I’m a washed up meathead male in my mid thirties, father of two boys, and a corporate peon working a 9-5 in a decent white collar job. As I’ve looked around at my colleagues and counterparts it’s pretty apparent that we are not the same people we were in our mid twenties. Career decisions start to take precedence over whimsical choices, responsibilities like mortgages and salary earnings start to outweigh personal freedoms. Additionally, the stresses of life lead to compulsive eating habits, unhealthy food choices, or the convenience of fast food over a home cooked meal. Not to mention the compounding effects of coping mechanisms such as alcohol or emotionally satisfying foods. Society might have you believe that our outward appearance would portray us as lazy, slob like, and out of shape…
But are dad bods truly deserving of this ire of the general public? Couldn’t there be some wisdom to learn from the middle aged? By this point in time most of us have survived life altering changes such as layoffs, economic recessions, business setbacks, health issues, or even family issues such as divorces of deaths of loved ones. Isn’t there something to say for surviving and possibly thriving through all of that?
If you could do things differently what kind of guidance would you give your former twenty two year old self? Would you focus more on your career? Perhaps you’d focus less on money and travel the world. Would you take a risk and ask that girl out, start that side business with your best friend, or have the faith to move across country for that tech startup knowing what you know now?
Health is both mental and physical and with only one or the other you can not hope for longevity. As you will see both are paramount to long term success within your career, your relationships, and your overall view of self worth. I will help you realize there is a balance inherent in owning a dad bod. That is not to say we worship the dad bod, refuse to improve ourselves, or rest on our laurels in our comfort zone. But through these posts on health, fitness, humor, parenting, and self help you will possess the tools to improve yourself in whatever way you deem worthy.
As this blog and site evolve it is my sincerest hope that some inspiration can be gained, even if it’s one small iota of wisdom or tidbit of information. TheZenOfDadBod hopes to promote these life experiences through anecdote, humor, and collaboration with others. To the older readers, I hope that you feel free enough to comment or chime in on any wisdom you’d like to share. To any younger readers, perhaps you can learn from our mistakes and be motivated to empower yourself to take those calculated risks. Lastly, to our middle aged readers, maybe you’ll come to realize you are not alone in feeling this middle aged malaise. Together we are strong!
Strong brain, strong heart, strong muscles – DadBodMike