About Second Act Man
At 52, standing in my corner office with three decades of healthcare leadership behind me, I had everything the playbook promised: the executive title, the financial security, six incredible kids building their own lives.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was coasting. Not failing—just… maintaining.
That’s when I realized: I’d spent 30 years executing someone else’s vision. What would happen if I applied that same discipline and strategic thinking to building something that actually mattered to me?
The answer became Second Act Man.
Why This Mission Matters
I’m Chris Sullivan—former medical executive, father of six, grandfather of three, and a man who refuses to believe that our most valuable years are behind us at 40.
Here’s what two decades in healthcare leadership taught me: The men who thrive in their second act aren’t the ones who had perfect first acts. They’re the ones who learned to leverage their scars, their experience, and their accumulated wisdom into something greater.
I’ve watched too many accomplished men—colleagues, friends, mentors—reach their 40s and 50s only to drift. Not because they lacked capability, but because no one gave them a practical framework for what comes after “success.”
We’re told to slow down, play it safe, prepare for decline.
I’m calling bullshit on that narrative.
The Second Act Protocol
Your first act was about proving yourself. Your second act is about expressing yourself.
You’ve spent decades building competence. Now it’s time to deploy it with intention across the five pillars that define a life well-lived:
Health: The Foundation
After watching too many executives and ordinary guys sacrifice their bodies for their careers, I learned this truth: You can’t execute your mission from a hospital bed. We focus on sustainable systems that rebuild your engine—not trendy protocols that flame out in 90 days.
Wealth & Career: The Leverage
You’ve accumulated three decades of expertise. We help you monetize it, diversify it, or transition it into work that actually energizes you. Financial freedom isn’t just about the number in your account—it’s about having options.
Relationships: The Multiplier
Six kids and 25 years of marriage (round two… yes, I failed on round one) taught me that connection isn’t automatic—it’s engineered. Whether it’s rekindling your marriage after the kids leave, building deeper friendships, or becoming the grandfather who actually shows up, we provide the frameworks.
Purpose: The North Star
Legacy isn’t what you leave behind when you die. It’s what you build while you’re alive. We help you identify your “why” and architect projects that will outlive you—whether that’s a business, a body of creative work, or the way you show up for your family.
Meaning: The Integration
Call it spirituality, philosophy, or your operating system—we all need an anchor. After years of chasing external validation, I’ve learned that the men who thrive have figured out what they actually believe and built their lives around it.
What You Won’t Find Here
❌ Motivation porn. You don’t need a pep talk. You need a protocol.
❌ Guru worship. I’m not your life coach. I’m your strategic advisor who’s been in the trenches.
❌ Theory without execution. Every framework here has been tested—on myself, in the marketplace, with real men facing real constraints.
❌ One-size-fits-all solutions. Your second act should look nothing like mine. We provide the blueprint; you engineer your own version.
What You Will Find
✅ Actionable intelligence from decades of healthcare leadership, business strategy, and hard-won personal experience
✅ Research-backed frameworks that respect your intelligence and your time
✅ A community of operators who are building their second acts with intention, not desperation
✅ Honest assessments of what works, what doesn’t, and why most “transformation programs” fail men like us
My Commitment to You
I don’t have all the answers. I’m still building my own second act, still making mistakes, still learning what it means to move from success to significance.
But here’s what I do have:
- 30 years of strategic leadership in one of the most complex industries on the planet
- The perspective that comes from raising six humans and now watching three grandchildren grow
- The humility that comes from enough failures to know that perfection isn’t the goal—progress is
- A deep respect for men who’ve built something real and are now asking, “What’s next?”
This site isn’t about me becoming your guru. It’s about us—a tribe of men over 40—sharing our hard-won wisdom and holding each other accountable as we build second acts worthy of our first acts.
Your experience isn’t a liability. It’s your greatest asset.
The foundation is built. Now let’s construct the skyscraper.
Join the Tribe
Second Act Man is for the man is for second act men over 40 who:
- Have achieved enough “success” to know it’s not the destination
- Values systems and strategy over motivation and hype
- Wants to leverage his experience, not abandon it
- Refuses to coast through his most valuable decades
- Believes his best work—and his best life—is still ahead
If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
Let’s build something that matters.
— Chris Sullivan
Founder, Second Act Man
Father of 6, Grandfather of 3, Fellow Operator
P.S. — I don’t sell you hope. I sell you frameworks. If you’re looking for someone to tell you everything will be easy, you’re on the wrong site. If you’re ready to do the strategic work required to make your second act your best act, welcome to the tribe.
Full Transparency: How We Operate
Second Act Man is funded through a combination of affiliate partnerships and direct product recommendations. Here’s exactly how it works:
When you see product recommendations in our articles:
- We only recommend tools, books, courses, and services we’ve personally vetted or used
- Some links are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if you purchase (at no extra cost to you)
- Our opinions are never for sale—if something doesn’t meet our standards, we don’t recommend it, regardless of commission potential
- We clearly mark all affiliate relationships within articles
Our Standards: We reject partnerships that don’t align with our mission or values. Your trust matters more than any commission check. If we recommend it, it’s because we believe it will genuinely help you build a better second act.
Questions about a specific recommendation? Email support@secondactman.com
Connect With Chris
📧 Email: chris@secondactman.com
💼 LinkedIn: [Connect with Chris Sullivan]📱 Twitter/X: @SecondActMan1
Want to share your second act story or collaborate? Reach out. This community grows stronger when we share our operational intelligence.
Legal Note: The content on Second Act Man provides educational information and should not replace professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Your circumstances are unique—always consult qualified professionals for personalized guidance. We’re here to inform and inspire, not prescribe.