Why walking away in midlife isn’t failure. For men after 50, it’s the beginning of reinvention.
In this candid opening to The Midlife Plan B Series, psychologist Nelson Pahl, Ph.D. speaks directly to the midlife man—men after 50 who feel caught between who they were and who they still want to become.
You’ve probably felt it: the quiet urge to walk away—from the career that’s drained you, the marriage that’s lost connection, or the identity that no longer fits. That restlessness isn’t weakness. It’s your psyche demanding alignment.
This episode explores how to navigate a midlife crisis not as collapse but as catalyst—how to turn identity loss, burnout, and doubt into midlife reinvention and personal transformation.
You’ll learn how to distinguish between running from pain and walking toward purpose; why many men in their fifties feel an existential “call to reinvent”; and how the decision to walk away can actually mark the beginning of authentic renewal.
Join Nelson as he unpacks the psychology of midlife makeover, midlife reinvention, and personal transformation—helping men after 50 reclaim purpose, rebuild identity, and redesign life on their own terms.
🎙 Episode Highlights:
• Why midlife restlessness isn’t weakness—it’s a call for alignment
• How to tell if you’re escaping pain or pursuing purpose
• 3 questions to know if it’s time to repair, rebuild, or leave
• Why midlife is your best chance to reclaim identity and direction
🎧 Listen now to reclaim clarity, courage, and your next chapter.
Healing Links
All Three Options: Midlife Plan B
5-Day Challenge: Resurrection Camp
Supporting Links
Clinical Research: Career Transitions in Midlife Research
Professional Article: Midlife Identity Crisis
Next Episode: Men After 50: Part 2 of the Midlife Plan B Series
About the Host
Nelson Pahl, Ph.D. is an experiential psychologist that helps midlife men move from midlife crisis depression to midlife reinvention. Through his proprietary approaches — Resurrection Camp, the Six Stones Retreat Arc, and his Legacy Lab — he guides men after 50 through identity loss, midlife transformation, and personal reinvention. He's also author of the book, Escaping Sartre's Hell: A Guide for Self-Validation in Midlife.
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Ready to build your own Plan B?
Midlife Plan B offers three ways to reinvent your work, identity, and direction:
- A 4-week private coaching immersion for men ready to design a life that truly fits who they’ve become
- A 4-week guided reset challenge for structured self-reinvention
- A single-session breakthrough intensive for men seeking focused clarity and momentum.
Visit Midlife Plan B to find the path that fits your next chapter.