New Research Exposes the Salt Myth: What Science Really Says About Salt and Health - PART 3
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New Research Exposes the Salt Myth: What Science Really Says About Salt and Health - PART 3

If the historical evidence for salt reduction was flimsy, what does more recent, comprehensive research tell us? In the past 10–15 years, a wave of studies, from large epidemiological analyses to systematic reviews, has challenged the simplistic “salt = hypertension = heart disease” narrative.

These findings reveal a far more complex picture in which moderate salt intake is often harmless (or even beneficial), and both extremely high and extremely low intakes can be problematic. Let’s break down some key insights from modern research:

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How Salt Got Its Bad Reputation: A Brief History of the “Salt = High Blood Pressure” Myth - PART 2
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How Salt Got Its Bad Reputation: A Brief History of the “Salt = High Blood Pressure” Myth - PART 2

The idea that salt is inherently bad for your heart has been repeated so often that it’s taken as gospel. But where did this salt-phobia originate? It turns out the evidence was shaky from the start, relying on extreme experiments and misinterpreted data that became entrenched in policy before the science was settled.

Understanding this history will reveal how we ended up vilifying salt in the first place.

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3 Mistakes Men Over 40 Make in the Gym (and How to Fix Them)
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3 Mistakes Men Over 40 Make in the Gym (and How to Fix Them)

Walk into any gym and you’ll see it: midlife men wandering from one machine to the next like they’re on a guided tour of Planet Fitness. A few biceps curls here, a random chest press there, and then maybe a bit of cardio if they’re feeling guilty about the weekend’s beers and pizza.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, most men in midlife want results; more strength, more energy, more muscle, and a body they actually feel good about.

But the way they train often works against them. They’re putting in the effort, but not getting the payoff.

That’s because they’re making the same three mistakes I see over and over again.

Let’s break them down.

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Why Men Shouldn’t Fear Salt: Debunking the Salt Myths - PART 1
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Why Men Shouldn’t Fear Salt: Debunking the Salt Myths - PART 1

I can’t tell you how many times a client has sat across from me and said, “I know I should be cutting back on salt, my doctor told me it’s bad for my heart.”

Here’s the problem: they’ve been fed a lie.

For decades, men like you and me have been told that salt is the enemy. That it clogs our arteries, drives up our blood pressure, and sets us on the fast track to a heart attack or stroke.

Out of fear, many of us dutifully cut back, pushing bland meals around our plates, convinced we’re doing the right thing for our health.

But what if everything you’ve been told about salt was wrong?

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Most Men Miss This Blood Marker Until It’s Too Late
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Most Men Miss This Blood Marker Until It’s Too Late

I didn’t feel sick.

No obvious symptoms. No major red flags.

But at 38, during a deep dive with a functional medicine doctor, something unexpected showed up in my blood work: my iron levels were creeping up.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. I ate a high-protein, animal-based diet. I trained hard.
I recovered well (or so I thought).

But my Iron Studies panel told a different story.

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Beyond Toughness: How Midlife Men Can Lead with Courage, Integrity, and Purpose
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Beyond Toughness: How Midlife Men Can Lead with Courage, Integrity, and Purpose

At Midlife Mavericks, we believe true masculinity goes beyond outdated notions of toughness or stoicism. It is defined by the courage to live authentically, the integrity to stand by your principles, and the purpose to lead and serve those who matter most. For men in midlife, this means reclaiming your vitality while breaking free from the limiting stereotypes of what it means to “be a man.”

Here’s what that looks like:

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My 2025 Functional Blood Work: Blood Sugar, Stress & Performance – Part 6
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My 2025 Functional Blood Work: Blood Sugar, Stress & Performance – Part 6

In the first five parts of this series, I unpacked a lot.

From immune system stress and gut health to liver, kidney, and hormone function. This post might not sound as exciting as “testosterone” or “gallbladder,” but it’s just as important, maybe even more.

Why?

Because blood sugar regulation isn’t just about diabetes or fat loss. It’s about performance, recovery, energy, and brain clarity, especially in midlife.

And when I reviewed my latest blood markers, a few things jumped out that most GPs would skim over... but from a functional lens, they’re full of clues.

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From Fog to Focus: My Journey into Values
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From Fog to Focus: My Journey into Values

For the first 38 years of my life, I didn’t really know what my values were. Not because I didn’t have any, just because I’d never stopped long enough to question them.

I was doing what most blokes do.

Playing footy with mates.
Drinking and partying on weekends.
Went to uni, got the degree, landed the job, started climbing the corporate ladder.

And to be honest, it wasn’t bad.
I wasn’t unhappy.
I wasn’t stuck.
I was just... living. On autopilot. Doing what I thought I should do.

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My 2025 Functional Blood Work: High-Performer’s Guide to Sex Hormones & Adrenals – Part 5
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My 2025 Functional Blood Work: High-Performer’s Guide to Sex Hormones & Adrenals – Part 5

This week, I’m diving into sex hormones and adrenal function. Interestingly, this category didn’t come back with a scary dysfunction score, it was flagged at around 45% probability. But there were still patterns worth paying attention to. Patterns that a conventional doctor might completely ignore, but functional medicine digs deeper to connect the dots.

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