Most men can push through intensity. A lot of dads still struggle to hold it.

On this episode of the 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast, Rod Richard sits with Morgan Rich (author of The Invitation Beyond and creator of Threshold Coaching, “Training for the Unknown”) to talk about staying present under pressure, leading with integrity, and building healthy masculinity inside real fatherhood.

You’ll hear:

• What “threshold moments” are and why they change everything

• Rod’s “matrix moment” that reshaped his life as a father

• Cold water + breath as nervous system training (that applies at home)

• Healthy masculinity: presence, vulnerability, flexibility

• A simple in-the-moment reset for chaotic parenting moments

If you’re a dad trying to lead better:
Like, subscribe, and share this with one father you respect.

#fatherhood #parenting #masculinity #leadership #mindset #4fitfatherhood

0:00 Pushing through vs holding intensity
1:03 What strength looks like for dads
4:00 Morgan’s background + The Invitation Beyond
7:01 Loss, grief, and inner guidance
10:10 What a “threshold moment” is (Allegory of the Cave)
12:58 Rod’s fatherhood “matrix moment”
24:46 Moving through change with integrity
28:04 Cold water training and parenting tantrums
29:37 Healthy masculinity vs control/shutdown
46:39 What to do when home gets chaotic
54:25 “Listen with the ears of your heart”
56:42 Where to connect with Morgan
58:16 Outro recap

What’s your biggest “threshold moment” as a father so far, and what did it change in you?

Episode overview

Most men over 40 think their best days are behind them. Ben Brown would disagree.

In this conversation, Rod and Ben talk about what it takes for high-performing fathers to build a body they are proud of, without wrecking their marriage, career, or sanity. They break down time, stress, hormones, training, and the mindset shifts dads need if they want long-term health, not another 6-week sprint.

• The story of Ben’s dad, weight gain, and the wake-up call that shaped Ben’s mission

• How Ben’s own health crash and fatigue changed the way he sees training and nutrition

• Why high-performing men often feel exhausted despite “doing everything right”

• How to run a simple time and screen-time audit to find training windows

• What fathers over 40 need to change in their training plan

• How to think about fatigue, labs, and hormone health without panic

• The idea of a personal “operating system” for health, not random hacks

• Practical non-negotiables for sleep, steps, lifting, and food

• How being a husband and father of three shapes the way Ben coaches men today

Ben Brown is the owner and head nutrition and fitness coach at Body Systems, a virtual coaching company focused on helping high-performing men 40+ build a body they can be proud of through personalized nutrition, strength training, and lifestyle systems.

He is the co-founder and head coach behind The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show, a long-running podcast where he interviews experts on nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle for long-term health.

Ben is a husband and father of three, and he coaches from the same principles he uses to manage his own health, work, and family life.

• Site: https://www.bodysystems.com

• Instagram: @bodysystemscoaching

• Podcast: The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show

• Free Father’s Roadmap & resources: https://4fitfatherhood.com

• Coaching for fathers: https://youcancallmecoach.com

• Fatherhoodies gear: https://fatherhoodies.printify.me

• Grow Down brand drops and updates: share in your captions and Stories

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/4fitfatherhood

• Share this episode with a dad over 35 who says he “doesn’t have time”

• Leave a rating and review so more fathers can find the show

• Screenshot the episode, tag @4fitfatherhood and @bodysystemscoaching, and post your biggest takeaway

Healing the Modern Man with Dr. Michael Brasher

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michael Brasher for a real conversation about fatherhood, masculinity, and emotional leadership. Michael breaks down why so many men carry unspoken grief, how it shapes the way we show up at home, and what it looks like to finally deal with the weight we’ve been avoiding.

We get into generational pain, emotional honesty, and the difference between power over and power with. Michael shares practical tools for building daily emotional strength and why vulnerability is a skill every father needs.
If you're working on becoming a more present, grounded man, this one hits deep.

• The moment that pushed him into men's healing work

• How generational wounds show up in fatherhood

• Why men default to control instead of connection

• What emotional presence looks like day-to-day

• How to model strength without shutting down

• The role grief plays in becoming a better dad

• Why healed men lead differently

• Small daily habits that change the way you show up

• You can’t heal what you refuse to feel

• Your reactions are often rooted in old pain

• Connection creates influence; control destroys it

• Vulnerability builds trust with your kids and your partner

• A healed father leads with clarity instead of fear

Instagram: @lifeunboundcoaching
Website: lifeunboundcoaching.com

Here’s everything you can use to grow in your faith, family, finance, and fitness.

If you're ready to lead your family with confidence and consistency, my coaching programs are built for fathers who want real change.
👉 4-Pillar Fatherhood Coaching: https://youcancallmecoach.com
👉 Book a Strategy Call: https://youcancallmecoach.com/apply

Gear that represents who you are and what you stand for as a father.
Hoodies, tees, and more.
👉 Shop the collection: https://fatherhoodies.printify.me

Short-form content, resources, and tools for men who want to grow deeper and lead stronger.
👉 Grow Down on Instagram: @growdown.co

Daily content, videos, and tools to help you become the father your family needs.
👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/4fitfatherhood
👉 Podcast website: https://4fitfatherhood.com

If you valued this episode, share it with another dad who needs it.
Your growth creates theirs.