EP023: Do You Stop Playing Because You Get Old, Or Do You Get Old Because You Stop Playing?

EP023: Do You Stop Playing Because You Get Old, Or Do You Get Old Because You Stop Playing?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589219/fan_mail/new] Your body changes with age, but the part of you that loves to compete doesn’t automatically disappear and pretending it should is a mistake. We sit down with Nick Lusson, Athletic Director at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, to talk about what he’s learned working with athletes across the full age spectrum, from youth players to fourth-quarter competitors and even people still setting goals in their 80s, 90s, and beyond.  We get into why unstructured “just go play” time matters, not only for kids, but for adults who want to stay sharp, confident, and engaged. Nick breaks down how pickup-style play builds problem-solving, self-efficacy, and the kind of ownership that keeps an active lifestyle from fading when motivation dips. Then we push into the bigger framework: lifespan vs healthspan and a third idea we love, your play span, how long you can keep doing the sports and activities that make you feel alive.  You’ll hear practical guidance for training in the fourth quarter of life without building a fragile, one-sport body. We talk anti-specialization, varying your routine with strength training, mobility, and balance, and why community is often the difference between “I’ll start Monday” and actually showing up. Nick also shares the mirror test and the discipline-over-motivation mindset, plus a grounded message for former athletes who want to restart after years off: forgive yourself, start small, and respect recovery.  If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more people can find The Fourth Quarter. What’s one goal you want to train for this year?

EP022: What If Your Dad’s Greatest Lesson Was Unspoken

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589219/fan_mail/new] Father’s Day can be joyful, complicated, or both and sometimes it’s the one day that makes you replay your whole childhood in a few minutes. We go off the cuff with raw stories about our dads: what we misunderstood when we were young, what we admire now, and what we’re still working through as men living in the fourth quarter of life. We talk about dads who weren’t always at the games because they were grinding to provide, and how adulthood changes the way we read that absence. We dig into the unspoken lessons that shaped us anyway: honesty in business, treating people with dignity, staying calm when things go wrong, and the kind of leadership that never asks others to do what you won’t do yourself. Along the way, we share family-business memories, laugh at a couple of “how did that even happen?” moments, and reflect on generosity that expects nothing in return, including caring for people on the margins. We also zoom out into longevity and health mindset: why family becomes the strongest motivation to stay fit, why men’s health and prostate health matter as we age, and a perspective shift we love when stress hits hard: “Could money solve that problem?” If yes, maybe it’s not the real problem. We close with a tender song tribute and a simple challenge to choose a better perspective, even if your story with your dad is imperfect. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review. Then tell us: what’s one thing your father did that you only understand now?

EP021: Wrinkles, Stairs, And A Beer On The Beach

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589219/fan_mail/new] She’s about to turn 83, she flew to Greece alone, hiked rocky gorges and crater rims, and somehow came home with more energy than most people half her age. That’s why we call Betty Stanfield our guiding light. We start by catching up on what it takes to keep moving in the fourth quarter of life, even when travel, schedules, and fatigue hit hard. We also share an update on Mitch, who’s starting GLP-1 medication and doing it with a plan. We talk plainly about GLP-1 weight loss, the real risk of muscle loss, and why strength training, high-protein nutrition, and quality foods matter even more when your appetite drops. If you’re curious about GLP-1s, sustainable fat loss, addiction recovery support, or just building a healthier routine, this part is packed with practical direction. Then Betty breaks down how she prepares for healthy aging and solo travel: research the terrain, pack light, expect stairs and cobblestones, and “pretend like you’re training for a marathon” before you go. We get into jet lag strategy, listening to your body, and why everyday movement (bending, walking, taking the stairs) is not a hassle, it’s a gift. We close with a reminder to give yourself grace and to focus less on wrinkles and more on the energy you bring into a room. Subscribe for more stories and coaching, share this with someone who needs a nudge to move, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

EP020: Recovery, Momentum, And The Next Step

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589219/fan_mail/new] He says it plainly: “I’m a recovering alcoholic.” And then he does something even harder, he tells the truth about what it took to get to 411 days sober. Mitch joins us for one of the most raw conversations we’ve had yet, from relapse and rebuilding purpose to the daily mindset that keeps him moving forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck, ashamed, or tired of starting over, you’ll recognize the grit it takes to choose “today” again and again. We also zoom out to the tools and habits that support healthy aging in the fourth quarter of life. We talk stretching and mobility after a real-world assisted stretching session, then we float a simple Summer Stretch Challenge to help all of us make flexibility a foundation instead of an afterthought. Along the way, we revisit the Roger Bannister four-minute mile story as a reminder that once the mind believes something is possible, behavior follows. Finally, we get practical about weight loss, nutrition, and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. We discuss the idea of “quieting the food noise” and why some early findings suggest GLP-1s may reduce cravings beyond food, including in addiction recovery. We’re not doctors, so we’re clear about talking with your physician, but we do lay out what we’ll coach around: protein intake, resistance training, and protecting muscle so weight loss doesn’t turn into the “skinny fat” trap. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs support, and leave a review so more people can find it.

EP019: Peptides Explained For Real Life And The Vitamins That Are Foundational

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2589219/fan_mail/new] Peptides are having a moment, but most people still can’t answer the basic question: what are they, and how do they actually affect your body? We bring on nutritional therapist Kevin Hall to translate the science into real-life terms and help you sort therapeutic peptides from supplement-store “peptides,” hype, and half-truths. Kevin explains peptides as short amino acid chains that act like cellular signals, essentially the language your cells use to communicate. From there we dig into GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, why they can dramatically reduce appetite and “quiet the food noise,” and the big risk many people miss: if you’re eating less and not protecting protein intake, you can lose muscle right along with fat. We talk about why muscle is not a vanity metric in your 60s, 70s, and beyond, and how lean mass supports metabolism, immune strength, bone density, and long-term independence. We also connect inflammation to the rest of the story. Kevin breaks down how chronic inflammation can drive cortisol, how that can feed insulin resistance and visceral fat, and why improvements in inflammation can ripple into markers people care about like cholesterol and blood pressure. Then we land on a practical, listener-friendly plan: the four foundations Kevin wants in place before anyone even thinks about peptides, including what to look for in a quality multivitamin, magnesium forms that absorb well, omega-3 EPA/DHA targets, and vitamin D3 with K2. We’re not giving medical advice, so please talk with your healthcare professional before starting peptides or changing supplements. If this helped you think more clearly about peptides, GLP-1 weight loss, protein, and healthy aging, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find it.