The Over 40 Alpha Podcast

Unaddressed trauma can hinder personal growth and fulfillment, especially for men over 40. From childhood events and family struggles to emotional pain, these burdens often resurface later in life and can lead to self-sabotage, poor health, and strained relationships.

In this episode, Dimitri Giankoulas shares his story of confronting his past, healing from trauma, and rebuilding his life. Dimitri is a certified personal trainer, performance nutrition specialist, and entrepreneur and has been in the fitness industry since 1997.

He opens up about growing up without a father and how his struggles shaped his worldview, especially his ideas on family and success. Dimitri also reveals how he navigated the near-collapse of his business during the COVID-19 pandemic and how reconciling with family brought him peace. 

Now focused on helping men over 40 transform their lives, Dimitri offers valuable insights on why fitness, mindset, and having a supportive community are key to personal growth.

Tune in to hear how Dimitri turned his struggles into strength and how you can apply his lessons to your own transformation.

Timestamps:

08:21 Childhood struggles and finding solace in sports 

17:19 Overcoming adversity and building a fitness business 

34:18 Discovering his father's struggles and healing from trauma

42:07 Transitioning to coaching men over 40 

46:58 Why do men need to address childhood trauma?

54:16 How physical fitness helps in overcoming mental blocks

55:45 The importance of transparency and a supportive community

1:04:22 Finding a good coach makes all the difference 

Subscribe and Listen on iTunes: 

Many of us struggle to stay motivated and consistent long enough to achieve our life and fitness goals. This week’s guest, Dre Baldwin, reveals how you can build a disciplined mindset, break down your journey into manageable steps, and stay on track for lasting success.

Dre, also known as "DreAllDay,” is a former professional basketball player who transitioned into entrepreneurship, becoming the founder of "Work On Your Game." Dre has worked with major brands like Nike, Wilson, and Gatorade and has coached countless individuals on performing at their highest level.

In this episode, Dre reveals his four-part framework and explains how its principles apply not only to athletes but also to business professionals and anyone seeking to achieve high performance. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, overcoming the "Third Day" slump, and taking consistent action, even without motivation. 

Join us for practical tips to build mental toughness and a disciplined mindset for long-term success in life and fitness.

Timestamps:

04:50 Dre Baldwin's journey to basketball and entrepreneurship

15:24 Transitioning from basketball to weekly mindset training 

20:05 Applying mindset to life and fitness: the “Third Day” concept

25:41 Dre Baldwin's Four Pillars of Success

27:14 Developing a winning strategy and effective systems 

29:10 Accountability and implementation

33:28 When transitioning to a new career

36:34 How to become a better leader

39:40 The power of writing things down

44:07 Introducing the “Work On Your Game” framework

46:30 How to expand your existing resources

The Third Day Book

Dre Baldwin’s book, The Third Day: The Decision That Separates The Pros From The Amateurs, is available now.

Many men think yoga is primarily for women because most participants are female, and classes often cater to women's needs. My guest, Dean Pohlman, explains that men and women have different flexibility requirements, making traditional yoga more challenging for men. However, yoga has evolved to include elements like British gymnastics, making it more accessible for everyone.

Dean, founder of Man Flow Yoga, shares his journey into men’s yoga and how it transformed his approach to fitness by improving his flexibility, core strength, and body awareness. He addresses other common misconceptions, such as yoga for men being too spiritual or not physically challenging enough. 

Dean explains how men’s yoga workouts can be adapted to meet their specific physical needs, with a focus on balance, posture, and injury prevention yoga. He emphasizes the lifelong benefits of yoga, not only for increasing strength and flexibility but also for overall well-being, particularly for men over 40.

You'll learn how morning yoga flow can relieve common issues like lower back pain, knee pain, and shoulder stiffness. Dean also highlights how strength-focused yoga helps build core and hip strength to reduce strain on overworked joints.

The "dad bod" has gained popularity as a relatable and attainable body type for men, especially fathers, who lack the time or energy to maintain a toned physique. While often embraced as a symbol of comfort or a badge of honor, my guest, Dane Palarino, opines that it is a destructive myth that normalizes unhealthy habits, poor health, and low energy.

Dane, the founder of Dad Bod Sculptors, shares his journey as a successful entrepreneur who faced a major turning point when he realized his health was deteriorating. He had to make a change, not just for himself, but for his family. 

He shares how accountability and the right mindset were crucial in his transformation and how finding a coach can provide the guidance and structure many men over 40 need to stay on track with their fitness goals. Dane explains how setting daily non-negotiables helped him become a better husband, father, and leader.

Many people think resistance bands are only for light recovery exercises or flexibility workouts, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Resistance bands are powerful tools for building strength, muscle, and functional movement with proper techniques and band selection. 

I’m joined by Dave "Band Man" Schmitz, the GOAT of resistance band training, and together, we dive into how bands can completely transform your fitness. Dave shares his expert knowledge and personal journey in revolutionizing band training and explains how older men can add band exercises to their routines.