At what age should men start considering their overall health and wellness?
Health and wellness are lifelong journeys, and each phase of a man’s life should be optimized for self-care. Men are never too young or old to care for themselves appropriately, which doesn’t always mean lifting weights or sticking to a diet.
A lot of our health can be intuitive if we really take the time to listen to what our bodies are telling us—good, bad, and ugly.
How can men prioritize their health during those different stages of life?
Health needs to be prioritized, and for men especially, health needs as much effort and attention as we give to our careers and work. It can be common for men to get caught up in the stress and pressure of providing for their families, but simple prioritization of health leads to massive benefits.
A theoretical framework that requires lifelong learning of how to care for oneself could be categorized as such:
The Novice: You’re just getting to know the basics of providing for your physiological needs, from what kinds of foods are best to why rhythms of work and rest are essential to establish. Lots of variety in movement and consistent, small doses of challenge generally characterize your exercise experiences. Recognizing the value of adequate sleep in this phase will accelerate the adaptation process and increase general health.
20s, The Apprentice: At this point in your prioritized self-care, your 20s are for reaching your physical potential and finding a rhythm or balance to the movement you do. Experiment with recovery, try a diverse mix of movements, and maximize your potential by building muscle and dialing in your nutrition.
30s, Time to Adjourn: This time is to learn what works and what doesn’t work for you. By your 30s, you should know what movements you like, what doesn’t work for you, and start to look ahead as your metabolism and fitness levels begin to slow down.
40s, The Master of Self Care: Your 40s are the time to be adaptive, resilient, and less afraid to pick up new skills. By this point, resilience and trial of different kinds of movement allow you the freedom to enjoy your body.
50s & 60s, Grand Mastery: At this level, you can use artistic expression of choice and the time you’ve invested in your past experiences to teach others how to embrace their humanity and explore health and wellness
What are common ailments and health concerns you see men face?
As a coach, men often come to me seeking help with one specific area of their fitness. Through training, trust, and focus, we usually address three main areas of their health: overall lifestyle, nutrition, and movement.
Men commonly face fatigue, physical or mental exhaustion, stiffness, high blood pressure, out-of-balance bodies, and other physical limitations. Many of these can be directly correlated with stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, emotional unavailability, and lack of meaningful movement.
What is one thing all men should start doing today?
I encourage men (and anyone reading this) to embrace their humanity. Recognize what you’re capable of and where your vulnerabilities lie to find that balanced, rhythmic approach to health and life. My goal is to help others learn to live their lives to the fullest and lean into what they recognize as supporting that feeling.
