Sometime around age 40 (+/-) you might start feeling like some part of your life no longer fits and you don't know what to do about it. It could be at work or at home - or simply inside of you. You might be asking questions like, "How did I get here?" Or, "Is this all there is?" "Is this what I've been working so hard for?" Or, "Why aren't I happier?"
Growing out of her own experience turning 40, Stephanie McLaughlin became captivated by the big “four oh,” and how people handle the milestone birthday.
On The Big Four Oh Podcast, Stephanie has conversations with people about their life experience around turning 40. This birthday often comes wrapped in larger life changes, whether it’s a newfound search for meaning, accepting your mortality, or shedding all those things you did because some external authority said you “should.”
Her mission is to make it common cultural knowledge that there IS a transition most of us face around age 40, and then showcase so many versions of that transition that every single person approaching, or recently turned, 40 with dread in their heart, knows that they are not alone.
I know you don't want to call it a midlife crisis, so I won't, but "if the glove fits, you must acquit." 😉
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Turning 40 and rethinking the Millennial midlife crisis
Saison 8 · Épisode 148
mardi 9 juin 2026 • Durée 57:52
There's a difference between surviving the turbulence of life and doing the internal work of transition. Rachel Lobdell is a journalist, mother, and nonprofit executive, approaching 40 with a generational lens on what midlife really looks like for millennials. She makes the case that her generation has been in continuous transition since adulthood began, which may be why their forties feel less like crisis and more like relief. We talk about the inherited blueprint and what happens when it stops fitting, the question of where identity actually lives, and why the hardest work of midlife might be sorting out what you've genuinely worked through from what you've just outrun.
Guest Bio
Rachel Lobdell is the executive director of News Creator Corps, a nonprofit focused on fighting misinformation. She has nearly two decades of media experience focused on digital transformation, innovation, and audience growth at some of the country's largest publishers including USA Today, Fortune, VICE, the Wall Street Journal, and a series of local newspapers. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has Masters and Bachelors degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism. She now resides in Brooklyn with her husband and son.
Turning 40 and rethinking the Millennial midlife crisis
This week on The Big Four Oh Podcast, host Stephanie McLaughlin sits down with Rachel Lobdell, who shares her candid journey through the unpredictable terrain of early midlife. Rachel opens up about the messy, beautiful process of redefining success, balancing multiple identities, and finding peace amid the chaos of millennial adulthood. As she approaches her 40th birthday, Rachel reflects on career pivots, delayed milestones, and the ongoing quest to build a life on her own terms.
Episode Highlights:
Rachel’s early days in journalism, the influence of a pivotal mentor, and her leap into founding the News Creator Core nonprofit.
How parenthood reshaped her views on community, information, and the value of trusted networks.
The unique turbulence millennials face, economic instability, delayed homeownership, and constant career transitions, and how these challenges fuel self-reflection and adaptation.
The generational shift from chasing excitement at midlife to seeking inner peace and stability.
Navigating parenting later in life, the new realities of the sandwich generation, and evolving family dynamics.
Letting go of inherited blueprints and building a more authentic, realistic life that aligns with personal values.
Rachel and Stephanie dive deep into the uniquely millennial experience of adulthood, exploring how constant change prompts introspection and a reimagining of what it means to thrive at midlife. Rachel’s story is a great reminder that resilience, intentionality, and meaning can be found in both personal and professional reinvention.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share The Big Four Oh Podcast.
Download Stephanie’s People Pleasing Playbook to understand where it comes from, how it’s showing up, and what it’s costing you. www.thebigfouroh.com/peoplepleaser
At 45, MJ Rod discovered that the man she'd believed was her birth father biologically couldn't have been. What followed was a years-long investigation: cold calls, DNA tests, dead ends, and a mother who went silent rather than tell the truth. MJ eventually cracked the case. But the real story isn't about who her father turned out to be. It's about what MJ discovered about herself in the process of finding him, and why it took until 45 for any of it to be possible.
Guest Bio
Melissa Jean Rod helps women heal from the pain of absent fathers and discover God as the loving Father who never leaves. A proud Texan raised in the little town of Cut and Shoot (yes, it’s real), Melissa writes with warmth, wit, and a deep sense of purpose. Married, a mom of six (a mix of step, birth and adopted), and Honey to five wild and wonderful grandsons, she’s also a sunset-chasing, chocolate-sneaking, Jesus-loving storyteller. Her debut self-help/memoir, The Daddy Files: A Story of Secrets, Forgiveness, and the Search for Identity is all about healing through honesty, faith, and a little laughter.
Turning 40 and Rewriting Your Origin Story
MJ Rod spent most of her life filling in a blank she didn't realize was there. Raised in a warm, loud, loving extended family in Texas, she grew up without her birth father, and built her whole sense of self around pleasing the people who were there. Then, at 45, while tracing her family tree, a blood type on an old military document stopped her cold. The man she had been told and believed was her biological father couldn't have been. What followed was a years-long investigation into her own origins, one that would crack open not just the mystery of where she came from, but everything she thought she knew about who she was.
Episode Highlights
MJ discovered at 45 that her birth father wasn't who she'd always believed, not from a confession or a DNA test, but from a blood type she had looked at dozens of times without registering what it meant.
With no background in investigation but a lifelong dream of working in law enforcement, MJ built her own case from scratch, tracking down military Facebook groups, cold-calling strangers, and eventually hiring a professional genealogist through Ancestry.com to get her across the finish line.
Are you stuck in people-pleasing mode?ConnectListen, Rate & Subscribe
Turning 40 and realizing success is not the same as alignment
Saison 8 · Épisode 139
mardi 6 janvier 2026 • Durée 59:52
Andrea McGinty built what many people would call the ultimate success story: a booming global business, a high-profile marriage, and great kids. So why did midlife still ask her to stop and reconsider everything? Andrea talks about what it feels like when the life you built no longer matches the person you have become. We talk about intuition, values, second acts, and why clarity often arrives slowly, quietly, and from the inside out. If you have ever wondered whether it is possible to change course without burning everything down, this conversation will resonate deeply.
Guest Bio
Andrea McGinty’s journey is as compelling as the love stories she’s helped create. After being dumped at the altar in her 20s, founding It’s Just Lunch Matchmaking in 1990 (before Google and online dating), and later navigating divorce after 24 years of marriage, Andrea took a four-year pause from dating to focus on raising her teenage daughter. When she decided to jump back into the dating world, she approached it strategically, and it paid off—her sixth first date turned into her husband, whom she married in Rome in 2024.
As the founder of It’s Just Lunch in the 1990s, Andrea revolutionized the matchmaking industry. Her innovative service grew to over 110 locations worldwide and facilitated over 33,000 setups, resulting in more than 10,000 marriages. Today, her company, 33,000 Dates, focuses on helping the over-45 crowd find love in the second act of their lives. Currently, 65% of her clients are in long-term relationships, a testament to her expertise and unique methods.
Often referred to as the OG or “Godmother” of modern dating, Andrea’s impact extends beyond her clients. Like an NFL coaching tree, more than 40% of today’s top 25 matchmakers trace their roots back to Andrea’s mentorship and pioneering techniques. Her influence has shaped the industry, creating a legacy that stands out in the world of matchmaking.
Andrea’s work has garnered extensive media attention. She has been featured on Oprah, People, Today Show, and named Entrepreneur of the Month on the Early Show. As a sought-after speaker, she has addressed audiences at the American Marketing Association and other prestigious events. Her insights and passion have made her a trusted voice in the realm of love and relationships.
Turning 40 and realizing success is not the same as alignmentDo you have the Midlife Ick?ConnectListen, Rate & Subscribe
Reflections: A Recurrence of the Ick
Saison 3 · Épisode 56
samedi 22 juillet 2023 • Durée 16:23
In a solo episode, Stephanie reflects on a recurrence of the Ick in her own life and what she’s doing to try to work her way through it.
Reflections: A Recurrence of the Ick
Sometimes you can do the work, you can make it to the other side and build a life that suits you perfectly - and you can STILL have weeks or seasons that just don’t feel good. I’m in one now and I'll tell you about it in this episode.
Download Stephanie’s guide to the Ick to diagnose whether you or someone you love is suffering from the Ick. www.fortydrinks.com/ick
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Turning 40 and Recognizing the Person in the Mirror Matters
Saison 3 · Épisode 55
mardi 11 juillet 2023 • Durée 45:51
After surviving a challenging childhood, David Richman achieved success as an executive at a Wall Street firm. His personal life, though, was a mess. He was a stressed out, overweight smoker with low self-esteem who spent most of his life trying to please others. While he learned many lessons in his professional life, he never thought to apply them to his personal life. Looking back, he says it’s amazing how much he accomplished in relation to how little awareness he had of himself. When that awareness of himself kicked in David says he was enthralled with the idea that he could actually matter. “Until you believe that you matter, you don't. And, I just didn't know that I mattered.”
Guest Bio
David is an author, public speaker, and endurance athlete whose mission is to form more meaningful human connections through storytelling. His first book, Winning in the Middle of the Pack, discussed how to get more out of ourselves than ever imagined. With Cycle of Lives, David shares stories of people overcoming trauma and delves deeply into their emotional journeys with cancer. He continues to do Ironman triathlons and recently completed a solo 4,700-mile bike ride.
Turning 40 and Recognizing the Person in the Mirror Matters
In this episode of the 40 Drinks Podcast, I had the pleasure of talking to David Richman, a man who transformed from an unhappy overweight smoker to an endurance athlete. David's story is a testament to the power of self-reflection and the will to change. His “forty story” is filled with lessons about self-worth, resilience, and the importance of taking care of yourself.
Here are some of the key highlights from our conversation:
David's early life was marked by challenges and obstacles, some self-imposed and others a result of his upbringing. Despite these difficulties, he managed to become an executive at a major Wall Street firm by his early thirties. However, his personal life was a stark contrast to his professional success. He was overweight, a smoker, and in an abusive relationship.
A conversation with a friend served as a wake-up call for David. His friend pointed out that David was the problem in his life, not the people or circumstances around him. This prompted David to take a hard, honest look at himself and his choices.
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Turning 40 and Realizing the Crushing Power of the Wrong Path
Saison 3 · Épisode 54
mardi 4 juillet 2023 • Durée 48:56
In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Tara McFarland, a professional engineer who experienced a profound spiritual awakening and transformation in her forties. Tara shares her journey from feeling fragmented and unfulfilled in her career to rediscovering her true self and integrating her newfound spiritual insights into her professional life. This episode is a deep dive into the challenges and revelations that come with midlife transformations and the pursuit of personal authenticity.
Turning 40 and Realizing the Crushing Power of the Wrong Path
Episode Highlights:
Tara's early career as a civil engineer and her initial struggles with perfectionism and imposter syndrome.
The pivotal moments that led Tara to question her career path and the pressures of living up to familial and societal expectations.
Tara's "midlife unraveling," as described by Brene Brown, which led her to seek help and eventually embrace a path of personal growth and spiritual awakening.
The transformative impact of bodywork and energy healing, which opened Tara to new ways of thinking and being.
Tara's venture into entrepreneurship, starting her own coaching business, and her return to the engineering field with a new perspective and purpose.
The challenges and rewards of integrating spiritual practices and intuition into a traditionally analytical and grounded field like engineering.
This episode offers a compelling look at how embracing a spiritual awakening can transform personal and professional lives. Tara's story is a powerful testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the potential for renewal at any stage of life. Her journey from a high-achieving engineer to a spiritually awakened coach and leader is not only inspiring but also a call to others to explore the depths of their own identities and aspirations.
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, follow, and review the podcast to help us share more stories like Tara's.
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Turning 40 and Outgrowing Cobra Kai Energy🐍
Saison 3 · Épisode 53
mardi 27 juin 2023 • Durée 01:10:18
Before becoming a champion for the podcasting industry, Larry Roberts had dreams of becoming a martial arts champion. A child of the ’80s and a fan of “The Karate Kid,” ninjas and the movies of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal, he vigorously pursued karate and, later, mixed martial arts. That dream was crushed by limitations from a birth defect that should have killed him by age 4 but didn’t. He replaced his pursuit of sports glory with a vigorous pursuit of drinking and partying. By the time he turned 40, he was stuck in a dead end job and deep in alcoholism and felt like life was pointless. But at 41, he reached out for help and went to rehab. Today, he works as hard as he ever did, but now it’s to elevate podcasters instead of crushing opponents.
Guest Bio
After burning out in the corporate world, Red Hat Media founder Larry Roberts took a dive into a new realm of opportunities. His goal was simple: to find excitement in what he was doing every day.
He found it in droves.
Since 2014, Larry has been making himself a household name within the podcasting industry, speaking on stages of national and global trade events including Podfest Multimedia Expo and Podcast Movement, hosting shows that reached the top 1.5% of podcasts, and being named to Podcast Magazine’s 40 Over 40 in Podcasting.
With technology and media changing faster than many can hit play, Larry and his team have committed themselves to staying at the forefront of the industry. Larry is aptly seen as a thought leader in the AI space, teaching workshops and hosting speaking engagements to help creators utilize new technology, and will continue to push business owners out of their comfort zone and into a chapter of innovation and growth.
Turning 40 and Outgrowing Cobra Kai Energy 🐍
Larry Roberts was born with an inverted sternum that would have suffocated him before age 5 if he hadn’t had reconstructive surgery. Because of this, his childhood was pretty sheltered. He went to private school for most of his life, except for two semesters - one in eighth grade and one in high school, both of which ended up in fights and drove him back to private school.
Admittedly, Larry has always had a mouth on him (which is what makes him a great podcaster) and it got him in trouble almost everywhere he went.
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Turning 40 and Learning the Importance of Place
Saison 3 · Épisode 52
mardi 20 juin 2023 • Durée 48:04
In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Sandy Demarest, who navigated a significant midlife transition from feeling lost and disconnected in Burlington, Vermont, to finding her community and purpose in Southern New Hampshire. Sandy shares her compelling story of overcoming the challenges of relocation, redefining her career, and ultimately discovering a deeper sense of self and happiness. Join us as we explore the twists and turns of Sandy's journey and the lessons she learned along the way.
Key Highlights:
Sandy's initial move to Burlington, Vermont, and the struggles with fitting in and feeling at home despite the city's charm and vibrancy.
The decision to relocate to Southern New Hampshire in search of a better fit for her family's needs and her own personal fulfillment.
The challenges and emotional rollercoaster of moving with a family and the impact of the environment on her mental health.
Sandy's insights into finding one's purpose and the importance of community, which she felt was lacking in Burlington but found in New Hampshire.
The development of Sandy's career from education to entrepreneurship, where she now helps others navigate their midlife transitions.
Today's episode with Sandy not only highlights the personal growth that can come from embracing change but also serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's environment with their values and needs. Sandy's story is a powerful testament to the idea that it's never too late to seek out your happiness and redefine your path. Her journey from feeling isolated in Burlington to thriving in New Hampshire offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of pursuing a life that truly feels like home.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating, following, and reviewing the Forty Drinks Podcast. Your feedback helps us bring more inspiring stories like Sandy's to you!
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In this enlightening episode, Stephanie sits down with Annette Copeland, a naturopathic doctor whose journey through personal and health challenges led to profound life transformations. Annette shares her compelling story, from a tumultuous childhood and early motherhood to discovering her path in natural medicine and emotional healing in her midlife. Her insights into overcoming generational trauma and embracing a holistic approach to health are both inspiring and educational.
Turning 40 and Breaking Generational Curses
Episode Highlights:
Annette discusses her challenging childhood and early responsibilities, which set the stage for her later struggles and triumphs.
She delves into her health journey, misdiagnoses, and how she finally found relief through naturopathic medicine and addressing food sensitivities.
Annette's transformation began in earnest when she returned to school in her mid-forties to become a naturopathic doctor, proving it's never too late to redirect your life.
The pivotal role of emotional intelligence and self-awareness in healing and personal growth is a key focus, with Annette sharing how these tools helped reshape her life.
Today’s episode with Annette is a deep dive into the power of change, the importance of addressing both physical and emotional health, and the impact of generational patterns on our lives. Annette’s story is a testament to the possibility of transformation at any age and the importance of seeking holistic solutions. Her journey from pain and confusion to clarity and purpose offers valuable lessons on resilience and the potential for renewal that lies within all of us.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating, following, and reviewing the podcast. Your feedback helps us grow and continue bringing inspiring stories like Annette’s to light.
In this heartfelt episode, Stephanie sits down with April Provencher, a vibrant soul who navigated through a maze of life challenges to emerge triumphantly at the age of 40. April shares her journey of "living life backwards," having experienced motherhood, marriage, and a career all by her early twenties. This conversation dives deep into her transformative years, exploring the dark times in her late twenties and the subsequent awakening and healing that reshaped her life. Join us as April reflects on her path to self-discovery, the power of embracing one's weirdness, and her aspirations for a joy-filled fourth decade.
Turning 40 and Setting Your Soul on Fire🔥
Episode Highlights:
April's Early Challenges: Starting a family at 17 and quickly transitioning into adult responsibilities, feeling like she lived life in reverse.
Dark Period and Transformation: How a deep personal crisis in her late twenties led to profound personal growth and self-awareness.
The Role of Identity Class: April discusses how a personal development course helped catalyze change, despite not remembering much of the content.
Embracing the Weird: April talks about accepting and embracing her unique traits and how it has empowered her.
Impact of Support Systems: The crucial role of friends and unconventional support systems that helped her navigate tough times.
April's Vision for Her Forties: Focused on joy, self-care, and continuing personal growth, while helping others find their path to happiness.
In this episode, April's story unfolds as a testament to the unpredictable yet beautiful journey of self-discovery and personal evolution. Her experiences underscore the importance of seeking help in unexpected places and the transformative power of accepting one's true self. As April steps into her forties with enthusiasm and a heart full of joy, she continues to inspire by living authentically and supporting others in their journeys.
If April's story resonates with you, don't forget to rate, follow, and review the Forty Drinks Podcast to help us share more inspiring stories like hers.
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The search led her to her birth father's sister, who welcomed MJ without hesitation and even insisted on doing a DNA test, not because she doubted her, but so MJ would never have to doubt herself again.
Finding her biological family didn't just answer a question. It answered a feeling. MJ discovered she shared her father's speech patterns, his curiosity about other cultures, his habit of pausing before he spoke, connection she had been searching for her whole life, arriving through a sister rather than a father.
The discovery briefly cracked open every old insecurity MJ had worked to outgrow. But unlike her younger self, she moved through it, and came out the other side with a clarity about her own worth she hadn't had before.
MJ also had to reckon with her mother's silence. For a year during MJ’s search, her mom stopped returning her calls entirely. What MJ eventually understood was that her mother wasn't angry, she was protecting herself, at MJ's expense.
By the time her forties finished with her, MJ had written a book, started a nonprofit, raised money for kids in foster care, learned to love public speaking, and stopped calling herself "just a mom" - for good.
Midlife has a way of surfacing what we spent decades avoiding, and MJ's story is proof that the thing you were most afraid to find out might be what finally sets you free. She came into her forties thinking the question was where she came from. She left knowing the more important answer was who she already was.
If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to rate and follow the show and share it with someone who might need to hear it.
Download Stephanie’s People Pleasing Playbook to understand where it comes from, how it’s showing up, and what it’s costing you. www.thebigfouroh.com/peoplepleaser
With over three decades of experience, Andrea doesn’t just write about dating; she’s lived it. Her latest book, 2nd Acts: Winning Strategies for Dating Over 50, combines personal anecdotes and professional expertise to guide singles on finding meaningful connections later in life. Andrea’s vibrant, no-nonsense approach continues to inspire and empower those ready to embrace their second act with optimism and love.
Andrea McGinty built one of the most successful dating companies in the world before most of us had email, Google, or any idea what online dating might become. But by midlife, the business she had poured herself into, along with the marriage built alongside it, no longer fit who she was becoming. Andrea shares what it was like to grow up as the oldest daughter in a big Irish Catholic family; launch It’s Just Lunch with $3,000 and a dream;, navigate public success alongside private fear; and ultimately listen to the quiet inner voice that told her it was time for something different. Her midlife transition includes selling a global company, divorcing amicably, facing cancer, and stepping fully into a second act built around values, alignment, and deeply personal fulfillment.
Episode Highlights
Growing up as the oldest child in a large Irish Catholic family and how responsibility and resilience shaped Andrea early on
Launching It’s Just Lunch before online dating existed, and how sheer scrappiness, intuition, and grit fueled its success
The emotional reality of early entrepreneurship: outward confidence paired with constant private fear
What happens when success scales beyond recognition, and the work you love turns into meetings you dread
How selling a wildly successful company coincided with a deeper reassessment of marriage, values, and family life
The slow, internal process of deciding to divorce, and why midlife clarity often arrives quietly, not dramatically
Andrea’s story is a great reminder that midlife change is not always sparked by crisis or collapse. Sometimes it comes from clarity. As external pressures fall away, what matters most rises to the surface. This episode explores how success can evolve into misalignment, how values become louder in our forties, and how honoring that inner voice can open the door to a more honest, grounded, and fulfilling second adulthood.
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, and share The Big Four Oh Podcast. Your support helps more people realize they are not alone in this transition.
Download Stephanie’s guide to the Ick to diagnose whether you or someone you love is suffering from this insidious midlife malaise. www.thebigfouroh.com/ick
David began to question his decisions and his lifestyle. He realized that he had been living his life trying to please others rather than focusing on his own happiness and well-being.
David's journey to self-improvement began with a commitment to quit smoking and lose weight. He decided to become an athlete, a goal that seemed far-fetched at the time but would later become a reality.
David started his journey towards becoming an athlete by buying a pair of running shoes and gradually increasing his running distance. He later participated in half and full Ironman races, 50-mile runs, 100-mile runs, and a 5,000-mile solo bike ride.
Realizing that no one else is watching or judging him was both freeing and empowering.
David's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to change your life. His journey from an overweight smoker to an endurance athlete is a testament to the power of self-reflection, determination, and the will to change.
If you enjoyed this episode, please remember to rate, follow, and review the 40 Drinks Podcast. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories like David's to our listeners.
You might like: David's book, "Winning in the Middle of the Pack," in which David describes how to push forward when nobody's paying attention, when the only person who cares is you, and when you are free to become extraordinary for yourself.
It being the early 1980s, a teenage boy would have been influenced by the Karate Kid, the emergence of ninjas in Western popular culture and the movies of Claude Van Damme and Steven Segal. Larry thought, if he could only fight, then he’d be able to solve all his problems. So he started studying karate and has experience with a wide variety of martial arts. Through his teens and twenties he studied and taught karate.
When the UFC debuted in 1993, Larry knew he wanted to go to the “big show.” He wanted to be a professional fighter so he trained with the best coaches he could find and fought in a handful of low-level professional fights.
He was on his way to a professional fight, the biggest fight of his career, and the night before the match he was training with his coach when another coach walked by and said seven words that changed his life, “your cardio is a bit suspect, bro.”
Larry was crushed because he had invested everything into being ready for this competition. Because of his birth defect, his lungs had not developed normally, which left him with about 60% lung capacity.
Larry ended up pulling out of that fight. But he went home and told everyone he had won because he couldn't face the prospect of letting people down or not meeting expectations. Fighting had become his whole identity for about 20 years and it was ripped away that night.
He went through an extreme identity crisis, which led him to start partying. He became the guy who hosted the big parties for every pay-per-view UFC event. He was still involved tangentially, doing some coaching and cornering for friends.
Professionally, he transitioned from just having a job that would allow for him to train to having a corporate career that included the 9 to 5 and then happy hour with the gang afterwards. They had a local spot that they’d get to by 5:15 and stay until it closed every night of the week. He and his crowd got to the point where they’d go through 4 handles of booze every week plus a couple cases of cold beer - on top of what they drank when they were out at the bars. He kept this up for a couple years.
The first time he thought he might have a problem, he was in a meeting at work and hadn’t had a drink in about six hours and started sweating profusely from the DT’s - or withdrawal. But instead of getting help, he doubled down. It got to the point where he was only going three to four hours at a time without having alcohol.
Then one day, he had an epiphany and knew that if he didn’t get help, he’d be dead soon so he called his best friend. Within hours he was checked into an inpatient rehab facility, where he spent seven weeks and he’s been sober ever since. He was 41. He had done so much nerve damage during his drinking days that he was in pain almost constantly and walked with a cane for several years until his body healed.
The year before, when he turned 40 he cried because he thought life was all over. He thought all his opportunities were gone. He felt like he was in a dead end job. He was at the peak of his alcoholism. He felt like his life was in shambles.
Shortly after he got out of rehab, though, he found podcasting. His first taste was Joe Rogan’s podcast, since Joe Rogan has been the commentator for UFC since its inception. He started a comedy podcast with a friend, found success with that and went on to start another podcast. He made his way into the network of people talking, coaching and presenting about the business of podcasting. In 2021, he left his corporate job and now works in the podcasting industry full time.
Today, he finds the same sense of fulfillment from speaking on stage at an event that he used to get from fighting in a ring. Now he’s known as a subject matter expert instead of a kicking and punching expert. In his fighting days, his goal was to crush his opponents and make them feel less than. Today, his goal is still to perform at a very high level, but now he works to elevate others instead of breaking them down.
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