The world loves to categorize, box, and define people. It’s easy to feel the pressure and to conform and to try and fit ourselves into neat little lanes. Society, the media and large corporations often try to dictate who we should be based on our age, gender, or life stage. 

But here’s the truth: interesting is interesting, no matter who you are. I’m personally drawn to people who are intriguing, passionate, and curious. 

What if we simply focused on being interested and being interesting? 

I happen to be a midlife male, so naturally, my perspective comes from that place. But being a middle aged man doesn’t mean my interests are confined to some predefined script. Not anymore, anyway. 

I can be 51, lift weights, appreciate firearms and training, and have a small cute dog. I can prioritize being a good husband and father above all else while also being sensitive, strong, guarded, and vulnerable. I can care deeply about what I put on and in my body, be both liberal on some things and conservative on others, and stand unequivocally supportive of Israel without being religious. None of these things are mutually exclusive, and they don’t define me in isolation. In fact, these are just a few things off the top of my head, right now. 

Yet, many people think they have to be only one thing, or they feel obligated to stick to a single, linear path in life. The reality is, life is too vast and too nuanced for that. Stereotypes, while convenient, are limiting. They can box you in, stifle your growth, and ultimately prevent you from living a life that’s truly fulfilling.

What’s interesting is that as I age, the more open I am to feeling and acting like a kid again. It’s like you pass through this period where you’re chasing all the wrong things, growing up too fast, wanting to achieve it all and have it all—and you miss so much of life because you’ve got both eyes focused on what you think is the prize. 

You’re so locked into your goals that you lose sight of the entire horizon of life. And then you emerge, in middle age, wanting that time back. 

What I realized (and what we all are forced to realize) is that you can’t get that time back. But what you can reclaim is that youthful exuberance, that sense of freedom, and the resolve to do what you choose.

Finding Answers

I often ask my coaching clients when they have a question about a situation, circumstance, emotion, feeling, challenge, insecurity, goal, or otherwise: “What advice would you give your kids?” 

And then, I suggest they follow that same advice. It’s a way to tap into that pure, unfiltered wisdom that we so easily give to others but often withhold from ourselves.

And that advice? It often comes down to embracing curiosity, seeking experiences, and stepping outside your comfort zone. If I didn’t open myself up to new experiences, I would never have visited Staccato Ranch last Saturday and met Jesse and K.C., two Grand Master speed shooting champions. I didn’t know anything about speed shooting or all that much about firearms in general. I wasn’t raised around any of that stuff. But the opportunity to visit the ranch, bring some members of the Midlife Male Inner Circle, and learn from the best presented itself, and I jumped at it.

Or take my upcoming trip to Mont Tremblant, Canada, where I’ll be participating in my third 29029 Everesting challenge. I had never climbed the equivalent of Everest before 2021—I didn’t even know that was a thing. But I got invited, put down my deposit, trained, and did it. This year, I’m taking 17 people with me, including my wife Kate, who was so inspired by the people she met last year when she accompanied me as a supporter that she decided to commit to doing it herself. Experiences like these enrich life in ways that staying in your lane simply can’t.

The week after, I’ll shift gears and attend the CNBC/BOARDROOM event in Los Angeles, where I’ll be surrounded by people whose accomplishments, intellect, and acumen in business, sports, finance, technology, and CPG are beyond my pay grade. A few years ago, I might have felt out of place in these environments, but now I see them differently. I no longer feel like I don’t belong in these places. Rather, I believe these places were made for me—and you—if you’re willing to take the leap.

Breaking Free

The key to breaking free from constraints lies in embracing curiosity, seeking experiences, and getting outside your comfort zone. Research shows that people who maintain a strong sense of curiosity and interest in life tend to live with fewer regrets. A study from the University of Virginia found that individuals who are more curious are better at handling life’s challenges, making them more resilient in the face of adversity. They are also more likely to take calculated risks, explore new opportunities, and create a life rich in experiences.

Consider this: the more you expose yourself to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences, the more interesting you become—and the more interesting life becomes. 

People who consistently seek out new experiences are often those who report higher levels of satisfaction and happiness. They’re not confined by what society tells them they should be; instead, they’re driven by a desire to be more, do more, and see more.

Living a life of interest means not being pigeonholed. It means taking chances, embracing complexity, and rejecting the idea that you must be just one thing. Why can’t you be a weightlifter who loves literature? A person who appreciates the outdoors but also enjoys high fashion? A successful professional who prioritizes family, personal growth, and hobbies that others might find unexpected?

The answer is, you can. You can be all of these things and more. 

There’s no lane you’re obligated to stay in. The world is a vast, fascinating place, and the more you explore it, the more layers you add to your own story. 

So go ahead and be curious. Be bold. Be unapologetically you. Because in the end, interesting is interesting, and life is far too short to be anything less. And as you move through this journey, remember to embrace the joy and freedom that comes from living with a childlike hope and possibility—because that’s where (mid)life truly begins to open up again.

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PS: If you enjoyed this ‘Viewpoint’ column and you want to maximize your life or your team, there are several ways I can help you:

Book me to speak at your event. 

Schedule me to work with your team, organization or men’s group. 

Hire me for exclusive one-on-one coaching. 

In Health,

Greg