Best known for his unforgettable turn as Sabretooth in X-Men (as well as Deadpool & Wolverine), Tyler Mane and his wife, actress Renae Geerlings, are ready to unleash the mayhem. Their new podcast, MANE AF, is an unfiltered exploration of midlife, marriage, reinvention, purpose, and everything in between. Together, they sit down with one another—as well as a lineup of celebrities, experts, and thought leaders—for candid conversations that embrace life’s messiest, funniest, and most meaningful moments.
The couple also opens up about Tyler’s recent breast cancer diagnosis and his mission to raise awareness, encouraging others to listen to their bodies and advocate for their health. We sat down with Tyler and Renae to discuss the inspiration behind MANE AF, the journey that brought them here, and why this next chapter may be their most meaningful yet.
Your new podcast, MANE AF, explores everything from marriage and midlife to purpose and reinvention. What conversations do you feel people in their 40s and 50s aren’t having openly enough?
Renae: This is the stage of life where playing “catch up” from ignoring certain things or partaking in unhealthy behaviors becomes dicey. Most of us have spent our 20s-30s running along raising families, building careers, and often putting off thinking about the latter part of our lives. Mortality becomes something you can’t ignore as, inevitably, we begin to lose loved ones, and our own bodies show signs of time. Just between the two of us, we have had very different ways of dealing with, and sometimes flat-out ignoring, the fact that we, too, are entering a new phase. This year alone has forced hard conversations and serious wake-up calls around health, legacy, and life priorities. Add to this the fact that the world keeps getting faster, and it’s hard to slow down and take serious stock of where you are, the reality of the time you have left, and what resources you need to assess; be that finance, health, relationships, mental health, possessions, and many more. We want to encourage people to take that time, and we’re going to walk through it with them, with laughter, vulnerability, and honesty.
You’ve built careers in Hollywood while also building a life together. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about protecting your relationship in an industry that’s constantly demanding your attention?
Tyler: Trust and communication are the most important things. We trust each other 110 %. Even through the busyness, travel, and the strain of being apart, we talk to each other daily about everything big and small.
Renae: That’s so true. I think relationships are built rock-solid in the little moments. And we also don’t back down from the hard conversations because we know that, even if we’re fighting, we’re both fighting FOR our relationship. And we do fight hard! But we also laugh even harder.
Tyler, much of your career has been defined by playing physically imposing characters like Sabretooth and Michael Myers. How did your breast cancer diagnosis challenge your perception of strength, and how has it ultimately redefined it?
Tyler: At first, I felt ashamed. How could this be possible, and what will people think? It seemed emasculating. But then I realized that I really didn’t care. I spent my life trying to play the “tough guy,” but this was a moment where I might be able to do good if I threw that out the window. Had this diagnosis come a decade ago, I definitely would have tried to hide it. But with a few more years under my belt, I feel less like playing a role in real life. It’s freed me to open up about this and many other issues that I’ve been dealing with. And that plays into the decision to create a podcast as well.
Renae, you encouraged Tyler to have the lump examined when he initially wasn’t concerned. Looking back, how did that experience change the way the two of you communicate about health, vulnerability, and listening to one another?
Renae: This is truly a rare situation where I don’t get any satisfaction from being right! And hopefully in the future, maybe he’ll listen to me a little quicker. But I don’t think this actually CHANGED how we communicate. Instead, it’s a testament to the relationship we’ve developed wherein we respect each other’s concerns and care deeply about each other’s well-being.
Male breast cancer is still rarely discussed. What misconceptions surprised you the most after sharing your story publicly, and what message do you hope men take away from your experience?
Tyler: The one that surprised me most was how many people commented that they didn’t know “men had breasts.” But then I suppose I also wasn’t aware that male breast cancer was a thing until I got it. Let’s face it, it’s not the most masculine thing a guy can deal with. And while it is rare, it isn’t as uncommon as I would have thought. When I went public, there were several comments about other celebrities and people with family members who also had it. It’s just not talked about. And that’s why the outcomes for men are worse. They don’t think anything of it until really taken root in their body. If my story can cause ONE PERSON to get something checked out early and avoid more aggressive treatment or worse, it will have been worth it.
Your podcast promises to leave nothing off the table. Was there a moment while recording that surprised even the two of you—where the conversation became more honest or emotional than you expected?
Renae: Pretty much immediately. I’m a little worried because I’m quite verbose and once you get me going it’s just all out there, and Tyler has no filter at the best of times, so this should be interesting.
Tyler: For me, I just say it like it is. If talking about what we have gone through can help other people also get honest and make some positive change, then we have done some good. At the very least, it should be entertaining. Renae is constantly saying, “Oh, we’re going to go there, are we?”
Hollywood often celebrates reinvention professionally, but personal reinvention can be even more meaningful. What has this chapter of your lives taught you about evolving together instead of simply growing older?
Tyler: I think, with all we have been through together this year, it has really opened our eyes and shown us that it’s time to appreciate where you are in life and live every day in the moment. From losing my brother, to a few weeks later getting a cancer diagnosis and starting chemotherapy, to only two weeks later tragically losing Renae’s father, we have had a crash course in what really matters. I know I’m trying to live more in the moment and to enjoy the ride.
Renae: These last few months have put a spotlight on our values, too. Suddenly, there’s a deep reevaluation of what we thought we wanted in our youth, and whether that is what we still find important at this point in our lives. We all know that we won’t live forever, but in the early years the options feel unlimited. At midlife, and especially after loss, or losses in our case, you can’t help but look around and feel an urgency to be less reactive and to more proactively write the next chapters. So, we’ve been doing a lot of coffee on the porch and figuring out what comes next. And we don’t know for sure yet! We’re still figuring that out. But we’re happy to be doing it together.
You’ve collaborated creatively on multiple projects, including The Last Spartan: Red Tape. How do your strengths complement one another as creative partners, and where do you challenge each other the most?
Renae: I like to say that Tyler is the engine and I’m the steering wheel and brakes. I’m a perfectionist, and that often slows my progress, sometimes to a standstill of analysis paralysis.
Tyler: And I just want to go! More, more, more. All the time. Throw it out there and move on.
Renae: And that is why my hair is going gray. I’m also so curious about all the facts. I want to learn new things constantly. I’m excited to get expert guests on and ask all the questions.
Tyler: And I just want to get stuff done and not worry about details! But her obsession with getting things “right” does save me at times. She’s the yin to my yang. Opposites attract.
The graphic novel also supports DeliverFund’s fight against human trafficking. Why was it important to connect entertainment with a cause that creates real-world impact?
Tyler: While doing our research for the project and seeing how diabolical the industry of human trafficking is and how devastating the effects are, I knew I needed to use that project to help raise awareness. Some things you just can’t unsee and unlearn. Working with DeliverFund has been a great experience. It feels good to know that we’re supporting an organization that is making a difference.
After decades in the entertainment industry, what continues to inspire you creatively? Are you more interested now in telling stories that entertain, stories that heal, or stories that spark conversation?
Renae: I think the answer to this question is more of an “and” than an “or.” Those things aren’t mutually exclusive. I think a story that ISN’T entertaining is probably not going to go very far. But I would love to tell stories with a purpose. Stories that cause reflection and encouragement. The older I get, the harder of a time I have with tragedies. I was just saying to someone that I need Disney and Pixar to make a bunch of “coming of MIDDLE age” movies that are fun to watch but give the same kind of hope and optimism that they do in their children’s entertainment. At this point, my biggest wish is to bring people together. We live in a world that is hyper-connected yet fosters a lack of empathy and division. As an artist, I feel it’s my job to reflect that back to society and hopefully find a way to give some light at the end of the tunnel.
Tyler: I was surprised at how close the horror fandom was after doing HALLOWEEN. Yes, there is a lot of banter about which films are the “best,” but the community that I found there was really cool. And now THE LAST SPARTAN is giving us a way to give back and have a message while being action-packed and entertaining. I’d like to do more of that.
Having navigated career highs, personal challenges, and now launching a new venture together, what advice would you give couples who are entering their own season of reinvention or facing unexpected adversity?
Renae: It’s easy to have blinders on through a season of change and get focused on your own path, especially with all the modern “noise.” You can put off prioritizing the other person, and suddenly there’s a gulf between you. Make it a habit to turn toward each other, even in the smallest moments, and meet each other where you are. Never forget to support them and also let them know how you need to be supported. Communication is key.
Tyler: And keep making it a point to recommit to each other. No relationship has all good times. But weathering the bad times and celebrating the good ones together will get you to a place where all that water under the bridge is irreplaceable. Having someone who’s watched you through so many seasons of your life, someone who you know will be there for you no matter what. I don’t know how I’d be getting through this year without that.
When listeners finish an episode of MANE AF, what do you hope they feel—and what kind of legacy do you hope this podcast leaves beyond the celebrity conversations?
Renae: We are very up front about the fact that we’re not gurus. We’re just normal folks trying to muddle our way through a crazy time, and hopefully our mistakes and our lessons and our candor will be a light to someone. One of my favorite quotes is from Ram Dass. He said, “We are all just walking each other home.” This is our way of doing that. At the very least, hopefully we can make them laugh along with us.
Tyler: I hope they feel like they are not alone in their battles. For me, too, it’s inspiring them to answer their wake-up calls. It doesn’t matter who you are; we all have to deal with the passing of time and the consequences of our actions. I spent most of my life running from hard truths, and the fact that now I’m forced to face things head-on has me wishing I’d made some changes earlier. Hopefully, I can get someone else to do that. And of course, I want them to have had a really good time with us!
Renee images by Michele Santoro
Tyler Images by Jenny Brezinski
