Happy Monday. Shout-out to all the work-from-home dads dealing with the summer noise.

Here’s what we’ve got on deck today:

• Take a step back and detach

• Former CrossFit Games champion

• Getting locked in on runs

• Cheap flights…and more

Let’s get into it.

📕 DAD WISDOM 

Take a Step Back

Last week, I shared a video from Jocko Willink. If you didn’t catch it, here’s the big takeaway that’s stuck with me:

When your kid is losing it—whether they’re 3 or 16—you’ve got two options:

• Match their chaos

• Set the tone

Jocko framed it like this: “You’re allowing them to make you mad.” That hit. Because your job in that moment isn’t to win; it’s to lead.

Take a step back. Detach.

Remember: you’re dealing with someone whose brain isn’t fully formed yet. They need your calm more than your correction.

Not easy. But that’s the work.

RAD DAD 

Jason Khalipa

Jason Khalipa is a former CrossFit Games champ, gym owner, and father of two—carving out wins in the gym and at home.

He’s got two kids (11 and 14), runs a digital fitness company, and still manages to be in his garage training before 6:30am most days. Discipline isn’t just a mindset—it’s a lifestyle.

But even with all his reps and routine, nothing could prepare him for the night his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. That moment rewrote his entire playbook.

“Read all the books,” he says, “but realize there isn’t a single one that can prepare you for what matters most.”

The hardest part of parenting, according to Jason? Realizing that just when you think you’ve figured it out, everything changes.

The most rewarding part? Watching his kids overcome challenges and step into their own strength.

And his one non-negotiable?

Working out. “It’s the best thing a dad can do to show up for his family.”

📲 Follow him: @jasonkhalipa

DAD TOYS 

AeroPress

The AeroPress is the best thing to happen to your morning since kids started sleeping past 6am. Smooth, grit-free, and way better than a French press—this little device travels easy, cleans up fast, and delivers a killer cup every time.

→ Get it here (now 15% off)

DAD BOD 

On Repeat

This one came from a dad in the Slack crew (shoutout Mike) — a surprisingly effective running “hack.”

Pick a song. Put it on repeat. That’s it.

After 2–3 miles, your brain starts to settle, your stride syncs to the rhythm, and you drop into a kind of runner’s trance. No playlist hopping, no distractions—just movement.

Try it out on your next long run. Start with this track and let us know if it hits.

Watch the IG video here.

JUNK DRAWER 

• Monthly Challenge: We’re kickin’ off a monthly challenge over on Slack. Move 30 minutes a day. Hyrdrate (96oz water). Sleep (7+ hours). Read at least 5 pages. Track what you eat. Join the group here.

• Friendly competition: Join the Dad Day Club [here] on Strava and get in on the weekly leaderboard.

• Run Clubs: So awesome seeing these run clubs get off the ground. Shout-out to Nick in Pittsburgh, Austin in Charlotte, and Todd in Annapolis. More coming soon. If you can rally some dads in your hometown, hit us up.

DAD HUMOR