The Better Man Podcast

In this episode I am joined by a long-time friend and fellow fitness entrepreneur, Sean Vigue, to discuss habits and mindsets we employ on a daily basis for better mental wellness, including movement practices, how to live in the present, and how to deal with being upset. So many people are trying to improve their physical appearance while neglecting the mind and body connection that, if nurtured, can positively impact all areas of life. It's what today's guest, Sean Vigue, has learned throughout his career of teaching millions of people to be more flexible, breathe properly, and improve their body awareness. Sean is a former professional actor and opera singer, and he applies the lessons he learned from being an artist to the world of pilates and yoga. He's mindful that fitness and well-being are much more than hitting the weights and teaches clients that they need to pay attention to their minds as much as they do to their bodies. No wonder he's known as "the Most-Watched Online Yoga and Pilates Guy" and was recently named one of the "Top 50 Workout Brands" by The Huffington Post. He's also a six-time bestselling author, and his popular YouTube Channel has over 28 million views and serves over 200,000 people to improve their athletic performance regardless of age. In this episode, we cover the importance of developing an intimate relationship with our mind, body, and breath, how being present can help us find purpose, why body awareness translates to our relationships and professional lives, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Sean Vigue Sean wasn't happy with just weight lifting, so he incorporated a lot of movement and breathwork into his workout routine. A balanced body leads to a balanced mind. What Sean learned about the relationship between the body and mind by witnessing the work of professional theater actors and singers? Every moment you sit and wait for the right time is another moment lost forever. Lean towards action in life. Finding a spouse that will compliment you is one of the greatest life hacks. Harmony in your personal life translates to your professional life. Don't want to hit the gym? Just take a long walk; it will do wonders for your well-being. How Sean stays fit while juggling his father, husband, and friend roles. You'll often get upset. Witnessing those emotions without pouring fuel over them will make them dissolve. You won't wish you were stricter with yourself on your deathbed. Give yourself the same compassion you would offer your best friend. Exercise your mind as you do your body. Doing challenging things and battling through distractions will make it easier for you to find your purpose. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

This episode with Alex Holmes discusses how us men can be healthier both mentally and emotionally by understanding the patterns that we engage in as men trying to live up to a certain image of how men are supposed to be in our society. Men aren't encouraged to talk about their emotions and vulnerabilities. They're encouraged to bury them deep inside and "man up." That mindset could lead to isolation, loneliness, emotional disconnection from loved ones, and all sorts of other problems down the road. Today's guest, Alex Holmes, offers a different, more empowering solution for men around the world. Alex is an award-winning podcaster, mental health coach, and author of the book Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging and Connection. He's on a mission to tackle the mental health and loneliness epidemic men are going through. That involves opening the door to difficult conversations that many people are afraid to have. In this episode, we go over why it's essential to face your emotions to understand them, lingering myths about masculinity, the mental health challenges men experience today, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Alex Holmes To process difficult emotions, you have to express them, not hide them. Don't be afraid to share your deepest insecurities with your male friends. Bottling them up can only harm your relationships and your self-esteem. Opening up when you've been closed off your whole life isn't easy. It's a habit; do it long enough, and it will become second nature. Challenge yourself. Have that uncomfortable conversation; step outside of your (emotional) comfort zone. It's OK to push forward as a high-achiever. But you also need to learn when to slow down and reconnect with family and nature. Men constantly change masks according to society's and other people's expectations. Do this instead! Look around you. Do you have people in your life who you can trust and call in bad times? The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today's guest, Chase Chewning, is an army veteran, fitness entrepreneur, and podcaster who overcame that fear that so many of us men have: to open up and share their vulnerabilities. Chase has endured severe emotional and physical traumas. He lost his father when he was 19 and soon after suffered horrendous injuries to his entire body that required a complete reconstruction of his femur. On top of that, he suffered from PTSD after ending his deployment. Those experiences took a severe toll on his entire well-being. But ultimately, they were the catalyst for him to dive deep into his biggest insecurities, share them with the people he loves, and accept what life brings him, good or bad. He's now helping people all around the world transform their bodies and minds through conscious content, coaching, and consulting services. Today, we cover his journey from army veteran to fitness coach, the importance of listening to your body, why bottling up your emotions is a surefire way to anxiety and trauma, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Chase Chewning The key lessons Chase learned about health from his years of podcasting. Your body is your greatest coach. Stop and listen to what it's saying before you do yourself harm. What's one thing you can commit to that you know will make you happiest in the long run? Find out how Chase bounced back from PTSD and depression after losing his father and suffering gruesome injuries. Surround yourself with people that love you, and love them back. The quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life. What's your love language? Learn Chase's practice for identifying his deep-seated emotional issues. Don't bottle up your emotions. Do this instead. Stop trying to control external events. Let them unfold and see what happens. Sometimes a walk in nature can be more beneficial for your health than a gym session. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today's guest, BJ Gaddour, has mastered both areas. BJ went from being a pudgy kid to being named one of the 100 Fittest Men of All Time. He's also the former fitness director of Men's Health Magazine and the author of the book Your Body is Your Barbell. BJ started training with the same goals many of us had: To get stronger and look good in the mirror. There's nothing wrong with that approach. But fitness is so, so much more than that. BJ learned that the hard way. He could lift 500 pounds but couldn't do a lunge or a single pullup. His body disobeyed him, even though he was strong as a bull. He's since molded himself into a primer on increasing muscle mass, getting stronger, and being more agile than ever. More importantly, he found that being mentally fit is as important as being shredded. In today's episode, he shares his advice on how to train as you're getting older, the importance of leaving ego aside in every aspect of your life, how he took agency over his mental state, and much more. Key Takeaways with BJ Gaddour Negativity can fuel you to achieve your goals. But there's a better way. How BJ recovered after two years filled with traumatic events. It's OK to push yourself, in work or fitness, but give yourself a breather from time to time. Avoiding uncomfortable emotions is the worst thing you can do. Do this instead. Don't jump out of bed checking on social media. Find out how BJ primes himself in the morning to have a kickass day. To succeed, revel in the success of other people. You don't need a gym for a killer workout. Learn how to squeeze in one wherever you are. Want to test your mobility? Try out BJ's Turkish Getup test. Why constantly breathing through your mouth when training is hard on your body... Use these nasal breathing techniques to improve your fitness, increase overall capacity, and recover faster! The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial\ Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results -- feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

How can disaster and setbacks help us change for the better? Today I'm speaking with Dr. Anthony Balduzzi, a weight loss expert, and doctor in naturopathic medicine. Dr. Anthony is the founder of The Fit Father and The Fit Mother project, and has helped over 40,000 people lose weight and get healthy without following fad diets or spending countless hours in the gym. Anthony is a former national champion bodybuilder who has used his unique blend of knowledge and experience to help men and women all over the world, in over 100 countries, to lose weight, keep it off, and perform at peak capacities. In our conversation, we dig into the lessons he learned from trauma at a young age, his actionable advice for boosting immunity and staving off disease, the importance of reconnecting with nature, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Dr. Anthony Balduzzi How a skiing accident that shattered Anthony's body turned out to be the most transformative experience in his life. You decide whether pain destroys you, or helps you grow. Don't run away from uncomfortable emotions and sensations in the body. Sit with them, observe them, and see what happens. Learn the "behavioral hooks" through which Dr. Anthony helps clients lose weight and keep it off. Don't rely on willpower. Create sustainable systems, and you won't even need willpower after a while. Exercise doesn't need to take a lot of time. Find out how some of Dr. Anthony's clients lost over 100 pounds by simply walking. We're neglecting nature's profound effect on our physiology. Breathe some fresh air, get some sun on your body. Learn the easiest and most overlooked nutrition routines that will improve your health. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

In this episode, I'm talking to Blake Bowman, a postural alignment and corrective exercise coach who's been in this industry for over a decade. During that period, he learned that health and performance is a chess board consisting of many critical moving pieces. Blake has been a guinea pig almost his entire life. After suffering a grueling injury, he couldn't find help to get his body repaired. He could lift 500 pounds on a deadlift at one point but couldn't go on a hike. So, he took matters into his own hands and learned how to fix himself. Today, he's stronger, has better posture, and is healthier than ever. Through GuerillaZen Fitness, he now uses that experience to help people perform and train better without any muscle imbalances and injuries and be at 100% capacity at all times. Today, we discuss how to stop your body from declining, balancing training with self-reflection and reconnecting with nature, the crisis of masculinity, and much more. Key Takeaways with Blake Bowman How his injuries led Blake to become a corrective exercise specialist. Surgery is not always the best option to treat an injury. Try out some of Blake's advice before going under the knife. Find out why foam-rollers can be a game-changer for your mobility and posture. Blake's homemade pre-workout cocktail that enables him to crush workouts. It's good to power through discomfort, but it's not good to power through pain. Learn the difference. Find out how Blake overcame depression and anxiety after losing his father and suffering a gruesome injury. Ego shouldn't guide your goals. To help yourself, help others. So much data shows how going out into nature improves our well-being. Find out the key benefits of "forest bathing." Motivation follows action. Don't wait around to get motivated; start taking action and see what happens. Have clarity on your purpose and goals, and you won't suffer from burnout. We're witnessing a nationwide decline in testosterone levels. What can we do as men? Learn his morning sauna protocol for decreasing stress and promoting recovery. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

How do you run a multi-million dollar business while raising a loving family and taking care of your well-being? It's a question that so many high achievers have failed to answer for themselves. Today, I'm speaking with Matt Allison, a man that has. Matt went through all the trials and tribulations of founding and then selling a wildly successful business. He was the Founder and CEO of the digital analytics & PR company, TrendKite, that in 2019 was acquired for $225 million. Matt has worked with most of the Fortune 100 companies. As the Founder and CEO of Handraise, he's on a mission to help every company he works with deliver on their promises and always provide value for their customers. Besides being a successful entrepreneur, Matt is a loving husband and father. But before he learned how to juggle his different roles in life, Matt struggled with stress, anxiety, financial difficulties, and the burden of running a multi-million dollar business in his 20s. Yet, he took invaluable lessons from that experience that made him a stronger person. And he's here to share them. In this episode, we're discussing why being financially broke doesn't mean that you also have to be mentally broke, the importance of unplugging and finding what provides meaning to your life, why discipline equals freedom, and much more. After talking with Matt, one can't leave without being inspired to take on the world. Listen in and learn for yourself why that's the case. Key Takeaways with Matt Allison Life can suck, but you choose how to interpret stressful times and what meaning you give them. How he started doing regular self-reflection by listening to Tony Robbins. Learn the morning priming exercise that he does each day. The mindset helped him go from living in a basement with no heating to founding and running multiple multi-million dollar businesses. How team sports changed his mentality and made him appreciate hard work and perseverance. Being an underdog led him to push himself more in sports and business. Learn to appreciate the struggle instead of wishing for life to deal you better cards. Discipline = Freedom. Learn why being disciplined does not confine, but liberates you. Being a Founder and CEO can be stressful, especially at a young age. Learn how Matt overcame the crippling anxiety while running his first business. What lessons did he take away and apply later? Even in his most prosperous days, Matt made it a point to surround himself with people smarter than himself. Find out why. The importance of scheduling play in your life. The habits he followed to lose over 30 pounds. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today I'm excited to bring my favorite person on the planet onto my podcast - my wife, Marisa Pohlman - to talk about the changes we went through becoming parents, how we stay fit, and the challenges we face in family life. If you're wondering, Marisa is a PT (Physical Therapist) with a doctorate in physical therapy. She's also an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), putting her in the top 5 - 10% of PTs in the country who are also an OCS. One surprising fact about her is that she doesn't love yoga and rarely practices it. Shocker, I know! Yet, she's as much an athlete as I am. Marisa's a former college soccer player and has been physically active her entire life. Her depth of knowledge about everything related to the human body informed many of the videos I made about yoga poses for different body types. Since having Declan, our lives went through a tectonic shift. It made us reevaluate our priorities, daily activities, and eating and work habits.That inherently brought new challenges we had to tackle in our relationship to build a healthy role model for Declan to look up to. And so far, I'd say we're crushing it! In this episode, we're discussing the importance of honesty, empathy and trust in the relationship, the importance of equal parenting, why men need to take care of their mental health, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Dean & Marisa Pohlman You have a picture of what having a child looks like, but how does that compare to reality? Find out how having Declan changed our life, our values, the way I work, & my daily activities. Our top lessons from two and a half years of marriage. How Marisa's eating habits improved after we met. And on the flip side, how my cooking evolved after I met her. Weight gain is insidious. Find out how Marisa realized that she gained weight and tweaked her approach to shed those additional pounds. The best relationships are built on trust and empathy. Learn what we did to be more present with each other. Your child should see you function as a family unit. Learn the importance of equal parenting and open communication. Different upbringing leads to different styles of parenting. Find out how that influences how we're navigating parenthood. Staying fit and healthy while raising a child is challenging. Learn the importance of planning family meals. Learn Marisa's three-step routine during pregnancy that made her more capable of taking on the day's challenges. Find out how my habits changed after becoming a dad. Learn my method on how to stick to yours. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

There's more to peak performance than just training your body, and we get into that in detail today with my guest, Brandon Epstein, founder of Jump Rope Dudes and CEO of The Owned Industries. Brandon Epstein is a mental health and performance coach and the co-founder of Jump Rope Dudes, an online fitness community with over 120 million views on YouTube and a following of over one million people worldwide. He's also the CEO of The Owned Industries, where he helps people with their mental performance and beyond. Brandon went from a series of toxic relationships, massive debt, and being 60+ pounds overweight, to building a 7-figure business, finding his soulmate, and getting into the best shape of his life. Brandon started his business committed to achieving peak physical shape. However, during his physical transformation, he learned that fitness is much more than being physically fit. Today, not only is Brandon helping people attain the best physical shape of their life but he's helping them become mentally and spiritually healthier too. In this episode, we're talking about the power of beliefs in changing our bodies and minds, how you can achieve a flow state more often in your life, Brandon's four pillars of fitness, and much more. If you feel you could perform better in any aspect of your life, tune in. Key Takeaways with Brandon Epstein Forget about fad diets. Learn Brandon's simple formula for getting fit. How Brandon's trip to Colombia at age 24 transformed his life. Finding the perfect partner often means finding someone who matches your energy. Find out how Brandon and his wife Sarah decided they were perfect for each other. How he got out of debt and bounced back after several failed businesses. Awareness is a superpower. Learn the four stages of awareness that Brandon swears by. You can't change your life without adopting empowering beliefs. Learn Brandon's process to replace your limiting beliefs with ones that will propel you forward. Find out how you can quickly enter a meditative state by doing challenging activities. You'll get frustrated during your journey to reach a state of complete awareness. What to do when those feelings arrive? Don't just introduce new habits without knowing why you're doing them. What are you actually trying to achieve? The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

For most of my adult life, I've been doing yoga. However, at one point, I decided to up my fitness game. Sure, I was pretty lean. But I wanted to be stronger, pack more muscle, and build a more capable body. That's where today's guest, Jesse O'Brien, came in. Jesse has always pushed his limits as an athlete and taught me how to push mine. Jesse is a self-proclaimed guinea pig that uses his body as a proving ground. Case in point, he completed a 262-mile endurance race with no sleep for four days straight. Jesse completely obliterated my misconceptions about fitness, muscle building, and diet. He made me look deeper into what I ate, how I trained, and what my goals were. Using that knowledge, he helped me remove the self-imposed roadblocks impeding my progress. The funny thing is, I'm now even more comfortable and capable of performing complex yoga poses. I'm stronger than ever (like pulling 385 pounds on a deadlift strong), healthier than ever, and I love what I see in the mirror. Today, Jesse's doing for other people what he did for me. His revolutionary company, Central Athlete, supports clients to lose weight, have more energy, and get stronger. More importantly, they support them in building a fitness lifestyle aligned with their deepest values, empowering them to lead a more fulfilling life. In this episode, you'll learn how Jesse transformed my approach to dieting and weightlifting, why being leaner is not necessarily healthier for you, why he believes suffering leads to clarity, and so much more. Key Takeaways with Jesse O'Brien Before training with Jesse, I had a 4.6% body fat percentage. Learn why it's not always healthy to have such low body fat levels. Why doing yoga for years set me up for success in my weightlifting journey. How much muscle can you build during your first year of lifting weights, and how much if you've been strength training for years? How Jesse pushed me to train harder and smarter and how that helped me gain clarity of what my body and mind are capable of. Why Jesse believes that resistance training is the ultimate anti-aging medicine. How I packed on two pounds of muscle in three months following Jesse's training protocol. Finding your why is one of the most important discoveries you can have. Even when you're trying to get stronger and fitter. Learn Jesse's habits through which he pursues his path towards physical and mental mastery. Learn the seven primal movements everyone should do daily to be stronger and lead an active and healthy lifestyle. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Matt Vincent is a two time Highland Games World Champion and the founder of the successful brand HVIII Brand Goods that helps people eliminate the bullsh*t in their lives through movement, mindset, and motivation. After going through various adversities (he had nine knee surgeries as well as a total knee replacement) and enduring excruciating pain, he found beauty in the simplicities that his new life offered. After his father died, Matt realized that the time we have left on Earth is finite, and precious. He now lives every day as if it was his last. He's no longer identifying as just an athlete. Competing with others is now in the rearview mirror, he's in competition only with himself. To be better, bolder, and wiser. In this episode, we're discussing how stress can benefit us, the importance of being honest with ourselves and other people, and how taking ownership of our lives is a pathway to boundless personal growth. Key Takeaways with Matt Vincent Why Matt experimented with different diets and to what result. How pain and trauma changed his outlook on life. How he balances every aspect of his life (business, relationships, health). How experimenting with psychedelics led him to breakthrough realizations. Matt's transition from an athlete to entrepreneur. Practicing jiu-jitsu with a bad knee: How to do it? Surround yourself with people that are positive and bring value to your life. Matt's morning routine that gets him absolutely fired up for the day. Why discomfort and suffering are invaluable in the pursuit of excellence. Find out how his injuries made him even tougher mentally than before. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

How do you push yourself and your goals forward while living a balanced life? This episode features Nate Checketts, the Co-Founder and CEO of Rhone, an activewear lifestyle brand founded on the ethos "Forever Forward"; a phrase that perfectly encapsulates what Nate is all about - get up every time you fall and improve and get better each day. Nate does this while making time for the most important thing in his life - his family, and we get into that and much more in this episode. Nate is someone who is creating something much larger than a clothing brand, and is an inspiration for men all around the world. In this episode, we're talking about some of Nate's beliefs around mobility, longevity, and long-term health. We discuss the importance of men being vulnerable, how discomfort can make you a better person, and being a great parent and husband while building a successful business. Nate has built a strong community around Rhone by associating the menswear label with issues like mental health, physical recovery, gender equality, and positive masculinity. He believes that long-term health and longevity is about striving for balance and doing different things that bring you joy and happiness. I couldn't agree more. Key Takeaways with Nate Checketts Be 1% better every day; in fitness, at work, at home. How Nate got into yoga, and how it changed his perception of fitness. How taking care of his physical and mental health makes him a better dad. Sustain mobility and fitness into your 30s and 40s, without killing your body! Ways in which you can improve your life by seeking discomfort. Greatness requires sacrifice, but you don't need to suffer. How to be present with your children and wife while running several businesses. Perfection is the greatest enemy of progress. Being an athlete is only a small part of being human. Setting goals is great, but do this after! You meditate, and you exercise; there's a way to do both! The importance of men sharing their emotions and being open. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

In this episode of the Better Man Podcast we'll be exploring why the idea of "toxic masculinity" is obscuring positive expressions of masculinity, and what it really means to be a man. There might not be somebody better suited toward this conversation than my guest on this episode, Ryan Michler, the founder of Order of Man. What makes a man? Today's guest, Ryan Michler, has been working to answer this question for years. Ryan is a husband, father, Iraqi Combat Veteran, and the Founder of Order of Man. Ryan grew up without a permanent father figure and has seen first-hand how a lack of strong, ambitious, self-sufficient men has impacted society today. He has made it his mission to help men step more fully into their roles as protectors, providers, and presiders over themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities. In today's conversation, Ryan and I take a deep dive into what exactly masculinity is–and why there's nothing inherently "toxic" about it, contrary to popular belief. We explore some of the very real threats and challenges affecting modern men, get to the root of what masculine emotions really are, and discuss how to use these feelings to take steps forward–not back–each and every day. Key Takeaways with Ryan Michler What it means to be a leader in a relationship (without being a dictator or tyrant). Why every decision is a trade off–and how to recognize the autonomy you have over your life and deal with the consequences when you can't be present for everything and everyone. Why masculinity is neither toxic nor good–and why the way we utilize our masculinity is much more important. How our society and the rise of fatherless homes has set young men up to fail in adulthood. Why masculinity has more to do with how you perform an activity than the activity itself. Why we conflate masculinity with a lack of emotion. How to recognize negative emotions, stop feeling shame, legitimize your feelings, and find safe outlets for them before they become bombs. How Ryan works through self-limiting beliefs. The biggest struggles Ryan sees with the men he works with. Why Ryan thinks jujitsu is overlooked or undervalued by most people. Why all men cry–except emotionally unhealthy ones. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today, I'm talking to Austin Current. He's the author of The Science of Strength Training, in which he writes about the mental and physical benefits of strength training, shares workout plans and dietary science, and outlines how to complete 33 key exercises safely and without injury. Austin's book is full of great information. However, what really made me want to talk to him is his gift for writing about a very complex and potentially intimidating topic in a way that someone who's never trained seriously (or perhaps never even set foot in a gym) can use to get started. In this episode, Austin and I dig into how (and why) his book took shape, how to take the guesswork out of your time at the gym and make the most of your training, and the key things to be doing outside the gym beyond eating and sleeping well to see the best results from a strength training program. Key Takeaways with Austin Current How Austin developed his unique writing style for his book. Why it can be so difficult to take what you learn in the classroom (or in a book) and apply it in real life. When and why people need to work with trainers. The common physical and mental symptoms of overtraining, what to look out for, and what to do instead when it happens. Why it's so important to manage your expectations when it comes to training. The key questions and conversations Austin has with his clients to help determine how he can best serve them. How to make strength training complement your yoga practice (or anything else you want to do). The dangers and side effects of idolizing impractical and uncomfortable bodies. How Austin and his wife set expectations, plan together, and check in on each other. How asking himself what he enjoys (and why he enjoys it) has helped Austin focus on doing things that make him happy. Why Austin thinks that it's more important to move frequently over the course of the day instead of packing 10,000 steps into a single block of activity. What stresses Austin out the most each day. The biggest challenge facing men and their well-being right now–and why the best way to do anything is to start something, create small changes, and stop thinking about the future. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Welcome to my first solo podcast episode! We launched the Better Man Podcast (BMP) just over a month ago, and I recorded a quick episode to give you some updates and let you know how the show's been going. What I hope you'll get out of these shorter solo podcast episodes: The 1 area where I'm finding the most impactful conversations between myself and the BMP guests The 1 habit that almost everybody who has had go deal with significant struggles is utilizing to come out for the better My journaling process for getting through the "pandemic blues", as well as my nightly journaling process (and what I notice as a result of journaling consistently) And more… My goal with these shorter solo podcast episodes is for you to be able to quickly listen in, take something valuable from it, and hopefully, enjoy it. I also want to focus on topics that I can speak to with experience, rather than just regurgitating something I read out of a book. I've found that in the podcast so far I've really gravitated toward sharing and hearing about personal experiences, rather than general knowledge, and I'd like to continue that focus here. Full video versions of each podcast episode are now available for free on the Better Man Podcast YouTube channel, as well as in the Man Flow Yoga App & Members' Area for existing Members. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Sam Gach is a fitness creator, entrepreneur, and stretching & flexibility coach dedicated to making the world a calmer, stronger, more flexible place. Yoga and fitness has changed Sam's life for the better, in ways he couldn't dream of. Now, he's spilling the beans to help as many people as possible learn how to take care of their bodies, as well as their mental health. Over the past few years, Sam has built a community of thousands of people that support each other in their efforts to be more flexible, strong, and mentally resilient. Yoga and movement have been a saving grace for Sam in times when he was struggling with severe stress and anxiety. He had to make some tough career choices, but he chose to work through his problems instead of running away from them. Since then, he's been on a journey of constant growth, both physically and mentally. I'm talking to him today because he's not your average yoga teacher. He knows that there's more to life than building a strong physique and that men need to also take care of their emotional and mental wellbeing. Sam has built his life around trying to be the best version of himself. He's here to show the rest of the world how to do the same thing, one down dog at a time. Key Takeaways with Sam Gach Should you do weight training when practicing yoga? Your body is sending you cues, learn how to listen to them by following Sam's advice. One of the toughest decisions he made that led to him following his life's purpose How to stay motivated when going through difficult times. How to deal with social media noise as a content creator. Attack your goals and take control of your calendar by using the tools Sam uses Find out how to do the perfect frog pose. What many yoga teachers are failing to teach their students. You get a massage for your body, but what's the equivalent for your brain? Think that you can't get injured in yoga? Think again! Find out the self-development practices that made Sam a happier person. The next time you're trying to help a friend out, don't problem-solve. Do this instead! How to not get wrapped up in your negative thoughts. Exercise = ultimate stress relief. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Jon Vroman is a husband, father and the Founder of Front Row Dads — a brotherhood created for "family men with businesses, not businessmen with families." Over the last 5 years, Front Row Dads has become a diverse group of 230+ dads from 12 different countries who share a common bond of choosing to put family first as they grow their businesses. The mission of Front Row Dads is to help men deepen their connection with their children and build a family legacy that they're proud of. I'm talking with Jon today, because he's got a ton of insight to share around what it takes to become a better husband and father. Not only can he speak from his own experiences, but he's surrounded himself with like minded men who are constantly pushing to uplevel their Dad game. What I love about Jon is that he doesn't claim to have all the answers… In fact, quite the opposite. He started the group because he wanted to uncover them. And he's just as committed to learning as the rest of the men in his group. He knows the power of collective wisdom and has built a brotherhood who are committed to figuring it out together and learning from each other's experiences. Key Takeaways with Jon Vroman Starting Front Row Dads to win at home, not just at work. Establishing boundaries and protecting your calendar, so you have more time to spend on your family. One of the toughest decisions Jon made in order to become a better Dad. When you've got kids, how do you keep the intimacy alive with your spouse? Reconciling differences between you and your partner. How much family time is too much? Are you a bad Dad if you don't want to play with your kids for hours on end. Hear Jon's advice! Why boredom is so important to your kids' development. Time for your kids, time for your wife, and time for yourself… How do you balance it all? Why trying to 'feel better' is a band-aid fix. Do this instead! Sauna time and breath work = pure medicine :) Find out what Jon discovered after getting his blood work done that was completely draining his energy. Why men need to block out the noise and listen to their inner voice. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Eric Bandholz was mocked, ridiculed, and told he wasn't allowed to grow facial hair while working as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch. So, he quit his job and started a beard business. In 2012, Beardbrand was born, and the company has been providing educational and inspirational content to help men 'Keep on Growing' ever since. Their grooming products for beard, hair, and skin, support a growing online community of 1.8M+ YouTube subscribers. I wanted to talk to Eric because he has built a business dedicated to serving men. So, who better to talk to about becoming a better man! In this episode, we discuss the difficulty of entrepreneurship as a dad, how your relationship with your wife evolves post-kids, and how to intentionally build a life that you love. Key Takeaways with Eric Bandholz Breaking through business burnout and plateaus. Looking in the mirror and loving the man staring back at you. How to live in the present, overcome adversity, and focus on what matters most with The Book of Reminders. How to live a more intentional life. Opening up about struggles with infertility. Balancing fatherhood and entrepreneurship. How your relationship with your wife changes once you're a Dad. What is your role as a husband/father in the first 18 months of parenthood? Carving out quality time with your kids. Understanding your role as a parent. Why there's no quick fix to improving your health. The importance of mental therapy. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today, I'm speaking with Joe Hanson—a Ph.D. biologist who writes, hosts, and produces videos about science for his award-winning YouTube show, It's Okay To Be Smart from PBS Digital Studios. The show has attracted 4.5 million+ subscribers and amassed more than a quarter billion views. Joe's mission in life is to tell the world how awesome science truly is. And he's doing that by changing the way science is communicated. He makes learning about it entertaining, accessible, and a lot more relatable. I wanted to talk with Joe because he has a ton of wisdom (built on science) about how we can function better in both our brains and bodies. Humans are the most complicated machines that we know of in the universe, so to learn a little bit more about how we operate and why we do the things we do, is key to living happier and healthier lives. The Man Flow Yoga Members' Area - 7-Day FREE Trial Want on-demand yoga programs, workouts, tutorials & more? Visit ManFlowYoga.com/join and start your 7-day free trial today. FREE 7-Day Beginner's Yoga for Men Challenge 15-Minute On-Demand Videos No flexibility, no yoga experience required. Noticeable results – feel better, stronger, and move better. BONUS ACCESS! Exclusive Members-Only workout: Head & Neck Essentials Routine Visit ManFlowYoga.com/7dc to start the challenge today! Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today, I'm talking with Aaron Alexander, who believes that if you want to change the quality of your life, you first need to change the way you move through your life. To do that, you need to align your mind, body, and movement. Aaron is a manual therapist, movement coach, founder of The Align Method, author of the Align Method book, and host of the Align Podcast, which has ranked #1 in Nutrition on iTunes. He has over 16 years of experience and has worked with thousands of clients, helping them to relieve pain while creating greater strength, flexibility, and ease in their mind and body. In this episode, we're talking about some of Aaron's foundational principles for improving your mind, body, and movement, so you can live a better life. We discuss daily movement habits, the importance of PLAY, and the correlation between our physical health and our psychological well-being. That and a whole lot more! Key Takeaways with Aaron Alexander What is the Align Method and what role does movement play when it comes to your overall health? The impact that the modern world has had on our bodies' alignment. Why sitting on the floor is good for you. Aaron's journey from jacked and tan to strong, flexible, and pain-free. The benefit of lacking structure in exercise. Movement for your forgotten tissues. Are Adults that PLAY Healthier? Improve your life by listening to what your body is telling you. The connection between physical and emotional trauma. Building strength by being vulnerable. Balancing your masculine and feminine energy. Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Today, I'm speaking with Dr. Kelly Starrett. Kelly is a Mobility Expert, Coach, Physical Therapist, and Founder of The Ready State—which has revolutionized how athletes think about human movement and performance. He has worked with Olympic gold medalists, UFC champions, elite military forces, and dozens of professional sports organizations. But he doesn't just work with top performers… Kelly's mobility principles apply to everyday people who want to prevent injury, improve mobility, and live a pain-free life. He believes that every human being should know how to move and be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves—and that's exactly what this episode is all about. Unfortunately, most people only think about mobility when pain enters the equation. But Kelly's on a mission to change the conversation, because how your body moves and having good access to your physiology is critical for living a better life. We talk about fundamental movement principles, structured training vs. play, why health isn't something you win, lazy tribalism, stress, sleep, family, and much more! Key Takeaways with Kelly Starrett How Kelly and Dean met Why most people can't access their full physiology. Don't wait for pain to change your behavior. Avoid information overwhelm and focus on the fundamentals. The problem with only doing yoga. How do you organize your body in a way to have the most access to your physiology? How much formal gym training do you really need? How small gains can add up to remarkable improvements. Advice for doing life with your family. How much sleep should you aim for? Why saunas are such an incredible stress reliever. The importance of cultivating a tribe of friends that support one another. Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

Brian Mackenzie is a human optimization expert, educator, and coach, recognized for his expertise in stress management & breath control. His research and protocols have shifted the way professional athletes and high performers around the world train for improved physiology and performance. Today, I wanted to tap into Brian's wisdom around breathwork. We discuss the power of nasal breathing and how changing your relationship with oxygen can dramatically affect how you perform—not just physically but emotionally and mentally. We also dig into learned behavior patterns and how they can subconsciously hold you back from succeeding in all areas of life. Key Takeaways with Brian MacKenzie The story of how Brian became a human performance specialist. Shifting the way endurance athletes train. Nasal breathing vs. mouth breathing. How lower intensity training and nasal breathing lead to improved performance and endurance. Don't let your ego get in the way of developing better physiology! The correlation between anxiety and low CO2. What does breathing have to do with your mental and emotional wellbeing? What you do is not who you are. Learn how your daily patterns affect everything! How challenging the norm and experimenting can change your life—and why Brian only drives the speed limit. How to become less attached to things to fully enjoy life. Connect with Dean Pohlman Facebook YouTube Instagram

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.