Topic: Menopause

Owensby reflects on his mother's journey, noting she faced the accident, her son's death, and a divorce while likely entering perimenopause. He describes her eventual "blossoming" into her own life and her continued support for his real estate career. Jensen discusses how parents serve as blueprints for their children, whether through positive modeling or as examples of what to avoid.

Maintaining a healthy sex life requires conscious effort and open communication, especially as couples move through different life stages like perimenopause or menopause. Jensen suggests that couples should treat their sexual relationship with curiosity, potentially using books, video courses, or visiting sex shops to "freshen up" the experience. He references past guest Steve Badansky and notes that sexual attraction for women often requires a different emotional "run-up" than for men.

Men are challenged to remain emotionally available and empathetic toward partners, especially those navigating perimenopause or menopause in their 40s and 50s. Understanding these hormonal transitions is framed as a way to show love and support, which naturally fosters greater desire and intimacy within the relationship. The host argues that irritability and chronic negativity are unacceptable behaviors that must be addressed through personal responsibility.

The Relationship Reset tool is introduced as a resource for men to evaluate if their partnership is thriving or merely surviving. Men are encouraged to ask themselves if they are the person their partner wants to be with or simply the one she is "stuck with." The discussion suggests that a man's own behavior and how he shows up are the primary levers for creating a shift in his partner's response.

When a partner does not respond to positive changes, men are encouraged to practice compassion by considering external factors like exhaustion from young children or hormonal shifts during perimenopause. Rather than resorting to blame or resentment, the goal is to maintain a "beginner's mind" to understand where the partner is emotionally. This approach seeks to replace tension with a deeper connection.

A group of women from a menopause peace coaching program is currently climbing Mount Snowdon, Britain's tallest peak, as an exercise in leaving their comfort zones. The excursion serves as a real-time example of the "Reward" and "Adventure" principles discussed in the podcast. Jensen notes the importance of such challenges while clarifying the geography of peaks like Ben Nevis in Scotland.

Training for the Hyrox event with a partner who is also a professional coach highlights the benefit of having a "number one fan" who challenges and lifts their significant other. The relationship is described as a bonus to life rather than a necessity, emphasizing mutual improvement. Listeners are invited to follow the progress on Instagram and join the Team Super Dad club on Strava.

Jonnie Jensen and Mari Williams briefly discuss the importance of men understanding menopause and pre-menopause to better support the women in their lives. Mari provides her website, mari-williams.com, and announces the launch of "The Alternative Leader" podcast and book. They conclude by reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for emotional maturity and better communication within families.