Ep132: The Permanent Way to Conquer Back & Knee Pain from Running (Member Interview: Matt A.)
A lot of people think they’re too old, too overweight, or too stressed to take their first step on their fitness journey. But as today’s guest, Matt, so eloquently stated in the episode, if you don’t start today, you’re going to be that much older when you do start. Since we only get one shot of this game of life, why not start today? And you know what? That’s exactly what Matt did a decade ago. When he realized he couldn’t fit the airplane seatbelt over his body, he decided to make the simplest of changes: He walked three quarters of a mile to Subway for a sub instead of driving. While this decision seems tiny, it was massive in hindsight. Ever since that Subway walk, Matt dropped 50 pounds, started jogging, then cycling, then running 5ks, then half-marathons and marathons. And today, he’s completed a half-marathon or century bike race in 32 states (and plans to finish one in all 50 states by the time he turns 50). No matter your age or what stage of your fitness journey you’re on, Matt’s episode will give you a dose of inspiration to conquer your next workout. Here’s what Matt and I discuss on today’s episode: Why tiny decisions can lead to significant changes (without overwhelm, burnout, or injuries) Simple mindset tweaks that will help you finally take your fitness seriously The trick for permanently conquering any kind of bodily pain And more, including… How Adam dropped 50 pounds by doing these 3 simple things that anyone can start doing (3:25) Have you ever ended up in urgent care from lower back pain? Here’s how Adam conquered his back pain for good (he’s had zero instances of back or knee pain in the past 18 months!) (5:31) Why Apple Fitness yoga pales in comparison to Man Flow Yoga (13:08) How outsourcing accountability to a community makes your weight loss journey less daunting, less overwhelming, and easier to stick with (even if you haven’t noticed results yet) (21:21) The “Reframe Your Age” secret for setting new PRs as you grow older (23:58) The weird way a Man Flow Yoga habit will help you get over “gymtimidation” (28:30) How to stop your mind from procrastinating on your fitness once and for all with the “put your shoes on” mindset shift (34:12) Listen now! Resources mentioned on this episode: Strength Foundation Challenge: If you want to follow in Matt’s footsteps (literally), he started his Man Flow Yoga journey with the Strength Foundation Challenge - and you can too here: https://manflowyoga.com/strength_challenge-2/ Other important links: Want to unlock more flexibility and strength, reduce your risk of injury, and feel your absolute best over the next 7 days? Then join the FREE 7-Day Beginner’s Yoga for Men Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/pTVc7 Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
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131: Sexual Health: The Most Neglected Part of Holistic Wellness with Scott & Chris (We Got Balls Podcast)
Men have a tendency to believe that their sexual health is an optional part of their overall health. But, as you’ll learn in this episode, it’s actually an essential part to holistic wellness. Why don’t more men talk about it then? Well, most of us were raised in a way that either neglected the role sexual health plays in overall wellness or completely stigmatized sexual desire as “bad.” This mistake carries significant consequences for men: They feel intense shame around sexual desire, their sexual abuse cases go unnoticed, and the sexual harm they experienced (which is something every man goes through) never gets discussed. In other words, neglecting and stigmatizing sexual wellness causes men to fall into destructive and self-sabotaging behaviors. At least that’s what today’s guests, Scott and Chris from the We Got Balls Podcast, have discovered since launching their raw and real community for men. Scott and Chris have both battled sexual trauma and were left unimpressed and frustrated by the typical healing modalities. That’s what led them to create the We Got Balls Podcast as well as their own men’s group to help other men heal from their sexual trauma and become better men for it. Here’s what Scott and Chris share in this episode: Why is it so uncomfortable to talk about sex? The difference between sexual abuse and sexual harm (and why they both happen more often than you think) The alarming age when boys first watch porn And so much more! Other highlights include: The controversial reason why men get sexually abused as much as, if not more often than, women (7:05) How sexual trauma resurfaces in your adult life (and how to actually deal with deep pangs of shame before they undermine your marriage) (12:05) Why a culture that’s generally hostile to masculinity creates toxic masculinity (and how to embrace masculinity without being toxic) (13:26) Why it’s no longer possible to protect your child from pornography (and how to prepare them for it so they don’t get sexually harmed or worse) (25:39) The single most neglected part of holistic wellness that’s silently sabotaging men’s lives (29:45) Why even the best-intentioned religious teachings on sex backfire and create intense sexual traumas (33:04) The “Identity Shift” secret for permanently changing your destructive behaviors (36:12) Listen now! Resources mentioned on this episode: 1. Subscribe to the We Got Balls Podcast hosted by Scott and Chris on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@WeGotBallsPod 2. Buy Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing by Jay Stringer (the book mentioned in this episode) on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3QRkif2 Other important links: Want to improve your sexual wellness, get stronger erections, and last longer in bed? Then join the FREE 7-Day Sexual Wellness Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/uA27H Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
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130: How to Better Conquer the Ups & Downs of a Weight Loss Journey with David (Member Interview)
If you’re trying to lose weight, do you have a plan for when you plateau? Or when you travel? While these might be the last things on your mind at the beginning of your weight loss journey, they can sneak up on you. And having a plan can be the difference between keeping the weight off or putting it back on. Today’s guest, David, knows all about the ups and downs of a weight loss journey. After his daughter was born, he ballooned up to 300 pounds. After realizing he had to be there for his daughter, he made some dieting tweaks and lost 50 pounds. Problem is, he plateaued for years… until recently! Today, he weighs less than he ever had since his daughter’s been born… his aches and pains have vanished… and he’s far happier than he ever remembered being. And you know what? Since David travels frequently for work, he’s also cracked the code to maintain your weight while traveling. If you’re struggling to lose weight, or just need a dose of inspiration from someone who’s been in your shoes, listen now. Here’s what David and I share in this episode: How to travel without gaining weight Why it’s possible to lose weight and still feel crappy How to create the right environment - in your home and at work - to make losing weight easier And more. Other highlights include: How David lost 50 pounds after realizing he couldn’t pick up his daughter’s toys without losing his breath (and how he rekindled his weight loss journey after plateauing) (3:16) Why Man Flow Yoga eliminated David hip and lower back pain (when walking, other yoga classes, and even lifting weights didn’t help) (9:10) How “bribing” yourself when you can’t find the motivation to start a weight loss journey can kick you into gear (18:20) Why you need less time strength training than you probably think (23:36) This simple “Worth It” mindset protects your health and fitness from spiraling out of control when you travel (24:51) A simple and surprisingly effective way to calm your anxiety down (34:27) Listen now! Other important links: Want to unlock more flexibility and strength, reduce your risk of injury, and feel your absolute best over the next 7 days? Then join the FREE 7-Day Beginner’s Yoga for Men Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/pTVc7 Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
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129: How to Improve Your “Health-Esteem” & Fitness Consistency with Carl Daikeler (Co-Founder of BODi fka Beach Body)
Everyone knows that working out consistently is one of the most important things you can do for your longevity, your health, and your mood. But knowing this doesn’t make working out any easier. If that was the case, nobody would be overweight, have back or joint pain, or have low self-esteem. Turns out, there are certain emotional saboteurs—in the form of limiting beliefs and insidious, subconscious mindsets—that wreck your “fitness quotient,” or FQ - before you even begin! But perhaps nobody else on the planet understands the deeper, emotional causes of self-sabotage in fitness better than today’s guest: Carl Daikeler, co-founder of BODi (fka Beach Body). Carl helped create some of the most popular workout programs of all time (P90X, Insanity, 21 Day Fix) by understanding the deeper reasons behind self-sabotage and inconsistency. In today’s show, Carl shares some of the most powerful strategies to improve your “health-esteem,” your FQ, and become more consistent with exercise. Here’s what Carl and I share in this episode: How to “trick” your brain into looking forward to and enjoying exercise Why nothing will motivate you more than visiting an assisted living facility How to become aware of (and eventually conquer) the deeper, emotional barriers that keep you from being consistent And so much more. Other highlights include: This story about an assisted living facility might just scare you enough to make fitness a top priority (even if you’ve been inconsistent in the past) (9:22) The “explore life” secret for actually looking forward to working out (10:28) Why your “FQ” may be more important for your longevity and wellness than IQ or EQ (14:00) How to find ways to trick yourself into enjoying exercise (especially if it’s always the last thing you want to do) (15:02) Why believing your fitness routine is selfish is an excuse to be lazy (17:19) Why taking Ozempic or other GLP-1’s without combining it with strength-building exercise and protein consumption is a grave mistake (19:23) A few dirt-simple tweaks to your lifestyle that make a significant impact to your “health-esteem” (20:14) A deep, unconscious mindset that actively works against you to sabotage your fitness (and how to become aware of it… and conquer it) (25:22) This Jedi mindset trick turns your negative limiting beliefs into empowering absolute truths (28:38) Listen now! Guest Bio: Carl Daikeler is a visionary entrepreneur, and the CEO and co-founder of The Beachbody Company, leading innovator in the fitness and nutrition space. With a career spanning over four decades, Daikeler has been a trailblazer, pioneering unconventional and highly effective methods to help individuals reach their health and fitness goals. Daikeler co-founded Beachbody in 1998, now known as BODi, which has expanded into a powerhouse of fitness and nutrition tools under his leadership over the last 26 years. The brand is celebrated for its iconic programs such as P90X, Insanity, and 21 Day Fix, and its profound impact on millions worldwide. Over the years, Daikeler has overseen the development of continued innovation resulting in massive growth, including the creation of Shakeology, the world’s first superfood nutrition shake that has sold over a billion servings. He also hosts "The BODi Experience" podcast, is a successful Broadway theater producer winning three Tony awards, and a tech investor. You can connect with Carl Daikeler more through his Instagram at @carldaikeler and LinkedIn. Other important links: Want to unlock more flexibility and strength, reduce your risk of injury, and feel your absolute best over the next 7 days? Then join the FREE 7-Day Beginner’s Yoga for Men Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/pTVc7 Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
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128: How An Identity Shift Can Make Fitness Exciting and Fun with Kevin (Member Interview)
Let’s be honest: Exercising isn’t always exciting and fun. If it were, consistency would be an afterthought instead of an uphill struggle. But what if you actually looked forward to your next workout? That’s what happened to Kevin, today’s guest… Kevin, like myself and many other Members, was a theater kid growing up. (You’ll have to listen to the episode to learn about which embarrassing play I acted in during my senior year…) Like many theater kids, Kevin had subconsciously boxed himself into the “theater kid” mentality for most of his life. So, he never felt like a fitness person: Not when he lost 15 pounds in 60 days Not when he overcame his “gymtimidation” and tacked on muscles that his wife noticed before he did And not even when he signed up for Man Flow Yoga, which raised his “fitness awareness,” improved everything he was doing in the gym, and led to him losing 40 pounds Any one of these accomplishments on their own tells me that Kevin was an athlete or a fitness person. But it didn’t sink in for him until, well, he attended the Man Flow Yoga Weekend Workshop in Chicago last year. In Chicago, he had a pivotal mindset shift that made him think of himself as a fitness person. Since then, he’s enjoyed (almost) every workout, crushed every goal he’s set for himself, and stopped falling into the deadly comparison trap. Kevin shares several nuggets of wisdom in this episode that apply no matter where you are on your fitness journey. For example: Why focusing on results sabotages an otherwise effective fitness plan How changing your relationship with food can make weight loss feel effortless The secret to seeing exercise as fun and exciting instead of like a chore And more! Other highlights include: 2 questions to ask yourself before your next meal that conditions you to eat healthier (5:13) Why it’s easy to eat as many as 4,000 to 5,000 calories per day without even realizing it (and what to do if you catch yourself in this situation) (5:36) How just walking can light a fire under you and inspire a snowball effect to your fitness (7:41) Why it’s almost easier to start a weight loss journey when you’re bigger (hint: you can lose weight rapidly with just a few simple tweaks) (8:11) The weird way thirst and boredom disguise themselves as hunger (9:55) How yoga helped Kevin stop waking up with Charlie horses in the middle of the night (even after he lost 50 pounds and went to the gym consistently) (18:41) How to convince your mind that you won’t be judged at the gym like it thinks (these 3 things will help you get over any “gymtimidation”) (22:16) This mindset shift stops exercise from feeling like a chore and actually makes it exciting and fun (29:13) Listen now! Resources mentioned on this episode: Man Flow Yoga Events: Want to experience an identity shift that makes you look forward to working out like Kevin did? Grab a ticket to our upcoming in-person events for 2025 below: 1. Chicago, IL: August 23-24 - Weekend Workshop. Grab your ticket here. 2. Phoenix, AZ: August 29-31 - Fit Father Project Live (I’ll be leading yoga sessions and running a booth at the event…). Grab your ticket here. 3. Washington, DC: September 13-14 - Man Flow Yoga Wellness Weekend with Coach Jesse & Coach Patrick. Grab your ticket here. 4. Austin, TX: October 18-19 - Weekend Workshop. Grab your ticket here. Other important links: Want to unlock more flexibility and strength, reduce your risk of injury, and feel your absolute best over the next 7 days? Then join the FREE 7-Day Beginner’s Yoga for Men Challenge here: https://shrtlnk.co/pTVc7 Tired of doing a form of yoga that causes more injuries than it helps prevent? The cold, hard truth is men need yoga specifically designed for them. Well, here's some good news: You can start your 7-day free trial to Man Flow Yoga by visiting https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
The Better Man Podcast is a podcast redefining what it means to be better as a man. In it, we’ll discuss how to balance success with our overall well-being, take on a more comprehensive understanding of fitness to include our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and strive to align our actions with who we are at our cores. We can be successful and proud of who we are without sacrificing our core values or our well-being.
Dean Pohlman is known as THE yoga expert for men. His unique fitness-centric, strength-based approach to yoga—exemplified in his yoga workouts, programs, books, videos, blogs, and more—has helped to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of men [and women] worldwide.
Join Dean as he explores the habits, mindsets, tools, and tactics that lead to health, happiness, and fulfillment for men. You'll hear interviews with world-class experts who pull back the curtain and share their proven strategies for taking your body and mind to the next level.
More significantly, we’ll discuss the challenges they faced that truly tested them on an emotional level, and work to better understand what they did to work through those events, and how it helped them to grow for the better.
Learn how to implement new habits sustainably and realistically. Discover systems and processes that will empower you to hit your biggest goals. And be prepared to go deep beyond the world of physical fitness, to explore the mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects of health that will truly allow you to thrive.
Get inspired and get ready. The Better Man Podcast is a conversation to help you become the better version of yourself.
Dean Pohlman
Founder / CEO of Man Flow Yoga
Best-selling Author of Yoga Fitness for Men & Yoga for Athletes
Co-Producer of Body By Yoga Series
Ireland