Quote: "You don’t need to worry about progressing slowly, you need to worry about climbing the wrong mountain." – James Clear

The final episode addresses the disillusionment of climbing the “wrong mountain.” Keren explains how to break free from the fear of sunk costs and the societal conditioning that traps us in unfulfilling lives. She encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability, seek help, and cultivate lives that reflect their true desires.

Tool of the Day: Ask for help. Share your struggles with a trusted confidant or coach to break out of isolation and regain a sense of connection and clarity.

Referenced Books/Media:

• James Clear quote on the importance of climbing the right mountain

Books and References Mentioned Across Episodes

• GILDED: Breaking Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More by Keren Eldad
• America (song) by Simon & Garfunkel
• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
• Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton
• You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
• Northwestern University 2023 Commencement Speech by J.B. Pritzker
• Burn Book by Kara Swisher
• Modern Family (TV show)
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Michael Jordan’s famous quotes and career insights
• James Clear on climbing the right mountain

Get More Resources

To dive deeper into these themes, order GILDED at BreakFreewithGilded.com or visit KerenEldad.com for coaching opportunities and to book a free consultation.

Quote: "Turn your wounds into wisdom." – Oprah Winfrey

Coach Keren tackles the crippling fear of failure that paralyzes so many overachievers. She introduces a reframe for viewing failure not as an endpoint but as a stepping stone. With examples from history, including J.K. Rowling and Michael Jordan, Keren shows how adopting a growth mindset helps us embrace learning from mistakes.

Tool of the Day: Embrace a Growth Mindset by setting goals that focus on joy, not perfection.

Referenced Books/Media:

• Harry Potter series (rejection journey of J.K. Rowling)
• Michael Jordan (career anecdotes)

Quote: "Most of us would rather kill ourselves than be, particularly if who we think we are keeps dying. Many of us do." – Brad Blanton, Radical Honesty

In this deeply introspective episode, Keren discusses imposter syndrome, self-deception, and the anxiety around hiding our true selves. Inspired by Brad Blanton’s Radical Honesty, she emphasizes that to stop feeling like a fraud, you must stop behaving like one. With stories and sitcom references, this episode explores the toll of lies, encouraging listeners to commit to authenticity.

Tool of the Day: An Integrity Cleanse – a weeklong exercise in total honesty with yourself and others.

Referenced Books/Media:

• Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton

Modern Family (TV show reference)

Quote: "If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed." – Martin Luther King Jr.

This episode dives into the pervasive fear of losing financial security, even among the wealthy. Keren highlights the scarcity mindset, loss aversion from psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, and the role of childhood trauma in shaping our financial fears. Through relatable examples, Keren reveals how this mindset traps people, showing that only by confronting these fears can we enjoy our wealth.

Tool of the Day: Start a “Wealth Consciousness” reading list, with top recommendations like You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero.

Referenced Books/Media:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (concept of loss aversion)
• You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street (Netflix documentary)

Quote: "'Whenever I'm about to do something, I think, 'Would an idiot do that?' and if they would, I do not do that thing." – Dwight Schrute, The Office

In Episode 3, Keren discusses the arrogance and judgment that can come with success. Examining intellectual arrogance, she introduces lessons from Kara Swisher’s Burn Book and Governor J.B. Pritzker's viral commencement speech on cruelty as an “idiot detector.” By looking at iconic figures in tech, we see how ego and perceived superiority can disconnect high performers from empathy, kindness, and self-awareness.

Tool of the Day: Loosen your grip on mental arrogance by recognizing the impact of kindness and empathy on your relationships and influence.

Referenced Books/Media:

• The Office (TV show, Dwight Schrute quote)
• Burn Book by Kara Swisher
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown (mentioned)
• Northwestern University 2023 Commencement Speech by J.B. Pritzker

Quote: "Kathy I’m lost," I said, though I knew she was sleeping. "I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why…" – Simon & Garfunkel, America

In this episode, Coach Keren Eldad explores the haunting feelings of emptiness and loss that often come with high achievement. With reference to Alexander Hamilton's "residual sadness of the driven man" from Ron Chernow's biography and the concept of "the cave you fear to enter" by Joseph Campbell, Keren breaks down why overachievers often feel like they’re endlessly striving yet remain unsatisfied. Through deeply personal stories and historical examples, this episode unveils why wealth and success often fail to fill the void.

Tool of the Day: A “Dream Map” to clarify what true happiness would look like in all areas of life.

Referenced Books/Media:

• America by Simon & Garfunkel (song)
• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (quoted from The Adam Grant Podcast)
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (film)

In this episode of Coached Podcast, host Keren Eldad delves into the paradox of overachievement—how external success can often mask deeper struggles of dissatisfaction, insecurity, and inner turmoil. Using the tragic story of Brandon Miller as a backdrop, Keren explores how ambition, perfectionism, and materialism can trap individuals in what she calls “gilded cages.” Drawing on personal anecdotes, literature, and pop culture, Keren offers insights on overcoming scarcity mindsets and embracing true joy.

Topics Covered:

• The tragic story of Brandon and Candice Miller: A moral fable of hidden struggles behind a gilded lifestyle.
• How the pressures of overachievement create internal conflict and contribute to mental health challenges.
• Insights from Keren’s book GILDED: Break Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More.
• The Overachievement Paradox: Why outward success often leads to inner discontent.
• Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset for greater fulfillment.

Books and References Mentioned:

• Keren Eldad's Book:
• GILDED: Break Free from the Cage of Ambition, Perfectionism, and the Relentless Pursuit of More
• Get your copy at: www.KerenEldad.com or (BreakFreewithGilded.com).
• Matthew Perry:
• Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
• Perry’s memoir, reflecting on his own struggles with addiction, success, and inner conflict.
• Truman Capote’s Swans:
• Inspired by the television series Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.
• Explores Capote’s relationships with high-society women and the metaphor of the swans—people who appear graceful but struggle underneath.

Themes Discussed:

• The Overachievement Paradox:
• How high achievers can feel trapped by their own success, leading to dissatisfaction and strained relationships.
• Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindsets:
• How scarcity thinking can fuel overwork and insecurity, and how adopting an abundance mindset opens doors to joy and freedom.
• Materialism and the Pressure to Appear Perfect:
• Insights into how outward success—especially on social media—can mask inner struggles.

Tools & Practices Mentioned:

• Questioning Your Worldview:
• Ask: Do I see the world as friendly or hostile?
• Shift from scarcity to abundance by challenging fear-based assumptions.
• Decision-Making Practice:
• In moments of stress, ask yourself:
• “Where am I coming from—fear or excitement?”
• If the feeling is fear, pause before moving forward.

Episode Highlights:

• Brandon Miller’s Story
• A tragic example of hidden struggles behind a glamorous lifestyle.
• Explores themes of debt, depression, and the toll of maintaining appearances.
• Personal Story from Keren’s Coaching Journey:
• A client hesitated to attend an Ivy League reunion due to societal pressures around financial success.
• The Importance of Self-Awareness and Inner Work:
• Identifying dissatisfaction and reframing success on your own terms.

Thank you for listening to Coached Podcast!

Stay tuned for the next episode in the Secret Thoughts of Superstars series.

This is the final episode of this series on the Midlife Awakening, recapping the lessons and the many principles we covered in the series. It's titled: "Your New Life Is Going to Cost You Your Old One" - which should already give you a glimpse of what to expect. You will see that though your reckoning with this life stage will (100%) involve real grief, that it will also be well worth it.

I hope that this series will help you to navigate your mid-life shift or any other challenges you might be facing. Let our team know how you loved the series by leaving us a 5 star review, subscribing, or commenting/ emailing us back.

This season was truly a labor of love, inspired by my new TEDx Talk: Pray for a Midlife Awakening, and my way of sharing with you the joy and wonder I have found in this phase.

LINKS:

Kereneldad.com.

Schedule a consultation with Coach Keren:

calendly.com/kereneldad

Are you feeling un-empowered because the dreams of your younger self have not been achieved? 

It’s not too late – YOU get to choose how you live the second half of your life. The world is still your oyster but this time around you have the wisdom that comes with age. When you pair your wisdom with your dreams – you will be unstoppable! 

In the eighth episode of the Coached Podcast’s new season, Coach Keren is joined by the impressive Jade Sheppard to answer YOUR questions on the midlife shift. Jade is the President, Owner of Gideon USA, Malibu Popoyo, Scarlet Society, and Fermenteria. Not only is she a serial entrepreneur, but Jade is also the mother of three and a bona-fide adrenaline junkie. 

Together, Keren and Jade dive into what a midlife shift means and looks like through the lens of awakening, excitement and eagerness for more - as they answer caller’s questions. You will not want to miss this one.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:32] Keren defines the midlife crisis as the loss of our identity,  revealed often through a change in physical circumstances, and notes that at this halfway point in life, people tend to re-evaluate their lives.
• [05:25] Keren introduces a book by author James Hollis – The Midlife Passage from Misery to Meaning in Midlife. She quotes a powerful passage from the book: “if we realize that the assumptions by which the person has lived his or her life are collapsing, that the assembled strategies of the provisional personality are de-compensating, that a worldview is falling apart, then the thrashing about is understandable.
• [07:08] Keren introduces Jade Sheppard, who talks about her new business Scarlet Society, and their goal: to normalize women’s sexual health and wellness after 40. Jade created this company following her divorce when she felt unsupported and uninspired by what was out there in the market for women's sexuality in the second half of their lives
• [14:46] Jade discusses how she found her midlife crisis to be an awakening -  more of a blessing than something negative, setting the tone for the discussion with callers.
• [16:53] We hear from the first caller, Cindy, who feels sad because none of her dreams have been fulfilled. 
• [22:10] Keren and Jade answer Cindy’s question, and encourage Cindy to live her life for HER, giving suggestions on how to take one step at a time towards her goals which will yet be fulfilled.
• [25:43] Our second caller, Lila, explains that she has gone back to work and now that she is earning an income she has had a shift in her marriage dynamic. Her husband is not being supportive and has been treating her poorly, making her unhappy. She is wondering if this is a midlife shift.
• [28:58]Jade encourages Lila to take a deeper look, to dive deeper and see if the belittling and berating have been going on for longer than she has noticed. She asks Lila a powerful question – “if this was your child going through this situation, what would YOU tell her to do”
• [29:27] Keren asks Lila another powerful, thought-provoking question, “What would you do if you were not afraid?”. She explains that there is a certain level of fear that will keep us entrapped in a situation that may not be serving us, and that heeding that question may clarify for Lila what needs to be done. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• It is common for people to re-evaluate their lives at midlife, and this reckoning may give way to make dramatic changes if one ends up placing the blame on their career or spouse, etc instead of going inward. 
• The reckoning may shift your relationship with yourself for the better, but otherwise, your age doesn’t define your life. As long as you are alive and healthy, there is still time to accomplish your goals and life aspirations.
• If you are feeling stuck or unhappy in a situation, but are afraid of change, it is essential to ask yourself “where is the fear coming from?” Once you identify it, ask yourself, “what would I do if fear wasn’t a factor?” That is the power of seeking clarity internally first. 

LINKS:

Ted Talk on Menopause

From Misery to Meaning by James Hollis

gideonusa.com

malibupopoyo.com 

scarletsociety.com

Instagram:

@malibupopoyo

@scarletsociety_official

Kereneldad.com

Schedule a consultation with Coach Keren: calendly.com/kereneldad

BIO:

Jade Sheppard is a serial entrepreneur, a mom of 3 incredible kids, and an adrenaline junkie. At the age of 26, she started Gideon USA, a construction company. Gideon does logistically complicated projects for the military including repairing fuel tanks on the Turkey/Syria border.  In addition to Gideon USA, Jade also owns a luxury boutique surf resort in Nicaragua, Malibu Popoyo (www.malibupopoyo.com), and is in permit to build a second resort in Nosara, Costa Rica.  Most recently, she started a new business called Scarlet Society (www.scarletsociety.com), which is comprised of editorial content and products focused on sexual health and wellness for women over 40.  

When she isn’t dreaming up new ideas or spending time with her children, Jade’s life revolves around surfing and being at the beach.  Jade travels the world to surf and also loves to dirt bike.  In addition to Los Angeles, Denver, Oahu, and Nicaragua are also places she calls home.

In the seventh episode of the Coached Podcast’s new season, Coach Keren is joined by guest host Greg Scheinman for the second time to answer YOUR questions on the midlife shift. Greg is a Performance Coach, Speaker, Author & Creator of The Midlife Male Podcast & Newsletter.

Today, Greg and Keren thoughtfully advise two callers who are wondering if they are too old to find love, or too old to find their life’s purpose. They give insightful answers and suggestions on how to love ourselves, how to turn inward, and how to create a life of fulfillment and meaning. When you start doing things that light you up daily you will be living a life of purpose – cumulatively. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [03:36] Keren discusses how the midlife shift can be compared to adolescence – and how you can turn stagnation and purposelessness into healing.
• [04:03] Keren welcomes Greg Sheinman back to the show – they recap the last episode and discuss the vulnerable and relatable questions from the previous callers
• [07:15] The first caller, Breanna, opens up about how first of all she loves herself, but second of all, she is feeling self-doubt because her boyfriend broke up with her for a younger woman. She wants to know how to feel empowered in this situation.
• [11:51] Keren empowers Breanna and validates her feelings by telling her, “ love yourself enough to understand that he is not for you because he is not appreciating all the magnificence of you. There are no deal breakers in real love.”
• [18:34] The second caller Mattius talks about the anxiety of finding his purpose at 46. Greg explains that the secret is to live positively. Not everyone has a “calling”, but doing things that we enjoy or things that make us feel good daily will add up cumulatively to create a life of fulfillment.
• [23:58] Keren discusses the word: “purpose.” Purpose is doing anything that creates fulfillment and meaning. Flow is anything that you are doing that makes you lose all sense of time.
• [25:50] Keren gives tips on how to find out what lights you up, what you are obsessed with, and what will help you to live a happy life full of purpose.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Midlife crisis can be compared to adolescence in that it can be a turbulent time with acting out, extreme behaviors, and rage against change – instead we should be turning inward, processing what is happening, and evolving.
• When you love yourself and live your life being honest and true to yourself – you will find a partner suited perfectly to you. There is no time frame for finding love, you can find who is perfect for you at 42 or 60.
• Your age doesn’t have to dictate who or how you are – you can be an old 40-year-old or a young 60 year old; it is all in the way you carry yourself. How you live, how you operate, and how you execute. Is there vibrance in your face, in your eyes, in your body? How you live is up to you.
• If day in and day out, you start choosing the things that light you up from inside that you're obsessed with, that you would do if nobody paid you, you will certainly be living a life of purpose.

LINKS:

• Greg's Website
• IG: @gregscheinman
• Get Greg’s book here
• Kereneldad.com

Schedule a consultation with Coach Keren

BIO:

Greg Scheinman is a performance coach and host of The Midlife Male podcast, and the creator of MidlifeMale.com—the premier digital media community for middle-aged men seeking to maximize their lives. In 2018, he launched the Midlife Male Movement to help men like him in their forties and fifties to strive to be their best selves by getting active, curious, naked— and real. Greg has played many roles in his life: a filmmaker, sports video producer, TV host, fitness studio owner, insurance broker, performance coach, executive athlete—and most importantly, a friend, father, husband, brother, and son.

Have you stopped trying to achieve your goals because you think you’ve missed the window? Spoiler alert - there is no window! It is never too late to be the best version of yourself!

In the sixth episode of the Coached Podcast’s new season, Coach Keren is joined by guest host Greg Scheinman to answer YOUR questions on the midlife shift. Greg is a Performance Coach, Speaker, Author & Creator of The Midlife Male Podcast & Newsletter.

Together, Greg and Keren use their life experiences to weigh in on the vulnerable questions asked by today’s callers. Today’s episode focuses on aging, but contrary to popular belief, aging doesn’t have to be something we dread – it can be something to look forward to if you embrace the changes with love and see each day as an opportunity.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:00:26] Keren introduces the topic of change, and how it can be extremely hard for people to accept
• [00:05:24] Keren discusses a psychoanalyst’s description of the midlife crisis. The midlife crisis is a spiritual crisis, a profound inflection point in our life that has 5 stages of development: Accommodation, separation, liminality, reintegration, and individuation
• [00:07:45] Keren welcomes Greg to the show. Greg introduces us to his book that came out Nov 1, 2022, called: “The Midlife Male: A No-Bullshit Guide to Living Better, Longer, Happier, Healthier, and Wealthier and Having More Fun in Your 40s and 50s (Which Includes More Sex ... and What Guy Doesn't Want That?)
• [00:15:17] Keren and Greg hear from the first caller, Tim. Tim confides in the pair that he feels self-conscious about his physical changes since turning 40.
• [00:24:19] Greg discusses being consistent with small positive changes, and that over time those cumulative changes will add up to success.
• [00:30:41] Keren and Greg hear from Caroline; she courageously confides about wondering if there is more to life and, she feels like she is too far behind to ever catch up.
• [00:41:58] Keren gives Caroline advice on her issue, she urges her to listen to the whisper. She tells Caroline to go on an inner journey, to find out who she is and why she’s done what she’s done, and also why she wants what she wants.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• It is never too late to live the life of your dreams on your terms
• Middle age happens to everyone – it is involuntary but if you embrace the change it can be beautiful and empowering
• Make small changes every day (ex. walking every day for 30 minutes) all your small changes will add up like compound interest to make a big beneficial difference
• Even if it seems hard, you must keep moving forward because regret is poison, and it will not get you anywhere. Keep looking forward with enthusiasm!

LINKS:

• Website: http://www.themidlifemale.com/
• IG: @gregscheinman
• Get Greg’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Midlife-Male-No-Bullshit-Healthier-Wealthier/dp/1637554176
• www.Kereneldad.com

Schedule a consultation with Coach Keren:

calendly.com/kereneldad