📕 DAD WISDOM 

The Mundane Magic

Sitting in the school pickup line today, watching these mini-dramas play out in the rearview. One kid reliving recess victories, the other one mad because her water bottle leaked in her backpack. Just another Tuesday.

But then it hits you - this is it. This is the stuff. Not the big moments or the milestone markers. It's the random car conversations. The midnight stomach aches. The hundredth time explaining why we brush our teeth. The eye rolls. The random hugs. The "one more story" negotiations.

We spend so much time waiting for the highlight reel that we miss the game being played right in front of us. Sometimes the most important moments are wrapped in the most ordinary packaging.

These aren't the things getting in the way of life. These are the things making it.

BADASS DAD 

Jason McCarthy

Before GORUCK became a cult-favorite gear brand, Jason McCarthy was just a Green Beret trying to figure out fatherhood. Between running a multi-million dollar company and building a global community, his mornings started with strapping his youngest son into a baby carrier (with an "Embrace the suck" patch, naturally) and a 30-pound ruck plate on his back.

"If I could add another hour into my day, I would," he says about balancing work and family. "I go to bed wishing I had more time and wake up saying, 'Thank God I got another day.'" That's coming from a guy who spent time in Special Forces across 75+ countries.

His biggest lesson from both special ops and dad life? "Humans are more important than hardware." Whether he's designing bombproof backpacks or raising kids, it always comes down to building strong teams and stronger communities.

→ More on Jason's journey here

DAD TOYS 

The Knife That Won’t Slice Fingers

James Brand's wooden Chapter 2 kit is what happens when you mix craftsmanship with dad-kid bonding time. It's a full-size wooden replica of their $319 EDC knife that actually opens and closes with a satisfying snap. Limited to 1,000 pieces and handmade in South Carolina. $25 bucks!

Best part? You can let the kids help build it without a trip to urgent care.

→ Grab one at James Brand

DAD BOD 

26 Tips to Achieve Your Dream Body in 2025

A trainer dropped some serious knowledge on Twitter, and it's worth your time. No miracle supplements or 6-minute abs - just practical stuff that works for busy dads.

Quick hits: protein is king (40g per meal), lifting beats cardio for fat loss, and that under-desk treadmill might be your secret weapon for hitting 10k steps between Zoom calls.

But here's the real game-changer: shifting your "food = fuel" mindset. Stop viewing food as just pleasure and start thinking about how it's going to make you feel during that afternoon Little League game or Saturday morning bike ride.

The best part? It's all about sustainable changes. No more crash diets or 90-day challenges. Just solid principles you can actually stick to while juggling work and kid duty.

→ Get the breakdown here

JUNK DRAWER 

Lead From the Front: Tony Hsieh built Zappos on one idea: make everyone happy, not just customers. He'd give new hires $2,000 to quit after training - ensuring only the truly committed stayed.

Takeaway: Values matter more than short-term wins, even with family.

THE SPOT

Spaces that make you wanna stay a while

Ever wanted to sleep in a cliff? Colorado's most wishlisted Airbnb is literally built into red rock canyon walls. The Sage Canyon Cliff House sits under Sleeping Ute Mountain, with ancient petroglyphs as neighbors and wildlife as your welcoming committee.

Think modern caveman vibes - full internet and comfy amenities, but you're living in a rock alcove with canyon views that'll make you forget to check your phone. Mesa Verde's just 40 minutes away, but you might not want to leave your private slice of prehistory.

→ Book your cave upgrade here

DAD HUMOR