Don't Let The Old Man In

Professor Scott Fulton is a research engineer turned functional health span expert, author of the #1 bestselling book Function, and chair of the National Aging and Place Council in the US. After a career troubleshooting complex systems across industries, Scott turned his engineering mind to the one system nobody was looking at properly: the aging human body. His work draws on over 700,000 participants and 10 million person-years of data to answer a question most men don't think to ask until it's too late: what will actually determine how well you function in the second half of your life?This conversation is for every man over 40 who thinks being fit means being healthy. It's also for the man who's never tested his balance, flexibility, or reaction time, and doesn't yet know that one of those is quietly becoming his weak link.Book mentioned: Function by Scott Fulton — available now, currently #1 bestsellerConnect with Scott Fulton: scottfulton.ca00:30 — Why You Should Listen04:28 — Why Runners Can't Walk: The Biomechanics Explained09:34 — The Statistic That Will Change How You Walk Today13:10 — Falls Aren't a Strength Problem — They're a Reaction Time Problem16:39 — The 5 Domains of Functional Health Span21:42 — If You Don't Demand It, You'll Lose It26:12 — The Top 4 Self-Assessments to Do This Week35:28 — Why Disease Is Not Your Biggest Threat — Function Is (2:1)40:04 — Why Men Lose Their Social Network the Day They Retire48:18 — What Your 80-Year-Old Self Is Asking of You Right Now

Earlier this week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we spoke with menopause educator and researcher Thea O'Connor to discuss what you need to know about menopause, including how this turbulent time can put a strain on your relationship. In this follow-up episode, host Pod O'Sullivan is breaking down the best parts of Thea's interview and distilling the exact ways you can implement her advice. Check out the full interview with Thea O'Connor here: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmaninSubscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmanin

Thea O'Connor is a menopause educator, workplace consultant, and researcher who has spent years doing what almost nobody else was doing — talking to men about their experience of menopause. After her own disorienting perimenopause journey derailed what she'd planned as her "power decade," she went public on national radio in 2018 at considerable professional risk. What followed was a body of work that now reaches boardrooms, Senate inquiries, and international standards organisations.This conversation is for every man who has ever felt confused, rejected, helpless, or like he was spending a lot of time in the doghouse without knowing why. It's also for the women in their lives who want them to understand.Resources MentionedAustralasian Menopause Society — directory of menopause-informed doctorsThe Orca Effect — Thea's program for women navigating menopause in the workplaceThea's men and menopause survey — link in show notes and newsletterElizabeth Cady Stanton — American suffragist quoted by Thea: "We shall not be in our prime before 50, and after that we shall be good for 20 years at least."Connect with Thea O'Connor 🌐 Website /survey: https://www.thea.com.au/Timestamped Overview00:26 — Why Every Man Needs to Hear This02:03 — Thea's Own Menopause Derailed Her Power Decade03:12 — Why She Went Public at Professional Risk05:06 — What Menopause Actually Is — The Basics07:27 — The Symptoms Men Miss or Misread09:28 — Dishwasher Rage — And What It Really Means10:30 — How a Man's Attitude Affects Her Symptoms14:39 — What Men Misinterpret as Personal Rejection18:07 — What Men Actually Said in Thea's Interviews19:53 — You're Still Allowed to Set Standards22:47 — Menopause in the Workplace — The Manager's Role29:13 — Orca Whales & Why Menopause Is a Promotion35:16 — Fixing Hormones Won't Fix a Bad Marriage38:34 — How Thea Feels as a Post-Menopausal Woman40:48 — Final Words: Embrace the Change

Earlier this week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sat down with Kerri Sackville to explore the world of dating in midlife, including all the nuances and common mistakes that men make when jumping back into the dating scene. In this follow-up Actions episode, host Pod O'Sullivan breaks down the 3 most valuable lessons form his conversation with Kerri, and tells you exactly how you can make them work for you. Watch the full episode with Kerri Sackville here: https://youtu.be/udlgHdnMiDkListen to us as a podcast: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmanin

In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with Kerri Sackville, author of Out There: A Survival Guide to Dating In Midlife, to unpack the truth about navigating relationships and dating in the next stage of life. We discuss the power of solitude, why people return to dating before they're ready, how to manage your own baggage, and the challenges men in particular face. Suggest a topic for us to cover: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/suggestions/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/In this episode, we cover:Why dating after divorce demands emotional robustnessThe difference between loneliness and solitude (and why it matters)Why men so often lack emotional support networks post-separationRed flags that reveal themselves on the very first dateHow to build a relationship with yourself before seeking one with someone elseThe honesty test: why it solves 90% of dating problemsWhat midlife dating actually looks like ... without the sugar-coatingCHAPTERS:00:00 Navigating Emotional Needs Post-Separation05:47 The Dynamics of Dating in Midlife11:55 Honesty and Boundaries in Dating17:45 Lessons Learned from the Dating Scene25:18 The Essence of Relationships27:12 The Fear of Solitude30:29 Transformative Alone Time32:30 Self-Discovery Through Solitude36:29 The Impact of Social Media38:10 Understanding Solitude vs. Loneliness39:59 Practical Steps to Embrace Solitude42:11 The Role of Purpose in Life45:01 Navigating Loneliness and Grief48:08 Accepting Aging and Life's Cycles50:27 Finding Meaning in Good MomentsListen to this episode as a podcast: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmanin

Earlier this week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sat down with Aneace Haddad to unpack the myth of the midlife crisis, the four stages of adulthood, as well as the newfound "superpowers" that people have access to once they reach midlife. In this special follow-up episode of DLTOMI, host Pod O'Sullivan is sharing the key lessons from his conversation with Aneace and the exact ways you can add these to your daily life. The best parts from this week's episode, all in one short video.

Is the "midlife crisis" really our most powerful transformation yet?Former tech entrepreneur turned executive coach Aneace Haddad joins the show to unpack the 3 stages of adulthood, the winds of change that drive midlife transformation, and the hidden strengths that emerge as you enter your next chapter. If you're a man over 40 feeling the ground shift beneath you, this conversation will change how you see the midlife "crisis". In this episode:Why your brain in midlife is actually becoming more powerful (not less)The "happiness curve" and why 47 is often the lowest point before things get betterHow to let go of old identities without losing yourselfThe "Who will I be at 100?" practice for finding your North StarWhy midlife reinvention isn't about starting over, it's about becoming who you always wereWhether you're navigating a career shift, questioning your purpose, or just feeling the weight of change, this one's for you.

Why are so many men emotionally alone, even when surrounded by people? In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with David Pointon, founder of Men's Table, to explore how giving men a space to be heard can change their lives entirely. Suggest a topic you want us to cover: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/suggestions/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/In this episode, you'll discover:Why most midlife men feel something is missing, even when life looks fine from the outsideThe simple monthly format that creates deeper friendships than 25 years with your golfing buddyWhy "banter" isn't the same as real connection, and what it's costing menThe concept of caring connection and why it's the most powerful antidote to toxic masculinityHow one man's willingness to open up can unlock an entire roomThe ripple effect: how men showing up for themselves transforms their relationships and familiesDavid's own story of marriage, separation, and how men's work helped him reset everything