What does it really take to launch and run your own business?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men, we're diving into the world of entrepreneurship with Michael Brennan—an ordinary man with extraordinary ambition.
Michael shares his journey of building a successful business, hitting burnout, and navigating the emotional and mental toll of stepping away from something you’ve poured your heart into. He shares the lessons he’s learned about resilience, ego, and the power of rebuilding from rock bottom. We also get into Michael’s latest venture, Bob—a business born during one of his lowest moments, now set to shake up the men's personal care space.
Whether you're starting a business, facing a personal challenge, or just searching for your next big move, this episode is packed with honesty, insight, and inspiration.
Hear more from Michael:
Website: https://welcometobob.com/
15% discount code for Bob: MEANINGOFMEN15
Timestamps:
03:12: The Entrepreneurial Mindset
03:55: Inspiration Behind Entrepreneurship
06:24: Enjoying the Journey of Entrepreneurship
07:29: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
10:43: Setting Big Goals to Combat Fear
12:23: The Importance of Team and Collaboration
15:52: Balancing Business and Personal Life
20:14: The Impact of Stepping Back from Business
24:10: Mental Health and Identity Crisis
29:33: Finding Purpose and Service in Life
29:55: Ego and Entrepreneurship
39:12: Support Systems in Business
47:01: The Journey of Building Bob
53:13: Advice for New Adventures
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58:13
S2, Ep13: The Meaning of Strive State.
Could avoiding discomfort be the very thing holding you back from true fulfilment?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we’re exploring the power of Strive—a mindset that redefines how we grow, perform, and find lasting fulfilment.
My guest is renowned high performance researcher and author Dr. Adam Fraser, who reveals why struggle—not comfort—is the real catalyst for growth. We unpack the dangers of relentlessly chasing happiness, the myth of goal completion, and why fulfilment often comes from the challenges we’d rather avoid.
Whether you're looking to boost workplace productivity, or just need the motivation to go about your daily life, this episode explores the little-known truths about happiness and purpose, and how the joy is often in the striving―not the destination.
Hear more from Adam:
Strive book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Designed-Strive-Seeking-Important-Happiness/dp/0730337413
Timestamps:
03:38: Understanding the Strive State
07:14: The Role of Challenge in Growth
10:12: The Paradox of Comfort and Fulfillment
11:45: Happiness vs. Fulfillment
17:11: The Completion Myth and Its Implications
20:49: The Completion Myth and Its Impact
23:49: Men and Emotional Vulnerability
30:21: Parenting and Instilling a Strive Mindset
38:57: Creating Strive State Moments
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43:15
S2, Ep12: The Meaning of Starting Again.
What do you do when the life you’ve built suddenly disappears?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we're joined by Adam Clayton, a former professional rugby player whose career was cut short by injury at 24. In the years that followed, Adam struggled with steroid addiction, a loss of identity, and the search for purpose. But hitting rock bottom became the start of something special.
Adam now runs APEX Everest, a powerful community helping people conquer their own seemingly insurmountable challenges—through real conversation, shared experience, and physical endurance.
We joined Adam to record this episode in the stunning Quantok Hills of Somerset to get a first hand experience of the impact APEX is having in helping to turn people's lives around - just like it did for him.
Timestamps:
03:21: From Rugby Dreams to Professional Reality
06:21: The Harsh Realities of Professional Sports
09:09: Injury and Identity Crisis
13:01: The Struggles of Post-Rugby Life
15:35: The Dark Side of Recovery: Steroid Use
19:45: Hitting Rock Bottom and Finding Hope
22:55: Confronting the Past: A Conversation with My Younger Self
24:30: The Balance of Ambition and Contentment
26:52: The Birth of Apex: Building Community Through Challenge
32:15: Understanding Men's Struggles: Confidence, Purpose, and Loneliness
35:12: Transformational Journeys: Stories of Growth and Healing
37:27: Overcoming Fear: The Power of Belief and Community
40:53: Healing Through Helping: The Journey of Self-Discovery
44:53: A Message of Hope: Taking the First Step Forward
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46:45
S2, Ep11: The Meaning of Relationships.
What does it really take to build a strong and healthy romantic relationship as a modern man?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men we're joined by Kristal DeSantis, a marriage and family therapist and author of Strong: A Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man. We talk about the unspoken pressures men face in relationships, why many feel unequipped for emotional intimacy, and how to start building new relational skills from the ground up.
Kristal unpacks her “STRONG” model—a practical tool that gives men a framework to communicate better, self-regulate in conflict, and create meaningful connection. Whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, this episode offers real insight and encouragement for showing up more fully as a man and a partner.
Hear more from Kristal:
Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strong-Relationship-Field-Guide-Modern/dp/1959099027
Schedule a call: https://calendly.com/kristal-desantis
Speaker Website: www.strong.love
Therapy Website: www.austinstrongrbc.com
Instagram @atxtherapist
https://linktr.ee/atxtherapist
Timestamps:
04:28: Cultural Dynamics in Relationships
07:11: Men's Perspectives in Relationships
09:55: The Strong Model for Healthy Relationships
12:34: Redefining Masculinity in Modern Society
14:27: Self-Regulation and Emotional Intelligence
25:12: Self-Regulation in Conflict Resolution
28:16: Navigating Gender Roles in Relationships
31:37: The Shift from Function to Connection
33:24: Traits of Healthy Relationships
36:34: The Importance of Presence Over Performance
38:47: Challenges of Modern Dating
44:17: Emotional Vulnerability in Men
45:51: Celebrating Positive Male Contributions
47:01: Hope and Growth in Relationships
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48:49
S2, Ep10: The Meaning of Sleep.
Are we obsessing over sleep in all the wrong ways?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men, renowned neurologist and sleep expert Dr. Chris Winter unpacks the powerful connection between sleep and mental health.
Dr. Winter challenges the myth that some people “just can’t sleep,” and reveals why our obsession with perfect rest may be doing more harm than good.
We explore why falling asleep too quickly might be a red flag, how poor sleep quietly fuels anxiety and depression, and why consistency often matters more than quantity. Dr. Winter also explains why that quiet time before sleep — when your mind finally has space to process — can be just as healing as sleep itself.
With practical tips and reassuring insights, this conversation is a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s ever lain awake worrying they’ll never fall asleep. Whether you’re struggling with insomnia, navigating disrupted sleep as a parent, or just tired of chasing perfection, this episode will help you reframe your relationship with rest — and reclaim your mental health in the process.
Hear more from Dr Chris:
Instagram: @drchriswinter
Webpage: www.wchriswinter.com
Podcast: Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter
Timestamps:
05:14: The Impact of Sleep on Mental Health
09:37: Defining Sleep: What It Is and Why It Matters
14:29: The Gender Dynamics of Sleep Deprivation
16:25: Optimizing Sleep: Quality, Quantity, and Consistency
26:53: Recognizing Sleep-Related Warning Signs
34:05: Understanding Sleep Quality and Mental Health
35:31: The Mechanics of Sleep and Mental Processing
47:53: Creating a Pre-Sleep Routine for Better Mental Health
What does it really mean to be a man in today’s world?
With shifting expectations and growing pressures, many men are asking deep, personal questions about their identity, purpose, and value. The Meaning of Men is here to explore those questions with you and shine a light on mens mental health.
From the complexities of masculinity, the role of fatherhood, maintaining meaningful friendships, and the impact of human evolution, we tackle the areas that shape the experience of being a man today.
But this show isn’t just for men. If you’re a mother, wife, partner or friend and want to help a man in your life, this podcast is just as much for you.
Through expert insights, heartfelt stories, and honest, raw conversations, The Meaning of Men provides a roadmap for navigating the highs and lows of manhood so you can show up as your best self in every area of life. Because we all can help expand what it means to be a man.
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