To briefly introduce myself, I’m Taylor, the Communications guy here at Mdrive. I’ve recently been knighted the Official Mdrive Mascot, and I believe it’s safe to say that at any given point I have more Mdrive floating around in my body than anyone else on planet earth. Don’t @ Me 🤓
10 years ago, my good friend Brian introduced me to his father’s personal creation, Mdrive. I was 23 and oblivious to the remarkable power packed into those iconic red and black capsules. Gary Kehoe created it for himself at 50 to dropkick the effects of aging right in the jugular. Gary needed the energy to match his drive; to maintain his adventurous lifestyle and continue out-competing his growing teenage boys.
Aging is inevitable, but aging is also manageable. Beginning at 30, men’s testosterone levels drop about 1% per year. All the while you could be experiencing monumental life changes like getting married, starting a family, establishing your career, and the inherent lack of time dedicated to yourself. Aspirations that used to be a priority can easily get put on the backburner. Every day, men are finding themselves staring in the mirror wondering where their drive went; lacking the energy, time, and motivation it takes to look and feel their best again. You’re not alone, and we’re here for you.
I’m Taylor, The New Driven Dad, and this series is for you. As a father of three kids (9 months, 3, and 5) I will be completely honest here as I share my struggles and my successes along my own personal journey. The New Driven Dad aims to motivate and inspire all the dads out there to overcome excuses and refind their prime.
Your Prime
We all have memories and photos that remind us of the good old days when you had a six-pack or could fit into your favorite jeans (Facebook memories & TimeHop will even remind us of them). These were likely some of the most driven and motivated periods of your life, and we often look to them as the standard, your prime. They can be a great visual reminder of where you’d like to be and provide the fuel for you to get there. For me, that standard was in college as a walk-on to a Division I track and field program. I personally used those memories to tap into that drive needed to fuel my journey to get back there! It’s important to note that your priorities and free time may have changed drastically over this time period, so find a successful balance while setting some realistic goals for yourself. Now, it’s time to start knocking down the walls that are inhibiting your journey to get there.
Priorities/Excuses
Let me start by saying the day my son was born was unquestionably one of the highlights of my life. With that being said, everything I knew changed. From your wife being pregnant, to the newfound responsibility of a child’s life, your needs naturally move to the bottom of the priority list. There can be serious guilt in leaving your wife and baby home to selfishly run off to the gym. Alternatively, there can also be resentment as you lose your drive and put on weight. Having multiple kids can also amplify the stress and feelings mentioned. We may be able to relate to your struggles, but only you can find the balance and solution; a solution where everyone wins. Below I will explain how I took a running stroller and turned a routine task into a fitness adventure to a "theme park" with my kids.
4 Birds, One Stroller.
Hunt & Gather
From the beginning of time men have puffed their chests, grabbed their weapons, and journeyed outside their caves in search of food to provide for their families. I take a puff of my inhaler, grab my running stroller, and zoom the kids to the grocery store! All jokes aside, my kids look at the grocery store as a theme park and truly ask me to go daily. Bonus tip, surprise your wife with coffee in bed and solidify your position as the HOY. (Husband of the Year 🏆)
Happy Wife, Happy Life
Your wife will likely be up at all hours of the night feeding, changing, and nurturing your new pride and joy (ideally you are switching off too 😉). She will be running on fumes and be thankful for some restful sleep and some alone time.
Endorphins
Happy Husband, Happy Life, am I right? After purchasing a running stroller I had the ability to satisfy my runners high while knocking out a few errands with the kids. We go everywhere from Home Depot, the grocery store, picking up pizza, and even dry-cleaning (Yes, I’ve done all four in one trip💪). With the constraints of work and the Arizona heat, mornings are the perfect time to embark on these adventures with the kiddos. Two quick disclosures here, not all strollers are equipped for running, and please confirm with your pediatrician your child is old enough to join on the jog. My pediatrician gave me the thumbs up 👍 at around 6-8 months, but until then take them for a brisk walk!
Squad Up
Did I mention these adventures are conquered with my favorite little humans by my side? Before discovering our stroller adventures, I would leave for work and only see the kids at the end of the day when we are both typically tired and ready for bed. By waking up early and tackling a few errands with them before work, I get to experience their peak adorableness in the morning and almost double my time with them. 🤜🤛
Your Turn
Just to recap here: your exhausted wife who gave birth to your children gets to sleep in and wake up to coffee in bed. You crush your daily run and start your day off with a bang💥. Your kids get to visit a “theme park” with daddy, and you return home victoriously with groceries in hand. Check, Check, Check, Check.
My life could be entirely different than yours, but I hope this motivates you to dig deep inside yourself and find your path to the best version of yourself. One thing is for sure, the day you quit trying to refind your prime is the day that its gone forever.
It all begins with you. Your prime doesn't have to be yesterday.
Stay Driven,
Taylor
