105: Stop Making Excuses and Start Building Wins — The Truth About Getting Healthy After 40

Connect with Max: https://www.berteauxhealthfit.com/
Email: Maxberteaux.training@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berteauxhealthfit/

In this episode, I sit back down with movement specialist Max Berto for one of the most honest conversations we've had on this show. We dig into why so many men never get started taking care of themselves — and it has a lot less to do with fitness than you'd think. Max opens up about growing up obese, losing his brother at ten years old, and how that unresolved trauma led him down a path of drinking, opiates, and unhealthy coping mechanisms before joining the Marine Corps and eventually finding his way out. What he shares is raw, real, and exactly the kind of conversation men in their next third need to hear.

We talk about the lies that keep men stuck — "I can't," "I'm too old," "it's too late," "I've got arthritis" — and how these aren't just excuses but deeply rooted beliefs tied to identity and unhealed wounds. Max breaks down how he works with clients who have real physical limitations — whether that's severe joint pain, morbid obesity, or decades of sedentary living — and builds them up with small, pain-free wins that compound into real transformation. His approach isn't about crushing someone in the gym; it's about meeting them exactly where they are and proving to them they can do something, then building from there.

If you know someone who says it's too late, share this with them. The human body is always adapting — Max watched his elderly grandmother-in-law heal scabs well into dementia. That same healing capacity is in you right now. Every choice you make — whether to park closer or farther, take the elevator or the stairs — is either building your capacity or shrinking it. It's time to start making choices that build. Like and subscribe, drop your thoughts in the comments, and check the show notes for Max's contact info if you want to work with him directly.

Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome Back
03:16 — Obesity, Trauma, and Self-Medicating
06:32 — Recognizing the Problem
09:48 — The Excuse Muscle
13:04 — Building Small Wins
16:20 — The Box Jump Principle
19:36 — Working With Arthritis
22:52 — Starting When You're Severely Overweight
26:08 — Food Journaling, Accountability, and the Lie "It's Too Late"
29:24 — Intentional Daily Choices

Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on:

- Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age.
- Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress.
- Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections.
- Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook.

Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third!

Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)