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In our 20s and 30s, expectations feel hopeful - like there’s always more time, more chances, more room to fix things.

But in midlife, expectations hit us differently. They’re no longer just about what might happen…they’re about who we thought we’d be by now.

In this episode, we’re diving into why the disappointment of unmet expectations feels more personal in midlife, what’s happening in your brain when reality doesn’t match the picture you had in your head, and how to update your expectations without lowering your standards.

We hope this discussion helps you feel less alone and more hopeful about who you’re becoming in this next phase of life.

IBIZA RETREAT: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

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Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

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Calling all budding espionage writers…

In this solo episode, James sits down with one of the most respected names in modern spy writing, Charles Cumming, author of the critically acclaimed Box 88 series - novels celebrated for their psychological depth, moral tension and razor-sharp realism.

But this isn’t just a conversation about spy stories. It’s about beginnings.

How does a spy novelist actually get started? What sparks the first book? How do you land an agent, secure a publishing deal and sustain momentum in a fiercely competitive creative world? And why does it often take years - often decades - for stories to make it to the screen?

James also explores Charles’ extraordinary real-life brush with the intelligence services, including being approached by MI6 - and how that encounter reshaped his understanding of secrecy, power and responsibility.

This is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the craft of espionage writing — and a masterclass in longevity, discipline and producing work that stands the test of time.

If you’ve ever wanted to write… or simply love the shadowy world of spies and secrets… this one’s for you.

https://charlescumming.co.uk/

IBIZA RETREAT: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

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Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
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Procrastination - we all do it. But what happens when it’s stopping us from moving forward with goals that are really important to us? We can get really stuck in a rut with this, believing that we’ll never move ahead, which makes us procrastinate more!

In this episode we discuss why we procrastinate, what kinds of people suffer from it the most and what are the main psychological drivers for this behaviour.

Finally - as always, we share 10 tips that will help you overcome procrastination so you can finally stop holding yourself back and live the life you deserve.

Ibiza Retreat: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

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Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
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In this episode, we’re talking about masculinity - what it means, what it’s allowed to be, and why so many men feel increasingly unsure how to show up in the world and at work - without being labelled toxic, outdated, or problematic.

Our guest is David Maywald, author of The Relentless War On Masculinity. David argues that while some harmful behaviours needed challenging, we’ve also lost sight of healthy masculinity and that many capable, well-intentioned men, especially in midlife, are paying the price.

In this episode we explore whether masculinity is being evolved or quietly dismantled, why so many men feel sidelined and what reclaiming a grounded, healthy masculinity - that’s aligned with the healthy feminine - could actually look like today.

So buckle up and join us for this uplifting conversation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaywald/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Relentless-War-Masculinity-Does-Ever-ebook/dp/B0FY3XV55T

Ibiza Retreat: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

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Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
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In this episode, we talk about the shifts we’ve both had to make in how we approach health, training and nutrition in midlife.

We talk honestly about what wasn’t working anymore, the habits that were quietly backfiring and the practical changes we’ve made to support energy, hormonal balance, recovery and long-term health and happiness.

If you’re someone who’s tried harder and harder only to feel worse, this conversation will probably sound very familiar.

Ibiza Retreat: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

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Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

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On today’s episode we’re joined by someone who’s making a real impact in the mental health space.

Neil Smith is the co-founder of Mettle alongside Bear Grylls, an innovative mental wellbeing app designed to help men build confidence, resilience and emotional strength through practical, science-backed tools.

The focus of Mettle is on everyday mental fitness - not waiting until crisis hits, but empowering users to understand their emotions, develop healthier coping strategies and give them permission to take control of their mind in a simple, accessible way.

We talk to Neil about his stellar TV career, the inspiration behind the app, why so many people, especially men, struggle to access the right kind of support, and how Mettle is helping change the conversation around male mental health.

https://bemettle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/be.mettle/

The Midlife Mentors Ibiza Retreat: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

Support the show

Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
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Welcome back to The Midlife Mentors and the first episode of 2026.

This year, James and I decided to look ahead at the things we’d like to achieve a little differently.

We didn’t want to pile pressure on ourselves. We didn’t want January to turn into another month of guilt, comparison or ‘I should be doing more’.

So in this episode we’re sharing the simple way we’re approaching our goals this year - with three things we advise not to do, and three things that we’re focusing on instead - so together, with us, you can move forward without the shame or the stress.

IBIZA RETREAT: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

Support the show

Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
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As 2025 draws to a close, this episode feels rather special to us. It’s not about goals or resolutions - it’s a review - where we share what’s shaped us and what’s mattered most along the way.

We touch upon how our bodies have changed and how we’ve adapted our training, friendships and connections, faith and James’ book.

We also want to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to you all - for listening, for sharing the podcast, for your kind messages and your trust.

This will be our final episode before Christmas and the New Year, and wherever you are listening from, we hope this season brings you joy, rest and a moment to breathe before the next chapter begins.

See you in 2026!

Our 2026 Ibiza Retreat is LIVE: https://themidlifementors.com/retreats/

Support the show

Please remember, if you find the show helpful or it makes you laugh, motivates and inspires you - please do like, share and rate us. We don't run ads on the podcast or for the show, because we want to keep it as enjoyable for you to listen as possible. So if you can help us spread the word, we'd be incredibly grateful.

For more information about The Midlife Mentors, click the below link:
https://linktr.ee/themidlifementors.com

Tik Tok: @themidlifementors
IG: @midlifementors