In this episode of Leave No Doubt Fatherhood, we tackle one of the most requested topics from listeners: managing stress, burnout, and self-doubt as a father, especially in the early years. Inspired by a suggestion from one of our listeners, we dive deep into the tools that have helped us survive and thrive through the toughest periods of fatherhood. From leg breaks and months of sleepless nights to the overwhelming feeling of "I don't really feel like a dad yet,"we share the raw reality of what early fatherhood actually looks like. Key topics covered: Why you can't separate mental health from physical health - and the practical steps that actually work The HALT method: checking if you're too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired before assuming you're failing How to stay present instead of spiraling into future worry or past regret The power of waking up before your kids to get your head straight Why spirituality and the Serenity Prayer became game-changers, even for skeptics Creating a family vision statement - having a WHY Why your stress tolerance dramatically increases over time (and why that matters) We also talk nutrition's role in mood stability, the impact of blue light vs. sunlight, and why being of service to others is often the fastest way out of a mental spiral. Perfect for: New dads feeling overwhelmed, experienced fathers hitting a rough patch, or anyone looking for real strategies to manage the mental game of fatherhood.