Happy Wednesday, gents.

If you’ve been digging the newsletter, small favor to ask…send it to one dad friend who might get a kick out of it. Word of mouth is how this thing grows, and we appreciate every share.

📕 DAD WISDOM

Suprise ‘Em

Some of the best memories your kids will carry won’t come from the big, planned events.

They’ll come from the little surprises. The moments that feel like they weren’t supposed to happen.

Like showing up at school in the middle of the day, signing them out, and heading to grab lunch.

It doesn’t need to be fancy, and it doesn’t need to be often.

In fact, that’s the secret. The rarity is what makes it special.

Years later, they might not remember what they got for their birthday, but they’ll remember that random Tuesday lunch with you… because in that moment, they knew they were your favorite person in the world.

RAD DAD

Mike Libecki

Photo via Outside Magazine

National Geographic Explorer. Climber. Dad. Mike Libecki has summited unclimbed peaks in over 100 countries but says his greatest adventure is raising his daughter, Lilliana.

From Greenland’s ice to Madagascar’s jungles, she’s been his ultimate travel partner, learning resilience, curiosity, and gratitude for the world’s wild places. “It’s not just a daddy/daughter team - we’re partners on these trips,” Mike says. “She inspires me to inspire her.”

Parenting, for Mike, is an expedition: prepare, stay curious, and embrace the unknown. Whether they’re high-fiving on a summit or laughing over gear at base camp, every trip is a lesson in connection, courage, and joy. Their family mantra? Embrace the joyage.

Why he’s a RAD DAD: Because he turns the whole planet into a classroom, teaching his daughter that the wildest journeys and the deepest lessons are the ones you share together. Follow Mike here.

DAD TOYS

The Retro Stripe

Your old man probably rocked these in the 70s. Knee-high tube socks with bold stripes, maybe even with jorts if he was feeling dangerous.

Get ‘em here.

🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP

» Huckberry X GoRuck GR1 Backpack (🔥)

» Sunjoe Pressure Washer

» The Book of Unusual Knowledge

DAD BOD

How to Find Your Exercise Groove

Struggling to get moving? Try these quick hacks to make fitness fun again:

Snack on exercise: 5–10 min bursts of squats, lunges, or push-ups during the day.
Superset it: Pair moves back-to-back (like squats + curls) for max efficiency.
Count backwards: Feels faster, even if it’s not.
Bump the beats: High-energy music = instant motivation.
Gamify it: Track progress, compete with friends, or use apps to keep it fun.
Ditch the duds: Swap out moves you hate for ones you actually enjoy.
Chase the feel-good: Focus on the rush after each workout, not just long-term goals.

Make it enjoyable, and you’ll actually stick with it.

Some good chatter in Slack this week about breaking free from doomscrolling. Ditching apps, going with an old-school alarm clock, and more. Also, Fantasy Football Survivor League is kicking off. Bragging rights (and maybe some swag) are on the line. Jump in on Slack.
We’re challenging ourselves (and you) to sign up for something this fall. Could be your first 5k, could be the marathon you’ve been eyeing for years. Either way, Runna makes training stupid simple. Get a free 2-week trial with code DADDAY and start training today. Follow the dads doing it over @daddayrunclub

PARTNER CONTENT

With Eight Sleep

Alright, I’m a few weeks into this thing and I’ve been sleeping like… well, the version of me before kids.

The Eight Sleep Pod Cover keeps the bed at the perfect temp all night (no more sticking a leg out), tracks how I’m actually sleeping, and wakes me up without the phone alarm jolt.

I don’t know if it’s making me a better dad, but I’m definitely a less tired one. EightSleep is hooking the Dad Day crew up with $350 off.

It’s a little pricey, but it’s tough to put a price tag on a good night's sleep.

Get it here