In this powerful episode of Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with Benjamin Nevares—former Team USA powerlifting competitor, exercise scientist, and mental health advocate—to explore how true strength is forged far beyond the gym. From a shy, bullied teen to a sober entrepreneur owning three companies, Ben opens up about the mental grit required to overcome addiction, redefine masculinity, and build an intentional life. They discuss how gym culture can either reinforce toxic standards or become a space for radical growth, emotional resilience, and healing.
About the Guest: Benjamin Nevares is the founder of IE Health, host of Ben Thinking Podcast, and owner of the Las Vegas Venom Grid League Team. Once battling substance abuse, Ben now leads with purpose and discipline—coaching others through fitness, emotional honesty, and sober leadership. With a background in elite exercise science and hands-on experience in transformation, Ben exemplifies mental strength, vulnerability, and authentic masculinity.
Key Takeaways:
-
Strength training can be the first place men feel they matter—but it must evolve beyond appearance to inner work.
-
Emotional literacy is crucial for growth; learning to sit with feelings is a masculine strength.
-
Sobriety in high-performance spaces demands intention and discipline—but it’s possible and powerful.
-
A mentor, therapist, or supportive community can help channel ambition into action.
-
Healing begins when you stop waiting for someone to save you and decide to show up for yourself.
-
Connect with Benjamin Nevares: Follow and connect with Ben:
-
Instagram: @bennevares
-
Podcast: Ben Thinking
-
IE Health: iehealth.co
Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PodMatch
-
DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik
-
Subscribe To Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/
-
Join Community: https://nas.io/healthymind
Stay Tuned And Follow Us!
-
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/podhealth.club/
-
Threads - https://www.threads.net/@podhealth.club
-
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymind
-
LinkedIn - h
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com