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.
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At Midlife Mavericks, we believe true masculinity goes beyond outdated notions of toughness or stoicism.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:
The Modern Testosterone Decline: What Every Midlife Man Should Know
Since the 1980s, studies have documented a consistent decline in average testosterone levels among men. One prominent study found that testosterone levels have been decreasing by about 1% per year, independent of aging. This means that a man in his 30s today may have significantly lower testosterone levels compared to a man of the same age in previous decades. [1]
While aging naturally leads to a gradual decrease in testosterone, the accelerated decline observed in recent decades suggests additional contributing factors.
Here are five of the key lifestyle and environmental influences:
Why Vulnerability is the Key to Growth for Men in Midlife
As men, we’ve been raised to believe that strength means holding it all together, not letting anything slip, and never showing weakness. Especially here in Australia, society expects us to be pillars—solid, unshakable, always in control.
But if we’re honest, there’s another reality underneath. Many of us are struggling, whether it’s with our physical health, mental health, relationships, or just feeling overwhelmed.
Yet we hold it in because we’ve learned that vulnerability isn’t ‘manly.’
A Vision of Midlife: Your Path to Health, Fulfillment, and Connection
Understanding Our Mission
At Midlife Mavericks, our mission is simple yet profound: we empower men in midlife to reclaim their vitality and achieve a healthier, more fulfilling future.
But what does that really mean?