Here’s a gut-check worth sitting with for a minute:

One day, someone’s going to tell your kids, “You’re just like your dad.”
And whatever that means… you’re building it right now. Not pressure, but opportunity.

Because the things they’ll remember aren’t the big, cinematic moments.

It’s the steady stuff: how you show up, how you treat people, how you keep going even on the days you’d rather tap out.

Kids pick up our quirks, our humor, our grit, our way of moving through the world. Not perfectly. Not all at once. Just little echoes of who we are.

So the question isn’t “Am I doing enough?” It’s simply: What part of me do I hope they carry forward?

And if you lean into that part, even a little, consider it a win.

No guilt. Just a reminder: they’re watching the good in you, too.

Zack Telander is a musician, content creator, and lifter out of Austin who’s now deep in his favorite role yet: dad.

He and his wife welcomed their daughter, Charlie, a few months ago, and fatherhood has already shifted his pace and priorities.

The hardest part so far? Slowing down. Zack’s used to chasing goals at full speed, but parenting demanded presence. The surprising part is that it also became the best part. His dream moment is simple: a morning walk with his wife, daughter, and dog. “It’s the only thing I ever want for the rest of my life.”

Fatherhood has balanced him in ways he didn’t expect, grounding both the highs and the stress of everyday life.

His guiding principle is one every dad needs to hear:
“Your kids are watching everything you do. So do right.”

When he’s not on dad duty, you’ll find Zack practicing guitar, hitting the gym, or kicking back with Guinness, wings, and YouTube.

Follow him at @zack_telander and check out our full Q&A here.

Meet the Seahorse 56 EDC Dry Box: rustproof, dustproof, watertight, and it floats.

A pocket-size fortress for your essentials with a 3-step lock that says, “Yeah, only Dad gets in here.”

Big adventure energy. Tiny footprint. Perfect.

Get it here.

Holiday season is basically joy wrapped in chaos; fun, loud, sugary, and just a little overwhelming for dads running point on everything.

When the tension starts creeping up, these tiny resets keep you from going full Grinch:

Small moves, big sanity. Read more here.