Beyond Midlife Myths — Why Middle Age Can Be Your Prime Time

**Brett McKay** (0:00)
One thing I've learned about eating well is that it's usually not a motivation problem. It's a convenience problem. When I'm hungry and busy, I'm going to eat whatever is easiest. That's why I like to keep factor meals in the fridge. Factor makes it easy to stick with my nutrition goals because the decision is already made. The meals are fully prepared, designed by dieticians, crafted by chefs, and they're ready in about two minutes. No grocery shopping, no meal prep, no cleanup. My favorite is still the filet mignon. It's high in protein, tastes great, and it feels like a real meal instead of, you know, quote unquote healthy food. Factor also has options whether your goal is more protein, calorie management, or overall nutrition. Everything arrives fresh, never frozen, and there are more than 100 rotating meals, so you don't get burned out eating the same thing every week. I use Factor. I think it's one of the easiest ways to stay on track nutritionally, so I think you should check it out. Head to factormeals.com/manliness50off and use code manliness50off to get 50% off your order and free daily greens per box with new subscriptions only while supplies last until September 27th, 2026 See website for more details. Check it out today. If you got a business idea kicking around in your head, one thing I've learned about business ideas is not to let the technical side stop you from getting started. And one thing that will help you get over that technical hump is Shopify. We've used Shopify for the art of manliness store for years, and the one thing I appreciated early on was how much it took off my plate. Once someone landed on your storefront, I didn't have to worry about whether checkout would work. Shopify checkout made buying simple, and for returning customers, their information is already saved, so completing a purchase is quick and easy. That meant I could spend less time fiddling with the mechanics of running an online store, and more time writing articles, recording podcasts, and building the business itself. Whether you're selling one product or planning something much bigger, Shopify gives you everything you need from day one and grows with you as your business grows. With Shopify, nothing stands between your idea and a real business, so go make it one. Start your free trial at Shopify today at shopify.com/manliness. Again, that's shopify.com/manliness. One more time, shopify.com/manliness.
Brett McKay here and welcome to another edition of the AoM Podcast, which since 2008 has featured conversations with the world's best authors, thinkers, and leaders that glean their edifying, life-improving insights without the fluff and filler. The AoM Podcast is just one part of the McKay mission to help individuals practice timeless virtues through thought, word, and deed. Also be sure to explore our articles in artofmanliness.com, read the deeper dives we do in our sub-stack newsletter at dyingbreed.net, and turn our content into real-world action by joining the Strenuous Life program at strenuouslife.com. Now on to the show.
Many of us grow up believing that midlife is when things start going downhill. Your body is breaking down, your best work is behind you, and you may fall into a full-blown existential crisis. But a lot of what we think we know about midlife turns out to be based more on pop culture than actual research. My guest says the reality is much more encouraging. Her name is Margie Lachman, and she's a professor of psychology, the director of the Lifespan Lamb at Brandeis University, and the author of Primetime, A New Vision for Midlife. Today in the show, Margie discusses what age range constitutes midlife and how it's not just a matter of chronological age and whether people really become less happy and experience the midlife crisis during these years.
She explains the surprising ways your mind continues to improve even as some abilities slow down, and why this stage of life often represents a peak combination of creativity and judgment. We also talk about the real challenges that come with midlife and how adopting the right mindset and habits can mitigate those downsides, while helping you make the most of what Margie argues can truly be a sweet spot in life, a time when you still have much of your physical and mental vitality and it's coupled with seasoned experience and wisdom.
After the show is over, check out our show notes at aom.is slash primetime.
All right, Margie Lachman, welcome to the show.

**Margie Lachman** (3:57)
Thank you so much. I'm really glad to be here.

**Brett McKay** (3:59)
So you are a professor of psychology who researches adult development with a focus on midlife, 40s to 60s. Well, actually, we're going to talk about what is midlife, exactly. How adults experience the world and themselves throughout their life. It's this is a surprisingly new field of psychology.