Ben O’Meara

There is a difference between being present and being reachable. Ben O’Meara is learning that in real time.

Ben lives in Austin, Texas and serves as Chief Brand Officer at Huckberry, a brand many of us have been fans of for years.

If you have watched Huckberry’s 72 Hour Challenge series on YouTube, you have seen Ben in action. Two teams. 72 hours. Over 100 challenges. Toyota 4Runners. Mountains. Rivers. Gear pushed hard in the real world.

It is durability under pressure. Performance in motion. Real field testing. But the most important tests do not happen in the Rockies. They happen at home.

The Downshift

Ben describes his work world as fast paced and high output. Campaign launches. Creative reviews. Big wins. Big stress. The hardest part of parenting for him is not logistics. It is the transition. Leaving that frequency at the front door.

He protects family time. He is physically there. But often his brain is still spinning on a project or deadline. His wife said something that stuck.

It is one thing to be in the room. It is another thing to be reachable.

That is the work now.

Adventure Is the Reward

The most rewarding part of fatherhood for Ben has been watching his daughters fall in love with adventure. His family travels often. They spend time outside. They test gear with him. They sit in on video edits. They show up to his sandlot baseball games.

He used to think balance meant clean separation. Work in one box. Family in another. Now he believes integration beats isolation. The more he brings his girls into his world, the more connected they feel. Instead of building walls between passions and parenting, he invites them in.

He hopes that by showing them what lights him up, they will learn how to find their own spark.

Community Matters

Growing up, his mom always told him that you are who you hang with. That advice hits differently as a dad. You cannot raise great kids in a vacuum. You need other fathers. Other families. Community that fills your cup and challenges you.

Your kids are not just listening to your advice. They are watching your friendships.

And in classic Ben fashion, he has one practical tip for new dads. Skip the fancy diaper bag. Buy a great outdoor backpack with real pockets. You will use it long after the diaper days are over.

The Daily Rhythm

Ben wakes at 5am. That window before the house wakes up is sacred. Movement. Exercise. Reset.

Breakfast with the girls. School drop offs. Full workday. Pickups around 5. Dinner together. Bedtime routine. His wife works full time too, and he calls her the glue. They hold weekly meetings after the kids go down. Tea or sometimes something stronger. They talk through schedules and remind each other to find joy in the chaos.

Reset Button

When things feel loud, Ben runs. Short run. Long run. It does not matter.

Running clears the mental clutter and creates momentum before a big day or after a heavy one. Add the right playlist and it works every time.

Non Negotiables

Saturday morning pancakes with music blasting in the kitchen. Morning workouts. Community. He plays on an Austin sandlot baseball team called the Moontowers. The friendships built there will last a lifetime.

Fatherhood for Ben is not about separating life into neat boxes. It is about integration. Bring your passions home. Slow the frequency. Be reachable.

Follow Ben here.

Building a company around presence doesn’t automatically make it easy to live that way. Daniel Ng knows this better than most.

Daniel lives in Vancouver, Canada with his wife and their two kids, ages four and six. He’s the co-founder of No Reception Club, a brand rooted in the idea of disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with your family through travel, adventure, and shared experiences.

But as any small business owner knows, the irony is real.

When Work Brain Won’t Shut Off

The hardest part of parenting for Daniel isn’t logistics or scheduling. It’s presence.

As a founder, his mind is often racing. Ideas, problems, decisions. Even while physically with his kids, it takes real effort not to drift into work-related thoughts. That tension feels especially sharp given what his company stands for.

Presence, for him, isn’t automatic. It’s a daily practice.

The Gift of Flexibility

On the flip side, owning a small business has given Daniel something he deeply values. Freedom from the traditional 9-to-5 mold.

Being able to show up for school pick-ups, tough days, and moments when kids need support matters more than any title. Daniel believes those moments shape a child’s internal monologue as they grow up.

One recent example stuck with him. While skiing, his younger child felt scared on a difficult stretch of the mountain. Without prompting, his older child stepped in and said, “Believe in yourself. You can do anything.”

That kind of language doesn’t come out of nowhere. Daniel hopes those quiet “dad-isms” echo for years to come.

Doing the Inner Work

Looking back, Daniel wishes he had known earlier that showing up better for his kids often starts with working on himself. Therapy. Honest conversations with his partner. Strong friendships, especially with other dads. Vulnerability matters. Investing in yourself isn’t selfish. It’s part of investing in your kids.

One thing he actively works on is letting go of his own insecurities so they don’t get passed down. Parenting, he’s learned, has a way of exposing what still needs healing.

Being Dad, Not Coach

Some of the most impactful advice Daniel’s carried came from actor Jeff Daniels, who once spoke about long car rides to and from hockey games. The time spent not talking about hockey, he said, paved the way for closeness later in life.

As a coach for his six-year-old’s hockey team, Daniel thinks about this often. It’s easy to slip into feedback mode. But that’s not his job in the car.

His job is to take off the coach hat and just be dad. Safe space. Cheerleader. Biggest fan.

A Very Real Dad Day

Mornings aren’t optimized. Daniel and his wife aren’t 5am workout people, and their kids are slow risers too.

Daniel wakes the kids while his wife makes breakfast. Those wake-up moments are his favorite part of the day. One-on-one connection. Imaginative play with a favorite stuffy. Helping each child start the day on the right foot.

After drop-offs, it’s work mode. Afternoons bring activities, lessons, or intentional one-on-one dates. Dinner is always together, with a strict no-phones-at-the-table rule.

Bedtime means baths, stories, and lights out. Once the kids are asleep, Daniel and his wife often log back in for a second work shift. Founder life doesn’t always fit neatly into daylight hours.

Accepting What Won’t Get Done

Juggling work, life, and family often means accepting tradeoffs. A messy house. A delayed launch. A skipped workout. Forgotten show-and-tell. Daniel’s learned that hyper-prioritization is the only way through peak seasons.

Clear, constant communication with his wife, who is also his co-founder, makes it possible. Divide and conquer only works if you’re aligned.

He’s also learned that “life” can’t be ignored for too long. Health, hobbies, friendships, and interests outside work and family are the fuel that make everything else possible.

Music as a Reset

When things feel overwhelming, Daniel turns to music. Not podcasts. Not algorithms. Music.

Putting on an album from start to finish on the drive to pick up his kids has become a reset ritual. He’s started collecting vinyl and choosing records intentionally. Listening the way artists intended feels grounding in a world of constant noise.

And yes, he’s officially retired “Beautiful Things” from his playlists.

Teaching the First Spark

Daniel hopes to be his kids’ first teacher in many things. Skiing. Biking. Swimming. Sports.

The first time is always hard. It’s scary. You’re bad at it. But pushing through that initial discomfort opens the door to lifelong joy. He hopes that one day, when his kids carry those hobbies into adulthood, they’ll remember that their dad was the one who taught them how to start.

When he’s flying solo, Daniel pushes himself physically. Running, biking, skiing, hockey. He also prioritizes dad trips. A weekend with other guys in the same season of life goes a long way.

Daniel’s story is a reminder that presence isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing, again and again, to show up where your feet are.

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Fatherhood has a way of stripping away the illusion of control. Peter Nelson II learned that quickly.

Peter lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and their three kids, ages four, two, and a newborn just weeks old. He’s the founder of SISU, a wellness brand rooted in heat, resilience, and ritual, and Hell on Hogsback, an endurance race that pushes people toward their physical and mental edge.

Those same themes show up at home.

Letting Go of Control

The hardest part of parenting for Peter hasn’t been the lack of sleep or the packed schedule.

It’s accepting that no matter how much you plan or prepare, you’re not fully in control.

Instead of fighting that reality, Peter and his wife choose to focus on balance and inclusion. Their kids see their faith practices. They see focused family time. They see the work of building a business. They see the discomfort that comes with training for races and adventures.

Nothing is hidden. Life is lived out loud.

Why the Small Moments Matter

The most rewarding part of fatherhood has been watching how inquisitive his kids are and how much they remember. The smallest actions stick. A tone of voice. A habit. A response in a stressful moment.

Those observations force Peter to double down on what he and his wife feel called to do each day. It’s deeply rewarding and a little bittersweet. A reminder that time is passing whether you’re ready or not.

Learning Fatherhood in the Trenches

One thing Peter wishes he knew earlier is that there’s no manual for being a great dad. You learn it in real time. In the trenches.

That means trusting your gut. Knowing when to lead and when to support. Understanding your role as a husband as much as a father. And remembering that while the days feel long, the years move fast.

The advice that’s guided him most is built around what he calls the three P’s. A dad is called to be a Provider, a Protector, and a Priest. Providing fulfillment for each family member. Protecting a home that feels safe and open. And keeping faith at the center so everyone can lean into God’s calling for their lives.

A Day Built on Intention

Life looks different with a newborn in the house, but when they’re outside that window, Peter and his wife start early. Around 4:45am, coffee and workouts come first. He jumps into the SISU sauna, then wakes the kids around 6:30.

Mornings are for pancakes, lunches, hugs, and school drop-offs. Work runs from mid-morning through early afternoon, followed by a daily run. Late afternoons are for pickups and evenings with the family.

A few rhythms anchor the week. Twice-weekly no-phone evenings. Monthly one-on-one dates with each kid. Regular date nights with his wife. None of it is perfect, but the intention is clear.

Keeping Priorities in Order

When work, life, and family all collide, Peter filters everything through a simple hierarchy. Faith first. Family second. Fitness third. Work last.

If something pulls him away from family time, the answer is usually no.

When things feel overwhelming, it’s often a sign that the order slipped. Re-centering on movement, training, and time alone helps him reset. His grounding tools are consistent. Running. Sauna. Physical strain that clears mental noise.

Non-Negotiables That Last

Peter’s non-negotiables are rooted in presence. When his kids are talking, the phone stays down. Eye contact matters. Listening matters. And when they ask him to wrestle, he always says yes. Every time. Because you never know when the last time will come.

When he’s flying solo, Peter leans into travel, long races, lifting heavy, good food, and a cold beer. Simple pleasures that fuel the bigger work.

Peter’s approach to fatherhood mirrors how he lives everywhere else. Lead with intention. Embrace discomfort. Stay present. And don’t miss the moments that matter most.

You can follow Peter at @peternelsonii, @sisu_sauna, or visit sisulifestyle.com.

Parenting has seasons. Some feel light. Others feel heavy. Brooks Reitz understands both.

Brooks lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where he owns and operates multiple businesses across food, clothing, CPG, and writing. He’s also a husband and a dad to two kids, one six years old and one seventeen, which means he’s parenting in two very different worlds at the same time.

When Childhood Changes

When asked about the hardest part of parenting, Brooks doesn’t point to logistics or schedules. He points to something quieter.

Watching his children lose pieces of their innocence. It shows up when they realize some people suffer for no reason. When teasing happens at school. When the protective varnish of childhood starts to wear thin.

Brooks knows childhood is short, and seeing those shifts reminds him how fleeting it really is.

Leading by Example

The most rewarding part of parenting, for Brooks, is also layered.

He values being an example. Teaching humility, kindness, and manners. Not just saying those things matter, but living them in front of his kids and watching those lessons take root.

That kind of influence isn’t loud. It’s built slowly, over time.

What He Wishes He Knew

One thing Brooks wishes he’d understood sooner is something many parents learn the hard way. Teenagers don’t want to talk to you. Not because you did something wrong, but because they need space to form their own identity.

Letting go, without disengaging, becomes the work.

Advice That Stuck

Brooks became a father at a young age, and not under easy circumstances. During a difficult season, his mom gave him advice that’s stayed with him ever since.

“You’re only one workout away from a good mood.”

It wasn’t parenting advice on the surface, but it became foundational. Taking care of your body matters. Movement creates margin. Many parents would benefit from remembering that.

A Day Built on Rhythm

Brooks’ days run on routine, and that’s by design.

He’s up at 6am for coffee and reading while his wife meditates. Their six-year-old joins them downstairs around 6:45 for snuggles and breakfast. After school drop-off, Brooks heads to the gym, then back home to work.

He runs multiple businesses, mostly from home, working in focused blocks until lunch, which he prepares and eats with his wife. Afternoons bring more work, meetings, or writing. When his wife handles school pickup, Brooks uses that time to reset. A bike ride, a sauna, or a walk.

By late afternoon, the day slows. Family time. Dinner at 5:30. A walk around the block. Bedtime routines. Reading or a show. Lights out by 9.

It’s a schedule that works, and Brooks protects it.

Staying Grounded When Things Get Heavy

Balancing work, life, and family isn’t always smooth. Some seasons feel manageable. Others feel overwhelming. Brooks keeps his footing by returning to what gives him ballast.

Regular exercise. Time outdoors. Home-cooked food, heavy on vegetables and quality protein. Good sleep. Plenty of water. No alcohol. Sunshine and fresh air.

Nothing lasts forever, he reminds himself. Not the easy seasons. Not the hard ones.

Non-Negotiables That Matter

One rule stands firm in the Reitz household. Breakfast and dinner happen at the dining room table, together. No eating separately. No screens. No counter meals.

Those daily touchpoints matter more than they seem. When Brooks gets time alone, he keeps it simple. Long walks and hikes. Museum visits. Reading. Listening to music. Quiet pursuits that refill the tank.

Brooks’ approach to fatherhood isn’t flashy. It’s intentional, rhythmic, and grounded. A reminder that consistency, presence, and shared meals can quietly shape a beautiful life.

You can follow Brooks at @brooksreitz or read his newsletter A Small & Simple Thing on Substack.

Some businesses grow fast. Others grow deep.

Dave Allee started Almond Surfboards 17 years ago in his hometown of Costa Mesa, California. What began as a custom surfboard operation turned into a respected surf brand rooted in craftsmanship, patience, and doing things the right way. Nearly two decades later, Dave still runs the business, while also building a family-run bison jerky company on the side.

He’s also a dad of two, raising a six-year-old and a three-year-old between Costa Mesa, California and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

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Ambition vs. Presence

For Dave, the hardest part of parenting isn’t a lack of time. It’s managing attention.

As an entrepreneur, his ambitions run deep. As a dad, so does his desire to be present and intentional at home. Those two don’t always coexist peacefully.

His kids don’t love seeing a laptop open, and they’re quick to call it out. The solution is simple but not always easy. When it’s work time, Dave physically removes himself so that when he’s with the kids, he’s actually with them.

The tradeoff is worth it. He gets a lot of time with his family. Midweek pancakes are a thing. Breakfast matters.

The Power of Small Moments

The most rewarding part of fatherhood, Dave says, is all the little moments. The stuff you don’t plan for.

Letting the kids help with projects. Bringing them into the kitchen. Getting them outside and giving them a wide range of experiences to draw from later in life. While answering this very interview, Dave got pulled away to build Hot Wheels tracks with his three-year-old son. That’s kind of the point.

Becoming a dad also gave him a deeper understanding of love. He didn’t fully grasp how much his own parents loved him until he had kids of his own. Fatherhood became a constant reminder of grace, patience, and God’s love.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Nothing, Dave says, can truly prepare you for becoming a dad. No book. No advice. No mental framework.

If he could change one thing, it wouldn’t be how he parents. It would be how he lived before kids. He opened a retail store at 22, which meant weekends were mostly spoken for throughout his adult life. He wishes he and his wife had traveled more early in their marriage. Not out of regret, but perspective.

The advice that stuck most came from John Eldredge: It’s the little things that build a beautiful life. Dave sees that play out daily.

A Day in the Allee Household

Dave’s days start early. His alarm goes off at 5:05 a.m., six days a week. He loves the quiet hours before the house wakes up. That’s when deep work happens. Or a workout. Or reading. Ideally all three.

That early start allows him to pause, make breakfast for his family, and then get back to work once the kids head to school. If he sleeps in, the whole day feels off. The balance comes from going to bed early. Around 9:30.

When work, life, and family collide, Dave tries to be fully where he is. One hundred percent at work when working. One hundred percent present when with the kids. The in-between, he says, is a dead zone and best avoided.

Staying Grounded

When things get busy, Dave resets through simple rhythms. Reading at night. Writing in the morning. Moving his body whenever possible.

His non-negotiable in dad life is breakfast. Burritos. Pancakes. Bacon. Anything goes, as long as he’s making it.

When he gets time alone, it looks like solo surf sessions, scouting for elk, whiskey neat, and old jazz. Quiet, focused, and intentional. Much like the way he’s built his businesses and his family.

You can follow Dave at @almondsurfboards and @rangerbison.