Achievement Trap Years: The Lost Middle

If kids are the beginning of wisdom…

And elders are the keepers of it…

What happened to us in the middle?

This week on The Pursuit of Balance, I opened up about something we all feel—but few talk about:

Why do so many of us feel stuck, stressed, and disconnected in our 30s, 40s, and 50s—what I call The Lost Middle?

It turns out the most productive years of our lives are also the most at risk of becoming the most painful. Here’s why:

We move less

We sleep less

We play less

We connect less

And then we wonder… why do we feel so off?

Here’s what this episode explores:

The “achievement trap” and how work can quietly take over everything

Why adults sleep worse than kids and seniors — and what it costs us

How technology, loneliness, and disconnection fuel midlife burnout

The difference between chasing success and building a meaningful life

But it’s not just a list of problems — I also share what we can learn from those who are living well:

Kids move constantly, play freely, and stay curious

Elders sleep better, walk daily, and value connection over output

Some key reflections we unpack:

• What if progress doesn’t have to come at the cost of your peace?

• What if you’ve been building a career… but missing out on your life?

• What if slowing down isn’t lazy, but wise?

You’ll hear me get personal about my own struggles:

Trying to grow my business without sacrificing the joy of living

Battling the “social status” mindset that ties our worth to income or titles

What I remind my wife (and myself) when work becomes too much

And most importantly — how to reclaim your middle:

Move like a kid or an elder

Sleep like a child

Rebuild your curiosity

Reconnect with friends, family, and your why

Let go of unrealistic timelines and embrace the long game

“The middle doesn’t have to be the mess. It could be the most meaningful time in life — if we choose to reclaim it.”

Listen to the full episode here → 

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