Brother, let me ask you something straight. What happens to a bicycle when it stops moving forward? You know the answer.
A man’s the same way. When he stops moving forward, he falls down.
That’s exactly what happens when you buy into the lie that you’ve earned relaxing and slowing down later in life. The truth is simple: purpose is a man’s best friend. Dogs are second.
In this episode, Ken Kowalsky — physical therapist, wrestling coach, husband, and dad of four — exposes the dangerous myth of “retirement.” He reveals why most men lose their strength, clarity, and drive after 50… and how to flip that script to make your second half your strongest.
You’ll learn:
• Why “relaxing” is the most seductive trap men fall into
• How to recognize when you’re in The Slow Glide toward decline
• What purpose does to your testosterone, dopamine, and mindset
• The story of a fisherman who found new life by writing his survival guide
• How to find a new mission that reignites your body and mind
If you’re a man over 50 who feels like you’re fading, this episode will wake you up. You were built to move, to build, to lead. That’s not pressure — that’s physics.
Listen now and discover why purpose isn’t optional. It’s biological.
Subscribe to the 2nd50Strong Podcast for more episodes that help you rebuild your strength, reclaim your edge, and make your second 50 years your most respected years yet.
Are you still attractive after 50—or have you quietly faded into the background? In this episode, Ken Kowalsky—physical therapist, wrestling coach, and author of Grow or Die—unpacks the real meaning of magnetism for men in their second half of life.This isn’t about looks, status, or fake confidence. It’s about becoming The Guy—the man with presence, purpose, and quiet power. The one people feel when he walks into a room.You’ll discover: Why most men lose their edge after 50—and how to get it back The biology behind attraction and masculine energy. The difference between Mr. Nobody, That Guy, and The Guy. How to rebuild your confidence and self-respect from the inside out. Stop fading into the wallpaper. Start leading the room.
Most men never ask the question that defines their entire second half of life:
“If I were for sale, what would my price tag say?”
In this episode of Barbell Confidential, Ken Kowalsky — physical therapist, wrestling coach, and author of Grow or Die— drops a gut-punching truth: your value in life isn’t what you say it is… it’s what you’ve become.
You’ll learn:
How to raise your price tag by investing in your body, mind, and daily habits.
Why most men sell themselves on the clearance rack without realizing it.
The mindset shifts that separate valuable men from disposable ones.
Simple ways to rebuild your confidence, skills, and purpose starting this week.
This isn’t feel-good talk — it’s a wake-up call for men who refuse to fade.
Listen in, level up, and start raising your value — one rep, one habit, one decision at a time.
👉 Subscribe for more hard-hitting, real conversations that help men over 40 get stronger, sharper, and more alive.
Men, It’s time to flip the energy equation. You’ve been eating in the wrong direction—feeding like prey instead of earning like a predator. In this episode, Ken Kowalsky breaks down how the modern food system and incorrect thinking have wrecked men’s energy, health, and drive after 50. You'll learn the golden rule that keeps real men lean for life: “Avoid, don’t burn.”
What’s inside:• The truth about fat storage and energy balance• Why cardio doesn’t burn fat like you think• The easiest mindset shift to regain control of your body• A challenge that’ll flip your fuel system back to predator mode👉 Hit play, brother — this one could save your health, your confidence, and your manhood.📘 Based on Grow or Die — Mission #2: Pie Hole Management💪 Learn more at 2nd50Strong.com
Your muscles aren’t just meat—they’re messengers.
In this episode we crack open the science of myokines—the chemical powerhouses your muscles release when you train. These little protein peptides control everything from brain function to belly fat, inflammation to libido.
If you’re a man over 50 and still think lifting weights is just about looking good… you’re already behind.
Strength training isn’t optional. It’s survival.
And your myokines? They’re either building you up—or slowly shutting you down.
Learn how just 30 minutes of lifting can flood your bloodstream with the best medicine money can’t buy.
Let’s talk muscle, mindset, and why sitting still is the new smoking.
Hey guys, What's up?
For weight reduction, does Cardio work, or does it suck? You're going to find out, and along the way, you're going to learn about the two best exercises for dropping fat off your body. Listen in.......
Guys, as men we need to get our priorities straight and realize that despite our incorrect social conditioning, getting the extra fat off of our bodies is still the most important thing we can do. I'm going to tell you why, and tell you the easiest way to do it. Listen in to learn more...
As men in our second 50 years, strength training is essential, and lifting heavy is the best way to do it. Actually, it's the best investment you could ever make, and in this podcast I'm going to show you why. We're also going to define what "Heavy" actually is, and how to work up to it if you're new at strength training. Listen in to learn more....
Men, want to feel great? This is the guaranteed way to find your optimal eating strategy that will make you feel energized and amazing as a man in your second 50 years. Listen in to discover what it is, how to do it, and what it takes to be successful at it....
The #1 reason is not what you think. We must strength train, and medical science has given new reasons why, that will change your view of exercise forever. Listen in to discover a whole new world of reasons being stronger is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Last episode was a bunch of depressing stats on the decline of men. This podcast explains the exact 7 things to do to avoid being one of those statistics. Attack these 7 areas, and dominate your life in your 2nd 50 years. Listen in...
It's time to open our eyes and see what's really going on with men in their 2nd 50 years. This episode is kind of a bummer, but only when we see what's truly happening, can we choose to change it. No more sticking our heads in the sand, let's face this head on.
It's time to get back at it. I am in the process of creating a new sound, but I am still speaking to men over 50 years old. I am in the process of publishing a book based on what I've seen as a physical therapist for 30 years with the aging male population. I'm going to start talking about it here. I'm still tightening up the intro and music, so that may change until I find the right fit. Listen in as I start the second stage of this journey.
Deloading is an important art of your training, if you do it right. Listen in to find out how………
Body weight exercises are not the best way to strength train, especially if you’re over 50. Listen in to hear why……………
I’m still trying to figure YouTube out, and I have no idea why my wife can’t find any of my videos.
Just spent time with my in-laws in Connecticut and ate like total crap. It tasted amazing, but I feel horrible. Do most people just live like this?…….
As men we tend to not follow good advice. I did exactly that, and here’s what happened……..
I went hiking and camping all last week. I even hung out at the beach with my family. I had a hard time finding dads that were in shape and physically playing with their kids. Why is this?
The amazing feeling of the sense of accomplishment, when doing something physically or emotionally hard, is what drives us to keep going…………..
