📕 DAD WISDOM 

Let ‘Em Bleed (a little)

Not in a gladiator kind of way but in the "fall off the bike and figure it out" kind of way.

It’s hard watching your kid get hurt. Scraped knees, bruised egos, busted confidence. But every tumble is a lesson. You can’t bubble-wrap the world. You can be there to patch them up, cheer them on, and help them get back out there.

Sometimes the best parenting move is stepping back so they can step up.

Reminder: Pain’s a teacher. Don’t steal the lesson.

RAD DAD 

Chris Burkard

World-renowned photographer. Cold water surfer. Storyteller of the rugged and remote. And somewhere between chasing northern lights and paddling out in sub-zero temps, Chris Burkard is just a dad trying to figure it out one adventure (and early morning) at a time.

Known for capturing jaw-dropping landscapes in places most of us can’t pronounce, Chris has built a career off going far, fast, and solo. But fatherhood changed the equation — now, it’s less about escaping and more about sharing the journey.

“I’m trying to figure out this whole Dad thing. It’s a constant process that I’ll probably never fully understand.” (via Instagram)

Whether he’s towing a camera across Iceland or towing his kids in a bike trailer down the California coast, he’s all about blending adventure and intentional parenting. His feed might be filled with volcanoes and waves, but it’s the glimpses of family life that hit hardest.

Why he’s a Rad Dad: Because he shows that being a present dad doesn’t mean standing still; it means bringing your kids along for the ride, questions and all.

Follow Chris here.

DAD TOYS 

Altra Run Shoes

Just switched to these and honestly… they feel great. Light, smooth, and easy on the feet. Plus, they’re zero drop (the heel and the forefoot of the shoe are at the same height).

The roomy toe box is a game-changer, especially if you’re clocking more miles these days. Nice bit of bounce with each step, and they don’t feel clunky. Solid pick if you're getting the miles in.

Get ‘em here. 

DAD BOD 

How’s Your ‘T’ Bro?

Low energy? Crappy sleep? Short fuse? Might be your testosterone.

Most guys don’t think about it until it’s way out of whack, but T levels have a massive impact on how you feel and function as a dad.

More T = better energy, focus, mood, recovery, and drive.

We kicked off our first Dad Lab in May with performance coach Tyler Nicholson (@trainwithNHP), and he broke down exactly what to look for in your blood panel.

[Watch the clip →]

Might be time to get yours checked.

JUNK DRAWER 

PARTNER CONTENT

When I had my first kid, I legit felt like I needed someone to talk to.

Not in a “hey, how’s the weather?” kind of way. I’m talking about the real stuff; pressure, fear, total identity shift. It was overwhelming. Talking to someone 100% helped me get my footing.

And if you’re feeling that weight too, whether it’s new dad life, burnout from work, or just the general chaos of being a grown-up, BetterHelp can be a game-changer.

You don’t need to sit in traffic or carve out hours. You can talk to a licensed therapist from wherever. They’ll match you with someone who gets it—especially the high-pressure, no-off-switch kind of life a lot of us live.

Right now, BetterHelp is offering 25% off your first month. Might be worth a shot—because talking it out beats bottling it up. Try it here.

• Dad Lab is our live session series featuring experts sharing practical ways to help dads level up.

DAD HUMOR