For years, men have been told some version of the same story:
“You’re tired because you’re aging.”
“Low energy is normal.”
“Testosterone is dangerous.”
Last week, at a historic FDA expert panel, that story officially cracked.
Not on a podcast.
Not from influencers.
From the FDA, Harvard, Mayo Clinic, Baylor, Indiana University, and the largest testosterone study ever conducted.
Their message was uncomfortable—but clear:
We’ve been operating on outdated dogma, and men are paying the price.
Especially men in places like Michigan and the Midwest, where long winters, low sunlight, metabolic stress, and lower healthcare use stack the deck against you.
Let’s talk about what actually matters.
What the Best Data Now Shows
Dr. Mohit Khera (Professor of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine) presented the most important modern evidence:
TRAVERSE Trial (2023)
5,246 men. Randomized. Placebo-controlled.
The largest testosterone safety trial in history.
His summary:
“Testosterone did not increase the risk of heart attack.
Testosterone did not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Testosterone did not worsen lower urinary tract symptoms.”
— Dr. Mohit Khera
Because of this data:
“On February 28th, 2025, the FDA removed the cardiovascular warning from the testosterone label.”
— Dr. Mohit Khera
That’s not opinion.
That’s the highest level of evidence we have.
Low Testosterone Is Not a Lifestyle Issue
(But Lifestyle Still Matters)
One of the clearest statements came from Dr. Helen Bernie (Indiana University):
“Testosterone therapy is not a lifestyle drug.
It is a cornerstone of preventive health.”
— Dr. Helen Bernie
Low testosterone is associated with:
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity
Bone loss and fractures
Depression
Higher all-cause mortality
Her blunt truth:
“Low testosterone is a measurable biomarker of poor health and early death.”
— Dr. Helen Bernie
But here’s the part I want to be crystal clear about — and this comes from lived experience, not a podium:
👉 Testosterone alone will not fix your life.
It won’t undo years of bad habits.
It won’t outwork a trash diet.
It won’t save you if you keep sabotaging yourself.
It gives you capacity — not discipline.
The Prostate Cancer Fear Was Built on Bad Science
If you’ve been warned that testosterone is “pouring gasoline on prostate cancer,” that idea traces back to bad data.
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler (Harvard) explained:
“The belief originated in 1941… based on one patient treated for only 18 days.”
— Dr. Abraham Morgentaler
Modern evidence shows:
“Large randomized trials and meta-analyses uniformly show no increased prostate cancer risk.”
— Dr. Abraham Morgentaler
His conclusion:
“In 2025, the belief that testosterone is dangerous for the prostate is no more scientifically valid than belief in the tooth fairy.”
— Dr. Abraham Morgentaler
Why This Hits Harder in the Midwest
Admiral Dr. Brian Christine (Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS) laid out the reality:
“Life expectancy for men is six to seven years shorter than women.”
“Forty-four percent of men don’t get an annual physical.”
“Almost 80% of suicide deaths occur in men.”
— Dr. Brian Christine
And for rural and Midwest men:
“Men in rural America live two to seven years less than men in urban areas.”
— Dr. Brian Christine
Low testosterone doesn’t cause all of this.
But as the panel agreed:
“Testosterone deficiency is a disease amplifier.”
Ignore it — and everything else erodes faster.
The Part No One Tells You (From Me)
If you do address testosterone — don’t waste the opportunity.
Because here’s what happens to almost every man who starts feeling better:
Your appetite comes back
Your confidence rises
You feel like you can eat and drink like you’re 18 again
That’s where most guys screw it up.
If you don’t change your routine, your new energy will be sabotaged by:
Overeating
Sugar and alcohol creeping back in
Skipping workouts
Staying up too late
I’ve been exactly where many of you are right now — researching, wondering why you feel off, knowing something isn’t right but not having language for it.
Here’s the simple framework that actually works:
Do not overcomplicate this.
Lift weights (3–4x/week)
One weekly high-intensity session
Walk more than you think you need to
Eat single-ingredient foods
Eliminate or severely limit sugar and alcohol
Stop eating like a teenager just because you feel like one again
Build a simple weekly routine you can repeat.
That’s the real investment.
And when you do it right?
The returns compound fast.
The Real Takeaway
This isn’t about blasting hormones.
It’s not about shortcuts.
It’s not about ego.
As Dr. Helen Bernie said:
“This is not enhancement.
This is restoration.”
But restoration only works if you meet it halfway.
If you’re over 35, grinding through long winters, real stress, and real responsibility, the question isn’t:
“Do I need testosterone?”
It’s more basic:
Why haven’t I checked — and what am I willing to change if I do?
That’s where real momentum starts.
— Steve
FreedomStackOS.com
Here is a link to the video for you to watch:
Slide Deck:
