A few days ago, I read a piece by Michael Clinton about how more people want to work longer—ditching retirement, staying professionally active into their 70s and beyond.
Now, I’ve got nothing but respect for Michael. Smart guy. Great book. I’ve featured him in Midlife Male (you can read our conversation here). He’s living his philosophy—and that works for him.
But I see it differently.
Here’s my take:
We are over-indexing on work—and it’s killing us.
Most men don’t want to work longer. They don’t have to. They’ve just been conditioned to believe they do.
We’ve built a culture where a man’s worth is measured by his job title, income, LinkedIn profile, and output. And the minute that slips—when age creeps in, or the market shifts—you’re replaceable. Forgotten. Done.
And it’s not just business. It’s personal.
Let me show you:
- Men aged 45–64 have the highest suicide rates in the U.S. (CDC)
- 69% of men say their identity is tied to their job (APA)
- Over 50% of men in their 50s and 60s report high levels of work-related stress (NIOSH)
- Nearly 80% of older workers experience age discrimination (AARP)
- Depression and anxiety spike for men post-50, especially after job loss (Mayo Clinic)
But the message we keep getting?
Keep grinding. Stay relevant. Don’t stop. You’re only as good as your output.
That’s not empowerment. That’s fear-based marketing wrapped in a productivity bow.
And it’s breaking men.
Not because they’re weak, but because they’re tired.
Not because they’re failures, but because they’re chasing a version of success that never lets them stop running.
Even the self-help space is guilty.
The masterminds. The retreats. The hustle influencers.
They’re not selling peace or purpose.
They’re selling more work.
More grind.
More dopamine.
More addiction to achievement.
What’s wrong with just leveling?
Not leveling up. Not settling. Just… leveling.
Here’s the truth:
Your real job in midlife?
Be the CEO of your own life.
Prioritize your health.
Manage your money.
Spend time with your people.
Pursue hobbies that don’t need to become businesses.
Curate a portfolio of wellness—not just wealth.
But the system doesn’t want that.
It tells you:
“You won’t be allowed to keep your job past 65.”
“Don’t let them put you out to pasture.”
So you cling. You grind harder. You panic at the thought of slowing down.
It’s all bullshit.
Here’s what I believe:
- Your value isn’t tied to your title.
- Your purpose isn’t owned by a company.
- Your best years aren’t behind you—they’re waiting for you to choose them.
We’ve glamorized the guy working into his 80s and demonized the guy who walks away at 52 to surf, coach, write, or just live how he wants.
That’s the lie.
You want to keep working? Awesome. Do it because you love it.
But not because you’re afraid of what happens if you stop.
Not because some high-performance influencer says retirement is for losers.
Not because your identity depends on a title and a calendar full of Zoom calls.
Real strength is knowing when to walk away.
Real success is having the freedom to say no.
Real power is building a life around your values—not someone else’s expectations.
If you want to master midlife:
- Build the financial runway to walk away when it’s time.
- Invest in your health like your life depends on it—because it does.
- Redefine your identity around your values, not your job.
- Surround yourself with men who have options, not just obligations.
- Let your next chapter be lighter—not heavier.
Retirement isn’t giving up.
It’s taking back control.
The smartest, strongest, most successful men I know?
They knew when to close the laptop—and open the next chapter.
Not everyone wants to work forever.
Some of us want to live.
—Greg
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach
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