The Secret Struggle Most Dads Hide!

HHave you ever asked yourself:

1. Am I willing to face discomfort and take courageous action?
2. What negative self-talk or pressure am I letting control me?
3. Have I ever taken the time to really name and face what’s weighing me down or keeping me up at night?

Whether you’re a business owner, a hard-working dad, or somewhere in between, Larry lays out why building intentional connections with other men and seeking growth is key to creating a legendary life—both for yourself and the generations to come.

Drawing from personal experience and eye-opening statistics, Larry opens up about his own journey through denial, honesty, and growth, unpacking how easy it is for men to stay stuck in “I’m fine” mode—even when struggling internally. He offers three powerful strategies to support mental well-being: ruthless self-honesty, taking care of your body and mind, and intentionally building a supportive, growth-oriented circle of men.

If you’re ready to get honest, find your tribe, and start moving forward, this episode will be the wake-up call you need.

Become the best husband you can: https://bit.ly/deamarriageyoutube

Larry Hagner’s Themes

1. Move Your Body, Guard Your Mind, and Cut the Junk: Mental and physical health are inseparable. Larry calls this the second pillar: move your body, guard your mind, and cut out the junk. Regular movement, whether it’s a walk, a lift, or a sweat session, can clear your head and improve your mood. You don’t need a perfect workout routine. Consistency is far more important.
2. Upgrade Your Circle: Brotherhood Over Isolation: Isolation is the silent killer of men’s mental health. Many fathers try to “lone wolf” their way through struggles, believing they must handle everything themselves. Larry warns that this mindset can erode your spirit and make life’s challenges feel even heavier.
3. The Power of Getting Honest With Yourself: Every father experiences moments of feeling lost, overwhelmed, or out of his depth. According to Larry, the first and most crucial step is honesty. Too often, we brush aside our struggles with the phrase, “I’m fine,” when, in reality, we are not. Instead of masking the pain or confusion, Larry encourages dads to face those feelings head-on.

This episode will inspire you to disrupt the repeating pattern, reclaim your purpose, and start living a legendary life.

Here’s what research and observation highlight about

• One in eight men will deal with serious depression in their lifetime, but over 60% will not get help.
• Men die by suicide four times more than women, but rarely ask for help.
• Most dads say that they feel consistently stressed or burned out trying to balance work, fatherhood, and marriage. But nearly half admit feeling completely and totally alone.

Larry’s Takeaways

1. Radical Honesty Is the Start Line
2. Guard Your Mind—Move Your Body
3. You Need a Brotherhood, Not Isolation

Chapters

01:36 – Struggles in balancing life’s key areas; the reality of burnout
02:28 – Why this July series is about advice to a younger self
03:47 – Hard statistics: male mental health, depression, and suicide
05:53 – Political stress and why news/social fights only worsen anxiety
08:16 – Three-part strategy for better mental health
09:26 – Larry shares his personal “rock bottom” and how honesty changed everything
14:08 – The power of movement and guarding your mind; cutting negative inputs
17:16 – The cost of isolation and picking your inner circle wisely
20:04 – The urgent but limited window to connect as a dad
21:04 – Techniques to re-engage with teens and create lasting impact
23:47 – How community (The Alliance or Boardroom) builds connection
24:51 – The courage required to admit you want change, and Larry’s call to action
25:30 – Closing thoughts: Live your legendary life

Links:

www.thedadedge.socialhost.dev/mastermind

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