You pushing yourself?
This guy rowed across the Atlantic Ocean
February 12, 2026
Hey.
Adam here. Like I mentioned, we’re gonna send a few one-off emails highlighting some of our speakers (also dads) who are joining us for Built for More this spring.
Quick reminder before we get into it.
This isn’t a mastermind. It’s not therapy. And we’re sure as hell not trying to sell you some “unlock your inner warrior” nonsense.
We just want a room full of dads who either set their bar high…or know they’ve been playing a little smaller than they want to.
It’s easy to get stuck in routine. Wake up. Work. Kids. Scroll. Sleep. Repeat.
You’re doing fine. But are you pushing yourself? Are you around other guys who push you?
I hate the word networking. But there’s something about being in the room.
And sometimes the big challenge for the year isn’t a marathon or a crazy adventure. It’s just saying ‘yes’ to something that makes you slightly uncomfortable.
Which brings me to Ben Towill.
Ben trained in two Michelin-star kitchens in the UK. Built restaurants in New York. Moved to Charleston and built some of the best spots in town.
That’s impressive. But that’s not why we invited him. A few years ago, Ben rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean
Forty-plus days. Open ocean. No shortcuts. They made a documentary about it. It just picked up an award at Sundance. We’ll drop the trailer link below.
Most of us complain about bad WiFi on a flight. This guy voluntarily rowed across an ocean.
And he’s a dad. That’s why he’s coming. Not to give you a chef demo, but to talk about what it actually looks like to chase hard things, build meaningful businesses, raise kids, and not lose yourself in the process.
Built for More is about that tension. Ambition and fatherhood. Adventure and responsibility. Growth without becoming weird about it. And investing in yourself.
If that hits, you should probably be in the room.
Charleston 2.5 days. April 30-May 2. Workouts. Sauna. Cold plunge. Good food. Real conversations. Priced right. And no, you don’t have to be in shape to come. Just show up.
Bonus for ya…bring another dad and I’ll personally send you a discount code.
No pressure. But if you’ve been waiting for a reason to shake things up a bit this year… this might be it.
And one last thing. If you’re on the fence or just want to talk it through like a normal human, I’m happy to hop on a quick call. Snag a time here.
Early bird pricing is still on the table. If you’re even thinking about it, read more and lock in your spot here.
Cheers,
Adam & The Dad Day team
PS: The trailer mentioned above. Worth a watch!
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© 2026 Dad Day Media LLC
6650 Rivers Ave Ste 100
Charleston, South Carolina 29406, United States
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What to worry about
Plus – are you in the Slack group yet?
February 11, 2026 | Read Online
📕 DAD WISDOM
What To Worry About
Back in 1933, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a letter to his 11-year-old daughter. It wasn’t long, but the advice still holds up.
He told her what to worry about: courage, effort, doing things the right way.
And what not to worry about: popularity, getting ahead, success, failure, the future.
Reading it now, it sounds a lot like good parenting.
As dads, it’s easy to stress about outcomes. Grades. Wins. Milestones. Keeping up. But the stuff that actually matters is simpler.
Raise kids who are brave. Who try hard. Who take responsibility. The rest works itself out (hopefully).
Focus on the character. Let go of the noise.
RAD DAD
Daniel Ng
Daniel Ng lives in Vancouver, Canada and is the co-founder of No Reception Club, a brand built around disconnecting and being present with your family. He’s also a dad to two kids, ages four and six.
Ironically, the hardest part of parenting for Daniel is turning off his work brain and being fully present. Running a growing business means he’s “on” more than ever, and presence has to be intentional.
The most rewarding part is getting to show up for the everyday moments. School pick-ups after hard days, car rides home from tough practices, and quiet encouragement that becomes their kids’ inner voice later in life.
His goal as a dad is simple but powerful: be their safe space, not their coach.
Check out our interview with Daniel here.
DAD GEAR
Hideaway Carry-On Duffel
Most travel bags are just… bags. This one’s a system.
Daniel Ng’s No Reception Club Hideaway Duffel is a carry-on that actually works for parents. It meets airline size rules. It has a removable “Cubby” with five customizable sections.
Translation: no more exploding packing cubes. No more digging for socks at Gate B12.
Not cheap. But neither is replacing three bad bags over five years… or starting every trip stressed out.
Well done, Daniel and team!
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» Marshwear Delano Shacket (not a typo)
» Veken French Press Coffee Maker 34oz
» XTRA Tuff Deck Boot
DAD BOD
Pinched For Time?
Feeling pinched for time but still need to get a workout in? We feel that.
Good news: research shows that even 10–15 minutes of high-intensity intervals can seriously improve cardio fitness and insulin sensitivity if the effort is high enough.
So next time the clock’s tight, do this:
5 moves. 30 seconds each. 3 rounds. Minimal rest.
-
Squats.
-
Push-ups.
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Rows or pull-ups.
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Lunges.
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Burpees or bike sprint.
Go hard. Big muscles. Short rest.
Fifteen minutes. Done.
JUNK DRAWER
» Teaching the Fam to Be Good Storytellers
» 10-Step Mobility Checklist
» Every Gold Medal Performance From Day 4 Olympics
COMMUNITY
Quick heads up.
We’re launching city-specific Slack channels in the Dad Day Slack Group.
Real dads. Real cities. Real excuses to leave the house.
Based on where folks showed up loudest, we’re starting with:
#charleston-sc
#atlanta-ga
#phoenix-az
#pittsburgh-pa
#denver-co
These are for:
→ casual hangs
→ local events
→ “who wants to grab ___ this week?” energy
→ building actual community (not just emoji reactions)
If you’re near one of those cities, jump in. Say hi. Plan something.
Don’t see your city? More are coming. We’re rolling these out as interest grows. (Hydrate. Be patient. We’re building.) Either way, you should be in the Slack group.
No, it doesn’t cost anything, and yes, there’s a quick form so we keep the trolls out.
DAD HUMOR
Stay in their corner
Plus – organize those hats
February 09, 2026 | Read Online
Monday guys! I’m still running on fumes with kiddo #3 so the send time is a bit off. We’ll get back to our 9 AM scheduled time soon. More coffee needed.
And hey, congrats to all the Seattle Seahawks fans out there
📕 DAD WISDOM
Gotta Believe Man
Watched Sam Darnold’s post-game interview after the Super Bowl last night, and one thing stood out. He kept bringing up his parents. How they believed in him through the good seasons, the bad seasons, and all the dumb stuff that comes with growing up.
On the surface, it’s easy to hear that and think, yeah, believe in your kids. Makes sense.
But belief isn’t just something you say once and move on.
You don’t really get to believe in your kids if you don’t believe in yourself. If you’re constantly doubting your own decisions, talking yourself down, or acting like you’re just trying to survive the day, they feel that too.
Belief shows up in how steady you are when they screw up. How calm you stay when things don’t go to plan. How you talk about effort, not just outcomes.
Kids don’t need blind hype. They need someone who stays in their corner when it’s messy.
That kind of belief isn’t loud. It’s consistent. And it starts with how you carry yourself.
RAD DAD
Dougie Mann
Dougie Mann is an artist and brand builder based in North Tustin, California, and a dad of four kids ranging from two to twelve.
The hardest part of parenting, he says, is the mental grind. First it’s the lack of sleep. Then it’s the weight of providing as an artist and entrepreneur, where the highs are high and the lows can feel heavy. You never quite feel out of the woods.
The most rewarding part is the purpose. Having something bigger than yourself forces you to show up in ways you didn’t know were possible. His guiding principle is simple and hard-earned: be present. Love your wife every day. Tell her more than you think you should.
His non-negotiable says a lot about him. Get your kids in the ocean. Teach them to swim. It’s a gift they’ll carry for life.
Follow him at @dougiemann. Check out our interview here.
DAD GEAR
A Better Hat Set Up
Hat storage came up in Slack. I grabbed a handmade rack from Maggie at Stokecraft and mounted it in my closet.
Looks good. Dead simple. Solves the problem.
Support a small biz. Get your hats off the floor. Win-win.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» 1960 USA Wool Ball Cap
» Rugged iPad Case
» Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
DAD BOD
HRV, Explained Fast
Giphy
You’ll see HRV in Whoop, Oura, Garmin, Apple and it’s easy to overthink. Don’t.
What it is:
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) shows how well your body is recovering from stress.
What’s “good” vs “bad”:
-
Higher than your normal: you’re recovered. Green light.
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Lower than your normal: you’re run down. Yellow light.
For most adults, numbers often land somewhere between 30–80 ms, but the exact number matters way less than your personal baseline.
How to use it:
-
HRV up → train, lift, push
-
HRV down → walk, stretch, sleep
Don’t chase elite numbers. Chase consistency.
COMMUNITY
-
Dad Day Run Club: Y’all are putting in work on Strava. 800 dads strong and stacking serious miles. Shoutout to last week’s top 3: Steven, Ryan, and Dan. 🏃♂️
Steven is back on top as Leader of the Week. Casual. Ryan B., hit us back so we can get that Dad Day Run Club hat headed your way.
-
Super Bowl Player Tier Contest: Congrats, Eric B. Winning tier was Maye, Stevenson, Kupp & Hollins.
-
Join Us This Spring: Need to break out of the routine? Join us for 2.5 days in Charleston, SC. It’s gonna be a good one. Just the right amount of time! Learn more.
JUNK DRAWER
» Guys Being Dads — Babies and Cars. New Podcast Epsiode.
» Winter Olympics Schedule
» 6 Ways to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger
DAD HUMOR
Stacked weekend
PLUS – 20 minutes and some dumbbells
February 06, 2026 | Read Online
Happy Friday, guys.
The Olympics kick off tonight, we’ve got the big game on Sunday, and the weekend lineup is officially stacked. Good stuff all around.
Get your lift in, enjoy the chaos, and have an awesome weekend.
PS: If you’re new here, we mix it up on Fridays with a quick recap from the week and a few extra gems to head into the weekend right.
“Well begun is half done.”
Horace
THE DIGEST
-
Most Clicked: 90/10 Rule to Decide Where to Live
-
Wisdom of the Week: The goal isn’t to finish being a dad. It’s to build a rhythm you can sustain. Something you can show up for day after day, even when you’re tired or distracted or off your game. This isn’t an endless grind. It’s an ongoing craft. And the sooner you treat it that way, the more meaningful it becomes.
-
Product of the Week: Eddy Barrel Sauna by SISU
📕 Read: A Reset From The Routine
🎧 Listen: How I Built This: Taylor Guitars
📺 Watch: The Super Bowl. Join our Fantasy Squares here. $5 Buy-In
🍔 Eat/Drink: The Best Low Calorie Burger Ever
🩳 Wear: Midweight Terry Crewneck
IN THE TRENCHES
Topic: The Slowdown Season
A dad in Slack shared a feeling a lot of us recognize. He’s grateful to be a dad, but personal growth feels slower right now. Fewer “wow” moments. Social media makes it worse. New baby. Work from home. Guilt sneaks in.
Other dads chimed in…
A few things that kept coming up:
-
This season feels slow because it is. Almost every dad said the early months feel foggy and uncomfortable.
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The “wow moments” come later. More than one dad shared that once kids are a bit older, they stack up fast and you end up wishing time would slow down again.
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Social media is a highlight reel. What you don’t see are the quiet, ordinary days that actually shape you.
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Parenting is personal growth. No books. No hacks. Just daily reps that change you over time.
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Be here now. The most common reminder was simple. Quiet the noise. This stretch won’t last.
No fix. Just perspective. And a reminder that this season counts.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on…
Not finished. Not perfect. Exactly the point. A garage slowly turning into a cigar lounge and bourbon bar. Thanks for sharing!
We want to see your house projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
You got 20 minutes and some dumbbells. Set the timer. Cycle nonstop.
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DB Thruster x10
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Single-Arm DB Snatch x6/side
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Farmer’s Carry x40 steps (heavy, both hands)
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Alternating DB Floor Press x12 total
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DB Hammer Curl → Press x8
dad shower thoughts: Teaching your kid to ride a bike is really just teaching yourself to let go.
A break from the routine
Some info on Built for More event
February 05, 2026
Not a conference. Not weird.
Some info on Built for More event
Hey there,
Coming in hot with a Thursday email.
I’m sending this because you clicked the Built for More event in a recent Dad Day email, and if I had to guess, it’s probably because something about it hit a nerve.
So instead of blasting you with event hype, I figured I’d just tell you why this exists and why I’m genuinely excited about it. I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.
In a previous life, I ran a lot of events. Startup stuff in San Francisco. Then an adventure travel company with trips all over the country and a bunch internationally. National parks. Costa Rica. Snowboarding trips. All of it.
Big Event Guy
I’ve been doing events for a minute.
A couple years ago, I was invited to an event in NYC by the team at Ten Thousand.
And for the first time, I just got to enjoy it. And I didn’t realize how much I needed it.
We worked out. Heard from a few people who actually had something worth saying. Explored the city. Had real conversations over meals. No weird energy. No forced networking. Just the right amount of structure and the right amount of space.
I left with new friends I still talk to, fresh perspective, and that familiar thought: “Yeah… I should probably do more of this in real life.”
That’s the exact lane we’re in with Built for More.
It’s going down from April 30 to May 2 in Charleston, SC. 25 spots total. That’s it.
A few things this is NOT:
-
Not a conference
-
Not awkward icebreakers
-
Not hand-holding circles or forced sharing
This is a small group of dads breaking routine together. Movement. Time outside. Good food. Straight talk. You meet people naturally because you’re doing things side by side, not sitting in rows.
What’s included:
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All workouts and speaker sessions
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Sauna + cold plunge
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Surf lessons (beginner-friendly and optional)
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Built for More gear
-
Group meals throughout the weekend
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Payment plans at checkout
Travel to Charleston and lodging aren’t included, but Charleston’s a great excuse for a long weekend, whether you’re local or flying in.
If you read Dad Day and ever think, “Yeah… I should probably do more of this in real life,” this weekend is exactly that.
Early bird is $849 (good until 2/28/26), and then we jump up to $1200. Once we hit 25, it’s full.
You can check it out and grab a spot here:
And one last thing. If you’re on the fence and just want to talk it through like a normal human, I’m happy to hop on a quick call.
No pitch. No pressure. You can literally text me, and we’ll set something up: Adam – (724) 640-0364. No spam, please.
This is as real as it gets.
Adam
PS: If “spousal approval” is the final boss, we’ll even email your partner and make this a very reasonable layup. Just reply and say the word.
PPS: If things have felt a little on repeat lately, that’s not a failure. It’s just a sign you might be due for a reset.
Update your email preferences or unsubscribe here
© 2026 Dad Day Media LLC
6650 Rivers Ave Ste 100
Charleston, South Carolina 29406, United States
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There’s no finish line
Plus – warm up with this bad boy
February 04, 2026 | Read Online
Happy Wednesday, guys.
Running a little behind on send time today. Adjusting to life with a third kid. Feels pretty on brand.
If you missed it earlier, we’re hosting our first in-person Dad Day experience this April. Two and a half days in Charleston with a solid group of dads.
Would love to have you there.
📕 DAD WISDOM
No Finish Line
I read something from James Clear the other day that stuck with me. He talked about how many of the most important parts of life are never actually “done.”
Work doesn’t end. Parenting doesn’t end. Marriage, health, creativity, finances…none of it has a finish line.
That’s where we get tripped up as dads. We treat life like something to complete. Just get through this phase. Power through this season. Make it to the next milestone.
But it’s not a checklist. It’s a practice.
The goal isn’t to finish being a dad. It’s to build a rhythm you can sustain. Something you can show up for day after day, even when you’re tired or distracted or off your game.
Progress doesn’t usually come from big breakthroughs. It comes from settling in. Doing the small things consistently. Learning how to live inside the work instead of trying to rush past it.
This isn’t an endless grind. It’s an ongoing craft.
And the sooner you treat it that way, the more meaningful it becomes.
RAD DAD
Peter Nelson II
Peter Nelson II is the founder of SISU and Hell on Hogsback, and a dad of three kids under five.
The hardest part of parenting for Peter has been realizing how little control you actually have, especially in the early years.
Instead of hiding the work, the training, or the struggle, he and his wife choose to bring their kids into it. Faith, family, business, and physical challenges. They see it all.
His non-negotiable is simple and powerful. When your kids talk, the phone stays down. And when they ask you to wrestle, you wrestle every time.
Follow along at @peternelsonii and read our interview with Peter here.
DAD GEAR
The Eddy Barrel Sauna
It only felt right to feature the sauna Peter (above) helped bring to life. Plus, we love a good story.
Peter and his co-founder didn’t set out to start a sauna brand. They were on a run in 2022 talking life, family, and work when COVID fallout forced a hard reset. Instead of shutting things down, they decided to build something better from scratch.
High-quality cedar, faster lead times, made close to home. A few months later, SISU sold its first sauna and never looked back.
A simple, two-person barrel sauna made from western red cedar. Low maintenance. Built to last. Perfect for early mornings or quiet nights when you just need a reset.
Available for as low as $364/month with Affirm + HSA eligible.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» Howler Bros Lightweight Flannel
» Desky L-Shape Sit Stand Desk
» Cloudsole Insoles
DAD BOD
House Burping
“House burping” is going viral, and no, it’s not some new core exercise where you twist a guy on the living room floor until he honks like a goose.
It’s just opening your windows for a few minutes…the German way (lüften) to kick out the stale air, humidity, and whatever mystery smell your house has been fermenting since taco night.
Before you buy an air purifier the size of a mini fridge, try the original wellness hack: open two windows, make a cross-breeze, and let your house rip one out.
JUNK DRAWER
» Dad Milestones That Hit Different
» Get What You Want Without Being A Jerk
» The Reason for a Sunday Drive
DAD HUMOR
A little behind today
Plus – 6 more weeks of winter
February 02, 2026 | Read Online
Phil saw his shadow. The Olympics start this week. The Super Bowl is here.
Let’s get into it.
PS: Thanks for all the kind notes as we welcomed baby #3. Sleep is scarce, gratitude is high.
📕 DAD WISDOM
The Good Weight
I’m five days into newborn life again, and it feels different this time.
A lot of quiet moments. Hospital hallways. Back-and-forth coffee runs. Too much time to think. And one word kept coming to mind: weight.
Having kids adds weight to your life. No matter how many you have. Responsibility. Pressure. Worry. The constant awareness that someone depends on you.
But it’s the good kind of weight. The kind you actually want to carry. The kind that makes you stronger over time.
I’m tired. Out of routine. Running on fumes. All the usual stuff. But I’m soaking it in more this time around. Perspective will do that.
And this applies no matter what stage you’re in. Newborns. Toddlers. Big kids. Teenagers. The weight never really goes away. It just changes shape.
The difference is how you carry it. Some weight breaks you down. This kind builds you up.
It’s heavy. And it’s worth lifting.
RAD DAD
Ben Bergeron
Ben Bergeron is a gym owner in Natick, Massachusetts, founder of CompTrain, and a dad of four.
He’s learned that the hardest part of parenting isn’t the chaos. It’s saying no to work so he can say yes to the trampoline or kicking a soccer ball in the backyard.
That tradeoff, he says, is also where the reward lives. Fatherhood gave him his first experience with unconditional love.
His advice to new dads is simple: kids are kids, not adults. Don’t expect them to see the world the way you do.
The reminder he lives by is this: these are the most meaningful years of your life. Not the easiest, but the ones that matter most.
His non-negotiable says it all. Be calm. As the seas get rougher, the captain gets calmer.
You can follow him at @benbergeron.
DAD GEAR
Suunto Race 2
Garmin gets all the love. But Suunto has been quietly making legit performance watches forever, and the Race 2 is the sleeper hit.
Bright 1.5” AMOLED screen. Lighter, cleaner design. 115+ sport modes, offline maps, and up to 55 hours of battery so you’re not charging like a teenager.
This is the watch for dads who train early, race sometimes, and still want something sharp on their wrist.
Dad verdict: I’ve been really happy with it.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» Flint & Tinder Stretch Selvedge Denim (new favs)
» Magnetic Phone Monitor Mount
» Genius Square (Great Family Game)
DAD BOD
When the Routine Falls Apart
Record low temps. No sleep. Kids wrecking the schedule. Yada. Yada. Life.
Yeah, it happens.
Here’s the move: stop waiting for the routine to come back. Just get something in.
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20 squats while dinner’s cooking
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Pushups during bath time
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A 10-minute YouTube bodyweight workout before bed
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Walks count. Chasing kids counts.
This isn’t the season for perfect plans. It’s the season for maintenance reps.
The routine will come back. It always does. For now? Get in what you can, and be at peace with it.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
If you take one solo trip this year…
Dropped this on Friday and we’ll probably keep talking about it for a bit.
We’re hosting Built for More; a 2.5-day Dad Day experience in Charleston, April 30–May 2.
And no, you don’t have to live there. It’s an incredible city and a perfect excuse for a quick getaway.
Same ideas we write about every week. Less scrolling. More doing. Better conversations. Better energy.
Spots are limited on purpose. When it’s full, it’s full. Legit speakers (all dads), and a fun itinerary planned.
Early bird pricing is live right now.
If this has been tugging at you even a little, take the hint. Break the routine. Get in the room. Do this one in real life.
COMMUNITY
-
Dad Day Run Club: Last week’s Runner of the Week was Brad Parnell, topping the charts with 77.1 miles and almost 19 hours of running. Nice work! Y’all are wild. Reply with your address, and we’ll ship your Dad Day Run Club hat.
-
Super Bowl Player Tier Contest: Make the Super Bowl a bit more enjoyable with a $5 bet. Join here. Thanks for setting this up, Henry.
-
Valentine’s Day: If your partner asks what you want for Valentine’s Day, tell her this hat.
JUNK DRAWER
» A 4-Year-Old Mic’d Up While Snowboarding
» Use the 90/10 Rule to Decide Where to Live
» Thinking About a Minivan? We Made a Video About It
DAD HUMOR
Come hang with us
PLUS – first email from the delivery room
January 30, 2026 | Read Online
Happy Friday.
Writing this from the delivery room. Baby #3 just joined the crew. Healthy baby. Healthy mom. Tired eyes. Full heart.
If today’s newsletter feels a little off, blame the lack of sleep and an abundance of perspective. But we are dropping something awesome below, so check it out.
PS: If you’re new here, we mix it up on Fridays with a quick recap from the week and a few extra gems to head into the weekend right.
“Always play the hand you have, not the one you wish you had.”
Garry Tan
THE DIGEST
-
Most Clicked: Optimizing Your Workspace for Productivity
-
Wisdom of the Week: Kids are always listening, even when we think they’re not. And the stories they hear us tell about them slowly become the stories they tell themselves. So look for moments to speak them up when they’re in earshot. Not exaggerated. Not forced. Just true.
-
Product of the Week: The Lowdown Locker
-
Rad Dads: Nick Sabio & Brooks Reitz
📕 Read: Michael Easter – The Comfort Crisis
🎧 Listen: Guys Being Dads – The People You Run With
📺 Watch: Mircale. The Boys of 80 – Netflix (stoked for this)
🍔 Eat/Drink: 5 Effortless Fifteen Minute Breakfasts
👶 For the Kids: Super Skills – Fun Group Activity for Family Night
LET’S HANG THIS SPRING
If you read this newsletter and think, “Yeah… I should probably do more of this in real life,” this is your invitation.
We’re hosting Built for More, a 2.5-day experience for dads in Charleston from April 30 to May 2, and we’re genuinely fired up about it.
This is Dad Day off the screen.
Same ideas we write about every week. Less scrolling. More doing. Better conversations. Better energy.
Spots are limited on purpose. And once it’s full, it’s full.
Early bird pricing is live now. If this has been tugging at you even a little bit, take that as your sign.
Break the routine. Get in the room. Do this one in real life.
PS: If this requires partner approval, we’ve got you. We’ll even email them and make a very reasonable case for why you should come.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on…
Joseph H with the sauna build. Thanks for sharing, Joseph! Looks awesome.
We want to see your house projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
Full body. Simple.
Warm-Up (4 min)
Air squats x20 → push-ups x15 → plank 30 sec. Repeat once.
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Goblet Squat: 4×10
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Dumbbell Bench Press: 3×8–10
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Romanian Deadlift: 3×8
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Plank: 3×45–60 sec
Finisher: 10-minute EMOM (every minute on the minute)
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Minute 1: 10 kettlebell swings
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Minute 2: 8 burpees
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Alternate until time’s up
Click to Save Spotify Playlist
dad shower thoughts: The best naps happen when you’re “just resting your eyes.
Let them hear it
Plus – kids forcing you to grow up
January 28, 2026 | Read Online
Happy Wednesday, fellas.
If you’re also playing the daily game of “do I really need this extra layer?”…you’re not alone. This weather is wild.
Let’s get into it.
📕 DAD WISDOM
Let Them Hear It
One of the simplest ways to build confidence in your kids doesn’t happen in a big sit-down talk.
It happens when they overhear you talking about them.
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Saying to a grandparent, “Yeah, he’s been working really hard lately.”
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Telling an uncle, “She’s been sticking with it, even when it’s tough.”
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Mentioning to a friend, “He’s got a good heart.”
You don’t even have to say it directly to them. Hearing it secondhand hits differently. It tells them who they are without putting them on the spot.
Kids are always listening, even when we think they’re not. And the stories they hear us tell about them slowly become the stories they tell themselves.
So look for moments to speak them up when they’re in earshot. Not exaggerated. Not forced. Just true.
Those little comments stick longer than we realize.
RAD DAD
Brooks Reitz
Brooks Reitz is an entrepreneur and restaurateur in Charleston and a dad to two kids, ages six and seventeen.
The hardest part of parenting for Brooks isn’t one single thing. It’s watching pieces of childhood innocence slowly fade. Learning that the world can be unfair. Being teased. Realizing that childhood doesn’t last forever.
The most rewarding part is getting to model humility, kindness, and good manners, then seeing those values show up in his kids’ lives.
His non-negotiable is simple and firm. Breakfast and dinner happen at the dining room table, together, every day.
You can follow Brooks at @brooksreitz and read more about him here.
DAD GEAR
Taylor Stitch Crawford Crew Sweater
Warm enough for cold mornings, light enough to wear all day. Toss it over a tee, under a jacket, or wear it solo. Works every time.
Feels solid and wears easy.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» James Brand Carabiner
» Aiden Precision Coffee Maker
» Beardbrand Utility Beard Trimmer
DAD BOD
Let’s Talk Magnesium
Here’s the science-y part, without the lab coat.
Magnesium plays a role in muscle function, nerve signaling, and sleep regulation, which is why low levels are linked to cramps, poor sleep, and higher stress.
Translation: when you’re short on it, your body lets you know.
Most of us burn through magnesium faster thanks to stress, workouts, caffeine, and not sleeping enough (hi, dads). Getting enough won’t turn you into a superhero, but it can help you sleep deeper, recover better, and feel less wrecked the next day.
Boring mineral. Real results. That’s dad math.
JUNK DRAWER
» Brooks Koepka On Kids Forcing You To Grow Up
» How To Make And Keep Friends After 30
» What Shoe Dog Taught Me About Being a Dad
DAD HUMOR
It’s cool to slow down
Plus – the minivan decision. new video
January 26, 2026 | Read Online
Hey guys. Weird weather. Football did its thing. And here we are. Monday. Congrats to Pats and Seahawks fans.
If you’re new here, welcome.
Let’s get into it.
📕 DAD WISDOM
What’s Next?
Anyone else feel like you’re always on the way to something?
One of those weekends where you bounce from practice to practice, squeeze in a birthday party, grab food on the fly, and suddenly it’s Sunday night again wondering where the time went.
Even the “fun” stuff can start to feel stressful when you’re always watching the clock and thinking about where you need to be next.
That’s the part of dad life we don’t always talk about. The mental load of being in motion. Of feeling like if you slow down, something will fall apart.
But not every moment needs to be maximized. Not every gap needs to be filled. Not every weekend needs to be packed.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is let the day breathe. Sit still for a bit. Be fully where you are instead of half-present and half-rushing.
The world will keep moving. It’s okay to loosen the grip on the schedule once in a while.
RAD DAD
Nick Sabio
Nick Sabio is an associate pastor in Laguna Hills and a dad of three kids, ages eight, five, and three.
The hardest part of parenting for him is learning how to hold the same core values while applying them differently to each child. Extending grace while still calling them toward growth isn’t easy, but it’s the work.
The most rewarding moments are simple ones. Being invited into their world. Hearing “I love you.” Watching them show kindness and hospitality to others.
The advice that stuck most is timeless: the best thing you can do for your kids is love their mother well.
His non-negotiable is legendary. Every Thursday night is Slumber Party Night. Mattresses on the living room floor. Movies, games, snacks, and staying up way too late.
Follow him at @sicknabio or @lazarusoverlandfam. Read our interview with Nick here.
DAD GEAR
Headlamp Under $20
My wife got me this headlamp for Christmas bc my kids broke or hid all my other ones.
This one is surprisingly legit and under $20 bucks. It’s so bright a car beeped at me while walking the dog.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE ADDING TO CART
» The Lowdown Locker
» Delta3 Portable Power Station
» Roark Hebrides Lined Jacket
DAD BOD
Don’t Let One Slip Wreck the Day
Most days don’t go off the rails because of the cookie. They go off the rails because of the second story we tell ourselves after it.
“I already messed up.” “So screw it.”
That’s the trap. One off-plan choice doesn’t require a follow-up mistake. It just requires… going back to normal.
The rule: mess up → reset → move on. No drama. No guilt spiral. No turning a speed bump into a ditch.
NEW DAD DAY VIDEO SERIES
Thinking About a Minivan?
So we just dropped a new series called ‘What We Drove,’ and this first episode came out of a very real conversation we were having at home.
We’ve got our third kid coming any day now, and suddenly the question wasn’t what do we want to drive…it was what actually works.
We’re not nerding out on specs or trim levels. We’re just sharing our real experience with a minivan, and if that thought has crossed your mind at all, this might be worth a watch.
We talk through the practical side of the decision: space, routines, comfort, and how a vehicle fits the season of life you’re in as a dad.
PS: Episode 2 of our ‘Go West’ series drops in February
COMMUNITY
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Dad Day Run Club: Last week’s Runner of the Week was Ryan Kerr, topping the charts with 15 hours and 47 minutes of running. (72 miles 👀). Reply with your address, and we’ll ship your Dad Day Run Club hat.
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Let’s hang! April 30-May 2nd: Block off the dates. We’re dropping something sweet this week.
JUNK DRAWER
» What Building a Playhouse Gave This Dad Back
» Are You a Strategist or an Operator?
» Optimizing Your Workspace for Productivity, Focus & Creativity
DAD HUMOR
