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Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast
Have you ever felt like you’ve become lost in your own life?
Many men struggle to talk about their problems and mental health and grew up believing that to do can be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure. There is also a lack of open discussion in society around men’s mental health, especially aimed at mid-life men. As a result, at times many men can feel alone and lost in their own lives.
In this podcast series, I talk to mid-life men about their stories; the challenges, the turning points, and the support received to help them find their way so that others who may be suffering in silence or don’t know what to do next, realise that they are not alone and there is help available.
Stories will cover a whole range of challenges faced by mid-life men mainly relating to the causes of mental health issues including feelings of isolation, depression, job dissatisfaction, addiction, PTSD, and long-term illness.
The podcast is NOT a replacement for professional support and we signpost to organisations and their contact details by episode.
If you have a story you would like to share or any feedback on the podcasts, please email me: midlifemen01@gmail.com.
Mid-life Men: the mental health podcast
The Shame of Starting Over at 40, with Ryan McGuigan
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In this episode, I'm joined by Ryan McGuigan, whose life, from the outside, looked like a success. He had built a thriving business from scratch, was engaged to be married, enjoyed financial stability, and seemed to be living the life many men aspire to. But beneath the surface, something felt wrong.
As the physical demands of his work took their toll and cracks began to appear in his relationship, Ryan found himself facing a reality he hadn't expected. Within a short space of time, his engagement ended, he moved into a shared house just months before turning 40, and the identity he had spent years building began to unravel.
In this honest and thought-provoking conversation, Ryan shares the shame, anxiety and loss of identity that followed, how he struggled with the gap between how his life looked and how it actually felt, and the surprising discovery that helped him rebuild his confidence and sense of purpose. We explore what happens when the roles, relationships and achievements we rely on for our self-worth disappear and why many men find themselves questioning everything in midlife.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why success on paper doesn't always lead to fulfilment
- The hidden impact of identity loss after relationship breakdown
- How shame and fear can keep men stuck
- Why many men struggle when life doesn't go to plan
- The difference between external success and internal self-worth
- How guided meditation helped Ryan reconnect with what really mattered
- What he learned about purpose, confidence and starting again
- Why it is never too late to redesign your life
If you want to find out more about Ryan and listen to a free 30-minute meditation, visit his website: https://ryanpaulmcguigan.com/.
