Mirror Wars: Aging and the Body We Live in
Manage episode 513354264 series 3619764
What if motivation isn’t the spark, but the smoke after the fire? We dig into the honest, often unspoken world of men’s body image—how we measure ourselves against the mirror and each other, and what changes when aging, fatherhood, and real life take the wheel. With Kelly Saunders and Santana Jackson, the conversation moves past clichés into the real tradeoffs between image and health, discipline and ego, and authenticity and context.
We talk about the two mirrors we all live between: the real self and the ideal self. From Marine Corps abs to “short king” confidence, from hairline humility to corporate swagger with tattoos and chains, we explore how presence is built from self-acceptance plus action. The takeaway is clear: determination comes first, action breeds motivation, and wellness beats vanity in the long run. Expect practical insights on plant-forward eating, fasting, mobility, calisthenics, and training for functionality over flex—so your joints, heart, and energy keep up with your life.
We also get real about culture and masculinity. Image can be armor, but it can also be a mask. We challenge the idea that acceptance equals settling; real acceptance includes consequences and responsibility. And we ask men to support each other better—compliment the discipline, share the routines, and create spaces where honesty feels strong, not soft. The closing advice to our younger selves ties it together: be yourself without apology, adapt without losing your center, and aim for one percent better every day.
If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review telling us your biggest shift—from chasing looks to building health. Your story might be the spark someone else needs.
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Host: StéphaneAlexandre
IG: @stephanealexandreofficial
Music by Liam Weisner
Sponsored by www.OnsiteLabs.net
(833) 878-3323
Chapters
1. Determination Before Motivation (00:00:00)
2. Real Self vs Ideal Self (00:01:44)
3. Culture, Image, and Masculinity (00:05:18)
4. Aging Bodies, Then and Now (00:07:20)
5. Fatherhood, Protection, and Presence (00:11:10)
6. Short Kings, Strength, and Confidence (00:14:20)
7. Self-Acceptance vs Self-Improvement (00:18:05)
8. Wellness Over Aesthetics (00:20:40)
9. Authenticity in Corporate Spaces (00:24:00)
10. Insecurities We Can Laugh At (00:27:05)
11. Acceptance Without Excuses (00:31:30)
12. Brotherhood, Ego, and Support (00:34:05)
13. Who Are You, Really? (00:37:20)
14. Letters to Our Younger Selves (00:41:00)
15. Comic Outro & Closing (00:52:41)
48 episodes