HEY DAD: Heated Rivalry Review From an Old Gay Guy

After a long break, I’m back with a deeply personal life update. The past few months have been some of the most challenging—and transformative—of my life. In this video, I open up about early retirement, navigating job loss at 60, recovering from severe back pain, and finding unexpected comfort and inspiration in the book and TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry, a gay hockey romance that has taken the world by storm.

I also share a bit about my annual Christmas trip to Palm Springs, a place that feels like a second home to me and my daughter. Through all the stress, change, and healing, this story—and the massive cultural response to it—has been a surprising source of hope, connection, and reflection.
🌈 What I Talk About in This Video
• Choosing early retirement after losing my job
• The emotional and financial transition from saving to withdrawing
• Recovering from the worst back pain of my life
• My Christmas tradition with my daughter in Palm Springs
• Why the Heated Rivalry book and TV series hit me so hard
• The surprising wave of straight men and hockey fans embracing this queer love story
• Reflections on coming out, first love, and seeing queer romance portrayed with depth and dignity
📚 About Heated Rivalry
This gay hockey romance—both the novel and its TV adaptation—has resonated with millions. It’s spicy, emotional, beautifully acted, and unexpectedly universal. As a lifelong reader and a gay dad who came out at 17, I felt deeply connected to its themes of longing, fear, identity, and love that spans almost 10 years.
💬 Why This Matters
In a time marked by toxic masculinity, political tension, and cultural division, stories like this offer something rare: tenderness, vulnerability, hope and a reminder that queer love is human love. The fact that so many non‑queer viewers are embracing it says something powerful about where we are—and where we’re going.
🔔 If you’re new here
I’m a single gay dad navigating life transitions, personal growth, and the journey toward retirement. I talk about books, queer representation, resilience, and the messy, beautiful realities of midlife.
If any of that resonates, I’d love to have you along for the ride.

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