about me

Some people call me a former athlete. Others know me as a guy who builds wellness or software businesses from the ground up.

My kids know me best as “Dad with a backpack full of quotes, dumb jokes, and protein bars.”

I’m a farm-raised, weight-room-forged, slightly-sophisticated guy who’s spent most of his life chasing three things: health, meaning, and unforgettable experiences.

Life on the farm in Indiana (I’m reluctant to say “grew up” because I don’t want to…), the middle child in a Catholic family of four, surrounded by sheep, construction equipment, and a relentless curiosity about how things work—especially people.

At the age of 13, my life pivoted: I was introduced to football, strength training, nutrition, and the idea that you could make a difference in someone’s life through purposeful effort.

That year, my first football coach Jay lit the fire.

Coach Strickland later fanned the flames during my high school career. My Uncle Mike showed me that sales, when done with heart, could truly help people.

That combination of mentorship and early discipline led me to college, into a career in wellness and lab testing, and eventually, entrepreneurship.

But there’s one more influence that shaped me deeply: reading.

Thanks to my mom, I developed a love for books early in life. She showed me how stories can inform, heal, and expand the way we see the world. That habit stuck. I’ve been a lifelong reader—highlighting margins, underlining (and collecting) quotes, and rereading wisdom that still feels fresh years later.

In recent years, I’ve been drawn especially to the Greek philosophies of Stoicism and Epicureanism. On the surface, they may seem like opposites—Stoics emphasizing resilience; Epicureans joy—but I see them as two lenses for one pursuit: how to live wisely and well. Those ancient voices have helped me navigate modern chaos with more perspective and a lot more grace.

The Work I Do (and Why It Matters)

From 1991 to 2007, I co-founded and ran two companies—MedPro Exams and My Wellness Matters—focused on mobile phlebotomy, corporate drug screening, and clinical wellness. We didn’t just draw blood and process labs; we taught companies how to invest in their people.

We developed our own software so we could stay independent, responsive, and honest in an industry full of red tape and middlemen. Our clients got results. And I got purpose.

That foundation built the bridge to what I do today:

• Educating others about proactive health through testing, not guessing
• Promoting natural wellness tools that actually work
• Sharing stories and strategies to help others build a third chapter worth living
• Pursuing the hobbies that bring me joy

What You’ll Find Here

This blog isn’t about selling a fantasy. It’s about sharing what I know, what I’ve tested, and what I believe can help others.

You’ll find:

• Wellness strategies for men and women 50+
• Personal stories that connect the dots between health, humor, and habit
• Reviews of gear, supplements, books, and tools I use myself
• Deep dives on bloodwork, biomarkers, recovery, travel, and aging well

Why I Built LivinBestLife.com

Because I know what it feels like to hit life’s ‘reset button’.

I began journaling more than 15 years ago, which I found to be very therapeutic. I found the daily execise of identifying the things in my life to be grateful for keeps me ‘in my lane’ – grounded, optimistic, appreciative.

The recent death in June, 2025 of my first football coach and mentor was the catalyst to make LBL a reality.

I had already lost 2 other mentors – Coach Strickland and my uncle Mike – so I decided it was time to share my thoughts that I’d been accumulating over the course of my life and journaling for the past 15 years or so.

To go from married to divorced, from youth sports dad to empty nester, from thinking you had decades to suddenly realizing: “Wow, time is moving fast.”

I built this platform to create a community of thoughtful, curious, slightly rebellious grown-ups who want to take care of their bodies, challenge their minds, and squeeze the juice out of every day.

I believe your past doesn’t define you—but it sure can teach you.

And I believe we’re all capable of building a damn good next chapter if we’re willing to:

• Learn from experience
• Stay curious
• Keep moving
• Laugh often

My Mission

To help men and women over 50 reimagine aging as a time for strength, clarity, and adventure.

To be a trusted voice in a world of noise.

To connect stories to solutions.

To keep things real, useful, and funny.

Whether I’m writing about blood markers, mountain passes, or grilling the perfect lamb, it all comes down to one thing:

Helping people live better, smarter, and more fully.

Thanks for joining the ride.

Brian