He Hit a Midlife Health Crisis at 49 and One Moment Made Him Change His Life Completely

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The Dad Project

25 episodes

1 week ago

Real stories. Brave voices. The Dad Project is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting men, sharing their powerful stories of perseverance, love, and hope. By highlighting their unique journeys and the challenges they overcome, the project seeks to dismantle stereotypes and emphasise the importance of men’s mental health and emotional well-being. Through authentic storytelling, The Dad Project inspires understanding and compassion, fostering a community that values the strength and dedication of these fathers and encourages them to share their truths.

Mental Health

Health & Fitness

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Mental Health

Health & Fitness

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He Hit a Midlife Health Crisis at 49 and One Moment Made Him Change His Life Completely

The Dad Project

1 hour 21 minutes 58 seconds

2 months ago

He Hit a Midlife Health Crisis at 49 and One Moment Made Him Change His Life Completely

Jason Smith spent years climbing the corporate ladder until he realised he was outsourcing his entire role as a dad. He left his job to be present for his son, but when the routine disappeared he felt lost. His identity collapsed, his confidence vanished and his physical and mental health spiralled.

Within 18 months he was warned he was heading towards type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease. He was drinking heavily, barely moving and felt deeply unhappy.

One day an image he saw online stopped him in his tracks. In that moment he knew he had to change. He quit alcohol overnight, started walking daily and began rebuilding his mind and body from the ground up. He posted every day for accountability, joined a sober community and slowly became the man he wished he had always been.

In this conversation Jason talks about identity loss, midlife crisis, depression, health fear, self-belief, discipline and how fitness became the anchor that rebuilt him. He explains why so many men struggle in silence and how simple habits changed his entire life.

Jason now works as a personal trainer and coach helping people aged 45–60 take control of their health, confidence and future.

This is a grounded and inspiring story about midlife transformation, presence and becoming the parent you always intended to be.

Themes

Midlife identity loss
Leaving career for fatherhood
Depression and emptiness
Health crisis and lifestyle disease
Alcohol dependency
Accountability and habit change
Fitness as emotional recovery
Rebuilding confidence
Helping others through lived experience

Why this episode matters

Jason shows how quickly a man’s life can unravel when identity disappears — and how fast it can change when belief returns. His story proves it is never too late to rebuild your health, mindset and purpose.

(00:00:00) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:01:45) Leaving Corporate Life to Become a Present Father (00:05:20) The Power of Presence: Redefining Fatherhood (00:12:13) The Identity Crisis: When Your Job Title Disappears (00:15:10) Depression, Diabetes, and Rock Bottom at 49 (00:22:10) Finding Your True Self Through a Child's Eyes (00:28:03) The Hobbit Moment: When Everything Changed (00:36:07) From Wine to Wellness: The Journey to Sobriety (00:41:02) Rediscovering Adventure at 49: Mountain Bikes and Swimming Lessons (00:49:01) From Client to Coach: Finding Purpose in Fitness (00:58:20) The Mental Game: Why Fitness is Really About Self-Image (01:17:44) A Father's Promise: Don't Become a Burden to Your Children

🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about men's mental health, fatherhood, and finding purpose in midlife.

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Facebook: @fitinmidlife

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