Middle Age Mess

Amira Nystrom is literally a miracle. At 21yo, she went into brain surgery being told by her doctor that nobody had ever survived that particular procedure. Her chances of making it through the surgery and NOT becoming a vegetable were less than 1%. Of course, she made it. She then seemingly cured her chronic Crohn's Disease by simply deciding she didn't want it anymore and living her life in that manner. Then, without qualifications, experience or training, she started an Epic Adventure business and a hypnotherapy practice which are both thriving more than a decade later. On second thought, she's either a miracle or from another planet. Regardless, check out the latest episode of Middle Age Mess or find Amira at www.epicmauihikes.com.

Arias Webster Berry did not exactly grow up on the mean streets since he spent much of his childhood in San Diego, California; however, to do so when both parents are incarcerated for a good portion of your youth ain't so easy. He managed to get through, mending ties with both parents over time and then migrated into the music business producing events with such stars as Janelle Monae, Ludacris and Common before starting his own multi-million dollar marketing company which continues to expand throughout the country.

Nicky Billou advertises himself as the World's Greatest Podcast Guest. While you could say I was "somewhat" skeptical, you know what?, he just might be. Nicky grew up in Iran, persecuted as a Christian, before his family moved to Canada. After experiencing prejudice due to his background (although let's be honest, these were Canadians so they were probably super nice about it), Nicky embarked on a successful corporate career before founding a company and writing best-selling books on Thought Leadership and Business Consulting. We talked for about 40 minutes and never even got to his business as his fascinating background and stories were too interesting to pass up. Check him out at www.thethoughtleaderrevolution.com

Jim Flynn thought being old was gonna be tough, even before he had brain surgery. Then he stumbled onto Jeopardy, blew the game on the final question, wrote 8 books, discovered his lifelong passion and, what d'ya know, senior citizendom turned out not to be so bad after all. Jim reflects back on a crazy journey from humdrum corporate careerist to 8-time novelist, which all started when he decided to write an article about his brief stint on the legendary daytime game show, Jeopardy, and his run-in with Alex Trebeck.

Nisha Srivastava is one of the most uplifting, inspiring people we've had on Middle Age Mess. A 32-year practitioner of Pilates, a Holistic Lifestyle Coach and the owner of one of the first Pilates studios in the UK, Nisha uses transformative wellness insights to challenge the conventional health care system. Nisha has worked with Sting, Cirque du Soleil and Belinda Carlisle to name just a few and, after listening to her for 30 minutes, we guarantee you're going to call up your local Pilates studio to sign up for a few sessions.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chris Abdey is a Procrastination Coach. I didn't know what a procrastination coach was until I met Chris so don't feel bad if you didn't either. Plus, Chris is Canadian so he's too nice to make me feel bad about my obvious ignorance. However, regardless of what I knew beforehand, at the end of our episode, I was pretty much ready to hire him to fix my life and the lives of everybody around me. So it might be worth 35 minutes of your time, too. You can find Chris at www.procrastinationstation.ca.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jeff Hardy is not a doctor or a medical professional in any respect. But somehow, he figured out how to build hospitals all over the globe, some in the world's most neediest places. Springing out of his experience in the Vietnam War, he has focused the last 50 years on improving the world's health care system, both now and in the future. Along the way, he created a non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care to the most underserved populations ever seen. Check him out at www.careforpeace.org or on this week's episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As a podcaster, you occasionally get to talk about what's going on in your mind and, since October 7, 2023, I've spent much time thinking about the world's perception of Israel and Jews after the horrific Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 people on that date. So, I invited my Israeli friend, Giddon Barad, on the show to discuss our thoughts and feelings regarding the manner in which Israel and Jews in general have been treated throughout the world over the past year. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kelly Bonanno grew up in the Entertainment Capital of the World and, erego, she decided to get into the Entertainment Industry. When that got old and boring, though, she moved into a much more exciting field: Dating!!! Kelly is a Matchmaker and Dating Coach based in Southern California who believes that, if you do it right, you should never have a bad date again. Check her out at www.kellybonannon.com and https://datingwithkelly.com and, if you've got the courage, sign up for one of her dating retreats where, hopefully, she can figure out why you're so lonely!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Some people would be interested in Dr. Beck Hoehn's long career in Hollywood as an underwater photographer. Some people would be more interested in her transition to a doctor of acupuncture treating women's fertility problems and establishing her own wellness practice (www.mightyriverwellness.com). Me? I just wanted to talk about her childhood growing up on an island with 30 people that required her to walk across an ice bridge during winter to attend school. Regardless of your interests, you'll enjoy Dr. Hoehn's fascinating journey from a small island off of New York to a thriving medical practice in Southern California.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Penny McGoey is a tremendously interesting human being. First, she lives in Alaska which, let's face it, is fascinating in and of itself. She was a long-time Marine when women weren't really Marines and now she fixes marriages while she's working on her own. And oh yeah, did I mention she lives in Alaska where she fights off bears while she's trying to catch tonight's dinner. This episode went in a whole bunch of different directions that we never expected but we were glad to go. A truly compelling look at a really captivating person. Find her at www.rootedandrisencoaching.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Noa Schechter says that you don't have to be a born leader, you can create a leader. She has spent the past 20 years travelling around the world, meeting with CEO's, business owners, students and anybody else who's looking to improve their lives and taught them to take their personal and professional lives beyond any limits they had previously set for themselves. It's an inspiring 30 minutes and, look, if you're a Middle Age Mess, let's be honest, you need some help so maybe give her a call (www.eqvolve.com) and see what she can do. Ya mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Alexandra Freeman is clear - dating apps suck!! According to 99% of the free world, she's correct which is why she has gone all in on being a matchmaker for people aged 26 to whatever. She's here to tell you why the whole dating ecosystem has changed, why the apps are on the decline and how, if you just call her, she's going to set you up with the love of your life. For sure! Tonight! She's Canadian so I believe her. Check her out on www.matchmakeralexandra.com and see if you believe her, too. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There's nothing we like better at Middle Age Mess than the story of somebody who grabbed Middle Age by the balls and changed their life. Blanca Rodriguez had a difficult childhood in Puerto Rico followed by a challenging relationship as an adult. Rather than cry about it, she decided to do something so she picked herself up off the island, moved to the United States, went back to school, started a business and now sits at the head of a thriving enterprise. Oh yeah, she also does canine massages. Listen to the latest episode of Middle Age Mess or find Blanca at www.woundedhealer.us. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Wendy Alexander has a successful business coaching middle ager's about changing their lives, succeeding in their later years and just generally improving their entire world. So, naturally, we spent about 7 minutes at the end of the video talking about that. The remainder of our conversation was a fascinating trip through Wendy's childhood growing up in segregated South Africa during the Apartheid years. Wendy, who identifies herself as "colored" (i.e., a mixed-race person in South Africa) speaks eloquently about the hardships of being born a "crime" and living there until she left for Australia in her early adulthood. It's a story everyone should hear.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The first, and maybe craziest, aspect of Rabbi/Cantor Judy Greenfeld is that she's a Rabbi and a Cantor. There are very, very few people who are rabbis and cantors, and even fewer, if any, who are female. But R/C Judy has an even more fascinating and heartbreaking journey that led her to this very interesting position as she suffered through the tragedy of having her father murdered on the streets of Cleveland when she was just 16yo. And oh yeah, she started her professional life as a dancer because don't all rabbis do that??? Anyway, R/C Judy is a one-of-a-kind personality whose story you just have to hear.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ralph Velasco caught the travel bug early, like, real early. Starting his international escapades in high school, Ralph started a career as a travel photographer, placing his pictures in major magazines and journals around the world. Not satisfied, he then started taking people along with him, setting up luxury vacations 10-12 times a year to create, possibly, the greatest job in the history of mankind. Find him at www.continentaldrifter.co or listen to his stories on the latest episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Derrick Carbon graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychology and was living the dream with a solid career and great family until his raging alcoholism nearly took it all away. Determined not to lose everything, Derrick rebounded from his "rock bottom", stopped drinking for the last 18 years and now spends his time helping other people find the motivation to forge their own paths away from the perils of alcoholism, depression and anything else that threatens to drag them down. Find him at www.drcmotivation.com or listen to him on this latest episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Topping the scales at 380 pounds in his freshman year at college, Eric Johnson decided he had enough. Starting a workout plan, primarily to hang out with a friend he was crushing on, Eric dropped 100 pounds, came out and started living the life he had always dreamed of as a lonely kid on a Minnesota farm. He didn't stop there, though, ultimately shedding another 100 pounds to drop down to 174 pounds, a weight he's been able to keep for more than 20 years. Check him out at www.emotional-eater.com and listen to Eric's inspirational journey on the latest episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you're middle age, and you're a mess, it's pretty likely that your back is killing you right now. Chris Janke is here to take care of it for you. Chris is a kinesiologist who has developed cutting edge programs to fix some of your worst back problems. For good. If you've been told you need invasive spinal surgery, if you've been told it's just always gonna hurt, Chris Janke might be the guy for you.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rick DellaRatta started in music when he was 5 years old, dancing in the living room with his grandma. He upped his piano game a little later when he was playing with Dizzy Gillespie and headlining jazz festivals in front of 9,000 people. Then, while watching 9/11 unfold less than a mile from his house, he started Jazz for Peace, an organization committed to using music to promote peace, love and understanding around the world. Hear Rick's story and some wildly improvisational jazz on the latest episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jana Barrett grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia, having no idea what the rest of the world held for her until Communism fell in 1989. After meeting her husband in London, she left for New Zealand where she became the first female Tacfit instructor in the country. She now trains middle age messes around the world using the ancient techniques employed in the Tacfit program while looking out over the harbor in spectacular Wellington, NZ.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nanette Murphy didn't look at the demise of her 20-year marriage as an end, but, rather, as the beginning to an amazing new chapter in her life. She spent several years learning about the intricacies of the process and practically created a new profession - Divorce Coach! After educating herself, writing books and learning just about everything a non-lawyer could know, she decided to help thousands of people navigating one of the most painful journeys of their lives. Listen to one of the most useful guests ever to appear on Middle Age Mess as Nanette talks about her own fascinating experience discovering how her own trauma could serve as a springboard to helping other people get through theirs.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When Chris Donaldson goes out for a little motorcycle ride, he doesn't play around. In 1979, he rode his bike more than 10,000 miles. Ummmm, without any idea where he was going. And with a map that just, STOPPED, in Sudan. He let the wind and the sun and whatever girl he spoke to dictate his direction. Then 40 years later, just for the hell of it, he did it again. Tune into Middle Age Mess for a truly fascinating adventure story with a man who was either, admittedly, "young and dumb" or has the most unbelievable sense of wanderlust in history.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After a long career as an actor in Los Angeles, and at the age of 55, Mark Steven Porro returned home to New Jersey to take care of his ailing mother. As one of six kids, Mark became her primary caregiver for the next 2 1/2 years which turned into both a heartwarming and hilarious adventure that led to his best-selling book, "A Cup of Tea on the Commode". Mark recounts some of the stories he experienced during this moving episode of Middle Age Mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At 39, Allan Misner was well over 250 lbs. That was the last time, though. Over the next 8 months, Allan lost 66 lbs and capped off his weight loss journey by completing a Tough Mudder with his 21yo daughter. This tough motherfu**er went on to create a thriving 40+ fitness community and continues to share his fitness secrets with middle age messes all over the world.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jennifer Cain Birkmose is unbelievable (albeit accessible at www.vivavalet.com). She went from navigating minefields in Bosnia to saving poor countries with the World Health Organization to (ugh!!!!) Big Pharma, and then put that all away to be an improv performer in Switzerland while she's revolutionizing the Senior Housing industry. It's quite an adventure and a simply fascinating story to hear.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David Petrovay spent more than two decades teaching and counseling blind students across the United States, although he'll tell you that these kids taught him a lot more than they learned. When he felt himself sliding into a Middle Age Mess, he transitioned into career counseling, published three books and now uses his lifetime of experiences working with some of the most inspirational children in the world to inspire and transform people's lives.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ever stumbled into your middle age and realized you've been doing everything wrong? So did Jerry Scarlato, except he decided to do something about it. He got a divorce, started a business and committed himself to helping people in his community improve themselves by building their confidence through health and fitness with his own creation, The Good Wolf Project.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Let's talk about hitting rock bottom and then climbing back up again to the top. This week, Middle Age Mess interviews the author of Man Up, Sober Up, Ryan Penley, who discusses his descent into addiction for drugs, alcohol and anything else he could find and then his slow rise from those depths to a place where he now helps addicts across the country find their strength, too. A truly inspirational story!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Janine Bolon is a Financial First Responder, Analytical Biochemist, Media Production Company Founder and I think she may be our Galactic Overlord as well. She overcame a poverty-stricken childhood in Missourah to work on projects like, ah y'know, little stuff like decoding the Human Genome and curing AIDS. She's a remarkable woman with a portfolio of stories that simply don't come out of a kid who grew up at the base of the Ozarks. Check out the latest episode of Middle Age Mess at www.middleagemess.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Christian Yordanov is a health and longevity author and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). His mission and passion is to teach people lhow to restore their health, optimize it, and transform your life so that together we can build a better world for our children. He lives in Portugal by way of South Africa and Bulgaria but, don't worry, you'll be able to understand his English.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Andrea Putting is an international speaker, author and Trusted Advisor. Through her keynote speeches, book, programs and podcast, she guides businesses to become an authentic influence by collaborating to grow prosperity that changes the world. While the cause is serving humanity and the environment, the effect is developing leaders and visionary teams that strengthen business, grow a community within the workplace, and inspire consumers who want to support businesses that care.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Marnie Dachis Marmet teaches busy women and teens how to implement sustainable healthy habits into their lifestyle to create a happier and healthier life. Marnie helps people get to the underlying root cause of what is keeping them from having the energy, vitality, health and anti-aging qualities that they want. Check out the latest episode of Middle Age Mess where Marnie shows us how it just might be possible not to be a mess.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dame Clarissa Burt is a tornado!!!  She has done everything and, better, talks about everything.  After 20+ years as a runway model in Europe, she came back to the US, produced Miss Universe, started her own production company and, just for fun, I think she ran NASA for a few years in the '90s.  And yes, she's a Dame, so don't screw with her, or me, now that I know her.  Clarissa is a ton of fun with a ton of stories and, somehow, some way, she's 65.  You have to watch the podcast to believe it.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Straight outta Germany, Kim Rahir, is a powerlifter, a journalist, a weightlifting coach and a female badass.  Just a few years ago, though, she was just like you - lazy, out of shape and trying to figure out how to make it through the day.  After dragging herself into the gym one day, her life changed.  Now, she is rousting seniors out of their lazy ways and showing people that, no matter how old you are, lifting a couple hundred pounds of iron above your head is gonna make you feel great.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you're interested in hearing stories about complete and total badass-ery, tune into Dan Indante's podcast with Atlas Aultman.    Atlas worked with the Special Forces, Special Operations communities while in uniform and the Secret Service and presidential support communities while spending time in the White House during the Obama Administration.  His life plays out like a James Bond movie, except that it's real!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hands down, the best podcast I've ever had.  Jannette Anderson is among the coolest people I know, and not just because she's from frigid Canada.  We talked about her jobs in phone sex, the time she sold all her family's possessions at the age of 5 and a bunch of other outrageous life stories.   We didn't talk much about her business but that was only because nothing could top her personal life.  Listen to this one, it's a winner.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a world of "LOSE WEIGHT NOW, ASK ME HOW" BS, Tripp Parks and his company Ascend Performance Training has developed a cutting-edge health/wellness program that utilizes genetic testing, sophisticated body analysis and a whole heap of common sense to create 360 degree lifestyle regimens that will get and keep you healthier than ever.Listen to Tripp's practical, yet space age, discussion of how you can get to your best YOU on www.danindante.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I can't describe Harvey Wizard or the podcast I just had with him so I'm not going to try.All I can tell you is that he is the self-proclaimed Most Interesting Man in the World and, for those of you only interested in the USA to the exclusion of the rest of the planet, also the self-proclaimed Most Brutally Honest Man in America. And he's running for president in 2024.And he had two vasectomies. OK, that's it.  Listen to the podcast.  It is, uh, interesting.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Taking a company from $50K to $500K in a year is good for the middle agers, the senior citizens and anybody else who stumbles into your office.  Doing that and publishing books, going on Oprah, having a Ted talk, and practically founding the life coaching industry would probably make you an interesting person to talk to. Tune into Middle Age Mess and hear from Laura Berman Fortgang, a pioneer in the coaching world and somebody who just might take you to the next level.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

OK, we've given you life coaches and motivational speakers and resume building but now we're gonna focus on what really matters - "how does an old codger like me get laid?"And to figure that out, we had a discussion with Dating Guru, Confidence Therapist and Image Expert Kimmy Seltzer who's teaching people all over the world how to get out of their living rooms and get busy with an actual real life person.Kimmy gives us the goods on what skills you need to build, how to attract somebody at a bar and, most importantly, how not to put a picture of you holding a fish in your dating app profile.  Tune into Middle Age Mess and up your dating game with Kimmy SeltzerAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Michael Maddox refused to go down the same road the rest of us do when we encounter middle age - no shoulder hair, flat butt or CPAP machine.  Instead, he woke up on his 40th birthday, peered down a potentially ugly 10 years and said, screw this, 50 ain't beating me, I'm Smashing 50.  And that's what he's done.  Tune into Middle Age Mess to hear howAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Checking out of the corporate rat race and into your own gig is always terrifying - especially when the big 5-0 is on the horizon.  Melanie Mitchell Wexler not only figured out the secret sauce to be successful in this transition but she now coaches other would-be entrepreneurs in making the leap themselves.  Tune into Middle Age Mess and listen to how she did it, and how you can do it, too.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I don't care how much of a mess you think your life is, spend 47 minutes listening to the words and wisdom of 6'8", Hostage Negotiator, Undercover Drug Detective, Basketball Coach, Cancer Warrior Terry Tucker and you're going to learn how to get through it. An 11-year survivor of a rare cancer that has cost him both his legs, Terry brings an unbelievable spirit and positive philosophy of life that will leave you ready to take on whatever challenges your miserable Middle Age years have wrought.  They'll still be miserable, just maybe a little less so.  And what else can you expect from a sub-60 minute podcast?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

You want a mess?  Try getting diagnosed with cancer 6 weeks after receiving a clean bill of health, spending 15 months in chemo, going bald and having your eyes change color - now that's a mess.But after enduring all of the above, fitness consultant/author/race announcer Fitz Koehler dedicated herself to a recovery that saw her run a 5k just one month after her last chemo session, write three books and act as an inspiration to the entire cancer survivor community.Tune in to Middle Age Mess to hear her amazing story!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan Indante is both middle aged and a mess which, yes, are redundant but also grist for the mill of this podcast, appropriately titled Middle Age Mess. Cruising through his 50's with a bad back and the realization that he's figured nothing out despite five decades of trying, he decided to start interviewing a few people who might teach him a few things about appropriate aging or, more likely, distract him from the carnage that is his geriatric life.This episode features Newport Beach, CA - based doctor, Jason Amstutz, a health professional who combines chiropractic care with a revolutionary whole-body based treatment program to remedy back aches, muscle deterioration and all the other ailments geezers like Indante seem to find when they wake up every morning.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy