Episodes

Chris Larsen (@christopheralarsen) is a former competitive cyclist, entrepreneur, and father of two who joins us on a captivating exploration the unique challenges of being an athlete dad raising athlete kids. The exhilarating journey from his days as a competitive cyclist to a dedicated father provides a fresh perspective packed with practical tools and frameworks for how to approach parenting. In our conversation, we discuss everything from the ups and downs of nurturing children's passions, ...

Brace yourselves as we ride untamed waves with legendary surfer, Garrett McNamara, as we unravel the intricate bond between surfing and fatherhood. Garrett is best known as one of the most prolific big wave surfers in the history of surfing, having surfed some of the largest waves on earth, including a 78-foot wave - a world record at the time. Delving deeper into McNamara's life, we explore his spiritual connection to surfing, and how it's driven his life and career, helping him maintain his ...

Ever wonder how a fitness coach balances grueling workouts and fatherhood? Meet Nolan Womack, a dedicated dad of four, husband, fitness coach, gym owner that's on a mission to become the fittest father of four without sacrificing time with his family. Nolan's journey is not just inspirational, it's a testament to training with maximum crossover benefit in the least amount of time. His personal insights into setting goals, experimenting with adjustments, and working to achieve his goals are an e...

In this episode, we journey to the peak of adventure with Matthias Giraud, AKA "Superfrenchie" (@superfrenchieofficial) a globally renowned mountain athlete known for his daring feats in ski-BASE jumping. Matthias isn’t just known for his breath-taking pursuits, he’s also a dedicated father who’s made the pursuit of being an intentional and present Dad a part of his grand adventure. A pioneer in the world of extreme sports, he holds an array of impressive accomplishments, including being the fi...

In this episode, we dive deep into the life and waves of the world-renowned professional longboard surfer, Taylor Jensen (@taylorjensentj). Known for his dynamic performances and his impressive streak of titles, including three World Longboard Championships, Taylor isn't just an athlete—he's a devoted husband and father. But his journey isn't just about chasing the perfect wave, it's about riding the highs and lows of fatherhood and crafting a family life that travels well. Join us as we explo...

Part 2 of 2: The Denali Episodes We've arrived back in civilization and are excited to recap the expedition on Denali. We spent 20 days climbing the tallest peak in North America through the worst weather season in years. Listen in to hear about all of the wild details of the climb, from near-death experiences to the struggles of dragging over 100lbs up steep alpine terrain. Support the showThe Athlete Dad Resources: www.theathletedad.com Ben's Instagram The Athlete Dad's Instagram The Athle...

If you're reading this... I'm on Denali! I'm currently on a weeks-long expedition in Alaska to climb Denali, the tallest peak in North America. We'll resume our regularly-scheduled podcast releases on July 3rd. In the meantime, I'm sharing details and insights from my Denali expedition, including all the prep and planning leading up to the climb, the details of the feat itself, and a follow-up Part 2 episode where we explore how the expedition went. Support the showThe Athlete Dad Resources: ...

Alex Pancoe (@alexpancoe) has recently completed the Explorer’s Grand Slam; Summiting all of the Seven Summits (tallest point on each continent, including Everest, Denali, Vinson, and more) AND reach the North and South Poles (He skied the last degree to the poles). The rest of his climbing experience is extensive and has taken him on expeditions all over the world, including summits of Cho Oyu (sixth-highest mountain in the world at 26,864 ft), the "Moose’s Tooth" in Alaska, and Mont Blanc. A...

Matt Brown (@matthewbrownusa) is an elite-level rower. He won the 2012 U.S. Rowing Elite Level National Championship in the single scull (single scullers are arguably the best athletes in the sport). In 2016, Matt and his teammates won the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge while breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest ocean crossing in history - a 3,000-mile unassisted ocean rowing race against a field of 15 international crews. Most importantly, Matt is a Husband to his wife, Heath...

Eric Dahl (@ericdahl_ak) is an elite-level backcountry Skier. He's twice skied on Denali, the tallest peak in North America at 20,310', and he's climbed and skied incredible feats in a single push that have required over 30 miles and 10,000' of elevation gain. When Eric isn't getting rad in the Alaskan backcountry, he's a full-time elementary school teacher, making it extra challenging to balance being an Athlete Dad that maintains family as his priority. Most importantly, Eric is a Husband an...

Reece Humphrey (@highlighthumphrey) is a former USA Freestyle Wrestler and current Head Coach at the New Jersey Regional Training Center. As an athlete, Reece was a 3x US Open Champion, a 3x World Team Member, and a 2x Veterans Freestyle World Champion. Reece transitioned his elite skills as an athlete into quickly becoming one of the best wrestling coaches in country, being named USA Wrestling Coach of the Year. Beyond the wrestling world, Reece is a man of many talents, launching a new podca...

The Athlete Dad is hosted by Ben Gibson, an outdoor adventure athlete turned Dad who explores the intersection of physical pursuits and fatherhood. The show follows the stories of Athlete Dads as they attempt to pursue their athletic dreams while balancing their family responsibilities. We hear wide-ranging stories from modeling ambition to integrating families into passions, triumphs, failures, harrowing adventures, and how high-performing athlete Dads also win at home. Support the showThe Ath...