5 Dark Truths About Getting Fit After Kids | Leave No Doubt Fatherhood Podcast

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Originally aired Dec. 9th, 2025

Becoming a father changes everything – including how you approach fitness. But here's what nobody tells you: there's no perfect schedule, you'll stop and start constantly, and that's completely normal.

In this episode, we get brutally honest about the reality of working out as a dad – not the Instagram version, but what it actually looks like when you're sleep-deprived, your kids are sick, and you're just trying to squeeze in 20 minutes before work.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction: The Last Month Has Been Bleak
5:00 - There Is No Perfect Schedule
9:00 - Time Is Not Given, It Is Created
14:00 - Just Because You Stopped Doesn't Mean You're Off Track
18:00 - Injuries Are Unavoidable (Either Way)
24:00 - Above All Else: Lift Weights
34:00 - Why Cardio Became Popular (Dark Take)
45:00 - Build a Home Gym
52:00 - The Real Benefits of Lifting Weights
58:00 - Pay Now or Pay Later

Key Takeaways:
✅ Build a minimal home gym (squat rack, barbell, plates)
✅ Lower your expectations (you're not an Instagram influencer)
✅ Focus on 5 core movements: squat, deadlift, bench, row, pull-up
✅ Your kids need to SEE you working out
✅ Consistency over Perfection

This isn't about looking like a bodybuilder. It's about being strong enough to throw your kids in the air, having the energy to show up for your family, and breaking generational cycles of poor health.

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About Leave No Doubt Fatherhood Podcast:

Leave No Doubt Fatherhood is one of the fastest-growing podcasts in the fatherhood and male development space, hosted by Cole James and Sam Trapkin—two North Idaho dads redefining what it means to be a well-rounded father in 2026.

The podcast was born from a simple but powerful question: If I died today, would I be happy with the example I set for my family? Frustrated by pop culture and social media's portrayal of modern fatherhood, Cole and Sam created a modern alternative that explores the full spectrum of what it takes to show up as a complete man and father.

Cole James is the CEO of the Grief Recovery Institute and a worldwide leader on managing grief, loss, and emotional health. Sam Trapkin is a member of Trapped Under Ice, one of the most notable hardcore bands in the genre, and co-founder of a prominent estate planning technology company.
Together, they bring practical, actionable advice rooted in self-accountability across key pillars: physical fitness, emotional health, sobriety, spirituality, and preparedness.

From homeschooling and limiting screen time to camping with your kids and stripping away consumption culture, Leave No Doubt Fatherhood is for dads ready to go against the grain and do the work of becoming the men their families deserve.

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