As Father’s Day approaches, I want to give a well-earned tip of the cap to all the “rad dads” out there—those everyday heroes juggling a career, parenting, relationships, and maybe even staying in decent shape along the way.
Sure, being a pro athlete or running 100 miles in the mountains is impressive. But you know what’s really next-level? A dad who can get puked on while changing a diaper, crush a spreadsheet for a 10 a.m. meeting, squeeze in a lunchtime lift, snag the perfect bottle of Burgundy for date night, and still help with 4th grade math after dinner…that’s elite.
Dads and father figures everywhere know how tough it is to find balance—and how relentless the daily grind can feel. As someone navigating the journey of both biological and step-parenting, I’ve learned a few things that help me stay grounded and keep it all dialed in.
My Secret Weapon: The Morning Routine
For me, it all starts before the sun comes up. I’ve found that carving out a couple of early morning hours for myself—before the day’s chaos begins—has been a total game changer. Here’s a look at my usual morning:
- 5:00 AM – Wake up
- 5:15 AM – Pre-workout en route to the gym
- 5:30 AM – Foam rolling and mobility work
- 5:45 AM – Resistance training
- 6:30 AM – Stretch and cool down
- 6:45 AM – Cold shower
- 6:50 AM – Protein coffee (recipe below!)
- 7:00 AM – Wake the kids and embrace the chaos
I’ve followed some version of this routine for the past two years, and I can say with total confidence—it’s made me a better dad, partner, and professional. There’s something powerful about getting that uninterrupted time before the rest of the house wakes up. It clears my head, gives me energy, and sets the tone for the entire day.
And for those thinking “I could never find two hours to myself”—you’re probably right, unless you make the time. That’s what getting up early or carving out a couple hours in the afternoon (if you’re not a morning person) does: it creates space where there otherwise wouldn’t be any.
So to all the dads out there grinding through the messy, rewarding, chaotic beauty of fatherhood, remember this:
“Parenting is only hard for good parents.”
If it feels tough—it probably means you’re doing it right.
JMo’s Superfood Coffee
8oz coffee (French press)
1 scoop Gnarly Golden Milk
1 scoop Gnarly Collagen Pro
1 tsp maca powder
Sprinkle Cinnamon
Blend like hell & enjoy
