The Dad Project

The Dad Project
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Real stories. Brave voices. The Dad Project is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting men, sharing their powerful stories of perseverance, love, and hope. By highlighting their unique journeys and the challenges they overcome, the project seeks to dismantle stereotypes and emphasise the importance of men’s mental health and emotional well-being. Through authentic storytelling, The Dad Project inspires understanding and compassion, fostering a community that values the strength and dedication of these fathers and encourages them to share their truths.

  1. 1H AGO

    From Council Estate to Environmental Leader: How Racism, Gang Life and Fatherhood Shaped His Mission

    What happens when a young boy desperate to fit in becomes a man who finally learns to stand out? Ketan Ganatra grew up as the only Asian family on a council estate in South East London. Every day was hostile. Spat at. Punched. Racially abused by neighbours, teachers and strangers. He hid his pain from his parents, mapped routes through school corridors to avoid skinheads and learned to survive by pretending to be someone he wasn't. At 11 he met two Jamaican brothers who invited him to the youth club. Suddenly he had protection. Respect. A new identity. He became Ket -gold teeth, bandanas, street persona. But beneath it all, he was still the kid who loved nature, who spent hours in libraries reading about ecosystems and who dreamed of a life beyond the estate. Years later, Ketan would leave gang life behind, fight his way into university despite having no GCSEs, complete a master's degree and build a successful environmental recruitment business—all while navigating a world that told him his name wasn't good enough, his background didn't fit and his face didn't belong. In this episode Ketan speaks openly about: Growing up as the only Asian family on a hostile council estate Daily racial abuse from neighbours, teachers and strangers Finding acceptance in gang culture and creating a fake persona to survive Hiding his secret passion for nature and ecology Community service that reconnected him to his childhood dreams Going to university with no GCSEs and feeling like an outsider Being told to change his name to get responses from employers Keith Draper's 87% interview success rate versus Ketan's silence Leaving corporate life to start his own business from his parents' box room Two mortgages, two kids and pretending he had an office in the city Missing his son's first crawl and deciding to change everything Building a well in Uganda and reconnecting with his family's roots Monthly food distribution events and supporting adults with learning difficulties Running eye treatment camps in India and organising school talks Fighting for diversity in the environmental sector Learning to love himself and stop living in comparison Being the father he wished he'd had and raising grounded children What true masculinity means beyond the stereotypes (00:00:47) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:01:58) Growing Up on a Council Estate: Daily Racism and Violence (00:11:56) Finding Refuge in Libraries and a Secret Passion for Nature (00:09:10) The Turning Point: From Gang Life to Gold Teeth (00:16:02) Community Service and a Great Crested Newt That Changed His Path (00:33:19) The Keith Draper Experiment: When Your Name Determines Your Future (00:41:32) The Box Room Hustle: Building a Business From Parents' Home (00:39:05) The WhatsApp Video That Changed Everything (01:01:52) Building a Well in Uganda: Completing the Triangle (01:14:52) Redefining Masculinity: The Provider, Not the Performer (01:10:19) Daily Rituals of a 52-Year-Old Who Looks 35 (01:06:39) Fatherhood and Phone-Free Forest Walks (00:56:05) From Food Distribution to Eye Camps: A Life of Service (01:18:55) The Mission: Diversifying the Environmental Sector "I can only compare me to me and I can only compare me to the person I was yesterday. No one else. My competition is me." Ketan's story proves that your postcode doesn't define your potential. Your name doesn't limit your worth. And the world that rejected you can become the world you transform. If you've ever felt like you don't belong, if you've hidden parts of yourself to fit in, or if you're building something from nothing while everyone doubts you—this episode will show you that the struggle shapes the strength and the outsider becomes the leader.🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about identity, fatherhood, resilience and what it truly means to be a good man.Follow Ketan DattaniInstagram: @ketanovaLinkedIn: Ketan DattaniCompany: Buckingham FuturesFollow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthq TikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthq X (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#MensMentalHealth #Diversity #EnvironmentalSector #GangLife #Identity #Fatherhood #TheDadProject #Entrepreneurship #OvercomingAdversity #RealStories #KetanGanatra #BreakTheSilence #Resilience #PurposeDriven

    1h 22m

  2. JAN 22

    He Played for England at 17 But Retirement Left Him Sobbing Uncontrollably and He Didn't Know Why

    What happens when a man achieves everything he dreamed of and then loses the very thing that gave his life meaning? Paul Sampson played 17 years of professional rugby. He was the fastest schoolboy in the country. He earned his England cap before he was 21. From the outside, he had it all—speed, talent, recognition and a career most could only dream of. But behind the tries and the caps, Paul was carrying something far heavier than any trophy. When his father passed away, Paul didn't just lose his dad—he lost his anchor, his voice, his reason for pushing through. Rugby became the medication that kept him going. And when he retired, it felt like his father died all over again. One Monday morning, Paul sat on his sofa with his head in his hands, crying uncontrollably. His wife walked in and asked him what was wrong. His answer: "I wish I knew." This is one of the most honest conversations about life after sport, identity loss, grief, mental health and what it truly means to rebuild when everything you've known is stripped away. In this episode Paul speaks openly about: Growing up with a father who saw his potential and pushed him constructively Being called into the full England squad at 17 with no preparation Making his England debut against South Africa in torrential rain 14 operations and nearly a year out with a devastating knee injury The loneliness of injury and needing support he didn't know how to ask for Losing his father at 28 and using rugby to numb the grief Retiring from rugby and feeling like his dad had died all over again Breaking down on his sofa and being given an ultimatum—get help or lose his marriage Therapy, feeling heard for the first time and discovering he was a good person The dangerous relief of suicidal thoughts and believing he was a burden Divorce, financial collapse and sleeping in his car to keep coaching kids Being betrayed by a journalist who twisted his story for tabloid headlines Starting a Master's degree with £80 in his account Training as a psychotherapist to help other men off the hook The relationship with his two boys and what it means to love them like his dad loved him Why men feel like burdens and how that bright idea is temporary confusion Asking the universe for help and refusing to stay silent for the sake of ego (00:00:00) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:02:30) The Making of a Champion: Training With Dad From Age Six (00:13:00) Called Up at 17: The Surreal England Squad Experience (00:17:09) The Pressure of Performance: When Relief Replaced Hunger (00:23:45) Fourteen Operations: The Physical and Mental Toll of Injury (00:34:26) Losing His Hero: When Dad Passed Away at 28 (00:41:39) Head in Hands: The Monday Morning Breakdown (00:49:39) The Dangerous Relief: When Ending It All Felt Like a Solution (00:46:39) Therapy Saved My Life: Learning to Feel Heard and Validated (00:54:48) Betrayed by the Press: When Vulnerability Gets Weaponized (00:58:38) Divorce and Co-Parenting: Navigating Fractured Family Dynamics (01:11:50) Eighty Pounds and a Dream: Starting Over at Rock Bottom (01:27:02) Sleeping in the Car: The Reality Behind the Rebuild (01:08:29) The Lightbulb Moment: Understanding Attachment and Meaning (01:18:07) Fatherhood Through Loss: Loving His Sons the Way Dad Loved Him (01:11:50) Finding Purpose: From Rugby Pitch to Harley Street Therapist (01:26:32) The Power of Vulnerability: Why Sharing Your Story Matters (01:29:06) Temporary Confusions: A Message to Men in Crisis "I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I was feeling an overwhelming sense of loss. My wife said to me, 'What the fuck is wrong with you?' And my response was, 'I wish I knew.'" Paul's story proves that success doesn't protect you from suffering. Fame doesn't shield you from grief. And when life strips away everything you thought made you who you are, that's when you discover who you truly are. If you're struggling with identity after a career ends, grieving someone you can't let go of, or trying to rebuild when everything feels broken—this episode will show you that it's possible to come back stronger, wiser and more aligned than ever before.🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about men's mental health, grief, identity and the courage it takes to rebuild.Follow Paul SampsonInstagram: @paulsampson15 LinkedIn: @paulsampsonukWebsite: true-north.spaceFollow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqX (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#MensMentalHealth #RugbyMentalHealth #Grief #IdentityLoss #LifeAfterSport #SuicidePrevention #TheDadProject #Fatherhood #EnglandRugby #HealingJourney #RealStories #PaulSampson #BreakTheSilence

    1h 34m

  3. 12/30/2025

    A Father's Mission: How He Turned a Simple Water Wheel Into Freedom for Thousands of Indian Girls

    What happens when a water cooler delivery becomes the spark that changes thousands of lives? Shaz Memon was standing in his office when a heavy water bottle slipped from his hands and rolled down the stairs. In that moment, a simple thought crossed his mind, what if this could help solve a problem he'd known about for years? That thought became Wells and Wheels, a charity that has transformed the lives of thousands of girls in rural India. But this conversation isn't just about charity. It's about fatherhood, purpose, identity, the meaning of success and what it truly means to be a good man. Shaz is a businessman, a father, and a man driven by service. He runs a successful company designing websites for dentists across the UK, but his real fulfilment comes from something much deeper-helping young girls escape the dangerous daily grind of water collection so they can go to school, dream bigger and build a future. In this episode Shaz speaks openly about: The moment a water bottle changed everything How fatherhood shifted his entire perspective on responsibility Why he turned down £800,000 in contracts to focus on one thing The reality of water collection for young girls in rural India Building a charity from a single Instagram post A $20,000 donation from a stranger who watched his documentary Schools in India complaining they're full for the first time in 20 years Mastering the art of switching off and protecting your mental health Why profit is in doing less, not more The difference between absent fathers by choice and absent fathers by distraction Why playing with your children is the most important thing you can do How his father's generosity shaped who he became What it means to hold yourself to a higher standard (00:01:40) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:03:04) The Empathy That Drives Service: Learning From a Father's Example (00:05:14) A Water Cooler Moment: How Wells and Wheels Was Born (00:14:21) The Journey No Child Should Make: Water Collection in Rural India (00:16:39) Fatherhood Changes Everything: Why Having a Daughter Matters (00:21:20) Schools Overflowing: The Unexpected Impact of Freedom (00:23:12) The Documentary: Transporting People to See the Truth (00:31:30) Money, Success, and What Really Matters: Redefining Wealth (00:33:31) Just Play With Your Children: The One Parenting Rule That Matters (00:35:38) Absent Fathers and Present Pressure: The Modern Parenting Dilemma (00:40:21) The Men's Mental Health Crisis: Pressure, Comparison, and Finding Support (00:42:36) Learning to Feel and Process: Building Emotional Resilience (00:47:21) Mastering the Art of Switching Off: Protecting Your Peace (00:54:31) I'm the Wheel Man: The Power of Singular Focus (00:56:36) Burning the Boats: The Day Jazz Walked Away From 800k (01:00:52) High Standards and Low Frequencies: Choosing Your Circle Wisely (01:08:12) Being Remembered as a Good Man: The Legacy That Matters "I'm a billionaire because I can eat where I like, I can buy clothes whenever I want, I can wake up and I've got freedom. There is no more money you can give me today that is going to give me more peace, more freedom than I have now." Shaz proves that success isn't measured by how much you accumulate but by how much you give, how present you are and whether you're living aligned to your values. His story shows that one man with focus, belief and a desire to serve can create ripples that reach thousands. If you're a father trying to balance work and presence, an entrepreneur chasing purpose over profit, or someone searching for meaning beyond the grind—this episode will challenge how you see success, masculinity and what it means to leave a legacy.🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about fatherhood, purpose, service and what it truly means to be a good man.Follow Shaz Memon Instagram: @shaz.memonFacebook: @digimaxdentalWebsite: www.digimaxdental.co.uk Follow Wells and WheelsInstagram: @wells.on.wheelsFacebook: @wellsonwheelsukWebsite: www.wellsonwheels.co.ukDocumentary: Available on Amazon PrimeFollow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqX (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#Fatherhood #PurposeDriven #MensMentalHealth #Charity #WellsAndWheels #ServiceOverProfit #TheDadProject #Legacy #Entrepreneurship #BeingAGoodMan #RealStories

    1h 9m

  4. 12/11/2025

    He Played for England and Went to the Olympics But Nobody Knew He Was Suffering in Silence

    What happens when a Premier League footballer achieves everything he dreamed of and still feels like he’s drowning? Marvin Sordell lived the dream. Premier League football. England Under-21s. Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. From the outside, he had it all. Inside, he was breaking. At 21 he was playing for his country while fighting severe depression.At 23 he thought about retiring.At 28 he left football completely because staying was destroying him. This is one of the most honest conversations on men’s mental health, pressure, identity and the hidden cost of success. Marvin speaks openly about: Being rejected at Chelsea and rebuilding at Watford Breaking into the Premier League with Bolton How early success brought pressure he couldn’t explain Severe depression at the height of his career His suicide attempt that nobody knew about Therapy and understanding the weight he carried Why we teach people to handle failure but not success Feeling worthless when he wasn’t playing well The loneliness of suffering in silence Co-parenting with respect Running multiple businesses Redefining purpose away from football (00:01:12) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:00:00) The Gratitude Paradox: Finding Peace in Both Highs and Lows (00:01:52) Who is Marvin: A Father With No Quiet Mornings (00:06:01) The Daily Grind: Practice Over Play (00:07:23) Courage Without Guarantees: Jumping In With Both Feet (00:08:42) From Chelsea Rejection to Fulham Success: Learning From Failure (00:09:55) Climbing the Ladder: When Winning is Just the Beginning (00:10:46) Failure as DNA: The Mental Toll of Elite Football (00:18:48) The First Year Struggle: When Football Stopped Being Fun (00:22:52) The Summer That Changed Everything: Choosing to Go Again (00:24:06) Breaking Into the First Team: Finding Freedom Again (00:26:17) Success and Suffering: The Worst Points at the Highest Peak (00:26:47) The Psychologist's Insight: We're Not Taught to Handle Success (00:27:30) When Success Brings the Past to the Surface (00:33:54) The Weight of Failure: Sleepless Nights and Endless Replays (00:35:15) Money Doesn't Equal Happiness: What People Don't See (00:38:35) 2013: The Overdose and the Silence That Followed (00:42:39) Breaking the Silence: Why Marvin Finally Spoke Out (00:46:30) The Cultural Silence: Why Men Don't Share Their Stories (00:28:34) Retiring at 28: Choosing Mental Health Over Football (00:48:56) Generational Trauma and Cultural Barriers to Mental Health (00:50:56) Purpose Beyond Football: Leaving Things Better Than You Found Them (00:51:48) Raising Kids With Values: Polite, Hardworking, and Honest (00:54:25) Teaching Through Struggle: Letting Kids Solve Their Own Problems (00:58:00) Co-Parenting and Putting Kids First: Finding Peace in Their Happiness (01:00:05) Grateful for the Lows: Why Every Experience Matters (01:00:58) Making the Most of One Life: Outlandish Dreams and No Regrets He also reflects on childhood trauma, antidepressants, pressure from fans, and why tying your identity to performance destroys your wellbeing.\"If you want to be grateful for all of the positive things in your life, you have to also be grateful for all of the negative things in your life. They both made you who you are. If you're happy with who you are, then you're happy with everything that made you who you are.\"Marvin now focuses on mental health advocacy, building businesses that create positive change and raising his children with honesty, hard work and kindness. His story shows that strength isn’t about avoiding struggle. It’s about speaking before the weight becomes too much. If you’re chasing a goal, dealing with pressure, or trying to find meaning after everything you worked for falls apart, this episode will give you clarity and comfort.🔔 Subscribe for more raw, real conversations that break the silence around men's mental health.Follow Marvin SordellInstagram: @marvinsordell X: x.com/MarvinSordellWebsite: www.swoop.socialFollow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#MensMentalHealth #PremierLeague #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #Depression #TheDadProject #FootballMentalHealth #BreakTheSilence #HealingJourney #RealStories #MarvinSordell

    1h 2m

  5. 11/27/2025

    The Truth About Child Sexual Abuse | Jeremy Indica on His Story, The System & What Parents Must Know

    What happens when a trusted friend becomes a child's worst nightmare?Jeremy Indica was eight years old when his father's friend began sexually abusing him. For over a year, in his own home, under his father's nose, a predator groomed and violated him and Jeremy told no one. Not because he didn't want to. Because he didn't even know he could.This is one of the most difficult, necessary, and powerful conversations The Dad Project has ever aired. Jeremy takes us through the unthinkable—the details of his abuse, the decades of silence, the night terrors at 25, and the moment he finally told his father, shattering him completely.But this episode isn't just about trauma. It's about transformation.Jeremy left a six-figure aerospace engineering career designing Formula One parts to dedicate his life to protecting children. He now speaks in schools, trains teachers and police, runs the platform Something to Say, and fights to change the laws around child safeguarding in the UK.This conversation goes deep into:• The reality of child sexual abuse—what it actually is, how grooming works, and why children stay silent• How childhood trauma resurfaces in adulthood and affects relationships, intimacy, and mental health• Why the education system, parents, and schools must work together to protect children• The dangers of online grooming, gaming chat rooms, and pornography's role in creating offenders• What parents must teach their children about body safety and consent—at every age• Jeremy's confrontation with his abuser, his arrest, and being taken to court• Why we need to understand offenders to safeguard the next generation(00:00:00) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:02:07) The Question No One Asks: What Actually Happened (00:04:30) Eight Years Old: When the Abuse Began (00:09:40) The Grooming Process: How Predators Manipulate Children (00:15:01) The Abuse Escalates: Moments Frozen in Memory (00:18:12) Hidden in Plain Sight: Why No One Noticed (00:35:01) The Abuser's Profile: Understanding Predators to Protect Children (00:47:41) Twenty-Five and Shattered: When the Memories Returned (00:27:11) Telling His Father: A Scream of Pain (00:54:06) Breaking the Silence: The First Friend (01:07:38) The Open Mic Journey: Finding His Voice (01:17:10) From Engineering to Advocacy: Building Something to Say (01:21:34) Speaking in Schools: Protecting the Next Generation (01:24:17) Practical Advice for Parents: Creating Safe Environments (01:31:35) The Digital Danger: Protecting Children Online (01:34:16) The Vision: Changing Laws and Saving Lives"If you're ever worried or feeling uncomfortable about anything, please remember, you can always come to me because I will help you and you will never be in trouble for what's gone on."This is the sentence every parent needs to say. Every child needs to hear. And every adult who was once that child needs to know it's never too late to speak.Whether you're a parent, teacher, survivor, or someone who wants to understand how to protect the children in your life—this episode will change how you see safeguarding, silence, and the power of speaking out.🔔 Subscribe for conversations that matter. Share this episode with every parent, teacher, and safeguarding professional you know.Follow Jeremy IndicaInstagram: @jeremyindicaTikTok: @jeremyindikaSomething to Say: @somethingtosay_Website: www.jeremyindika.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-indika-31673573/Follow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqX (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#ChildSafeguarding #SexualAbuseSurvivor #ParentingAwareness #TheDadProject #ProtectChildren #BreakTheSilence #TraumaRecovery #MensMentalHealth #SurvivorStories #Safeguarding #ChildProtection #JeremyIndica #SpeakOut #HealingJourney

    1h 38m

  6. 11/13/2025

    Why Understanding Your Partner’s Cycle Improves Your Relationship and Your Own Downtime

    Reshma Patel spent years living the life she thought she was supposed to live. A comfortable marriage. Children. A stable home. A successful career as a dietitian. From the outside everything looked perfect, but inside she felt lost, disconnected and unsure of who she really was. When her marriage ended in her mid-30s, her entire identity collapsed. She had never paid bills, never handled finances and never lived alone. At the same time both her father and her ex-partner’s father became seriously unwell, creating overwhelming pressure and emotional turmoil. Reshma describes locking herself away during lockdown, feeling broken and rebuilding her life piece by piece. She learned independence, bought her own home, started therapy and began putting herself first for the first time in her life. Fitness became her daily anchor, helping her rebuild confidence, strength and self-worth. She also speaks about her culture, motherhood, friendships, divorce, emotional growth and the importance of choosing yourself even when it feels terrifying. Today Reshma helps others understand their relationship with food, stress and mental health and has become a woman her children would be proud of. This is a powerful and relatable story of losing yourself and finding your way back. Themes Losing identity in marriage Divorce and emotional collapse Cultural pressure on women Rebuilding independence Mental health during separation Fitness and self-worth Co-parenting with respect Supportive relationships Reinvention and confidence Why this episode matters Reshma shows what many women live through silently — giving everything to others until there is nothing left for themselves. Her journey proves that rebuilding your identity is possible at any stage of life.(00:00:00) Understanding Men's Relationship with Food (00:01:17) Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:01:53) Meeting Rashma: From Comfort Zone to Courage (00:06:04) The Gut-Brain Connection and Hormonal Health (00:12:04) The Executive's Dilemma: High-Functioning Alcoholics and Burnout (00:19:09) Finding Downtime in a 24/7 World (00:29:25) Life Before: The Comfortable Cage (00:36:24) Divorce During Lockdown: When Two Fathers Fall Apart (00:47:51) Co-Parenting and Finding Friendship After Marriage (00:54:58) Reinventing Rashma: From Gym Anxiety to Pull-Up Queen (01:03:08) Coaching Men Through Crisis: The Real Work (01:14:01) Legacy of Happiness: Being the Mother Her Children Need"I want my kids to look back and say, you did it on your own. And we know that if something goes wrong in our lives, we'll be fine because we've evidence that as parents, you will be absolutely fine because we were."Whether you're trapped in a life that looks perfect but feels empty, struggling through divorce, or trying to understand how your body and mind connect—this episode will challenge everything you think you know about strength, identity, and what it means to truly show up for yourself.🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about transformation, mental health, and finding yourself after losing everything.Follow Reshma PatelInstagram: @thedietitianglobalLinkedIn: @reshma-patel-the-dietitianWebsite: www.thedietitian.com/Follow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqX (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#WomensMentalHealth #DivorceRecovery #IdentityJourney #AsianWomen #SelfWorth #TheDadProject #HealingJourney #Reinvention #RealStories

    1h 16m

  7. 10/30/2025

    He Hit a Midlife Health Crisis at 49 and One Moment Made Him Change His Life Completely

    Jason Smith spent years climbing the corporate ladder until he realised he was outsourcing his entire role as a dad. He left his job to be present for his son, but when the routine disappeared he felt lost. His identity collapsed, his confidence vanished and his physical and mental health spiralled. Within 18 months he was warned he was heading towards type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease. He was drinking heavily, barely moving and felt deeply unhappy. One day an image he saw online stopped him in his tracks. In that moment he knew he had to change. He quit alcohol overnight, started walking daily and began rebuilding his mind and body from the ground up. He posted every day for accountability, joined a sober community and slowly became the man he wished he had always been. In this conversation Jason talks about identity loss, midlife crisis, depression, health fear, self-belief, discipline and how fitness became the anchor that rebuilt him. He explains why so many men struggle in silence and how simple habits changed his entire life. Jason now works as a personal trainer and coach helping people aged 45–60 take control of their health, confidence and future. This is a grounded and inspiring story about midlife transformation, presence and becoming the parent you always intended to be.Themes Midlife identity loss Leaving career for fatherhood Depression and emptiness Health crisis and lifestyle disease Alcohol dependency Accountability and habit change Fitness as emotional recovery Rebuilding confidence Helping others through lived experience Why this episode matters Jason shows how quickly a man’s life can unravel when identity disappears — and how fast it can change when belief returns. His story proves it is never too late to rebuild your health, mindset and purpose. (00:00:00) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:01:45) Leaving Corporate Life to Become a Present Father (00:05:20) The Power of Presence: Redefining Fatherhood (00:12:13) The Identity Crisis: When Your Job Title Disappears (00:15:10) Depression, Diabetes, and Rock Bottom at 49 (00:22:10) Finding Your True Self Through a Child's Eyes (00:28:03) The Hobbit Moment: When Everything Changed (00:36:07) From Wine to Wellness: The Journey to Sobriety (00:41:02) Rediscovering Adventure at 49: Mountain Bikes and Swimming Lessons (00:49:01) From Client to Coach: Finding Purpose in Fitness (00:58:20) The Mental Game: Why Fitness is Really About Self-Image (01:17:44) A Father's Promise: Don't Become a Burden to Your Children🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations about men's mental health, fatherhood, and finding purpose in midlife.Follow Jason SmithInstagram: @fitinmidlifeTikTok: @fitinmidlifeFacebook: @fitinmidlife Follow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthqTikTok: @thedadprojecthqYouTube: @thedadprojecthqX (Twitter): @thedadprojecthqLinkedIn: The Dad Project#MensMentalHealth #MidlifeCrisis #HealthTransformation #SoberLiving #FitnessOver40 #Fatherhood #TheDadProject #LifestyleChange #RealStories #HealingJourney

    1h 22m
  8. He Survived Childhood Trauma and the Marines but Never Learned How To Feel Until Much Later

    10/16/2025

    He Survived Childhood Trauma and the Marines but Never Learned How To Feel Until Much Later

    Chris Davies grew up in chaos. Violence, instability and emotional neglect shaped his early years and left deep marks he carried into adulthood. After his father died, he felt a strong pull to create legacy and purpose, so he joined the Royal Marines. The training, the identity and the intensity gave him structure, but it also deepened the emotional numbness he had learned as a child. In this conversation Chris speaks openly about childhood trauma, Marines training, emotional shutdown and the long period of his life where he cut himself off from feeling. He explains how leaving the forces left him without identity or direction and how the breakdown of a relationship forced him to confront everything he had been avoiding. Chris shares how men’s work, breathwork, grounding and nervous system awareness helped him rebuild himself piece by piece. He now supports men through the same journey, helping them reconnect with their bodies, emotions and strength in healthier ways. This episode is raw, honest and deeply relevant to any man who has learned to stay numb in order to survive. Themes Childhood trauma Royal Marines training Emotional numbness Identity loss after leaving the forces Relationship breakdown Nervous system regulation Men’s work and breathwork Masculinity and vulnerability Why this episode matter Many men learn to suppress emotion to survive trauma, the forces or difficult environments. Chris shows what happens when that silence breaks and how men can rebuild from the inside out.(00:00:00) The Burden of Becoming Your Best Self (00:01:03) Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Men's Mental Health (00:01:38) The Black Sheep: Chris's Childhood and Early Wisdom (00:08:40) A Father's Death and the Search for Legacy (00:15:07) Joining the Marines: Purpose, Fear, and Brotherhood (00:17:55) Modern Masculinity and the Loss of Purpose (00:26:56) Combat in Afghanistan: Facing Death as a Valiman (00:29:52) Leaving the Military and Finding Breathwork (00:40:41) The Science and Spirit of Breathwork (01:02:46) Sacred Sons and Men's Work (01:12:15) Why Men Resist Healing (01:26:52) Breaking the Cycle for Future Generations 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe to support powerful conversations that men need to hear. Connect with ChrisInstagram: @the_chrisdavies/Follow The Dad ProjectInstagram: @thedadprojecthq TikTok: @thedadprojecthq YouTube: @thedadprojecthq X (Twitter): @thedadprojecthq LinkedIn: The Dad Project #MensMentalHealth #RoyalMarines #VeteranMentalHealth #TraumaHealing #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalAwareness #HealingJourney #MensWork #TheDadProject #Resilience #RealStories

    1h 31m
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About

Real stories. Brave voices. The Dad Project is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting men, sharing their powerful stories of perseverance, love, and hope. By highlighting their unique journeys and the challenges they overcome, the project seeks to dismantle stereotypes and emphasise the importance of men’s mental health and emotional well-being. Through authentic storytelling, The Dad Project inspires understanding and compassion, fostering a community that values the strength and dedication of these fathers and encourages them to share their truths.

Information

  • Creator
    The Dad Project
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Dad Project
  • Show Website
    The Dad Project