Why Strength, Struggle, and Showing Up Matter More Than Ever
“Three plates or no dates.”
It started as a joke in my house—my daughters know the rule: if a young man wants to date them someday, he better be able to bench 315. But behind the laughter, there’s something real. It’s not about the number on the bar. It’s about setting the bar—for what I expect from myself and what I want them to expect from the people they allow into their lives.
I’m not raising my daughters to settle. I’m raising them to recognize character, commitment, and work ethic. And the best way I can do that? Live it. Model it. Show up consistently and push myself to be better—even when it’s hard, even when it’s inconvenient.
Because a big bench press doesn’t make you a man. But the effort it takes to build it? The discipline, the consistency, the refusal to quit? That’s the kind of standard I want to set—not just for the guys who come knocking, but for my girls, so they know exactly what effort, dedication, and integrity look like in action.
At Grit Athletics, we talk a lot about getting stronger. But strength isn’t just about how much weight you can lift. It’s about how you show up—for yourself, your family, and the people who are watching when you think no one is. That’s what this is really about.
If you’re a dad, your kids don’t care what your max bench press is. But they are watching. Every. Single. Day. They see how you respond when life gets hard. They see whether you stick with your routine or fall off when things get busy. They notice if you prioritize your health—or make excuses. And whether they ever say it out loud or not, your habits shape what they believe is normal, possible, and expected of them.
We see this in the gym all the time. Dads come in because they want to drop weight, feel better, or get strong again. But over time, it becomes something deeper. They realize that being consistent, pushing through challenges, and showing up even when they’re tired is bigger than them. It’s about setting a standard for their kids. It’s about teaching through action, not just words.
And the struggle matters. Because your kids need to see you wrestle with hard things—and keep going. They need to see that progress isn’t linear, that setbacks happen, and that quitting isn’t an option. We want our kids to be resilient, disciplined, and driven. But the best way to teach that is to model it.
So no, “three plates or no dates” isn’t really about benching 315. It’s about taking your role as a father seriously. It’s about leading from the front. It’s about showing your kids what strength looks like—not just in the gym, but in everyday life.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need the perfect plan or the perfect time. You need to take action. Because your family doesn’t need you to be flawless. They need you to be present. They need you to be healthy. They need you to be strong.
That’s why we built this gym. Not just to help people lose fat or lift heavier (though we’ll do both). But to give busy parents—especially dads—a space to take care of themselves, lead by example, and build something that lasts.
If that’s what you’re after, we’d love to help.
Schedule a free intro with a Grit coach—no pressure, no hard sell. Just a simple conversation about where you’re at, where you want to go, and how we can help you get there.
Ready to lead from the front? Let’s set the standard.
