Hope you had a solid weekend, fellas. Crazy stat: Thanksgiving’s in 38 days.

Heads up: if you see some random Thursday emails from us soon, don’t panic. We’re teaming up with a few rad brands to share some gift ideas that don’t suck leading up to the holiday’s.

📕 DAD WISDOM 

Pressure is a Privilege

Since getting surgery a few days ago, I’ve been limited to short walks and laying low all weekend, consuming all the content. I heard a line yesterday that stuck.

“Pressure is a privilege.”

I don’t know about y’all, but lately, I’ve been feeling it. The pressure. Work, home, the constant juggle. And with baby number three on the way, that hum of “how the hell am I going to juggle all this?” has been a little louder than usual.

What stuck with me was the idea that pressure means we’re trusted. We’re doing something that matters enough to create weight.

And we’ve all felt it, because fatherhood is pressure. The kind that shows up in the middle of the night when a kid’s sick, or at 6 p.m. when everyone’s melting down and you’re already running on fumes.

So yeah, pressure’s coming. But maybe the right move isn’t to avoid it. Maybe it’s to nod, take a breath, and think, “bring it on.”

RAD DAD 

Mike Matheny

Photo via Detroit News

Mike Matheny, former MLB catcher, big-league manager, and dad of five, knows a thing or two about leadership. But the lessons he values most didn’t come from the dugout; they came from fatherhood.

Matheny treats parenting like coaching: with purpose, accountability, and love that shows up in action. In his book The Dad Coach, he writes, “The goal isn’t getting college scholarships. The goal is instilling character through sports to help kids become successful in anything they do.”

Even during his years managing the Cardinals and Royals, he made sure his kids knew that showing up for people, for commitments, for family, was the real win. “If I can teach them what it means to show up, give their best, and treat people right,” he says, “then I’ve done my job as a dad.”

Matheny reminds us that character trumps accolades and that the real lessons in life come from challenge, not comfort.

DAD TOYS 

Paleo Valley Grass Fed Meat Sticks

Partner

Ya. We’re talking meat sticks today. I kept getting hit with Paleo Valley ads and finally decided to give ’em a shot.

Not gonna lie… they’re legit. So good, I actually reached out to their team to snag a discount for the Dad Day crew. These have been my go-to protein snack the past few weeks. Bonus: my kids crush ’em too.

Here’s why I like ‘em:

• 100% grass-fed beef (even the casing)

• No junk. No sugar

• Five flavors to keep things interesting

Just real beef from small American farms, raised right and naturally fermented. Toss a few in the car, the lunchbox, or your kid’s backpack. They don’t melt, spill, or crumble.

It’s the rare snack that keeps everyone full and chill. Plus they have a Taste Gurantee - don’t like them? Send ‘em back for a full refund.

👉 Get 15% off your first order here.

DAD BOD 

What’s Your VO2 Max, Bro?

Ever heard of VO2 max? It’s basically your body’s horsepower rating. VO2 max measures how much oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. The higher it is, the better your engine runs.

More oxygen = more endurance, better recovery, sharper brain, and yeah… a longer life.

Dr. Peter Attia calls VO2 max the single best predictor of how long you’ll live.

Why should you care?
Because that 5K time, that game of tag with your kids, that hike you almost bailed on; all of it gets easier when your VO2 max climbs.

If you want a real number, you’ve got to get lab-tested.

How to do it:

• Google “VO2 max testing near me” and look for a sports performance lab or local university exercise physiology center.

• You’ll wear a mask, run or bike, and they’ll push you until you hit your limit.

• 20 minutes later, you’ll know exactly how your engine stacks up and what to do to improve it.

THE MOVE 

"How you handle frustration teaches your child how to handle life."

This week's focus: When irritation hits, take a breath before reacting. Let your child see what calm looks like under pressure.

JUNK DRAWER 

DAD HUMOR