4 Fit Fatherhood

Rod Richard

The 4 Fit Fatherhood podcast with conversations with dope dads covering the 4 Pillars of Fatherhood, the Fit Fatherhood Formula= faith + family + finance + fitness Follow the podcast @ www.4fitfatherhood.com

  1. 5d ago

    11 Months to Live: A Father’s Fight to Be There | Dale Atkinson

    What happens to the way you see fatherhood when a doctor tells you that you may have less than a year to live? Dale Atkinson was working 14 to 16-hour days, building his career and providing for his family when life changed fast. Within weeks, his partner underwent surgery for lung cancer, his mother passed away, and Dale was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer. He was told his cancer was inoperable and incurable, with a prognosis of roughly 11½ months with treatment. Dale responded by becoming deeply involved in his own care, asking questions, researching his options, building a medical team, and refusing to become passive. But this conversation became about fatherhood. Dale talks openly about realizing that he knew what his children’s laughter sounded like through the wall because he was spending so much time working. He shares why 20 uninterrupted minutes with your kids can matter more than another hour at the office, why he schedules family time like an appointment, and how his diagnosis changed what success means to him. We also talk about: • The difference between providing for your family and being present with them • Why waiting for life to “slow down” is a trap • Giving your kids 20 minutes of completely undistracted attention • Talking honestly with young children about hard things • How Dale’s family turned cancer into “Dave” and chemotherapy into “superhero medicine” • Teaching your children to ask questions and think for themselves • Agency, self-advocacy, and standing your ground • Why Dale says his sons became his reason to fight • The beer he has promised to share with his son at 16 This conversation is a reminder every father needs: Your fatherhood is their childhood. CONNECT WITH DALE The Life Organic: https://thelifeorganic.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-j-atkinson 4 FIT FATHERHOOD Resources, coaching & more: https://stan.store/4fitfatherhood Baseline Performance: http://www.baselineperformancenow.com/ ZZZ Tape: https://zzztape.com/discount/4fitfatherhood?ref=qmhrgitu DISCLAIMER: This episode discusses Dale’s personal experience with cancer and medical treatment. It is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only and is not medical advice. Dale explicitly states that his personal approach was developed for his individual situation and should not be treated as a cancer treatment protocol. Speak with a qualified medical professional before making medical or treatment decisions. 00:00 Fatherhood Has No Time Zone 00:57 Three and a Half Weeks That Changed Everything 03:09 Turning Fear and Grief Into Action 08:07 What Dale Did After His Diagnosis 14:03 Becoming the CEO of Your Own Healthcare 21:20 Building His Personal Care Plan 25:17 What Dale Is NOT Claiming About His Results 27:59 Cancer Changed How Dale Sees Time 30:18 Your Fatherhood Is Their Childhood 31:29 The 20-Minute Rule for Fathers 35:25 Work, Passion and Family 42:29 Put Family Time on the Calendar 48:21 Telling His Young Sons About Cancer 54:28 “Superhero Medicine” 56:29 We’re Raising Future Adults 01:00:17 Agency and Self-Advocacy 01:03:03 “I Fought for Them” 01:07:20 Connect With Dale

  2. Aug 8

    What Will Be in the Slideshow at Your Funeral? | Richard G. Riccardi

    What will be in the slideshow at your funeral? Richard G. Riccardi joins me for a conversation about fatherhood, faith, family, work, and what remains when the career eventually ends. Richard spent years building businesses and chasing professional goals. Now, as a grandfather looking back, he offers a perspective every father in the thick of raising kids and building a career needs to hear. We talk about: • Why financial provision can’t replace your presence • The years fathers can easily lose while building a career • Letting your kids fail and learn safely • Showing your children that Dad can be wrong • Making decisions without having perfect information • Why I prefer harmony over “work-life balance” • Generational wealth, saving, and family legacy • Faith and finding real community with other men • Starting small instead of waiting for the perfect time • Why fathers need to shut out the noise and trust themselves One of Richard’s questions stayed with me after we finished recording: What will be in the slideshow at your funeral? Because eventually the titles, accomplishments, and work go away. The people you loved and the life you shared with them remain. Connect with Richard G. Riccardi: https://richardgriccardi.com/ Richard is the author of The Wandering Worshipper, available through his website and major book retailers. MORE FROM 4 FIT FATHERHOOD Resources & Coaching: https://stan.store/4fitfatherhood Baseline Performance: http://www.baselineperformancenow.com/ Save on ZZZ Tape: https://zzztape.com/discount/4fitfatherhood?ref=qmhrgitu Richard shares personal observations about estate planning and money based on his experience. This episode is educational and does not provide individualized legal or financial advice. #Fatherhood #PresentFather #4FitFatherhood 00:00 Intro 00:41 Open heart, open mind in fatherhood 02:59 Why kids need to fail sometimes 04:00 Letting your children see Dad be wrong 06:08 Making decisions without certainty 09:07 What happens when your career ends 12:20 Provision vs. presence 16:21 You’ll never regret time with your family 18:09 Stop chasing perfect balance 21:48 Generational wealth and family legacy 28:42 Faith, church, and starting where you are 31:34 Stop waiting for the perfect time 37:32 Why men need faith and community 39:03 You have to be present to win 45:24 Shut out the noise and trust yourself 49:21 How to connect with Richard

  3. Aug 1

    Leadership Under Pressure: Coming Home as the Man Your Family Needs | Matt Thomas

    Fatherhood is a job you never clock out from. But how do you remain present at home when your career requires you to operate under constant pressure? Matt Thomas spent more than three decades in Arizona law enforcement, serving in patrol, narcotics, investigations and training. He also led SWAT teams through hundreds of high-stakes missions. At the same time, Matt built a marriage spanning more than 31 years and raised three children. In this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Matt and Rod discuss leadership under pressure, accountability, decision-making and the challenge of keeping job-related stress from taking over your home. They also discuss what it takes to remain dependable as a husband and father when your work demands so much of you. This conversation covers: • Making clear decisions when the stakes are high • Building trust and accountability within a team • Separating your professional identity from your family role • Managing stress before walking through your front door • Leading your family without trying to control everything • Becoming a man your wife and children can trust If you are working hard to provide while also trying to remain present, patient and connected at home, this conversation is for you. Connect with 4 Fit Fatherhood: Fatherhood resources and programs: https://stan.store/4fitfatherhood Baseline Performance supplements: http://www.baselineperformancenow.com/ Save on ZZZ Tape: https://zzztape.com/discount/4fitfatherhood?ref=qmhrgitu

  4. Jun 27

    Win at Home First with Brandon Colbert

    In this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Rod sits down with Brandon Colbert, founder of Diapers, Dumbbells, and Deeds, for a conversation about fatherhood, marriage, real estate, legacy, and winning at home first. Brandon shares his journey as a husband, father, real estate investor, and stay-at-home dad. He talks about building wealth through rental properties, investing internationally in Costa Rica, creating a family-centered life, and raising his son with communication, patience, and purpose. This conversation also gets into marriage, vulnerability, breaking old cycles, and why fathers have to think beyond money when building legacy. If you are a father trying to lead your family well, communicate better, build something lasting, and stay present at home, this episode is for you. Follow Brandon: Instagram: @dynastiesdumbbellsanddeeds Follow Rod: Instagram: @4fitfatherhood Work with Rod / 4 Fit Fatherhood: https://stan.store/4fitfatherhood Shop Baseline Performance supplements: http://www.baselineperformancenow.com/ Sleep better with ZZZ Tape: https://zzztape.com/discount/4fitfatherhood?ref=qmhrgitu Subscribe for more conversations on faith, family, finance, fitness, and fatherhood. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast 04:17 Brandon introduces Diapers, Dumbbells, and Deeds 05:12 How Brandon got into real estate investing 06:28 Brandon’s fatherhood resume 08:21 Raising kids with communication instead of fear 10:40 Creating space for kids to tell the truth 13:10 Brandon’s first Airbnb experience 15:35 Short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental strategy 18:01 How 2022 changed everything for Brandon’s family 20:00 Investing in Costa Rica 21:14 Why Costa Rica felt different 22:13 Traveling internationally with young children 25:30 What Costa Rica taught Brandon about family 27:25 Changing health habits to be present longer 29:28 Why Brandon created Diapers, Dumbbells, and Deeds 31:53 Why fathers need more representation 35:20 What it means to win at home first 36:12 Teaching children through your marriage 37:30 Vulnerability as strength for men 43:09 Why men struggle to receive feedback 46:07 How Brandon and his wife handle conflict 47:18 How marriage helped Brandon learn communication 50:25 Why vulnerability feels risky for men 56:40 Real estate in Costa Rica 01:00:33 Exploring new investment markets 01:04:47 The best habit Brandon is building as a dad 01:07:14 The belief Brandon had to unlearn 01:11:52 What fatherhood means to Brandon 01:13:59 What Brandon wants his son to know 01:17:09 Where to connect with Brandon 01:19:31 Final thoughts

  5. Apr 18

    Sobriety, Strength, and Fatherhood with Drew Sinclair

    In this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Rod sits down with Drew Sinclair for a real conversation about fatherhood, faith, sobriety, fitness, and freedom. Drew shares how he retired from the Coast Guard, sold everything, moved his family into an RV, and began living a more intentional life. He opens up about becoming sober on January 1, 2025, finding his faith soon after, and how those choices changed the way he shows up as a husband and father. This episode digs into breaking generational cycles, learning how to be present with your kids, and why too many fathers drift through life without ever really asking what they want. Drew also talks about his simple fitness approach, why most men do have time to train, and how small daily choices can change your whole life. If you are a father trying to get back on track physically, mentally, or spiritually, this episode will hit home. Key takeawaysDrew retired from the Coast Guard on May 17, 2024 and began full-time RV travel with his family.He went sober on January 1, 2025 after years of alcohol shaping his identity and routine.A Bible gifted by another veteran became one of the turning points in his faith journey.Drew believes many men are not short on time. They just have not made fitness a priority.His non-negotiables are scripture, training, and speaking life into his wife and kids each morning.He is focused on breaking generational cycles and giving his children a different experience than he had.Presence matters more than perfection in fatherhood.Freedom, for Drew, means living intentionally and having more control over how he shows up for his family.Timestamps0:00 Intro 0:39 Rod welcomes Drew Sinclair 1:19 Drew introduces himself, retirement, RV life, homeschooling, sobriety 3:25 Listening to God and moving with purpose 4:34 Drew talks about coming to faith after years of disbelief 7:35 Sobriety came first, then faith 8:10 The Bible gifted by another veteran in Maine 10:48 How faith changed Drew’s standards and outlook 12:45 Drew’s kids and breaking generational cycles 15:51 What Drew is doing differently as a father 17:23 The pull between provision and presence 18:20 Parenting in close quarters and building deeper connection 19:38 Raising adults and trusting the process 22:40 How Drew started sobriety one day at a time 27:58 Fitness for busy dads with limited time and equipment 34:04 What to do if you only have 15 minutes to work out 35:34 Daily non-negotiables and morning routine 39:17 The truth Drew had to face to finally change 44:00 Identity, drinking culture, and losing old relationships 49:20 What Drew wants his kids to remember about him 52:29 Drew’s message to fathers who feel stuck 55:01 Where to connect with Drew 57:36 Freedom, family, and building a different life 59:07 Outro

  6. Apr 11

    What Fathers Can Learn About Fitness, Discipline, and Financial Peace

    In this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Rod sits down with Jared Stein, COO of Strategy Financial Group, for a real conversation on discipline, fitness, financial preparedness, and what it takes to keep growing as a man through different seasons of life. Jared shares his path from Wall Street to fitness entrepreneurship, how COVID forced a major life pivot, and why he now helps families think through financial readiness in a practical way. They talk about the link between training and resilience, why hard things build capacity, and how simple habits in the gym and in life can change your future. The conversation also gets into estate planning, trusts, retirement, college planning, sleep, nutrition, alcohol, and why so many men overcomplicate both fitness and finances. This episode is packed with practical perspective for men who want to lead well, stay strong, and protect what they are building. If this episode helped you, share it with another dad, subscribe to the channel, and make sure you’re following so you do not miss the next episode. Connect with Jared Stein: Instagram: https://instagram.com/jared_s_stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-steinnyc/ About Jared: Jared Stein is the COO of Strategy Financial Group. He is a reformed Wall Street professional turned fitness entrepreneur who relocated from New York City to Arizona after COVID, where he later ran operations at CIVANA, a wellness resort. He now helps lead a family-office-style firm focused on serving people without massive wealth, with an emphasis on financial preparedness and long-term readiness for families. He has been doing CrossFit since 2008, is an avid reader, a die-hard Mets fan, a new golfer, the oldest of five siblings, and is happily married. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and why these conversations matter 01:36 Meet Jared Stein 03:24 How COVID became a pivot point 04:47 The only way out is through 06:02 How fitness builds real-life capacity 07:05 Why early workouts set the tone 10:12 What Strategy Financial Group does 12:22 Why men avoid financial planning 13:14 Jared’s personal reason for this work 14:37 The first step most families need 17:16 What estate planning actually is 18:57 Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts 19:29 Why nearly everyone should have a trust 20:27 What can go into a trust 21:04 Retirement, college, and planning ahead 23:54 Is it too late to start? 25:26 Shifting into fitness 27:40 Why CrossFit community matters 28:56 Why Jared still prioritizes training 33:11 Train for life, not just the gym 34:25 Stop putting pressure on yourself 35:52 Why training matters more as you age 37:20 You do not need much to get started 38:18 A simple 20-minute workout for busy men 39:42 Why consistency wins 40:39 Nutrition, sleep, and fitness 41:27 Overrated advice in fitness and finance 45:59 The boring basics that still work 47:34 Why simple strategies usually win 50:47 One thing more men should avoid 52:55 Why alcohol affects more than you think 53:28 Where to connect with Jared 54:44 Final message on consistency #4FitFatherhood #Fatherhood #Fitness #Finance #MensHealth #Discipline #SelfImprovement #CrossFit #RetirementPlanning #Legacy

  7. Mar 21

    How to Stay Dangerous in the Right Ways as a Father | John Mulligan

    In this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Rod sits down with John Mulligan, also known as Johnny Utah, for a conversation that goes way beyond hunting. This episode is about discipline, patience, work ethic, marriage, raising kids, masculinity, identity, and what it looks like to lead your family with strength and control. John shares stories about his upbringing, the hard lessons he learned from his father, the meaning behind “work more hours,” how he tries to balance being strong and supportive with his own kids, and why every man needs something that keeps him grounded. If you are a father trying to lead better, stay disciplined, and become harder to break in a distracted world, this one is for you. Connect with John Mulligan: Instagram: @johnny.utahunt Subscribe to the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast Share this episode with another dad who needs it. Timestamps00:00 Why this conversation is bigger than hunting 01:22 Meet John Mulligan aka Johnny Utah 02:34 Growing up with a tough father and learning work ethic 05:20 Law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and finding hunting later in life 07:41 Why living away from chaos helps John stay grounded 09:46 Rod and John on fathers who led through discipline 12:18 John’s father softening later in life 14:11 The meaning of “work more hours” 17:18 Raising respectful kids and balancing support with discipline 20:27 Why fathers need balance, not extremes 21:21 Becoming a parent without having it all figured out 23:17 Sports, hunting, and teaching kids responsibility 28:23 What hunting teaches about patience and preparation 31:04 Words, actions, and the arrow you can’t take back 32:02 iPads, distraction, and being truly present with your kids 34:29 Invisible work, making time, and fatherhood discipline 36:23 Marriage, family roles, and staying connected as husband and wife 38:25 The identity inside every role a man carries 44:21 What Primal Divide really means 49:22 Why John stepped away from TV hunting 51:43 Returning to law enforcement and training with Pepperball 56:30 Rod on virtual learning and real-world education 1:02:30 Hunting, conservation, and misunderstood truth 1:06:14 Why it is never too late to change direction 1:08:59 Rapid fire questions 1:13:27 The Johnny Utah nickname story 1:15:32 Where to follow John 1:18:04 Final takeaway: don’t drift, lead #4FitFatherhood #Fatherhood #JohnMulligan #JohnnyUtah #Masculinity #WorkEthic #Discipline #PodcastForDads #IntentionalFatherhood #Brotherhood

  8. Mar 7

    The Body Heals Itself | Fatherhood, Strength & Natural Healing w/ Ben Page

    This episode starts where it should — not with credentials, but with character. Rod sits down with Dr. Ben Page to talk about who he is as a man and father before ever touching chiropractic, books, or business. Ben shares what it’s like raising a 20-year-old and a 2-year-old at the same time, and how perspective changes when you realize how fast the moments go. From there, the conversation moves into discipline, cold showers, early mornings, and why consistency beats intensity. Ben explains his philosophy that the body heals itself when given proper motion, nutrition, rest, and patience. They cover: Why flexibility may matter more than strength for aging menWhy healing takes time (and meds don’t actually heal)Meat and fat as fuel, plants as medicineThe emotional pillar many dads neglectHow nature helped Ben overcome a dark mental seasonOne practical shift dads can make this weekIf you’re training hard, feeling beat up, or carrying more stress than you admit, this episode will challenge you to rethink healing. Subscribe, share with a dad, and leave a quick review. 00:00 – Opening: Who Ben Is as a Man 02:00 – Raising a 20-Year-Old and a 2-Year-Old 08:00 – Time Management & 5AM Discipline 15:00 – Cold Showers & Choosing Hard 19:00 – What Chiropractors Really Do 24:30 – Meat, Fat & Plants Explained 28:45 – The 4 Pillars of Health 31:00 – Playing in the Dirt & Emotional Healing 35:00 – The Comfrey Story 41:00 – Biggest Mistakes Men Make with Injuries 49:30 – The Most Neglected Pillar 52:00 – One Change Dads Can Make This Week 59:00 – Rapid Fire Questions

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About

The 4 Fit Fatherhood podcast with conversations with dope dads covering the 4 Pillars of Fatherhood, the Fit Fatherhood Formula= faith + family + finance + fitness Follow the podcast @ www.4fitfatherhood.com