Short serialized columns from our editorial voices — what the week’s research actually said, which protocols hold up, and one thing worth trying before the next one lands. Written for men who want the evidence before the advice.
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Post History: Jake Mitchell
the one that's helped me the most isn't on most of these lists — i started saying "no …In: Things that actually help (a caregiver's honest list)
3 months ago
god this is me. been telling myself "starting Monday" for like 2 months now. went out toda …In: The "I'll start Monday" trap — what to do instead
5 months ago
Tom, this IS a health thing. Loneliness is associated with the same health risks as smoking 15 cigar …In: AI can't fix loneliness but it helped me find connection
4 months ago
Pinning this in my brain. When I was at my lowest, I checked at least 5 of those boxes and STILL did …In: When to ask for professional help (a checklist)
5 months ago
"Letting the house be messy" is underrated. When I was burned out my wife basically said & …In: Things that actually help (a caregiver's honest list)
5 months ago
This post is for anyone who feels guilty about taking time for themselves. Whether you're a car …In: Self-care isn't selfish (why I had to learn this the hard way)
6 months ago
The brain fog thing is real and it's not early dementia for most people — it's your brain …In: Caregiver burnout: the physical symptoms nobody talks about
7 months ago
Lisa, Diane is right. Go get checked. I put off going to the doctor for over a year during my burnou …In: I forgot my own doctor's appointment because of caregiving
8 months ago
Lisa this made my whole day. The birthday thing... man. Those moments of connection are everything. …In: Small wins: celebrating tiny victories in caregiving
5 months ago
The moments of clarity you described... that's devastating, Lisa. Him saying "I'm sor …In: When your parent becomes your child (role reversal is brutal)
8 months ago
Lisa, I don't have experience with dementia caregiving specifically, but I know what burnout fe …In: Dad has dementia and I'm losing myself
10 months ago
Lisa, the mental load you're carrying is staggering. As someone who burned out carrying way les …In: AI for managing family chaos (the mental load is real)
6 months ago
I don't have kids but I coached a lot of them. What I've noticed is that the kids who are …In: Teaching my kids about AI: what age is right?
9 months ago
Bro the fact that you're putting yourself out there after a divorce takes guts. Therapy + gym + …In: Used AI to write my dating profile and it actually worked
6 months ago
World's greatest stretch is aptly named. I do it before every session now. When I was coaching, …In: Stretching and mobility: the stuff nobody wants to do
5 months ago
Let's GOOOO Tom! Dude this is awesome. The fact that you almost quit in week 1 and pushed throu …In: First month back in the gym — progress report
5 months ago
The testosterone drop from poor sleep is what got my attention. I was doing everything right in the …In: Sleep is the most underrated performance enhancer
6 months ago
When I was going through the worst of my burnout and depression, the LAST thing I wanted to do was e …In: Exercise for depression: what actually helped me
8 months ago
Number 1 is SO true and I learned it the hard way. Came back to the gym after my burnout thinking I …In: Starting a gym routine after 35: what I tell every new client
9 months ago
Ok this might sound out there but hear me out. My therapist mentioned the gut-brain connection and I …In: Gut health and mental health — anyone else notice a connection?
5 months ago
This was a huge wake-up call for me when I started taking nutrition seriously. I was eating maybe 80 …In: Protein: how much do you actually need? (spoiler: probably more)
7 months ago
The "it's not cheating" part is so important. I had a buddy who was 280 lbs and his d …In: GLP-1 medications: what men specifically need to know
9 months ago
Tom I'm really sorry about your mom. That's huge. And yeah — actually feeling grief instea …In: Grief hits different when you're a man
5 months ago
So I've been in therapy for a while now and things are way better. But I still have these stret …In: Emotional numbness — anyone else deal with this?
6 months ago
Real talk — I specifically looked for a male therapist who had experience with high-stress professio …In: How do you even find a good therapist?
7 months ago
