Against The Norm

Norman Calvo
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It’s all about creating a thrilling, adventurous and extraordinarily healthy life as we continue to age.  Most importantly, it is about living life to the fullest—daring to go against the grain of average and ‘what is expected’.  Instead, to bravely go against the norm to  lead an incredibly exciting life.  

Episodes

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Reinventing a Life in Paris--American Runaway by Audrey Edwards

    What happens when you reach retirement age… and realize you’re not ready to simply “settle down”? In this fascinating and deeply personal conversation, journalist and author, Audrey Edwards, shares the emotional story behind her decision to leave America after the 2016 election and begin a completely different life in Paris at nearly 70 years old. But this episode is about far more than politics. Audrey opens up about fear, reinvention, aging, risk-taking, identity, race, retirement, loneliness, freedom, and what it really means to create a life that still feels alive and meaningful later in life. We talk about:  Why so many people stay trapped in lives that no longer inspire them  The emotional side of starting over in your 60s and 70s  Learning to live in a foreign culture without speaking the language  Why Paris changed the way she experiences life  The difference between comfort and fulfillment  Retirement, purpose, and the question: “Retire to what?”  Why risk-taking becomes even more important as we age  The surprising cultural differences between America and France  What truly makes a place feel like “home” Audrey’s stories are funny, thoughtful, moving, and incredibly honest — from freezing winters in tiny Paris apartments to discovering a completely different rhythm of life abroad. This is a conversation about courage, reinvention, and refusing to coast through the later chapters of life. Audrey’s memoir:  American Runaway: Black and Free in Paris in the Trump Years https://www.facebook.com/audrey.edwards.260471 If you enjoy stories about reinvention, purpose, travel, and living boldly later in life, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    1hr 2min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    His Life Fell Apart… So He Walked Away for 14 Years

    What would you do if your entire life collapsed all at once? When Ray Martin’s marriage ended, his business unraveled, and his father died within the same period of time, he found himself emotionally shattered and completely lost. What was supposed to be a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across Asia, Europe, and deep into himself. In this fascinating conversation, Ray shares how a successful CEO with all the “right” badges of success slowly realized he was living a life built around other people’s expectations—not his own. Along the way, he:  Ran marathons for charity  Worked with elephant sanctuaries and orphanages  Learned meditation in a silent Buddhist retreat  Became a leadership coach in Asia  Randomly auditioned for — and landed — the lead role in a stage play with no acting experience  And ultimately rebuilt his life around meaning, freedom, intuition, and service This episode is about far more than travel or reinvention. It’s about what happens when you finally stop asking:  “What am I supposed to do with my life?” …and start asking:  “What actually feels true to me?” If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, burned out, or quietly disconnected from the life you built, this conversation may hit very close to home. To learn more about Ray Martin, his book, coaching, and his journey of reinvention, visit: Website: https://lifewithoutatie.com/ Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachraymartin/ Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    50 min

  3. 20 APR

    Cancer Didn’t Break Him—It Forced Him to Ask the Question Most Men Avoid

    After surviving cancer twice, he discovered the one question that can wake up any man who feels stuck—and most men never ask it. What would you do if life hit you with cancer… not once, but twice? Most people would shut down. Most would ask, “Why me?” But today’s guest, Savio Clemente, asked a very different—and far more powerful—question: “Did I live the life I was meant to live… and what do I do now?” In this deeply honest and thought-provoking conversation, Savio shares how facing two life-threatening diagnoses didn’t break him—it transformed him. What followed wasn’t just recovery… it was a complete reimagining of how to live, how to find meaning, and how to move forward with purpose. But this episode isn’t just about cancer. It’s about something far more relevant to many men in their 60s and beyond:  👉 drifting  👉 losing direction  👉 and quietly wondering if the best years are already behind them We tackle the real questions:  How do you find purpose when there’s no crisis forcing you to change?  Why is joy the first thing you should focus on—not legacy?  What does it actually mean to “take inventory” of your life?  And how do you let go of regret before it defines your future? Savio also shares powerful insights on resilience, identity, and what he calls “adaptive resilience”—the ability not just to bounce back, but to evolve. If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, or unsure what comes next…  this conversation might hit closer to home than you expect. Connect with Savio Clemente:  Website: https://www.saviopclemente.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saviopclemente/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanresolve 🔗 Connect with Norman:  Website: https://againstthenorm.net Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    38 min

  4. 20 FEB

    From Princeton to Mount Shasta: Peace, Presence, and Purpose Through Living Inside Out

    In this episode of Against the Norm, Norman Calvo sits down with fellow Princeton grad Andrew “Andy” Oser—a man who’s lived an unmistakably “against the norm” life. After founding a nonprofit that served over 50,000 inner-city youth in Washington, D.C. through tennis and wellness programs, Andy has spent the last two decades guiding spiritual retreats at sacred sites on Mount Shasta. This conversation is for anyone—especially men in their 60s and 70s—who has spent a lifetime playing the “outer game” and is now asking: What’s next? We talk about: Outside-in vs. inside-out livingWhy striving can become a trap (even when you “win”)How tennis taught Andy a radically different way to live (The Inner Game of Tennis)Using breaks (like in tennis) to reset your nervous system during the dayWhy nature helps us access the “real self” more quicklyAuthenticity, purpose, and the surprising power of gratitudeLinks & resources:  Resources mentioned The Inner Game of Tennis — Timothy GallweyThe Inner Game of Work — Timothy GallweyThich Nhat Hanh (using your phone as a “mindfulness bell”)Meister Eckhart (attributed): “Gratitude is the only prayer you need.”Links: https://mountshastaretreat.net/about/ https://www.facebook.com/andrew.oser1 Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    44 min

  5. 12 FEB

    Chosen Suffering: How Men Over 60 Get Fit (Without Waiting for a Health Scare)

    What does it actually take for a man in his 60s or 70s to get fitter—especially if he hasn’t worked out in decades? In this episode of Against the Norm, Norman Calvo sits down with his personal trainer and strength coach Brandon Chu (Liv Method, Manhattan), who shares a refreshingly real roadmap for older men: start smaller than you think, build consistency first, and use accountability to make it stick. You’ll hear: Why most men don’t change until a doctor or scare forces itThe “momentum” approach: tiny steps that actually lead somewhereWhy gyms feel intimidating—and how to lower the barrier to entryThe simple truth about muscle loss, bone density, strength training, and protein as we ageThe mindset shift Brandon calls “chosen suffering”: pick the discomfort now, or pay for it laterThis one is practical, funny, and motivating—especially if you’re thinking, “I should really start… but I don’t know how.” Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    52 min

  6. 4 FEB

    How to Start Something New—Without Fear of Failing (with Ron Drotos)

    In this first full episode of Against the Norm, host Norman Calvo sits down with Ron Drotos—acclaimed pianist, musical director, and Norman’s collaborator on his one-man cabaret show—to talk about something most adults struggle with: starting something new without letting fear, perfectionism, or past mistakes stop us. Ron shares powerful insights from decades of teaching musicians, singers, and performers of all levels—including stories from Carnegie Hall, Broadway, and his long-running cabaret workshops in Fairbanks, Alaska. Together, Norman and Ron explore why adults become so afraid of making mistakes, how early experiences can shape lifelong insecurities, and why learning anything new—singing, piano, fitness, or even a foreign language—is really about building new neural pathways, not instant success. This conversation reframes learning as a joyful, process-driven experience rather than a performance test. Ron explains why progress is rarely linear, why perfection is a modern illusion, and how community, consistency, and curiosity matter far more than talent. Norman also shares personal stories from his own journey into singing and performance later in life—and how doing something creative at 70 has been one of the most energizing experiences of his life. If you’ve ever thought “I’m too old,” “I’m not good at this,” or “I don’t want to embarrass myself,” this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t come from staying on the path—it comes from going a little further than feels comfortable. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    44 min

  7. 28 JAN

    Podcast Trailer--Against the Norm

    A short introduction to Against the Norm—a podcast for people who aren’t done yet and are ready to create a bold, energized next chapter in their life. Contact us:   againstthenorm.net

    2 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

It’s all about creating a thrilling, adventurous and extraordinarily healthy life as we continue to age.  Most importantly, it is about living life to the fullest—daring to go against the grain of average and ‘what is expected’.  Instead, to bravely go against the norm to  lead an incredibly exciting life.  

Information

  • Creator
    Norman Calvo
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Against The Norm
  • Show Website
    Against The Norm