12 Best Wellness Podcasts for Men
According to OFCOM, 5.9 million of us, or around 11 per cent of adults in the UK, are listening to a weekly podcast.
To cater for all those listeners, Apple hosts north of 500,000 podcasts and more than 50 billion podcasts have been downloaded from its Podcast platform. But with so many to choose from, how can anyone expect to separate the wheat from the chaff?
Well, if what you're looking for is the inspiration to make you a better man, MH has you covered. We've listened to the best of the best, scrutinised guest choices and worked out which podcasts are taking men's wellness seriously. All so you don't have to.
Just in case you like something a little more off the beaten track, we've also listed the best alternatives to our favourite podcasts.
Best For: Discovering a Mentor
The podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show
Why we love it: Ferriss is the author of New York Times bestsellers The 4-Hour Work Week, Body and Chef, so he knows how to help you sculpt a better version of you in 2019. Ferriss’ podcast isn’t about him though, it’s about deconstructing world-class performers, so expect to spend three hours examining how everyone from business leaders to elite athletes became successful.
The alternative: The James Altucher Show. A podcast where entrepreneur, author and chess master James Altucher brings you into the lives of peak-performers, billionaires, best-selling authors, writers, rappers, astronauts and more.
Best For: Career Advice
The podcast: Jocko Podcast
Why we love it: If your career isn’t going exactly to plan then let us introduce you to Jocko Willink. Willink is a former commander of the most decorated special operations unit in the Iraq War, who went on to become the officer in charge of training all Navy Seals on the US west coast. You don’t get to that position by being anything other than as tough as nails. Listening to Jocko Podcast you’ll learn about leadership, discipline, drive and determination from a man who’s been there, done it and has a medal to prove it.
The alternative: The Unbeatable Mind Podcast with Mark Divine, presented by a retired Navy Seal commander-turned-author who grills athletes and ex-military personnel for life strategies.
Best For: Becoming a Better Version of You
The podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience
Why we love it: UFC commentator, comedian and former US tae kwon do champion, Joe Rogan, is one of the world’s most popular podcasters. With more than 1,000 episodes under his black belt, the self-dubbed “psychedelic adventurer” isn’t afraid of introducing his guests to mind-altering substances (see Elon Musk’s episode). But it’s his conversations with sportsmen and women that make Rogan’s podcast quite an experience. See ultramarathoner David Goggins’ first appearance on the podcast or Tyson Fury’s emotional retelling of his suicide attempt if you don’t believe us.
The alternative: Try Under the Skin with Russell Brand, who is another comedian looking to find what's beneath the surface of people we admire and of the ideas that define our time.
Best For: Seeing the Benefits of Being 'Plantpowered'
The podcast: The Rich Roll Podcast
Why we love it: A former entertainment attorney, athlete and author, Rich Roll’s struggles with drink and drugs had seen his life heading in the wrong direction for years. Then on the eve of his 40th birthday he found that he couldn’t even climb a flight of stairs without being left buckled over in pain. Ditching animal products along with alcohol, drugs and more than 20kg of weight, within two years he ranked among the top 10 male finishers at the Ultraman, a three-day, 320-mile multi-sport race. The self-styled “plantpowered wellness advocate” is now considered one of the fittest men in the world, and his conversations with luminaries of business, sports and science are bound to motivate.
The alternative: Try No Meat Athlete Radio to tune into non-preachy vegan ultrarunner Matt Frazier, whether you want to run entirely on plants or just a slightly greener fuel.
Best for: Chilling out
The podcast: 10% Happier with Dan Harris
Why we love it: Emmy Award-winning Harris was on a set path towards a conventionally successful career in journalism – until he suffered a panic attack live on air, which prompted him to consider meditation. Converted, he wrote a bestselling book, 10% Happier, started an app, 10% Happier: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, and began a podcast. On his podcast, Harris and guests muse upon happiness in its many forms and ask whether striving for success and enlightenment are mutually exclusive.
The alternative: Happier with Gretchen Rubin, in which the four-time New York Times bestselling author discusses happiness and good habits.
Best For: Dealing with Depression
The podcast: The Hilarious World of Depression
Why we love it: OK, so even we can agree that listening to people talk about clinical depression isn't exactly the basis for a laugh-a-minute experience. Luckily, The Hilarious World of Depression is a series of funny conversations with top comedians who have all dealt with the debilitating disease. “Depression is everywhere, and it sucks,” says the show's host, John Moe. “But talking about it doesn’t. Talking about it is a really good idea.”
The alternative: The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin, in which the ex-alcoholic comedian talks to peers about negative thinking, trauma and addiction.
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