What’s up? I hope you had a nice holiday weekend. I took a much-needed break from the computer, but I'm excited to be back. How about the Boston Marathon winner (John Korir) running a 4:45 per mile pace?! Wild.

Onto the newsletter…

📕 DAD WISDOM 

There’s No Right Way

There’s no “right way” to be a dad. No checklist. No finish line. No perfect formula to follow.

Every kid is different. Every season of life shifts. Every day throws you a new curveball. Trying to be the perfect dad is a fast track to burnout.

But here’s what you can aim for: showing up with intention. Not trying to do it all, just doing the things that matter — consistently, on purpose, and with heart.

Some days that looks like coaching a game. Other days, it’s apologizing for how you handled bedtime. Sometimes, it’s just being the quiet presence in the room when your kid doesn’t know how to say what they’re feeling.

The longer you lean into your version of fatherhood — the kind that reflects your values, your story, your strengths — the better you get at it. Not because it gets easier, but because it becomes more honest. More aligned. More real.

There’s no “right way.” There’s just your way. And that’s more than enough.

RAD DAD 

Todd Carmichael

Founder. Explorer. Coffee guy. Dad of four.

If La Colombe Coffee has ever saved your morning — you’ve got Todd Carmichael to thank. But the man behind the iconic dove logo is more than just the founder and CEO of a wildly successful coffee company. He’s also an adventurer, a builder, a creator… and a dad to four kids adopted from Ethiopia.

Let’s rewind. Todd’s the first American to solo trek across Antarctica to the South Pole — on foot and unassisted. That’s 700 miles of ice, wind, and solitude. And somehow, that might not even crack his top 3 most badass moves.

• He’s lived on a restored 1927 French yacht.

• He spent months building a hut on a remote island in Fiji.

• He’s been an envoy to a Saudi prince.

And now? He’s building one of the most respected coffee brands in the country while raising four kids with his wife Laura, outside of Philly.

His day job might be caffeinating the masses, but his most important work happens at home.

DAD TOYS 

Foam Plyometric Box

I wanted to give this bad boy the old college try for a few months before talking it up — and I’ve gotta say, it holds up. I’ve tossed it, jumped on it, sweat all over it, and it’s still going strong.

Step-ups, box jumps, lunges, etc. — this thing’s more versatile than a diaper bag on vacation. And the best part? You can rotate it to hit 16", 20", or 24" depending on the workout (or how cooked your legs are that day).

No splinters — just a solid piece of gear that can take a beating.

→ Get it here for $69 bucks

DAD BOD 

What Are You Cooking With?

You’re working out, eating cleaner, maybe even skipping the late-night snacks — but what you cook your food in still matters. Especially when it comes to oils and fats.

A lot of folks default to olive oil. It’s solid... until it hits high heat. Once you go over 400°F, it oxidizes and breaks down, turning into the stuff you don’t want in your system.

Derek over at 5HT laid out some better options built for real heat:

• Avocado oil: neutral, non-stick, solid smoke point

• Beef tallow: savory, super stable, great nutrient profile (especially if grass-fed)

• Ghee: buttery, vitamin-rich, lactose-free, high smoke point

• Refined coconut oil: mildly sweet, rich in MCTs, holds up well in the pan

The one thing not on the list? Seed and vegetable oils. Over-processed, low quality — and as Derek says, “Even bugs won’t eat them.”

His current go-to? Beef tallow in the morning pan. Clean sizzle, big flavor, better fuel.

JUNK DRAWER 

• Community Challenge of the Week: Hit 10k steps a day this week and do one unexpected thing for your partner.

• Run Clubs: If you live in Annapolis, we've got some dads meeting up this weekend. Check it out here.  

• If you’re looking to connect with some like-minded dads, join our Slack community, Built for More. Learn more here.

DAD HUMOR