“When I first walked into the room, I knew right away that we at least shared an interest in cooking. I’ve created more connections and met more people with similar interests, and now many of them have become very good friends.”

Meet Mike, a former business owner who moved to a new town and joined a local men’s cooking group, and found fun, friendship and fulfillment.

In this episode of the Midlife Happiness Project, I speak with Mike about how this group, called Les Marmitons, meets monthly to cook, learn, and enjoy gourmet meals paired with wine. He describes the camaraderie among members and the joy of learning new culinary skills from guest chefs. Mike’s involvement has not only enhanced his culinary expertise but also enriched his social life, creating strong friendships in his new community.

Our discussion also delves how these types of shared activities can foster deeper connections among men, as well as the broader trend of men becoming more involved in cooking at home. We explore how food and cooking can bring people together, offering a fulfilling way to spend time and create lasting friends and memories.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to explore new hobbies, build meaningful friendships, or simply find more joy in their midlife years. Tune in and get inspired to join a culinary group or try a new activity that could bring a fresh wave of happiness into your life!

To learn more about Les Marmitons: https://english.lesmarmitons.com/

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Join us as we uncover more inspiring stories like Mike’s on the Midlife Happiness Project! If you liked this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and leave a rating and a review. And don’t forget to share the happiness with your friends!

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If you have an interesting midlife happiness story, we’d love to speak with you! Please contact us at happy@midlifehappinessproject.com

“So it has really changed our evening routine and has been a great commitment together. We're sleeping better, we're feeling better. It’s definitely brought us closer.”

Meet Darla, a chiropractor and empty-nest mother of two, who has found that regularly jumping into a hot sauna followed by a cold-water plunge provides her with benefits far beyond what she initially expected. What began as a search to help reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease due to a genetic predisposition ended up providing health and relationship benefits (with her husband) that she never anticipated.

Inspired by a longevity seminar, she was introduced to the concept of infrared sauna and cold plunge therapy. This type of therapy uses the impact of extreme heat and cold to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. She found that regular sessions provided mental clarity, improved sleep, and enhanced her physical vitality.

Surprisingly, this holistic approach not only improved her own health but also deepened her connection with her husband, who now joins her in their nightly sauna and cold plunge routine. Watching Netflix together during sauna time while commiserating over the anticipation of the cold plunge to follow has brought Darla closer to her husband.

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Join us as we uncover more inspiring stories like Darla's on the Midlife Happiness Project! If you liked this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and leave a rating and a review. And don’t forget to share the happiness with your friends!

Watch this episode on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeHappinessProject

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/

“For many empty-nesters, they’ve stored up a lot of business experience and skills and insights that they may not know that they have, so I think it’s really valuable and rewarding to be able to put that to work through coaching others.”

Meet Dane, an experienced business executive and recent empty nester who has found new fulfillment through executive coaching.

In this episode, Dane shares how he has embraced coaching after experiencing it himself during a career transition. Even though Dane continues to pursue his business career, working on the side as an executive coach offers a deeply fulfilling way for him to help others become the best version of themselves.

Dane also reflects on the profound impact coaching has had on his life, and the satisfaction he gains from seeing his clients' progress. Dane approaches executive coaching as a process of envisioning a future self and working towards that ‘North Star’, particularly during major life transitions like becoming an empty nester or navigating career changes.

Dane's story offers inspiration to anyone seeking to add fulfillment and purpose in their own lives, through embracing change and sharing their expertise to make a positive impact on others. As Dane says, embrace this “new season” of your life and discover new ways to find joy and happiness!

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Join us as we uncover more inspiring stories like Dane's on the Midlife Happiness Project! If you liked this episode, please SUBSCRIBE and leave a rating and a review. And don’t forget to share the happiness with your friends!

Watch this episode on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeHappinessProject

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/