Sup y’all. Thanksgiving is upon us. We’re gonna send an email on Monday and take the rest of the week off. It’s been exciting seeing this grow over the last few months. Appreciate all the positive feedback.

Just a quick reminder — we have some sweet ass Dad Day rope hats. If you share these emails with 10 dad friends (referral link at bottom), we’ll send you a free hat or you can buy one here.

Playing the Long Game

Here's something they don't tell you in the delivery room: fatherhood is an endurance sport, not a sprint.

Baseball star Anthony Rendon nailed it when he said, "I'm trying to hang out with my kids for the rest of their lives." Not just during the highlight reel moments - all of it. That hit home hard.

You know that feeling when your kid finally falls asleep, and your phone lights up with work emails? Or when that promotion comes with a side of "just a few more hours at the office"? Yeah, we've all been there.

Here's what keeps hitting me lately: every "yes" to the grind is a "no" to something else.

That's not some feel-good BS - it's simple math. We've only got so many hours, so many good years when our knees still work, so many chances to be the dad our kids will remember.

Twenty years from now, your kid won't remember your quarterly reports. But they'll remember if you were the dad who was too tired to play, too busy to show up, too worn down to care.

So maybe it's time to redefine what "making it" means. Because crushing it at work means nothing if you're too crushed to be the dad your kids need.

Choose your marathons wisely, fellas. Some races aren't worth winning.

Admiral William McRaven: Making Your Bed and Raising Leaders

Meet Admiral William McRaven, the former Navy SEAL commander who led some of America's most critical military operations. But his most important leadership role? Being a dad to his three kids while navigating a 37-year military career.

The man who taught millions to "make their bed" through his famous speech brought the same methodical, purposeful approach to fatherhood. "The basics matter," McRaven often says. "Whether you're raising kids or leading SEALs, it starts with the small things done well."

Despite commanding the nation's most elite warriors, McRaven made time for his kids' events and family dinners whenever possible. His message to them wasn't about being perfect - it was about being resilient. "If you want to change the world, start by making your bed. If you can't do the little things right, you'll never be able to do the big things right."

His approach to fatherhood mirrors his leadership philosophy: set high standards, show compassion, and teach through example. Whether dealing with world leaders or helping with homework, McRaven emphasizes that true leadership - and parenting - is about lifting others up. Read more here.

Toast Game Strong: The Smart Toaster

For those mornings when the kids are screaming "it's too dark!" or "it's too light!" (basically every morning), we've found your new secret weapon.

Meet the smart precision toaster - like having a NASA engineer in your kitchen, but for bread. We're talking customized settings for different bread types, bagel modes, and six levels of browning precision.

At $49, it's cheaper than a month of buying breakfast on the way to work. Plus, you'll finally nail that perfect waffle crispiness your kids swear only the diner can achieve.

Grab one here.

A 20-Minute Burner

Found myself in the classic squeeze the other day - you know, when you've got 20 minutes to either work out or stare at your phone pretending you'll work out later.

Set your clock for 20 minutes and get as many rounds as you can.

• 400m Run
  (Push the pace – aim for 80-90% effort).

• 20 Air Squats

• 15 Push-Ups

• 10 Dumbbell Thrusters (moderate weight)

  • Dumbbells at shoulders, squat down, and drive up to an overhead press.

• 5 Burpees

The Art of the Power Nap

Speaking of 20 minutes. Let’s talk about the art of the tactical nap - your 20-minute secret weapon between chaos sessions.

Why 20 minutes? Science says that's your sweet spot. Any longer and you'll wake up feeling like you've time-traveled to another dimension.

Pro Tips:

• Coffee before the nap. Caffeine kicks in right as you wake up.

• 1-3pm is prime nap time (matches your body's natural dip)

• No naps after 4pm unless you hate sleeping at night

• Keep a "nap kit" in your car, office, wherever (eye mask, small pillow)

Remember: A strategic power nap isn't lazy - it's tactical. Special forces take combat naps, and they're way more badass than Dave from accounting who brags about his 80-hour weeks. Sry, Dave.