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VINCE Lifestyle Magazine November 2026

Welcome to the November 2026 Veterans Day Special Edition of VINCE Lifestyle Magazine, dedicated to service, strength, and the power of starting over. Co-published by U.S. Navy veteran and wellness coach Vincent Ferguson alongside brand architect Glenna Gonzalez, MBA, this issue provides actionable insights, expert advice, and real stories focused on healthy aging, longevity, and purposeful living for adults over 40. In this issue: Cover Story – From Solitary to Strength:Former U.S. Army Green Beret Michael Taylor shares his harrowing experience surviving 17½ months of solitary confinement in Japan, his path to rebuilding his physical strength to competitive bodybuilding shape, and founding the functional hydration drink Vitamin 1. Healthy Hedonism & Stress-Free Wellness:Naturopathic doctor Erica Oberg explains why feeling good is essential for long-term health and why joy and social connection are vital to beating midlife wellness burnout. Functional Nutrition & Sourcing:The founders of Belize Blue Nutrients separate science from hype regarding ocean-farmed sea moss and its role in gut health, thyroid function, and metabolic support. Integrated Care & Muscle Preservation: Longevity expert Ami Porges discusses coordinated care teams, navigating GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and the crucial importance of maintaining lean muscle mass after 40. Navigating the Empty Nest: Somatic life coach Jason Feldman provides actionable strategies to help parents transition past the caregiving role and reclaim personal vitality and identity. Next-Chapter Wealth & Travel:Practical playbooks for midlife side gigs, the VINCE Lifestyle Affiliate Club, and exclusive business travel perks.

From the Publishers		2
Glenna Gonzalez, MBA, MA		2
Brand Architect & CEO, JB Tyler Marketing Group		2
Vincent Ferguson		2
U.S. Navy Veteran & Certified Wellness Coach		2
This issue brings together stories of courage, perseverance, personal reinvention, and the many ways we continue to grow throughout life. At the center of this edition is our cover feature, Michael Taylor: From Green Beret to Entrepreneur. His extraordinary journey from military service and 17½ months in solitary confinement in Japan to rebuilding his health, strength, and business is a powerful account of resilience and determination. We believe his story reminds us that even after life's most difficult chapters, there is always an opportunity to begin again.		2
As we honor our nation's veterans, we also recognize that service takes many forms. As a U.S. Navy veteran, Vince reflects on his own lifetime of service and his continued commitment to helping individuals and families embrace healthier, more purposeful lives. Through Six Weeks to Fitness and the More Life to Your Years platform, we continue to reinforce an important message: getting older does not mean giving up on becoming better.		2
In this edition, we also explore the evolving conversation around health and longevity. From Dr. Erica Oberg's perspective on the importance of joy in healthy aging to Ami Porges' insights into coordinated healthcare and prevention, we bring our readers conversations that challenge conventional thinking and encourage a more thoughtful approach to living well.		2
VINCE & Glenna		2
VINCE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE		3
NOVEMBER 2026 · VETERANS DAY EDITION		3
Table of Contents		3
COVER STORY		3
From Solitary to Strength		3
Former Green Beret Michael Taylor		3
survived 17½ months in solitary, then built Vitamin 1.		3
Who Is Vince Ferguson?		3
VINCE Lifestyle Side Gigs		3
VINCE Lifestyle Magazine Directory		3
Dr. Erica Oberg: When Healthy Habits Become Another Source of Stress		3
Belize Blue Nutrients with Brian McGuire & Christina Kinder		3
Coach Jason on Moving Beyond the “Parent Persona”		3
Ami Porges: Healthcare That Works as a Team		3
WHO IS		4
VINCE FERGUSON ?		4
EVERY NOVEMBER, as our nation pauses to recognize Veterans Day, I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to serve.		4
For many people, military service represents a particular chapter in their lives—a time when they wore the uniform, answered the call of duty, and committed themselves to something greater than their individual interests.		4
For me, serving in the United States Navy was part of a much larger journey. It helped shape a commitment that has remained with me throughout my life: the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.		4
Although my military service eventually came to an end, my commitment to serving others did		4
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE		4
Longer, Healthier Lives		4
I created programs designed to inspire, educate, and empower children and families.		4
One of my early initiatives was the Children's Choice Awards, an event that gave children an opportunity to recognize individuals they admired in entertainment, sports, education, and other fields. I believed then, as I do today, that young people need positive role models.		4
not. It simply took on a different form.		4
FROM MILITARY SERVICE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE		4
After my time in the Navy, I found another way to serve—through community involvement.		4
“Young people need		5
positive role models.”		5
They need to see examples of individuals who have achieved success through determination, discipline, perseverance, and hard work.		5
The Children's Choice Awards was about more than recognizing celebrities and public figures. It was about giving children a voice and encouraging them to dream beyond their circumstances.		5
That commitment eventually expanded into the Children's Sports & Fitness Expo, one of the community programs I remain especially proud of.		5
Through the Expo, we brought together children, families, athletes, fitness professionals, and community organizations to promote the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and healthy living.		5
Through the Expo, we brought together children, families, athletes, fitness professionals, and community organizations to promote the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and healthy living.		5
Thousands of children and family members had opportunities to participate in sports activities, learn about wellness, and discover that being physically active could be both enjoyable and empowering.		5
Looking back, I realize that these events were all connected by a common purpose: creating opportunities for people to improve their lives.		5
A NEW MISSION: HELPING PEOPLE TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH		5
As my community work evolved, so did my understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families. I began to recognize that promoting physical fitness wasn't enough. People also needed practical information, encouragement, and ongoing support to develop healthier lifestyles.		5
Through the Expo, we brought together children, families, athletes, fitness professionals, and community organizations to promote the importance of physical activity, nutrition, and healthy living.		5
Thousands of children and family members had opportunities to participate in sports activities, learn about wellness, and discover that being physically active could be both enjoyable and empowering.		5
Looking back, I realize that these events were all connected by a common purpose: creating opportunities for people to improve their lives.		5
A NEW MISSION: HELPING PEOPLE TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH		5
As my community work evolved, so did my understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families. I began to recognize that promoting physical fitness wasn't enough. People also needed		5
“Wellness is not a destination. It’s a lifelong journey.”		6
That realization became a driving force behind Body Sculpt of New York, the nonprofit organization		6
I founded in 1989, and my Six Weeks to Fitness programs.		6
My goal was never simply to help people lose weight or get into better physical shape. I wanted to help them understand that taking responsibility for their health could improve their confidence, energy, independence, and overall quality of life.		6
Over the years, I've come to believe that wellness is not a destination. It's a lifelong journey, and each of us has an opportunity to make meaningful improvements regardless of our age or circumstances.		6
WHY ADULTS OVER 40 MATTER SO MUCH TO ME		6
Today, one of my greatest passions is helping adults over 40 live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. As we grow older, it's easy to become discouraged by the physical changes that accompany aging.		6
We may not have the same energy we had in our twenties or thirties. We may face new health challenges, changing responsibilities, or uncertainty about what the next chapter of life will bring. But I firmly believe that getting older does not mean we have to stop getting better.		6
We can become stronger. We can improve our eating habits. We can challenge our minds, discover new interests, build meaningful relationships, and continue contributing to our communities. Most importantly, we can continue living with purpose.		6
That belief inspired the direction of my “More Life to Your Years” with Vincent Ferguson podcast and YouTube channel, where I interview doctors, health professionals, athletes, and inspiring individuals who share practical insights about healthy aging.		6
It's also central to the mission of VINCE Lifestyle Magazine, which I have the privilege of co-publishing. Through the magazine, we're creating a platform that celebrates the possibilities of life after 40. We want readers to understand that healthy aging involves more than exercise and nutrition.		6
THE MISSION CONTINUES		7
As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that my commitment to service continues to evolve.		7
In January 2027, Body Sculpt of New York will launch a free 21-Day Sugar-Free Challenge, designed to help adults become more aware of added sugar in their diets and provide practical tools, education, and community support for making healthier choices.		7
This initiative represents another chapter in a mission that began decades ago. From celebrating children's role models to organizing fitness expos, developing wellness programs, and creating media platforms for adults over 40, my purpose has remained remarkably consistent.		7
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED		7
I also want to recognize the many veterans who continue serving their communities long after their military careers have ended.		7
Their contributions remind us that service is not defined solely by where we have been, but also by what we choose to do with the years ahead.		7
As a Navy veteran, I am proud of my military service. But I am equally grateful for the opportunities I've had to continue serving through my work in health, fitness, education, and community development.		7
HAPPY VETERANS DAY !		7
Michael Taylor		10
From a Japanese Prison to Founding Vitamin 1: Michael Taylor’s Remarkable Comeback		19
VINCE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE		20
VINCEMAG.PRESS		20
WEEKLY UPDATES		20
Get our Newsletters: Subscribe for FREE or UPGRADE Today !!		20
www.vincemag.press		20
LET US HELP YOU ADVERTISE YOUR BEAUTY, FITNESS, HEALTH & WELLNESS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES!		23
Looking for Guest Contributors!		30
We Support Fitness & Wellness Coaches		30
Can Trying Too Hard to Be Healthy Actually Make You Unhealthy? Dr. Erica Oberg on the Power of Joy and Healthy Aging		33
BELIZE BLUE NUTRIENTS		34
Christina Kinder, Founder		35
Brian McGuire- CEO and COO		35
Sourcing Matters: The Truth About Sea Moss After 40		35
Sea moss promotes better digestion,thyroid support, thicker hair, and even a better sexlife. Is there science behind it, or is marketing running ahead of the evidence? Vince Ferguson asked the founders of Belize Blue Nutrients, which ocean-farms sea moss in the protected Caribbean waters of Belize,to explain what it can and can't do for adults over 40.		35
Brian says that Belize has some of the cleanest water in the world, next to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sea moss is like a sponge; it absorbs whatever is around it. It's harvested after five to six weeks, soaked in fresh water, and sun-dried for three to five days to an 18–20% moisture rate. It’s processed in an FDA-registered facility with no additives or preservatives. The quality is maintained in the process.		35
Where does sea moss realistically fit as digestion and energy decline with age? Christina shares the fact that after 40, digestion slows, gut bacteria change, and bloating and fatigue increase. Think of sea moss as high-quality nourishment. It's packed with plant fibers, amino acids, and trace minerals that keep digestion running smoothly and give your body foundational support.		35
Christina says that Belize Blue Nutrients ocean-farm miles offshore, away from land runoff and fertilizers, near the Belize Barrier Reef in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. These are protected areas with no industry around them. Wellness starts at the source.		35
For women, this is great because the product it supports metabolism, hormonal shifts after menopause, and healthy hair and skin.For men, it supports hormone regulation, energy, and stamina.		35
Health Benefits of Sea Moss		36
GUT HEALTH AND PREBIOTIC FIBER		36
Dietary fiber plays an important role in supporting gut health. Although the human body cannot fully digest certain types of fiber, beneficial gut bacteria can use some of them as a source of nourishment. Sea moss contains soluble polysaccharides, which contribute to its gel-like consistency. These compounds may interact with the gut microbiome, although more research is needed to establish their specific prebiotic effects in humans.		36
IODINE AND YOUR THYROID		36
WHY BELIZE, AND GIVING BACK		37
When we asked why Belize, Christina stated that a 2018 family trip to Belize led her to Belizean partner Wilbur Dubon, who had worked with the UN and the Nature Conservancy to protect those waters. She says that Belizeans can't use fertilizers or pesticides in the ocean; it's about protecting the second-largest barrier reef in the world.		37
Brian states that they helped found a seaweed industry fund that returns up to 10% of profits to farmers for training, seedlings, and hurricane recovery.		37
Christina added, “A grant from the Belize Fund is helping us standardize the industry. We've trained 24 farmers on USDA organic and HACCP protocols and are building a training institute so farm families gain generational economic stability. “		37
Connect with Belize Blue Nutrients		37
Website:BelizeBlueNutrients.com(shop, COAs, and testimonials)		37
Also available on: Amazon (search"Belize Blue Nutrients")		37
Products: Raw dried sea moss, powder, a sea moss/bladderwrack/burdock root blend, and capsules. Wholesale (B2B) supply for gel makers.		37
Hear the full interview: More Life to Your Years with Vincent Ferguson, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.		37
HEALTH DISCLAIMER: Sea moss is not an FDA-approved treatment for any medical condition and should never replace prescribed medication or professional medical care. Its iodine content can vary significantly, and excessive consumption may disrupt thyroid function, trigger adverse reactions. Consult a healthcare professional before use.		37
Sea Moss and Testosterone: What Belize Locals Won't Tell You		38
VINCE		40
BRAIN FITNESS		40
Exercise your body.Challenge your mind.Enjoy life!		40
1. SUDOKU | EASY TO MEDIUM		40
Fill every row, column and 3 x 3 box with digits 1-9. No repeats.		40
8 5		40
9 2 3		40
2 3		40
1 8		40
1 8 5		40
9 2		40
1 8		40
4 1		40
5 6		40
5 6 9 2 3		40
BEGINNER TIP		40
Start with a nearly complete row, column, or 3 x 3 box. Use a pencil and check all three rules.		40
2. WELLNESS WORD SEARCH		40
Find the 8 wellness words hidden across, down, or diagonally.		40
VINCE		41
BRAIN FITNESS		41
Exercise your body. Challenge your mind. Enjoy life!		41
READER EDITION | PUZZLES		41
3. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE | LAKESIDE WELLNESS		41
Compare the two lake side scenes. Find eight differences in Photo B.		41
PHOTO A | MORNING PRACTICE		41
PHOTO B | FIND THE 8 DIFFERENCES		41
VINCE		42
BRAIN FITNESS		42
Exercise your body. Challenge your mind. Enjoy life!		42
READER EDITION | PUZZLES		42
4. BRAIN TEASERS		42
1. What has keys but cannot open a lock?		42
2. What gets wetter as it dries?		42
3. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?		42
5. MEMORY LANE TRIVIA		42
Which 1970s dance was popularized by Van McCoy's 1975 hit?		42
The		44
Space		44
It is a threshold.		44
Between		44
THE COACH		44
Jason Feldman		44
01 THE PRACTICE		47
Conduct a Daily “Somatic Impulse” Audit		47
Twice a day, pause for two minutes. Place one hand over your chest and one on your abdomen. Take a slow breath into your lower belly and ask yourself: “In this exact moment, what does my body want to move toward or away from?”		47
THE STEP Notice physical sensations — warmth, expansion, constriction, or heaviness. Honor one small bodily impulse immediately, such as stepping outside for sunlight, changing your posture and prioritizing your internal guidance over external demands.		47
SAY IT WITH THE EXHALE		47
“I am safe to step off duty right now.”		47
02 THE PRACTICE		47
Map and Release the “Caregiver Armor”		47
Sit quietly and scan your body for where you hold the physical habit of posture or tension related to taking care of everyone else, often locked in the jaw, pulled-up shoulders, or a tight chest.		47
THE STEP Accentuate that tension for five seconds, squeeze your shoulders up to your ears and make tight fists, then exhale aloud with a deep sigh as you drop your shoulders and release the muscle lock. Repeat three times. Use this physical release to consciously signal to your body:		47
03 THE SHIFT		48
Track Pleasure over Productivity		48
Reinventing yourself at this stage isn’t about discarding who you’ve been for the last twenty years. It’s about integrating that chapter so you can step into the next one fully awake, deeply grounded, and entirely present to your own life. ■		48
ABOUT THE AUTHOR		48
elefour.com · jasonfeldmanre@gmail.com · 773.704.9612		48
MONICA WALSH		49
LONGEVITY  ·  FEATURE INTERVIEW		50
Healthcare That Works as a Team		50
Longevity founder Ami Porges on prevention, GLP-1 medications, and why muscle is the key to aging well after 40.		50
Ami Porges		50
FOUNDER		50
PRIMARY PREVENTION		50
Ami Porges spent 18 years solving operational problems for doctors, nurses and		50
health systems. Again and again he saw the same gap: specialists rarely work		50
together. If that was hard for someone with his background, he reasoned, it had to be harder for everyone else.		50
So he built a team.Through Longevity Access Partners and Primary Prevention, Porges		50
brings together trainers, registered dietitians, board-certified health and wellness coaches, and physicians so that each person has a full structure of support around them, all in one place.		50
Why This Didn't Exist Before		50
Coordinated care has long been available in two places: cardiology, where lives are on the line, and elite sports like Formula 1, where money is no object. Everyone in between was left out. Porges points to the U.S. insurance model, which pays to treat illness but generally not to keep people well, and to the simple difficulty of getting different professionals to work toward one goal. That kind of team-building is exactly what he did for years in emergency rooms and surgical suites.		50
What Coordinated Care Looks Like		50
Every client starts with objective lab testing and an in-depth interview about pain, goals and current health. Start from there and move forward.		50
Every piece is connected. Poor sleep affects eating and training; stress raises cortisol and slows recovery. Clients check in weekly or monthly, by app, phone or Zoom, depending on their needs.		51
Most are in their 40s or their 70s and going through a transition. Others are already active but stuck, which Porges says is just as common. “It's hard to diagnose yourself,” he says. “If they could see it, they would have solved it before.”		51
GLP-1s: A Powerful Tool, Not the Whole Answer		51
Porges, who reads research every week and works alongside physicians and dietitians, calls GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide “extraordinarily powerful.” They quiet hunger and cravings and help people lose weight at a pace that's hard to match otherwise. But he is clear that they are not a complete solution.		51
The biggest risk he sees is behavioral: losing weight quickly also strips away muscle and bone density. “That is a protein and exercise problem,” he says, and sleep matters too. For women in perimenopause and menopause, protecting bone density is the priority. For men in their 40s through 60s, it's keeping muscle.		51
He also warns people on blood pressure medication that doses are tied to body weight. When weight drops fast, medication, water and fiber all need adjusting, under a doctor's guidance. His bottom line: patients should demand this kind of support. “The pilot of this is you.”		51
Why Muscle Matters After 40		51
Muscle is far more than strength. It acts like an organ, pulling sugar out of the bloodstream and helping regulate metabolism. That ties it directly to heart health, type 2 diabetes and even brain health over time. Because we lose muscle with every decade after 40, Porges says the fight to keep it is essential.		51
His formula: strength training to build size and strength, followed by enough protein to rebuild. “The exercise is the blueprint,” he explains. Protein is the workers and materials. You need both.		51
The pilot of this is you.		51
AMI PORGES		51
Simple Nutrition Wins		52
Most people get enough fat and carbohydrates. What they miss, Porges says, is protein		52
and fiber. He recommends eating enjoyable whole foods, watching portions, and aiming for about a fist-sized serving of protein at each meal from a variety of lean sources: chicken, fish, lean red meat, or for vegetarians, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and tofu.		52
On creatine, the most studied supplement in the field, he recommends three to five grams a day for most people to support muscle and recovery, with more water. Anyone with a known kidney condition should check with their doctor first.		52
A competitor in CrossFit, powerlifting and endurance events, Porges now defines fitness first as staying injury-free so he can keep training for life. “That achievement isn't worth the three years of physical therapy,” he says of the risks he might have taken in his 30s.		52
One Thing to Do This Week		52
Porges offers a simple checklist. None of it has to be perfect, but together it covers		52
almost everything:		52
Get a little sunlight every day.		52
Strength train once or twice a week.		52
Walk more.		52
Have fun with friends.		52
Watch your calories.		52
Get adequate sleep.		52
“It isn't a magic sauce,” he says. Done consistently, these habits add more life to your years. ◆		52
CONNECT WITH Ami Porges		52
Founder, Longevity Access Partners & Primary Prevention		52
primarypreventionmd.com  ·  longevityaccesspartners.co		52
South Florida — Miami and Aventura, FL, in partnership with cardiologist Dr. Leonard Pianko in Aventura		52
Request one through the website, or ask your primary care doctor or specialist to get in touch.		52
More Life to Your Years with Vincent Ferguson, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.		52
Muscle Loss After 40? What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You		53
More Life to Your Years		54
Ready for a healthier body? Join our Skool and start your transformation!		54
More Life to Your Years with Vince Skool Community!		54
JOIN NOW		54
VINCE		56
BRAIN FITNESS		56
Exercise your body. Challenge your mind. Enjoy life!		56
1. SUDOKU SOLUTION		56
Red numbers fill the blank squares in the reader puzzle.		56
4 1 8 5 6 9 2 3 7		56
5 6 9 2 3 7 4 1 8		56
2 3 7 4 1 8 5 6 9		56
1 8 5 6 9 2 3 7 4		56
6 9 2 3 7 4 1 8 5		56
3 7 4 1 8 5 6 9 2		56
8 5 6 9 2 3 7 4 1		56
9 2 3 7 4 1 8 5 6		56
7 4 1 8 5 6 9 2 3		56
2. WELLNESS WORD SEARCH | SOLUTION		56
VINCE		57
BRAIN FITNESS		57
Exercise your body.Challenge your mind. Enjoy life!		57
3. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE | 8 ANSWERS		57
Eight selected changes are identified below and marked on Photo B.		57
4. BRAIN TEASERS + 5. MEMORY LANE		57

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