Don't Let The Old Man In

In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, Erin Buttermore makes her second appearance on the show to dive back into the imposter phenomenon, including how it creates a "capability trap" that follows people as they grow their success. Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:47 The paradox: it never counts either way05:06 Why imposter feelings get worse the higher you go08:38 When the whole organisation runs on your nervous system10:26 Self-handicapping: the other way we protect ourselves13:08 The first question to ask yourself14:44 We mistake distress for discipline16:36 Achieving through yourself vs achieving through others19:31 What this costs your family25:32 How ambition changes in midlife28:02 Escape fantasy or a genuine change of direction?33:17 The two conversations to have with yourself35:09 Why letting go is the hardest part39:53 Self-compassion has a terrible PR problem46:25 Shame is a very expensive fuel source47:46 The three steps49:13 Setting standards for the things that actually matter57:46 What people won't let go of58:59 Listener question: imposter in one part of life01:01:26 The price you pay for growth#impostersyndrome #psychology #midlife

In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we sit down with Andrew May (high performance coach to the Wallabies, Australian cricket, and some of the country's biggest CEOs) to understand how our building capacity and better recovery can be the best cure for burnout. Read Andrew May's book: https://performanceintelligence.com/matchfit-book/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/CHAPTERS:00:00 – Intro02:41 – Why we don't have a burnout problem04:22 – The real definition of burnout (and the WHO's updated criteria)07:33 – Vitamin FLPJ: fun, laughter, play, joy09:57 – Organisational burnout vs taking accountability11:36 – The four types of capacity elite CEOs train14:23 – What executives' blood tests reveal: iron, vitamin D, testosterone16:29 – Purpose vs performance: why purpose is hard and most men skip it20:08 – Performance-based identity vs purpose-based identity23:03 – Andrew's own burnout story: walking away from a seven figure exit25:12 – The five metrics that actually measure your capacity27:59 – The "50 to the power of 4" benchmark: heart rate, HRV, VO2 max40:55 – Wearables, cold plunges and the truth about sauna49:25 – The capacity model: green, moderate, high and extreme risk57:05 – Three simple things to do this week1:06:05 – Andrew's final word of wisdom

In this episode of Don't Let the Old Man In, we speak with positive psychologist Dr Suzy Green to understand why the drive to achieve fades in midlife, why so many people begin to feel invisible at work, and much more. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/Follow Don't Let the Old Man In on social media: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmaninCHAPTERS:00:00 Intro03:14 Why Shift Focus from What's Wrong to What's Right07:48 Understanding the Broad Scope of Positive Psychology11:36 Achievement, Meaning, and Developmental Shifts14:02 The Role of Mattering and Anti-Mattering19:21 Proactive Strategies for Life Transitions22:12 William Bridges' Transition Model23:29 Aligning Values and Strengths During Change25:53 Growth After Trauma and Adversity27:17 The Power of Support and Relationships31:01 Preparing for Endings and New Beginnings33:48 The Importance of Social Connections and Mattering37:41 The Concept of Might and Using Strengths38:48 Building Resilience Through Mindfulness and Attentional Control41:02 Practical Daily Practices for Well-Being44:39 The Impact of Gratitude on Mood and Perspective45:55 Mindfulness and Being Present in Daily Life49:20 The Role of Meditation and Attention Training53:03 Encouragement to Explore Positive Psychology Further54:16 Reflecting on the Future and Life Purpose#psychology #midlife #positivity

In this episode of Don’t Let the Old Man In, we explore the vital role grandparents can play in supporting children’s mental health, confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging.Our guest, Melissa, creator of The Art of Mentoring and author of Will Your Grandkids Be Okay?, explains why grandparents are uniquely positioned to become trusted mentors and steady sources of wisdom in an increasingly uncertain world.We discuss how grandparents can:Build stronger intergenerational relationshipsSupport young people experiencing loneliness or emotional challengesShare family stories that strengthen identity and resilienceAsk questions that encourage curiosity and critical thinkingCreate meaningful rituals and traditionsModel the behaviors they want to pass onOffer guidance without becoming controllingSet healthy boundaries while staying connectedCheck out "Will Your Grandkids Be Ok?" here: https://amzn.asia/d/07DOIZB8Whether you are a grandparent, parent, mentor, or trusted adult, this conversation offers practical ideas for helping young people feel grounded enough to grow and confident enough to face the future.

Reclaim Your Energy: Insights from Dr. Mantha ImberDiscover practical strategies to boost your energy, prevent burnout, and prioritize your well-being. Dr. Mantha Imber shares her personal journey through exhaustion and her innovative approaches to managing energy better, emphasizing a shift from time management to energy management.In this episode:How energy is the most precious resource and why we often neglect itThe concept of the "getting hit by a bus" fantasy and recognition of burnout signsThe evolution of her "Never Again List" from humbling experiencesThe science behind scent, natural environments, and breathing techniques to boost energyHow to identify your energy "types" (Me Mode vs. Wii Mode; Ambition vs. Anxiety)The importance of protecting your energy with clear boundaries and "To Don't" listsSimple yet powerful "boost" and "rest" strategies, including peppermint scent and cyclic sighingThe benefits of nature immersion, like forest bathing, for mental resetTurning energy management into a gamified process to build sustainable habitsTransitioning into a healthier second act with energy awarenessTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: Why energy is the ultimate resource00:19 - Personal humbling and the "getting hit by a bus" fantasy02:01 - Recognizing burnout through personal stories03:46 - Lessons learned from public speaking mishaps and creating "Never Again" list04:45 - The impact of alarm clock codependency06:09 - Transition from control to awareness and boundary setting07:36 - How exhaustion affects decision-making and daily routines08:54 - Re-evaluating the role of writing and leadership in energy management10:28 - Why endurance and "pushing through" might be harmful12:04 - Recognizing the limits of pushing and the effects of chronic depletion13:46 - Using humbling experiences to clarify boundaries and priorities15:12 - The role of humility in recognizing what no longer serves you16:07 - The "Never Again List" as a tool for boundaries17:36 - Conscious decision-making with "To Don't" and "To Do" lists19:36 - Society's normalization of exhaustion and its implications20:42 - The importance of running energy experiments with a large group22:03 - The Mi Mode and Wii Mode energy types and their significance23:15 - Navigating between Drive and Anxiety-driven energy states24:54 - Recognizing personal energy patterns and managing anxiety vs. ambition27:37 - How body awareness can guide energy conservation28:19 - Strategies: Fast energy boosts, rest, and protection tactics31:02 - Peppermint scent and other quick resets for energy boost33:52 - The power of gratitude practices and "Three Good Things"36:11 - Breathing exercises like cyclic sighing for instant calm38:25 - Forest bathing and the impact of nature on recovery41:53 - Identifying and avoiding "energy vampires" with the Points Chart44:54 - Practical tools for everyday energy management like cold water immersion and silent walks50:19 - Making energy management a fun, experimental game56:33 - Transitioning into the second-act energy mindset62:16 - Final words: Prioritize your energy above allResources & Links:

Earlier this week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we sat down with nutritionist Dr Jessica Turton to understand the truth about weight loss during midlife, including how the most popular weight loss trends can have the wrong idea. In this special follow-up Actions episode, host Pod O'Sullivan gives you the best advice from his conversation with Dr Jessica, including 3 things you can do in your own life to achieve your weight loss goals.

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, nutritionist and PhD researcher Jessica Turton reveals why low-calorie diets are scientifically designed to fail, how insulin resistance is silently sabotaging fat loss in men, and the counterintuitive approach that's helping people reverse type 2 diabetes, lose weight, and feel free around food again.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Jessica's background01:48 Jessica's journey from dieting to research05:02 The impact of calorie restriction on metabolism10:03 The Minnesota starvation experiment findings14:57 Insulin, glucose, and fuel prioritization19:53 Understanding insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes25:13 The effects of restrictive diets on mental health29:56 Reversing metabolic suppression with proper nutrition35:04 Practical food choices for insulin resistance40:04 Gender differences in fat storage and metabolism45:09 How to approach dietary change for health50:08 Food freedom and sustainable eating habits55:03 Jessica's final advice for lasting healthSuggest a topic you'd like us to cover: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/suggestions/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontlettheoldmanin.com/subscribe/Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/dontllettheoldmanin

This week on Don't Let the Old Man In, we spoke to two men who led drastically different lives and careers, but who both ended up at the same place: square one. Allan Tillack and Andy Sheats both started from scratch in midlife to pursue purpose and fulfillment. In this follow-up Actions episode, host Pod O'Sullivan gives you the most important parts from our interview with Allan and Andy, including the 3 ways you can implement their wisdom in your own life to make a change.