S2 E4.1 • 10 minutes
What IVF actually involves for men
- Assisted reproductive technology
- Male fertility
In this episode, we chat with Lachlan Stuart, an endurance athlete (who’s run 58 marathons in 58 days) and a high-performance coach (who helps men build mental resilience). Lachlan and his wife, Amy Sheppard, just welcomed their first child, Frederick, after years of navigating unexplained infertility. In the weeks before their baby’s arrival, we spoke to Lachlan about finding out they were pregnant over the phone, feeling worried about not connecting with the baby pre-birth and what he’s learned from the dads he’s worked with.
Episode highlights
- Lachlan spent years getting his life “sorted” before trying for a baby and figuring out whether he felt “ready” to be a dad
- Three years of trying to conceive — with no clear cause of infertility — was mentally exhausting, especially watching his partner Amy’s heart break each month
- IVF was confronting and isolating, and he struggled with not being able fix the problem, while Amy carried the physical load
- He hasn’t felt an instant emotional connection to the baby during pregnancy — and learned that for many men, bonding comes after birth, not before
- Preparing to become a dad has taught him that showing up, listening and making time matter more than having everything figured out
Appearing in this episode
Lachlan Stuart
Lachlan Stuart is an endurance athlete and high-performance coach who built The Man That Can Project, helping men lead themselves with clarity and purpose. He became the first person to run 58 marathons in 58 days across all 50 U.S. states and 8 Australian territories, raising more than $160,000 for mental health charities.
Dr Tim Moss (Host)
Tim is Healthy Male’s Health Content Manager and a biomedical scientist with expertise in male reproductive health, translating complex medical evidence into clear, practical advice for men.
