The Better Man Podcast

Today's guest, Jim (a Man Flow Yoga Member since 2018), had his life turned completely upside down shortly after he retired. He had a near-fatal heart crisis, technically died, and came back to life. Here's how it happened: Before retirement, he worked an ultra stressful job as a director of global health and safety and crisis management during both Covid and the Russia-Ukraine war. When he was offered early retirement, he took it without blinking. A few months later, he pushed himself too hard doing yard work and ended up hurting his back. This forced him to be sedentary and to pop Ibuprofen like they were candy because they were the only thing that eliminated his pain. Well, it turns out that Jim overdosed on the Ibuprofen he was taking. Something he almost completely ignored and chalked up to fatigue. Fortunately, one day after exiting the shower, he noticed red spots all over his legs - a sign of overdosing on Ibuprofen. In an attempt to dilute the Ibuprofen, he combined water with a hydrator not realizing how much sodium content hydrators contain. And so, his legs and hands started to swell to the size of balloons. Jim still wanted to tough it out and had no desire to go to the ER. But his mother forced him to go. He looked sickly. And that trip saved his life. In the hospital, they found water in his heart and lungs which prompted an immediate open heart surgery. During the surgery there were all sorts of complications and his family was left with a decision: Say their final goodbyes or put Jim on an ECMO machine. They put him on an ECMO machine and saved his life. But his journey wasn't over yet. Part of his recovery was being in a drug-induced coma for 9 days. And then intensive physical therapy afterwards. Anyway, this happened a little over a year ago. Jim still isn't quite 100%, but he also feels better, more fulfilled, and more alive now in his "second life" than he ever felt in his first. Jim's story is an incredible and eye-opening one. Listen now. Here's what Jim and I discuss: Why all men need to know their numbers like the back of their hands. (It can save your life. Seriously.) How Jim went from being doctor-adverse to being one of the best spokesman for men's physical health Life lessons from coming back from death (and why you don't need to wait until a near-fatal experience to make changes that benefit your long-term health) And more, including… How Man Flow Yoga helped save Jim's mental health after being in charge of crises (like covid and the Russia-Ukraine war) as director of global health and safety and crisis management for a global company (3:17) The blistering decline of health Jim experienced after retirement (first he hurt his back, then became sedentary for months and popped ibuprofen to the point he overdosed, and lastly he suffered a near-fatal heart crisis) (4:49) Here's what Jim remembers from his heart stopping in the middle of open heart surgery and from being on a 9-day, drug-induced coma (11:38) How Jim managed his emotions after going from being completely independent to utterly dependent during recovery of his near-fatal heart crisis (18:17) Why do so many men avoid the doctor? Jim was one of these men who thought he was invincible… here's his advice after almost dying (20:01) How being courageous and vulnerable with your body can literally save your life (30:05) How music therapy saved Jim's memory after losing so much oxygen in his brain that his doctors were worried he'd have severe memory deficiencies for the rest of his life (37:44) Resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/ 2. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7

Human beings are designed for the consumption of fruits and vegetables. That single sentence is what inspired today's guest, Dr. Douglas Graham, to experiment with his diet for decades, which led to his creation of the counterintuitive 80-10-10 Diet. He's sustained this dieting approach for 40 years even though it defies the most common advice from "health experts." And it's also why Dr. Graham doesn't cook his food. This is an eye-opening episode that will challenge your beliefs about health, diet, and longevity. It certainly challenged my beliefs. It is NOT about biohacking (because Dr. Graham doesn't believe in it). It is also NOT about prioritizing protein consumption. Instead, it's about controlling the parameters (substances, forces, influences, and conditions) that create health in the human body. Listen now. Here's what Dr. Graham and I discuss: Are humans herbivores by design? All the evidence suggests that's the case… The truth about eating a raw food diet (and why a cooked food cannot be considered a "whole food") Why you might be eating too much fat and too much protein And more, including… How modern society approaches health in the complete opposite way (instead of focusing on the causes of disease, it's often more helpful to focus on the causes of health) (8:09) Here are 2 reasons why you don't feel better after seeing a chiropractor straight from a retired chiropractor himself (12:34) Why your body responds to all types of trauma -- physical, chemical, or emotional -- in the same exact way (and what this insight means for recovering from trauma) (13:45) Why most of trauma the average person has today comes from chemical trauma (NOT emotional or physical though those types can happen) (15:43) A scientific reality that explains why cooked food can lead to disease (18:09) How Dr. Graham's strict raw fruit and veggie diet made his endurance go through the roof, gave him pristine mental clarity, significantly increased his recall, allowed him to cut his sleep by 25% without any negative effects, and even made him more compassionate (25:02) The "80-10-10 Diet" popularized by Dr. Graham after experimenting with all sorts of diets (many of which you've probably never even heard of) for a decade (26:57) How reducing the fat intake of type 2 diabetics caused 100% of Dr. Graham's patients to get 100% off insulin in under 72 hours (31:10) The "20-80" rule for figuring out which fats your body finds healthy and useful and which ones it finds unhealthy and unuseful (32:42) Are high-fat and high-protein diets actually bad for human health? Dr. Graham weighs in with his surprising answer at (40:45) Why cooked foods cannot be considered "whole foods" according to Dr. Graham (and backed by science) (52:02) Guest Bio: Dr. Douglas Graham is a lifelong athlete, raw-food pioneer, and the creator of The 80/10/10 Diet—the nutritional gold standard for those seeking peak biological performance. A true "living blueprint" for his own teachings, Dr. Graham is the current two-time British Powerlifting Champion and World Champion in Squat, proving that elite strength and fruit-based nutrition go hand in hand. For over 40 years, he has served as a high-level advisor to world-class performers, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova, NBA pros, and Olympic sprinters. He is the author of numerous definitive works on health, including Nutrition and Athletic Performance and his latest, Perpetual Health 365. Dr. Graham believes that health is the birthright of every individual. He teaches men how to achieve total vitality and "energy to spare" without supplements, meal replacements, or restrictive "starvation" diets. By aligning with our true frugivore biology, Dr. Graham helps individuals protect their bodies from chronic disease, maintain their natural weight, and develop the functional strength required to live life to the fullest. A retired chiropractor and organizer of world-renowned water fasting and fruit-feasting retreats, he integrates heavy lifting and resistance training as vital pillars of a long, capable life. Whether leading FUNctional Fitness workshops at his retreats in Costa Rica, Spain, and Bali, or delivering keynote lectures worldwide, Dr. Graham provides the definitive roadmap for those aspiring to excellence in fitness, physique, and longevity. Please let me know if you need anything further. Links: Website: https://foodnsport.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdouglasgraham/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdouglasgraham YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoodnSport Retreats: Hygiene Heaven Fasting Retreat Costa Rica: https://www.hygiene-heaven.com/crfast-info RAW Nature Retreat Spain: https://rawnaturetreat.com/ Vitality in Paradise in Bali: https://www.hygiene-heaven.com/vitality-in-paradise Other resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.c

Today's guest, Boys Will Be Men author and therapist, Vince Benevento has spent decades of his life helping men battle their own demons and heal their internal environments. Vince was originally attracted to men's mental health after facing his own share of demons in his 20s. But he never imagined how much he'd need to lean on his decades of experience when his life was uprooted in the face of an unspeakable trauma… One day, out of absolutely nowhere, one of his sons developed an unexpected rash that suddenly turned into life-threatening illness. His son spent 135 days in the hospital. Went through multiple surgeries. And at one point, he had a sub 10% chance of surviving. Vince and his wife spent every second in that hospital with their son as he fought to survive. And despite being a therapist, an experience as traumatic (and random) as this caused a swelling of big, heavy emotions. Vince admits that he didn't handle those 135 days in the hospital in the best way. But his son survived. Vince changed as a result. And he gives some pointers on how he would act today if he was thrown into a similar situation, which you'll find instantly applicable to any traumatic event that happens in your life. Today's show is a masterclass in courageous vulnerability. And you'll learn a lot about how to soothe your own internal environment too. Listen now. Here's what Vince and I discuss: How men can have more meaningful and vulnerable conversations with each other The one area I'm personally stuck at in my healing journey (and why so many men get stuck at this point) And, of course, Vince shares the story about how he handled his son's life-threatening illness And more, including… How conventional dialogue between men chokes out your emotions and your ability to connect meaningfully with other guys (5:06) How to heal yourself so when your childhood wounds get poked you don't revert back into your old patterns or search for external support (6:13) The counterintuitive way the traits you pride yourself on are the very things that box you in an emotional wall (16:22) The "Do, Not Be" trap that guys are particularly vulnerable to that causes you to replace your emotional fulfillment with meaningless achievements (16:32) Why success blows up so many marriages and relationships fathers have with their kids (17:23) How Vince handled one of the most traumatic experiences a parent have (and how he would handle it differently today): his son ended up with a life-threatening illness out of nowhere, spent 135 days in the hospital, and at one point had a sub 10% chance to survive (20:43) Why surrendering to deeply traumatic experiences, as wrong as it may sound, gives you the deepest sense of freedom, peace, and relief (39:51) Guest Bio: Vince Benevento is the Director and Founder of Causeway Collaborative, leading and providing direct service for all three specialized teams. A licensed professional counselor, he holds a BA in Psychology from Wesleyan University and an MA in School Counseling from Fairfield University. Vince began his career as an in-home therapist for adolescents and families at the Wheeler Clinic in Plainville, Connecticut, a regional behavioral health services provider. From there, he entered the corporate world, where he worked as a professional recruiter and honed his career-counseling skills. With this valuable experience under his belt, Vince transitioned back to individual and community-based counseling as an employment specialist for the Kennedy Center, one of Connecticut's largest and most highly regarded community organizations. At the Kennedy Center, Vince worked to find meaningful jobs for unemployed adults with psychiatric diagnoses and criminal histories. He joined Freudigman & Billings in 2010 as an educational therapist and completed a year-long internship in the Weston High School guidance department, where he initiated and co-led weekly support groups for at-risk-students. In 2012, Vince brought his skills and experiences together to start Causeway Collaborative. Vince's work experience, whether in the corporate world or in counseling, is united by a single purpose: to help students, young professionals, and those who are struggling to plan for the future and to realize their potential. Vince recently published the book, Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male too. Resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Buy Vince's book, Boys Will Be Men: 8 Lessons for the Lost American Male on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Will-Be-Men-American/dp/1959170317 2. Follow Vince on Instagram: @vince_benevento_LPC 3. Visit Vince's company, Causeway Collaborative, here: http://www.causewaycollaborative.com/ 4. Or, check out Vince's personal website (for speaking and coaching) here: https://www.sharperformen.com/ 5. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/ 6. Ma

Everyone lives in a world of their own creation through their conditioning, their thought patterns, and their behaviors. The problem is, this route leads to pain because it severs the connection with your true identity. When you're disconnected from your true identity, and you forget to remember who you are, you'll wake up one day and realize you're living a complete lie. Instead of creating a life that makes you happy and fulfilled, you trade your future for someone else's opinion of you. Today's guest, retired Navy SEAL Commander Mark Divine, was lucky enough to discover this early in his life thanks to his meditation practice. His conditioning told him that he was going to business school to join the family business. But a few months after getting his MBA and CPA, Mark decided to give it all up to become a Navy SEAL because his meditation practice created enough stillness that he remembered he was a warrior. Despite being a "civilian" (who have terribly low success rates of becoming a SEAL - only about 10 to 15% make it), Mark's meditation practice allowed him to reconstruct his identity and become the #1 student in SEAL training. As Navy SEAL Commander, Mark introduced other SEALs to meditation, yoga, and fully integrating the body, mind, and spirit. Since he's retired, his Navy SEAL training program (called SEALFIT) has had incredible success. Mark's students who went through his SEALFIT program had a 90% success rate of joining the SEALs (which is even more impressive when you realize the failure rate is between 85-90%). He's also authored several best-selling books that are designed to help anyone rediscover their true identity. This conversation won't just open your eyes, but it will be deeply inspiring too. Listen now. Here's what Mark and I discuss: How to start meditating and the reason why so many people fail at it Why remembering who you truly are helps you stumble on your true identity How integrating all your training can greatly accelerate your journey to self-awareness And more, including… How your mind gets conditioned (by your parents, society, schooling, and more) from the very second you open your eyes in this world (4:14) This book can reframe spirituality for you (without any religious overtones) and make it easier for you to tap into "Zen" (8:28) How to become still enough to hear your soul's whispers and discover your true calling (12:54) The #1 source of angst among men in the world (and the trick Mark used to avoid living a life of quiet desperation) (14:00) 3 things you must do to break through separation and tune into "Unity Consciousness" that turns the universe into your silent partner (15:35) Why the "descriptive-prescriptive fallacy" makes meditation impossible (and a simple mindset shift that makes mediating as simple as riding a bike) (20:27) How to change the very nature of what you believe to be true about yourself (32:03) The incredible story about how Mark used meditation to change his identity, join the Navy SEALs off the street, and become the #1 student in his SEAL training (37:42) Why figuring out how to navigate "VUCA" is like becoming Neo in the Matrix (in fact, according to Mark, this is what SEAL training is all about) (40:19) How training to be softer, more flexible, and more durable is the ultimate "strength training" for men (54:29) Guest Bio: Dr. Mark Divine|PHD is a retired Navy SEAL Commander, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Founder / CEO of SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind, founder of multiple million-dollar businesses, lifetime Martial Artist, Ashtanga Yoga teacher, and host of the Unbeatable Mind podcast (recently rated #1 health podcast and #30 overall on itunes). The U.S. Navy selected him to create a nationwide leadership and mental-performance program for the SEALs, designed to help elite teams excel under extreme stress. Resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Find Mark's programs, coaching, books, and podcast on his site here: https://markdivine.com/ 2. Man Flow Yoga Events: We just announced new locations for 2026 in-person events. Find the full list of cities we're coming to here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/ 3. Man Flow Yoga: Haven't signed up yet? Start your 7-day free trial and see how yoga can eliminate aches and pains better than other types of exercise here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7