Episode
162: How To Navigate Coming Out Late In Life with David Cotton
- Podcast
- The Better Man Podcast
- Published
- Feb 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3700
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Coming out is never easy. Despite the societal progress we've made culturally, there is a large swath of men who would, quite literally, rather be hit by a truck than come out. This pressure, if you feel it, only compounds with age. Especially if you're also married to a woman and have kids, like today's guest David was. David didn't come out until his late 50s - after a successful career in the U.S. Air Force as Brigadier General, after being married to a beautiful woman, and after having kids. The truth was, he had always wondered and had inklings about his true self. But he buried them and focused on his career and parenthood. But after his kids moved out, he couldn't wear the three-foot mask over his true self any longer. Coming out was one of the hardest things he's ever done. And it completely changed his personality. He went from being an introvert to an extrovert, and he uses his real personality to help other men who are coming out late. If you've been struggling with whether or not you're gay - or you just want to learn more about what gay men go through so you can be more compassionate and empathetic, listen now. Here's what David and I discuss: Why it's never actually too "late" to come out (even though it might feel like it) Why "letting people in" instead of "coming out" can make it easier How to better navigate coming out (especially if you're married and have kids) And more, including… Why the BEST way to improve your mental health is by moving your physical body (4:40) How to better handle coming out later in life (even if you've already married a woman and have had kids like David) (8:16) How cultural and subconscious homophobia can delay your coming out (14:30) Why letting your loved ones "in" (instead of "coming out") makes these tough conversations…