Pressure.

When you get squeezed, you get to see what's really inside of you come out.

Pressure can come in a lot of different forms.

It can come unexpectedly.

But it can also come in predictable patterns or at predictable times.

What does pressure have to do with being a Dad, your health, and your fitness?

Let me explain.

There are some things in life that you just can't predict.

• Unexpected bills or family illness.
• Crazy weather changes.
• An offer, deal, or something you were hoping would come to pass falling through at the last minute.

But with a little bit of awareness, there are also predictable times when pressure can hit.

• When you're hungry, when you're tired, when you're worn down, or when you're not taking care of yourself.
• When you're not prepared.
• And in major life transitions.

Here's where my whole perception around health and fitness changed once I became a Dad.

Becoming a parent is a huge life transition.

The same can be said about getting married, becoming a grandparent, a big move across the country, or major career change.

But when you become a parent for the first time:

1. You're never prepared
2. You're hungry, tired, and worn down...pretty much all the time
3. And there is a ton of internal and external pressure that gets placed on us, as the man of our household.

And that's not a bad thing.

Our shoulders are meant to carry this kind of load.

But only if we're ready.

I underestimated how much more was required of me once I became a Dad.

How much more my wife needed, and the 24/7 responsibility she was carrying.

The weight you feel as the eyes of your children are always watching what you do.

The inconveniences and interruptions that come up daily.

These kind of things revealed how selfish I really was (and in all transparency, still am at times)

Here Are My Major Lessons Learned in My Health and Fitness After Becoming a Dad:

Lesson 1: I have a default way that I respond to pressure.

And you do too.

Do you get angry, aggressive, or lash out at others?

Do you escape, taking a passive approach, trying to avoid the real responsibilities in front of you?

Or are you somewhere in between, being passive aggressive towards your spouse or your kids?

I initially took something positive, my health and fitness, and still used it as an escape in the first 10 months after our daughter was born.

I would justify it as something necessary, as I escaped off to the gym 5-10 hours a week, avoiding the real needs of my family.

Health and fitness is important - but your family doesn't need you to be a professional athlete (unless you're getting paid good money to do that)

How do you respond? Do you get angry and put others down around you? Or do you have an escape you run to?

Maybe for you, that's escaping to work, TV, video games, social media, food, alcohol, or anything else that takes you away from your responsibilities. 

Lesson 2: When the time comes, it's too late to prepare.

I'm thankful I had a solid foundation of faith that kept my wife and I grounded in the chaos of being new parents.

I'm thankful we invested in marriage coaching leading up to having our daughter, so that our marriage was in the best possible place it could be going into a major life transition.

I'm thankful I had a great base of health and fitness that made me more resilient to sleepless nights and crazy schedules.

Where do you need to prepare?

I know way too many guys that think one day the time will be 'just right' to focus on themselves.

To get in shape again.

I've talked to these same guys 6 months (and even 6 years) later and they're still having the same problems getting started.

Things aren't going to get any easier at the next life transition.

The best time to get prepared is right now.

Your family needs you to be at your best.

Lesson 3: My thinking was so small minded and self-focused prior to being a Dad.

I'm embarrassed to admit how self-focused I was prior to having kids.

I still struggle with this today.

But becoming a Dad requires you to look at things differently.

It didn't take me long to realize how much weight my example meant to my kids.

They are always watching and listening.

They notice when what you say doesn't align with what you actually do.

If you want them to value taking care of themselves, honoring their own bodies, and developing healthy habits across all areas of your life:

It starts with you.

But it doesn't end with you.

The reason you need to be the best you can be is not so your kids can tell you how awesome you are.

It is so you can set the standard for the values you want to live by, and what you want to pass along to future generations.

If you can't take care of yourself, don't get upset or frustrated when your kids follow in your footsteps.

Don't get mad when your wife isn't 'doing her part'

The example starts with you - go lead from the front.

(Bonus) Lesson 4: Community is key.

Quick story for this bonus lesson.

My wife and I were thousands of miles away from family when our daughter was born.

Your spouse should be your forever best friend and biggest supporter.

Yet prior to kids we took that too far at times.

Without realizing it, we had adopted a bit of an 'us vs the world' mentality.

We were used to being without help.

We were strong enough to handle these transitions on our own..right?

This was one of our biggest mistakes early on.

And we have since embraced the power of community.

The power of having the right people around us.

There is nothing weak about leaning on others for support - especially when your values align.

If you want to grow the impact you have - in your marriage, your family, your community, and for generations to come - then be intentional about the people you are surrounding yourself with.

If your marriage isn't healthy, get around healthy marriages.

If your always stressed, busy, and running around with your hair set on fire, get around people who are calm and peaceful.

If your broke, get around wealthier people.

And if your physically unhealthy, start surrounding yourself with healthier men and families that can keep you accountable and hold you to a higher standard.

Hopefully you've got that community around you already. But if you need a spot to go, I'd love to have you a part of our brand new Legacy Lifters Community.

Dr. Dave

P.S. I've got 5 (or less, by the time this email gets sent out) Founding Member spots open for our new Legacy Lifter Community. This is for men that are ready to burn fat, build muscle, and transform their body. Get personally coached by me, alongside other men, for about 95% off of our standard coaching rates. Click here to reserve your discounted Founding Member Rate for as long as you stay in the group. Worst case? You tell me it sucks, I give you your money back, and you get a free month of coaching. The lifetime price goes up once these last 5 spots are filled.