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October 11, 2025 6 mins

Why walking away in midlife isn’t failure—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

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.


Want to Share?

If his episode resonated with you, drop a note or a timestamped comment — or send a private message.

What to Do Next:

Ready to go deeper? Join me inside Resurrection Camp: The Forge, my 5-day challenge designed for men after 50 who want to reclaim identity, rebuild purpose, and reinvent themselves. Visit Resurrection.Camp


If you’re ready to stop living on autopilot and start crafting your midlife comeback, this episode will hit home.

🎧 Listen now — and when you’re ready to go deeper, explore the 5-Day Challenge: Resurrection Camp — The Forge at Resurrection.Camp

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