what you put out into the world. If you’re drinking and partying, you attract that crowd. If you’re waking up early, hitting the gym, and fueling yourself properly, you attract those kinds of people instead.
JS: Exactly. And if you’re trying to be something you’re not, it’s obvious. If you’re forcing yourself into circles you haven’t earned, it doesn’t feel right for anyone involved. Instead, focus on doing the work, and you’ll naturally end up in the right places.
MLM: That’s a great perspective. Quick side note—I noticed your tattoos when you lifted your arm. What’s the story behind them?
JS: (Laughs) Good eye. One of them is tied to an experience I had during an Ayahuasca ceremony. The message I received was: “Wear your favorite outfit every day.” That really hit me. Why would I ever not wear what makes me feel my best? So I created a personal uniform—tailored pants, the best T-shirts I could find (One Golden Thread, which you might know), and Tom Ford glasses. And then, interestingly, Tom Ford reached out and offered to send me frames. They saw that I was authentically wearing what I love, and they resonated with it. That was a big moment of validation.
MLM: That’s an incredible example of being authentically influential versus trying to be an influencer. You weren’t seeking sponsorships—you were just living your truth, and brands recognized that.
JS: That’s exactly it. They saw me as the kind of person they design for. That’s when you know you’re on the right path.
MLM: Where are you living now?
JS: I’m currently based in Dubai, but I travel constantly—last year, I took 70 flights. Dubai is great because it’s centrally located for the markets I work in: Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the U.S. But I’ve been looking into spending more time in the States, possibly Austin.
MLM: You said “we” earlier—who’s the “we” in your travels?
JS: It depends. Sometimes it’s my manager, sometimes it’s my girlfriend, sometimes it’s my team that helps coordinate everything. Moving around that much requires a solid support system.
MLM: Speaking of your background, where were you born and raised?
JS: My parents are Iranian, but they were missionaries, so I was born in Swaziland, a small country next to South Africa. I grew up between Swaziland and Cape Town, then moved to London at 20. This was pre-internet—before Google!—so it was a wild experience. That move opened my world.
MLM: What did you think your future would look like when you were younger?
JS: At first, I was obsessed with the idea of being a Wall Street trader—Michael Douglas in Wall Street was the pinnacle of success to me. But when I tried, I realized I didn’t have the right brain for it. I lacked the killer instinct. I failed hard at it. Then I got into hospitality—restaurants, retail, vending machines—and by 26, I was a multimillionaire. But I was running away from something rather than toward something. And at 30, I lost everything. That failure cracked my ego wide open and forced me to rebuild with a different mindset.
MLM: That’s a major shift. What helped you through that period?
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Next Man Up: The Smartest Way to Build Your Career
Last week, I got a DM on Instagram:
“Hey bro. Wanna come on my podcast? Would love to have you on.”
Now, mind you, I don’t know this guy. No previous interaction, no mutual connections. I do a quick scan of his profile—limited followers, minimal engagement, nothing that tells me what his podcast is about. But I always try to be polite, so I reply:
“Thanks so much! Appreciate the invitation. Please shoot me an email with some info on yourself and the podcast, and I’ll get back to you.”
His response? “Why don’t you check me out first? And then if it’s a yes, I’ll email you.”
And just like that, my answer became a hard no. Actually, I didn’t even bother replying—I just deleted the exchange and moved on.
I don’t know where this entitlement comes from, but I do know this: if you’re asking for someone’s time—the most valuable commodity we have—you should at least put in some effort. If you expect a yes before you lift a finger, you better get used to hearing a lot of no’s.
This whole interaction reminded me of a strategy I’ve used my entire career: Next Man Up.
Millions of stories are posted online every day and 99.9% are noise. We sifted through the nonsense to find experts and thought leaders who will share deep dives in one of our 6Fs every week: Fitness. Family. Finance. Food. Fashion. Fun. These are powerful essays by our team or guest writers designed to make you think, grow and maximize your midlife starting now.
This week: FINANCE
The 5 Crucial Aspects of Having a True Best Friend
By Ron Speaker
As I stood amidst the vibrant celebration of my best friend’s 60th birthday in Mexico, I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of gratitude. The room was alive with the echoes of a life richly lived—a testament to friendships he shares and cultivates across diverse landscapes, from the wild expanses of Burning Man to the structured world of corporate boardrooms.
My best friend has been more than just a companion. He has been a lighthouse, a mirror, and a steadfast support through the most transformative decades of my life. Our friendship has been the most positively accretive relationship I’ve ever known—a connection that transcends mere monetary value and touches the very essence of personal wealth.
A Journey of Shared Wisdom
His insatiable appetite for knowledge and personal development has been nothing short of inspiring. He’s attended enough self-improvement seminars to make Tony Robbins proud and hired more coaches than the Oakland/Vegas Raiders, all driven by an unquenchable thirst for understanding himself and the world around him. But what makes him extraordinary is not just his pursuit of knowledge but his generous spirit in sharing those insights, his desire for connection, and his heart of gold. He cares more about the richness of our lives than our bank accounts.
I’ve witnessed firsthand how a true friendship can be a catalyst for personal transformation. When I was hesitant, he was courageous. When I was uncertain, he provided perspective. He encouraged me to take the once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that went against my family’s conservative financial history, showing me that life’s most significant opportunities often lie just beyond our comfort zones.
The Courage of Vulnerability
Our friendship reached profound depths when we began openly discussing mental health. He was the first to seek therapy, breaking down stigmas and showing me that seeking help is an act of strength, not weakness. During my career struggles, our long walks became sacred spaces of honest reflection—where only a best friend can provide the kind of unfiltered, loving perspective that truly helps you realign with your path.
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Some have been married for decades, others are divorced, most are fathers. All of our members seek improvement, access, insights, and support in a group of like-minded men. They are committed to making the next phase of their lives, the best phase of their lives, living happier, healthier, wealthier, stronger and having more fun in business and in life.
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