In this episode of Against the Norm, Norman Calvo sits down with fellow Princeton grad Andrew “Andy” Oser—a man who’s lived an unmistakably “against the norm” life.

After founding a nonprofit that served over 50,000 inner-city youth in Washington, D.C. through tennis and wellness programs, Andy has spent the last two decades guiding spiritual retreats at sacred sites on Mount Shasta.

This conversation is for anyone—especially men in their 60s and 70s—who has spent a lifetime playing the “outer game” and is now asking: What’s next?

We talk about:

• Outside-in vs. inside-out living
• Why striving can become a trap (even when you “win”)
• How tennis taught Andy a radically different way to live (The Inner Game of Tennis)
• Using breaks (like in tennis) to reset your nervous system during the day
• Why nature helps us access the “real self” more quickly
• Authenticity, purpose, and the surprising power of gratitude

Links & resources:

Resources mentioned

• The Inner Game of Tennis — Timothy Gallwey
• The Inner Game of Work — Timothy Gallwey
• Thich Nhat Hanh (using your phone as a “mindfulness bell”)
• Meister Eckhart (attributed): “Gratitude is the only prayer you need.”

Links:

https://mountshastaretreat.net/about/

https://www.facebook.com/andrew.oser1

Contact us: againstthenorm.net

What does it actually take for a man in his 60s or 70s to get fitter—especially if he hasn’t worked out in decades?

In this episode of Against the Norm, Norman Calvo sits down with his personal trainer and strength coach Brandon Chu (Liv Method, Manhattan), who shares a refreshingly real roadmap for older men: start smaller than you think, build consistency first, and use accountability to make it stick.

You’ll hear:

• Why most men don’t change until a doctor or scare forces it
• The “momentum” approach: tiny steps that actually lead somewhere
• Why gyms feel intimidating—and how to lower the barrier to entry
• The simple truth about muscle loss, bone density, strength training, and protein as we age
• The mindset shift Brandon calls “chosen suffering”: pick the discomfort now, or pay for it later

This one is practical, funny, and motivating—especially if you’re thinking, “I should really start… but I don’t know how.”

Contact us: againstthenorm.net

In this first full episode of Against the Norm, host Norman Calvo sits down with Ron Drotos—acclaimed pianist, musical director, and Norman’s collaborator on his one-man cabaret show—to talk about something most adults struggle with: starting something new without letting fear, perfectionism, or past mistakes stop us.

Ron shares powerful insights from decades of teaching musicians, singers, and performers of all levels—including stories from Carnegie Hall, Broadway, and his long-running cabaret workshops in Fairbanks, Alaska. Together, Norman and Ron explore why adults become so afraid of making mistakes, how early experiences can shape lifelong insecurities, and why learning anything new—singing, piano, fitness, or even a foreign language—is really about building new neural pathways, not instant success.

This conversation reframes learning as a joyful, process-driven experience rather than a performance test. Ron explains why progress is rarely linear, why perfection is a modern illusion, and how community, consistency, and curiosity matter far more than talent. Norman also shares personal stories from his own journey into singing and performance later in life—and how doing something creative at 70 has been one of the most energizing experiences of his life.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m too old,” “I’m not good at this,” or “I don’t want to embarrass myself,” this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t come from staying on the path—it comes from going a little further than feels comfortable.

Contact us: againstthenorm.net