In this episode of Chasing Common Ground, Chris reconnects with long-time friend and fellow coach Mark Zarate. They reflect on the past two years of life, growth, aging, and all the messy middle parts that come with being in your 30s and 40s. From the therapeutic power of trees to navigating burnout, digital overstimulation, and learning how to actually live well in a hyper-distracted world—this is a deep, grounding, and timely conversation.
Whether you’re trying to simplify, reconnect, or just find clarity in a noisy world—this episode delivers.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome Back: First episode since rebranding to Chasing Common Ground
01:20 – Summer break, turning 40, and history nerd road trips
03:30 – The story behind Chris’s logo: trees, mountains, and legacy
05:15 – Why spruce trees matter & what nature teaches us about resilience
07:45 – Ditching hustle culture and healing outdoors
09:00 – Kettlebells vs dumbbells: Picking what feels good
10:50 – Letting go of self-inflicted stress and reclaiming headspace
13:40 – Manufactured problems and the power of simplicity
16:00 – The importance of saying “I love you” daily
18:30 – Why repetition (like reading a poem 1,000 times) builds depth
20:00 – What missed birthdays can teach us about expectation
23:15 – Creating solo birthday rituals & owning your joy
25:50 – Noticing the people who quietly show up in your life
27:10 – What’s inspiring Mark to live differently in his 40s
30:45 – Small rituals (like coffee with Chelsea) as the best part of life
34:00 – How Mark chooses where to travel (and why Ireland is home base)
37:00 – Saying yes while you still have the window of opportunity
39:30 – What Chris learned in Denmark and how it changed his priorities
42:30 – What’s left after chasing big goals? Human connection.
43:45 – Social media is mostly theater—here’s what to do instead
49:20 – Fill your time with good things, not just "less bad" things
50:30 – Real life > virtual connection (and how to live it)
51:15 – How experience beats perfection in fitness and life
55:00 – Two-ingredient meals: A lesson in simplicity & self-efficacy
59:45 – Action is the antidote: Just do the thing
1:01:00 – Final reflections: friendship, intention, and doing life well
🔗 Links & Mentions:
🎧 Mark Zarate on Instagram: @markpzarate
🎧 Chris Liddle on Instagram: @christianliddle
📘 Past episodes with Mark: Search “Chris Liddle Mark Zarate” on your favorite podcast app
🌐 Connect with Chris:
Media Website → christianliddle.com
Fitness Coaching → invigoratetraining.com
YouTube → @ChrisLiddle
🎯 Keywords for Discoverability:
#midlifereflection #unplug #digitaldetox #burnoutrecovery #mentalhealth #fitnessafter40 #realconnection #lifebalance #outdoorsheals #chasingcommonground
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