DJI Neo 2 Mule Deer Encounter in Backyard

Recently, I took my DJI Neo 2 drone out for a casual flight around our acreage. With open fields and farmland surrounding us, it’s always a peaceful backdrop. While gliding over the familiar landscape, something special unfolded.

I spotted three mule deer, one mother with her two adolescent offspring. They weren’t tiny fawns but not fully grown adults, let’s call them teenagers. What struck me was their curiosity. As I maneuvered the drone slowly and calmly, they stood their ground—alert but not alarmed. They let me approach relatively closely, observing the drone with a mix of caution and wonder. It was a rare moment of harmony between technology and wildlife.

After a short while, I gave them their peace, flying the drone off and leaving them to their day. It’s always a privilege to interact with nature so closely, even with something seemingly so out of place like the DJI Neo 2.

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SMP Touchup with Shannon the Ink Barber

I recently visited Shannon - AKA "The Ink Barber" for something I don’t talk about enough: confidence maintenance.

It’s been about 2 years since my last SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation) session, basically a refresh that helps keep everything looking consistent. Years ago (about 9 now), I made a mistake and went with an inexperienced provider and ended up with what’s called pigment “blowout” (too deep in the skin, spreads/migrates). It was frustrating and made me self-conscious.

Shannon helped correct it over multiple sessions, and every time I come in, it gets better because the newer pigment is placed at the correct depth, so it fades evenly and looks natural.

Today’s goal:
✅ Blend out the old migrated pigment
✅ Even out the tone and impressions
✅ Make it look consistent, so nobody would ever know anything was done

We wrapped in about 2–2.5 hours. Skin’s a bit irritated/pink right after (normal), but once it settles, the top and hairline look sharp and clean.

And here’s the angle I want you to take from this (especially if you’re 40+):
Sometimes “fitness” isn’t just gym time. It’s also doing the things that make you feel solid in your own skin, because when you feel confident, you show up differently everywhere.

Also… we talked gym much of our visit. Might have to get Shannon in for an “old man workout session.” 😄

How to Get More Vascular

A lot of people want that “vascular” look, especially the classic bicep vein. It’s not just about having muscle. Visible veins add another layer that people associate with being lean, trained, and in shape.

I get asked all the time: “What’s your trick? What do you eat? How do you stay so vascular?” The truth is there isn’t one magic trick. There are a handful of major factors that influence vascularity, some you can control, and some you can’t.

Let’s break it down...

What “vascularity” really is:

Vascularity is simply how visible your veins are under the skin. Veins show more when:

• there’s less fat between the skin and the vein

• the vein is larger / more developed

• your body is warm, pumped, and pushing more blood to the muscles

1 - Genetics (you can’t change it, but you can work with it)

Some people are naturally “veinier.” They may have larger veins, more surface veins, or veins that sit closer to the skin, even if they aren’t super lean or don’t train consistently.

Genetics also affects where you store fat. Two people can have the same body fat percentage, but one stores more fat in the arms (less vascular) and the other stores more in the midsection (more vascular arms).

You can’t rewrite your genetics, but you can still improve what you’ve got.

2 - Body hair (simple visual hack)

If you’ve got thick arm hair, it can blur definition and make veins less noticeable. Trimming (or removing) body hair can make your arms look more:

• shredded

• striated

• vascular

Not required, but if you want a quick “more definition” upgrade for photos, vacations, or just personal preference, this is an easy one.

3 - Body fat percentage (the #1 driver of vascularity)

This is the big one!

No matter where you store fat, if your overall body fat is high enough, veins will be less visible, because there’s a layer sitting on top of everything.

As you get leaner, vascularity improves. Period.

Age and fat distribution (why this can change after 40 or even younger)

You’ll often see older men with very lean arms and legs but a bigger belly. That’s fat distribution shifting with age. Younger guys often carry more “surface fat” (that smoother look) even when they’re lean, so they may not look as vascular until later on in life, maybe one bennefit of geting older?

So if you’re 40+ and noticing more veins than you used to, that’s normal. But if you want that look on purpose, lowering body fat is still the most reliable lever you can pull.

4 - Muscle mass and training (build the “hardware”)

Training does a few things that help vascularity:

• builds muscle that can “push” veins closer to the surface visually

• increases your body’s blood vessel development over time

• creates a pump during workouts (more blood in the muscle)

More muscle + lower body fat = more vascularity. That’s the long-term formula.

5 - Warmth, blood flow, and blood pressure (the “temporary boost”)

Ever notice you look more vascular during a workout or right after?

That’s because when you’re warm and active:

• more blood is sent to the extremities

• blood pressure rises slightly

• veins become more noticeable

Cold environment = less vascularity. Warm environment + activity = more vascularity.

If you’ve ever noticed you look insanely vascular right after something that heats you up (training, sauna/tanning booth, hot shower), that’s why.

6 - Food and hydration (short-term manipulation)

You can “enhance” vascularity temporarily based on what you eat and how hydrated you are:

• Salt can raise blood pressure a bit and enhance vascularity

• Carbs increase glycogen in the muscle (with water), making muscles look fuller and veins pop more

• Dehydration can make skin look thinner temporarily (not something I recommend as a lifestyle strategy)

This is why fighters and bodybuilders often look ridiculously peeled on weigh-in day or photo day. But it’s not a healthy long-term approach.

For normal people living real life: use nutrition to support performance and leanness, not extreme dehydration tricks.

The real takeaway: There’s no shortcut

If you want more vascularity, focus on what you can control:

1. Lower your body fat (most important)

2. Train consistently (build muscle and blood flow)

3. Use the “temporary boosters” (pump + warmth) if you want to look your best for photos

The leaner you get, the more veins show. But it’s work. No pill. No secret exercise. No magic food.

Simple action plan for more vascularity (40+ friendly)

• Lift 3–4 days/week (progressively, safely)

• Walk daily (easy fat-loss accelerator that’s joint-friendly)

• Eat mostly whole foods and keep protein consistent

• Cut slowly if fat loss is the goal (don’t crash diet)

• For a photo or “pump” day: train arms/upper body, stay warm, and have a normal carb-based meal beforehand

If you want that bicep vein and the “trained” look, the formula is straightforward: get leaner, build muscle, and stay consistent. Nothing flashy, just results.

SHOT Show 2026 Las Vegas Replica Airguns Teaser

I just got back from SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, it was an action-packed trip! Over on our Replica Airguns Channel, we’ve just dropped a fast-paced highlight reel that captures the best moments of our week long stay.

The SHOT Show took place at the Venetian Convention Center, and you’ll see plenty of footage capturing the scale and energy of the event itself: busy show floors, massive booths, indoor and outdoor areas, and the overall atmosphere of one of the largest firearms and shooting-sports events in the world, with Airguns and related gear naturally woven throughout.

But it’s not just airguns, we’ve got slices of Vegas! You’ll catch us strolling Fremont Street, lounging poolside, and soaking up those iconic Vegas vibes between interviews. Whether you’re here for the Airguns or the atmosphere, this video’s got it all, music, cuts, the show floor, and a taste of Las Vegas. Check it out now and immerse yourself in the SHOT Show experience!

Replica Airguns SHOT Show 2026 Videos Coming Up

I was in Las Vegas last week for SHOT Show, primarily covering content for Replica Airguns, but I wanted to share a quick update here on GetFitOver40 so you know what I was up to.

I came out to SHOT Show to meet people in the industry and capture a bunch of interviews with vendors and companies, including Airgun and Paintball brands (and more). I filmed about seven interviews in total, and there’s a lot of great footage to sort through now that I am back.

I’m was in Vegas with my buddy Steve (the man behind the camera), and at this point the work was done we  we’re just enjoying Vegas after a busy week of filming. We’ve definitely did a few things beyond SHOT Show, because if you’re going to come to Vegas, you might as well experience it.

In the video now we’re at the Montecristo cigar bar inside Caesars Palace, winding down with a nice port and a cigar.

Stay tuned, now that I’m back home, I’ll start editing and posting the interviews. If you want to catch those SHOT Show interviews, head over to Replica Airguns.