The Upgraded Man

Chris Anderson
  • 4.8 (40)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The Upgraded Man is the podcast for men who refuse to be complacent. Hosted by Chris Anderson — entrepreneur, founder, and fellow work-in-progress — every episode goes deep on the five pillars of the upgraded man: physical fitness, mental health, entrepreneurship, family, and adventure. This isn't a highlight reel. It's real conversations with men who have done the work, made the sacrifices, and built something worth talking about — alongside solo episodes where Chris shares what he's learning on the journey himself. If you're a driven man who wakes up every day committed to being better in the gym, in business, at home, and in life — you're in the right place. New episodes every week. If you're not growing, you're dying. Let's get to work. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Follow us on Instagram: @upgradedmanpodcast Visit: upgraded-man.com

  1. 2d ago

    Tim McDonald: Given Three Years to Live, Six Years Later

    In 2020, Tim McDonald went to an urgent care for a pain in his side. He left knowing he had stage IV colorectal cancer that had already spread to his liver. A second oncologist told him he had three years to live. Almost six years later, after a liver transplant and a long stretch of treatment, Tim is still here, still working, and still traveling with his wife every year. Chris Anderson sits down with Tim to talk about the mindset that carried him through it, the symptoms he brushed off for months, and what it actually looks like to stop planning your life and start living it. Tim is a healthcare advocate and the host of the Advocacy at Work podcast and blog. He has gone to Capitol Hill to push for colorectal cancer research funding and sits on research panels that bring the patient voice into how new treatments get built. This one is for the man who keeps putting off the checkup, the hard conversation, and the trip he says he will take someday. What we get into: The moment Tim heard the words "you have cancer" and why his reaction worried his own doctor Why he told his wife "that's your story, not mine" after a doctor handed him a three year timeline The count to 10 practice that got his temper under control, and why most men quit before it works The journaling exercise he uses to talk back to fear so it stops running his decisions The symptoms he explained away for months: weight loss, back pain, night sweats, and never feeling warm Why colorectal cancer screening dropped from age 50 to 45, and why it may drop again to 40 Cologuard versus the newer blood tests, and what to do if you are too young for insurance to cover it How one positive blood test six years later sent him back into the what ifs, and how he got out What changed in his marriage when his wife became the rock instead of him Why he stopped trying to be the hardest worker in the room and started working smarter The question he left in the Upgrade Log for the next guest Connect with Tim McDonald: Website and podcast: advocacyatwork.com LinkedIn: Tim A. McDonald If this one helps you, send it to a man who needs it. Follow the show so we can keep putting them out. Stay upgraded. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Jul 20

    Building an Indiana Media Empire with Nate Spangle (Get Indiana)

    Nate Spangle never set out to build a media company. He set out to be the first truck in line at the Indy 500. That single idea, filmed on his phone while walking into work, blew up overnight and became Get Indiana, the brand now known across the state for hyping up small towns, local businesses, and the people most folks would drive right past. In this episode, Chris Anderson sits down with Nate to unpack how a $3,000 truck off Facebook Marketplace turned into a full media company, and why plain old curiosity is the real engine behind all of it. Nate opens up about the loss that reshaped how he sees people, the strategy behind his fastest-growing videos, and the mindset that keeps him swinging even when a big idea does not land. Here is what Chris and Nate get into: How one viral video and a 1986 Dodge truck launched Get Indiana and 15,000 followers in six weeks Why you cannot fake obsession, and how being real beats being polished every time The "delta" strategy: finding the gap between what people want and what nobody else is making Losing his mom at 20, the second chance he got with his grandmother, and how learning to ask better questions changed everything Why chasing a thousand real fans beats chasing a million strangers Building a team, handing off the mic, and turning a one-man brand into a real business The habits that keep him going: a short memory, no sulking, and dreaming so big it makes people uncomfortable Whether you want to start something of your own, grow an audience, or just get more out of every single day, Nate's story is a straight shot of proof that the only way it does not work out is if you quit. Follow Nate and Get Indiana at getindiana.com and @NateSpangle on all social media. New episodes of The Upgraded Man drop every week This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Jul 13

    Larry Hagner on Becoming a Better Father, Husband, and Man

    Most men were never taught how to be a great father or husband — they were left to figure it out on their own, often repeating the very patterns they swore they'd break. In this episode of the Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Larry Hagner, founder and CEO of The Dad Edge, who has spent fourteen years building a community and body of work to help men lead their families with intention. Larry opens up about growing up without his biological father, an abusive stepfather, and the night he crossed a line with his own four-year-old son that changed everything. From there, the two dig into the real, teachable skills that separate present fathers and husbands from absent ones. In this conversation, Larry and Chris cover: Why the quality of every relationship lives in the repair, not the harmony or disharmony How to own your mistakes with your kids without losing respect or authority The forgiveness "plant" analogy and why forgive-and-forget doesn't work Leading yourself first (faith and fitness) so you have something to give your family Why your marriage belongs on the front burner, not behind the kids Prioritizing your spouse's three core needs: to be seen, heard, and safe Creating psychological safety so your kids call you at 3 a.m. instead of rolling the dice The three-part communication blueprint: respond vs. react, lead with structure, provide safety Replacing the word "why" with "tell me more" to defuse defensiveness The middle ground between toxic masculinity and the passive "nice guy" Setting and enforcing boundaries as a kind man, not a controlling one Why "there's no such thing as an unconditional relationship" Larry also shares the story of reconnecting with his biological father after eighteen years and the deathbed quote that drives him to leave nothing on the table. Larry Hagner is the founder of The Dad Edge, host of The Dad Edge Podcast, and author of "The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood." Connect with him @thedadedge on Instagram and YouTube. Free resources: thedadedge.com/25questions (conversation starters for your wife), thedadedge.com/kidquestions (75 questions for kids by age), and thedadedge.com/legendarybook for his signed book plus two free courses. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Jul 6

    Death by a Thousand Cuts: Fixing Your Money Without the Shame

    Ever feel like you're grinding harder than ever and still scraping by before the next paycheck hits? You're not bad with money. The world changed — and most men were never handed a plan. In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with Philip Lanier, a former construction laborer who went from homelessness to selling his own company and now teaches everyday people how to take control of their finances without shame. Philip gets real about the "death by a thousand cuts" that quietly drains your accounts, the borrowed scoreboard that keeps you chasing the wrong version of success, and why getting your priorities in the right order matters more than how much you earn. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why so many men operate without a financial plan — and how the world is engineered to profit from that The "death by a thousand cuts" problem hiding in your subscriptions and monthly payments How to face your bank app without shame and get one small win today Why chasing the "American dream scoreboard" keeps you stuck and stressed The sea turtle lesson on struggle, and what it teaches us about raising money-smart kids Practical guardrails to stop justifying debt and start delaying gratification How building generational financial wisdom beats a better golf swing every time Whether you're living paycheck to paycheck or just tired of feeling behind, this episode delivers the mindset shift and practical steps to make money feel calmer this week. Connect with Philip Lanier: Financial class: yourmoneyessentials.com Business coaching: corebusinessessentials.com Follow The Upgraded Man Podcast, share this with a man who needs it, and keep upgrading your life. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Jun 29

    Why Working Harder Won't Build Your Wealth | Dr. Joseph Drolshagen

    You are working harder than ever and the needle still will not move. In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, creator of the SMT method and a 27-year corporate sales veteran turned subconscious performance coach, to expose the real reason most men stall out in business and wealth building. It is not your strategy. It is not the economy. It is the programming running underneath everything you do. Drolshagen breaks down how 85% of your results are driven by subconscious patterns, why hustle culture quietly sabotages the men who buy into it, and how getting into alignment helped his clients scale from 7.5 million to over 22 million in twelve months while taking five weeks of vacation. Drawing on three-plus decades of study and his own climb out of a struggling Detroit upbringing, this is a conversation about doing the inner work that actually changes the outer results, not another pep talk with a 72-hour shelf life. In this episode: Why working harder is the first move struggling business owners make, and why it almost never works The difference between your conscious knowing and the subconscious programming that triggers the actions you take How to build a dynamic vision that pulls you forward instead of grinding you down Why lottery winners and burned-out founders share the exact same hidden problem The simple assessment Drolshagen tells every man to run before he changes anything else How taking uncomfortable action rewires your programming for good Why scaling a business can feel exciting instead of soul-crushing How fear, procrastination, and "I am okay at 1 million" are really the same limitation Whether you are leading a team, growing revenue, or trying to build generational wealth without losing your family in the process, this episode hands you a new place to start: the man in the mirror. Guest: Dr. Joseph Drolshagen, creator of the SMT method and 27-year sales leader. Book a no-pitch call directly with Joe at SMT.com. Follow The Upgraded Man Podcast, and share this one with a man who has hit a ceiling he cannot explain. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jun 22

    Arky Jones: Stoicism, Self-Awareness, and the 1% Better Life

    What does it really mean when a man says, "That's just who I am"? In this episode of The Upgraded Man, host Chris Anderson sits down with Arky Jones, founder of Personality Peak and a lifelong student of stoicism, to unpack why that phrase is usually an excuse rather than an identity. Born in England and now based in Australia, Arky brings a hard-won perspective shaped by military training, a serious injury, and a complete rebuild of his life and purpose. Together they explore how self-awareness, radical ownership, and small daily upgrades can pull any man out of complacency and into a fuller, more deliberate way of living. This is a direct, no-excuses conversation about change, responsibility, and becoming the man you actually want to be. In this episode: Why "personality is a mirror, not a label" and how seeing yourself clearly changes everything The truth about self-awareness for men and why it is not the "woo woo" stuff you think How the locus of control separates what you can own from what you must release Stoicism made practical, from Marcus Aurelius's Meditations to the choices you make every day Why surrender can be a strength instead of a weakness The hidden danger of comfort and how it quietly kills growth, hunger, and purpose Needs versus wants, and how chasing image and status drains your life energy Facing your "unopened bills" and demons head-on instead of delaying the consequence Why modern men have lost their tribe, their role, and their mission, and how to begin reclaiming it The 1% better philosophy you can apply in any moment of any day to compound real change Arky's story of shattering his pelvis in Royal Marines training and the pivot that rebuilt his life Connect with Arky Jones at Personality Peak (personalitypeak.com) to take the free five-minute personality insight tool and uncover your blind spots. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jun 15

    Why Motivation Is Overrated: 70-Year-Old World Record Holder's Secret

    At 70 years old, Jeff broke four ultra-distance cycling world records in a single day, and he did it after training for only a few months. On this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, host Chris Anderson sits down with the record-breaking cyclist, former aerobatic pilot, and performance coach to take apart one of the most common excuses men hide behind: a lack of motivation. Jeff makes the case that motivation is overrated, and that the real engine behind a life of achievement is learning to enjoy the process, set the right goals, and pivot without shame when something stops serving you. In this episode, you will learn: Why motivation is overrated and enjoying the process is what actually sustains long-term effort The difference between quitting and "pivoting," and why Jeff reframes walking away as a strength rather than a failure How to set goals that are "50 percent believable" so they never become a to-do list or a pipe dream The four-stage path to mastery: discovery, training, practice, and teaching, and how to copy it from a skill you already have Why complacency is the real enemy, and the rare moments when it actually works in your favor How a safety net makes a career or life pivot responsible instead of reckless What overtraining taught Jeff about the gap between hating an activity and hating how it makes you feel Why writing down your strengths and challenges gives your goals real power Jeff is a cycling and performance coach who has set multiple records through the World Ultra Cycling Association, competed for years as an aerobatic pilot, and raised roughly $15,000 for his local Parkinson's community. His approach blends decades of athletic experience with a coaching philosophy focused on building people up, not just making them faster. Learn more and connect with Jeff at JeffsCoaching.com. If this conversation pushed you to reconsider something you have been avoiding, subscribe to The Upgraded Man Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a man who is ready to pivot. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jun 8

    Why High Achievers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Free)

    High achievers don't get stuck because they lack effort. They get stuck because they're moving fast in the wrong direction. In this episode of The Upgraded Man Podcast, Chris Anderson sits down with high-performance coach Tim Kelly to unpack why so many capable men hit a ceiling and what it actually takes to break through. Tim is a former Navy rescue swimmer, commercial real estate investor, author, and founder of Active Duty Passive Income. After achieving financial freedom and then losing over seven figures, he rebuilt his life around clarity, faith, and disciplined daily action. Now he helps high performers get out of their own way and build lives that are both successful and fulfilling. In this conversation, Chris and Tim cover: The three reasons even the highest performers stay stuck Why clarity is the foundation of high performance, and how to run a clarity audit on yourself The difference between staying busy and making real progress Why financial freedom means nothing without responsibility and purpose The GROWS framework: God, Relationships, Occupation, Wealth, and Strength Why you cannot succeed in isolation and how to get into the right rooms How to reframe failure as a win, progress, or a lesson The courage it takes to have the hard conversations in your personal life This one is for any man who looks successful on paper but knows he's capable of more. It's a blueprint for trading busyness for clarity and finally moving the needle on the things that matter most. Connect with Tim Kelly: Website: thetimothykelly.com LinkedIn and Instagram: @thetimothykelly Take the free high-performance clarity assessment, grab the gap guide, and book a call. Remember, it's just about one percent better each day. Follow the show and share this episode with a man who's working to be better every single day. This episode may or may not be sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links, meaning we'll receive a small commission if you buy something. =========================== ⚡️ PODCAST: Subscribe and listen on all major platforms ⚡️ Want to be a guest on The Upgraded Man? Apply here ➡ https://upgraded-man.com/guest ⚡️ For support or business inquiries, email us ➡ chris@upgraded-man.com  Our mission at The Upgraded Man is simple — help men upgrade every area of their life through real conversations, honest stories, and actionable insight from men who have done the work. The content on The Upgraded Man is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not constitute professional legal, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on information discussed on this podcast.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

The Upgraded Man is the podcast for men who refuse to be complacent. Hosted by Chris Anderson — entrepreneur, founder, and fellow work-in-progress — every episode goes deep on the five pillars of the upgraded man: physical fitness, mental health, entrepreneurship, family, and adventure. This isn't a highlight reel. It's real conversations with men who have done the work, made the sacrifices, and built something worth talking about — alongside solo episodes where Chris shares what he's learning on the journey himself. If you're a driven man who wakes up every day committed to being better in the gym, in business, at home, and in life — you're in the right place. New episodes every week. If you're not growing, you're dying. Let's get to work. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Follow us on Instagram: @upgradedmanpodcast Visit: upgraded-man.com

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Anderson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    513
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Upgraded Man
  • Show Website
    The Upgraded Man