Chiropractor debunks testosterone myth: Not the real problem for men over 40

Chiropractor debunks testosterone myth: Not the real problem for men over 40

July 6, 2026

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Every time a testosterone clinic pops up along the highway, third-generation chiropractor Dr. Kyle Hulsebus gets the same question from patients: “Doc, is it low testosterone?” After years of testing men from their 20s to their 80s, his answer is almost always no. On this episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sits down with Dr. Kyle to unpack why testosterone myths have become the default explanation for a much deeper problem: the existential crisis that quietly hits men around 40, when the life they built no longer feels like a fit.

Dr. Kyle created the 40 Over 40 program, a scattered mix of physical, mental, spiritual, and somatic practices for men entering midlife, deliberately unorganized because he doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. The conversation covers the two archetypes he sees most in his practice (the man who feels behind in life, and the man who did everything “right” yet still feels hollow), why he’s skeptical of the term toxic masculinity, and why breathwork, not bloodwork, is where he tells almost everyone to start. It closes with a personal story about a friend who appeared to have it all and died by suicide, and what that taught Dr. Kyle about chasing an objective versus chasing a fantasy.

Who is this episode for?

This episode is for men over 40 who feel like something is wrong but can’t name it, and who’ve wondered whether hormones, age, or something else entirely is behind the fatigue, restlessness, or quiet dissatisfaction. It’s for anyone skeptical of quick-fix testosterone clinics who wants a more grounded, somatic explanation of men’s health. And it’s for therapists, coaches, and bodyworkers who want language for the overlap between physical symptoms and unresolved existential or relational issues in their male clients.

Why does a chiropractor think testosterone isn’t the real problem for men over 40?

Dr. Kyle’s clinical experience runs counter to the popular narrative. Men across every age bracket, not just those over 40, come in convinced their fatigue or low mood must be a hormone issue, but testing rarely backs that up. He points out that major institutions like Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins aren’t chasing the same “fad” treatments that pop-up clinics promote, and argues the real issue for most men isn’t chemistry, it’s direction: a sense of having followed a path someone else handed them and now not knowing what comes next.

What are the two archetypes of men Dr. Kyle sees most in midlife?

The first is the man who feels behind: no career he’s proud of, no kids, maybe a substance issue, comparing himself to people half his age. The second is the man who did everything “right”, built the career, the family, the résumé, and still feels unfulfilled. Dr. Kyle treats both with the same starting move: strip away the existential weight and ask a small, concrete question, like “why do you want to do this?” before jumping to bigger identity work.

Is toxic masculinity a real framework, according to this episode?

Dr. Kyle is skeptical of the term itself, noting that everyone seems to define it differently. His alternative framing: men get trapped by the illusion that they’re supposed to be perfect, when the men they actually admire were visibly messy and imperfect, and kept going anyway. He connects this directly to humility, calling it a spiritual practice men are rarely given real models for.

Why does Dr. Kyle recommend breathwork and somatic practices before anything else?

Tip number one in the 40 Over 40 series is simply “breathe.” Dr. Kyle traces grounding breathwork back to the earliest roots of yoga, long before it became a physical fitness practice, and uses it as the entry point for patients who are overwhelmed by conflicting health advice online. From there, he layers in small, disciplined, physical changes, like starting with wall push-ups instead of floor push-ups, arguing that lasting change happens through trillions of tiny, consistent adjustments rather than one dramatic overhaul.

Where can I find Dr. Kyle Hulsebus and the 40 Over 40 program?

Dr. Kyle Hulsebus shares the full 40 Over 40 series, videos, audio, and an e-book, at website. He’s active on Instagram at @40over40.

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Unlike traditional one-on-one models, MTO emphasizes the power of community and connection. Through structured group experiences, members develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication skills while building meaningful relationships with other growth-oriented men. Serving men across the U.S. through virtual and in-person programming, MTO helps participants navigate relationships, career development, fatherhood, life transitions, stress, and personal fulfillment. We create accessible, innovative pathways for growth while addressing the isolation that prevents many men from seeking support.