After 40, many high-performing men reach a frustrating crossroads: career success is there, but energy, focus, and presence at home are fading. In the debut episode of No Hype, Just Standards, former Marine and performance coach Zac Armstrong tackles that reality head-on with Rory Pendergast, an accomplished attorney, husband, and father.

Rory wasn’t burned out in the traditional sense. His labs came back “normal.” He exercised. He ate well. Yet by late morning, his energy crashed, headaches set in, and patience wore thin—especially at home. As Zac explains, “normal” is simply the average of a population that’s inflamed, exhausted, and managing decline. For men with responsibility, that standard isn’t acceptable.

This conversation traces Rory’s decision to stop guessing and start rebuilding—using data, structured training, nutrition, recovery, and accountability to restore his edge. The results weren’t just physical. His focus sharpened. His fuse lengthened. His family noticed.

This episode sets the tone for the series: no hype, no gimmicks, and no settling. Just higher standards for how you feel, how you perform, and how you show up—especially after 40, when it matters most.

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