📕 DAD WISDOM 

Would You Want to Be Parented by You Today? 

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day chaos — the spilled snacks, the backtalk, the bedtime battles. But every now and then, it’s worth hitting pause and asking:

“Would I want to be parented the way I’m parenting today?”

Not to beat yourself up — we all lose our cool sometimes. But that one question has a way of pulling us out of autopilot and back into intention. It’s a gut check. A mirror. A chance to course-correct in real time.

Because your tone, your presence, your patience (or lack of it) — that’s what they’re soaking up. That’s what’s shaping how they see themselves, and how they’ll show up in the world one day.

So next time you're frustrated, burned out, or running on fumes, ask yourself: Would I want to be on the receiving end of this moment? Then adjust accordingly. Or hug it out. Or maybe just say, “Hey, Dad’s trying his best too.”

That's leadership, right there.

RAD DAD 

Joe Thornton

Legend on the ice. Goofball at home.

Joe freakin’ Thornton. The beard. The passes. The 24 seasons in the NHL. First overall pick. Future Hall of Famer. But forget all that—ask his daughter, and she’ll hit you with the real highlight reel:

“He’s really the best dad ever.”

Joe met his wife Tabea during a lockout season in Switzerland (peak romantic comedy energy), and now they’ve got two kids—Ayla and River—who know their dad not just as a Shark or a Bruin, but as the guy who turns the house into a playground and still finds time to sneak them pucks during warmups.

He’s not out here giving TED Talks on parenting, but the way he shows up? That’s the gold standard. He’s the type of dad who keeps things light, keeps things fun, and knows that the best legacy isn’t hanging in an arena rafters—it’s hanging out with your kids.

Joe’s got hardware. He’s got records. But at the end of the day, the title he’s most proud of?

Dad.

DAD TOYS 

Triple the Screens, Half the Excuses

If you're trying to get actual work done at a coffee shop while toggling between tabs like it's a CrossFit workout — the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 might just change your life (or at least your productivity).

This slick setup adds two monitors to your laptop instantly, turning any café table, airport lounge, or kitchen counter into a command center. Lightweight, easy to pack, and surprisingly durable — it's the WFH (or WFA — work from anywhere) setup you didn't know you needed.

Because who says dads can't multitask like a boss?

→ Get it here

DAD BOD 

Protein: You’re Probably Not Getting Enough

The Blueprint for Getting (and Staying) Fit

Let’s cut to it: most of us aren’t eating nearly enough protein. Especially not spread out through the day.

Dr. Andrew Huberman has talked about the benefits of protein for everything—mood regulation, metabolism, muscle maintenance, and even long-term cognitive health. And yes, it’s not just about looking jacked (though that doesn’t hurt).

Start aiming for protein at every meal. Not just dinner.

It keeps your energy steady, supports recovery, and helps keep that dad bod from sliding into “soft mode.”

Need some easy wins?

• Eggs and Greek yogurt in the morning

• Chicken, tuna, or turkey wraps mid-day

• Nuts, edamame, or hummus for snacks

• Lean meat, beans, or wild fish at dinner

You’re not on a bodybuilder plan—you’re just making sure your body (and brain) has what it needs to keep up.

👉 Listen to ‘The Truth About Protein’ here

JUNK DRAWER 

COMMUNITY NOTES

Built for More

In case you missed it…

The community extension of the newsletter is going live. Fittingly named Built for More—because us dads always have more in the tank.

So… what is it?
A free, private Slack community built around helping dads connect, grow, learn, and level up.

Here’s what’s inside:

✔ Connect with other like-minded dads
✔ Weekly challenges to push yourself
✔ First dibs on upcoming Built for More weekend retreats
✔ Dad-approved recs, convos, and support without the BS

What it’s NOT:

🚫 Not a therapy group (there are professionals for that)
🚫 Not a place to talk politics, news cycles, or vent about your HOA
🚫 Not for perfect parents (because that doesn’t exist)

This is for dads who want to level up—physically, mentally, and in how they show up at home. No fluff. No gurus. Just a place to connect with other dads going through the same stuff.

Want in early?
Join the Founding Father Crew—our first wave of members shaping what this becomes. No cost. Just commitment.

[→ Join the Crew]

DAD HUMOR