Dad Strength
I was walking with my family the other day, taking a casual stroll if you will. Suddenly, my 18-month-old daughter threw a fit in her stroller. Coming as no surprise to me, I took the responsibility of carrying her like any good dad would to comfort his child. Little did I know, our casual stroll turned into a two and a half mile walk, hills included. It was around the first mile marker that I finally understood the mythical “Dad Strength.”
Superman
As a kid growing up, I always thought, as many young boys do, that my dad was superman. No matter how hard I tried, I could never beat him. Dad just seemed to have incredible strength. As I grew up, I found that this wasn’t uncommon. As a matter of fact, the goal of being stronger than dad was huge among most of my peers. I guess it’s just a simple fact of life. Young boys want to grow up and be as strong as their dads, and dads will never admit losing ground to their sons.
Reaching about mile two in my walk, I thought about how dads got that strength. I’m not simply talking about squatting and deadlifting big numbers. I mean “real dad strength.” Then it hit me—I had been carrying my daughter for almost two miles and I wasn’t tired from it at all. Whether it was just from daily training or the fact that I knew my daughter felt safer in my hands than anywhere else in the world, something kept me going.
Real Strength
This is what life is for dads—being able to carry your kids, wife, or whole family through anything. It provides an unstoppable motivation. Now when I’m in the weight room, I say to myself, “If this were life and death and my strength were going to be used to carry my daughter out of trouble, would I quit or would I get one more rep, maybe one more pound, maybe one more second of strain to protect my child?”
Now I’m not saying that you need to think like that all the time. God knows stress is a killer, and life should be more than adrenaline and getting psyched up.
I have a challenge for you though if you’re willing to accept it. Take your kid(s) out, pick him or her up, and just start walking. See how far you can go. See if you can hold on longer than you thought possible or if you just refuse to let go.
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Kyle George is a former Air Force firefighter and currently attends East Carolina University. He remains in the military as a ready reservist. His training background includes certifications through the ISSA and work as a physical training leader for the MacDill AFB fire department. 
Great read
Nice article. When I was in grade-school, I remember arguing with kids on the bus about whose dad was the toughest. As an adult, I realize that the strength of a father is much deeper than just a physical thing. However; on the physical front I enjoy grabbing my boys’ hands and doing front raises with them. Their enthusiasm for the skyward trip lasts much longer than my muscles when performing this feat…I have to remind them that the “daddy power” has been exhausted.
Great post. My wife and I take our kids hiking regularly, and I end up with my four year old (40+ pounds) on my shoulders or my 2 year old (30 lbs) on my back in the backpack for miles on end. Having the family time together and knowing that no matter who gets tired, I can take them to the top (or back down) the trail is very important to me. Sometimes I throw a kid on my back just for an extra workout on our leisurely hikes.
My time in the gym and on the trails alone gives back in the stamina I have to carry my kids, play with them, and yes, impress them with my feats of strength. Being a dad is a great motivator for keeping fit. And daily dad activities are great fitness enhancers.
This is true, its almost parental instinct. People without children will not “really” understand this, but, there isnt anything I wouldnt do to protect and care for my children. The first time I “really” understood is when I held my children right after they were born. Its the most wonderful life altering event that has no equal, and, in your mind, at that moment, you understand what it “really” means- to do anything for someone-
We used to call it “old man strength” forged from years of daily physical labor and the inability to walk away from a difficult task or situation.
…you never messed with “old man strength”
Always tried to be stronger than the old man. I competed in olympic lifting as a teenager and had a pretty bad accident. Pop carried me in his arms for almost a mile to help…I was 198lbs and he was in his late fifties. He was the man.
Great post, I can completely relate. My son is now 8 yrs old and a bit over 80 lbs; and I still enjoy putting him up on my shoulders and carrying him. Dad strength is part physical, 5/3/1 helps me there – but mostly an inner strength.
Great post
Yup, that’s “OMS.” Moms can have it too. Old Man Strength is legit.
Old man strength is what me and my friends always called it. Anyone that is older than you and has kids can whip your butt at just about anything. No questions asked, they simply can do it. It is something that all men strive to obtain.
Definately agree with everything said above. I’ve had a few situations that put me to the test a little, nothing life threatening but just things that surprised people that I was able to keep going, my answer was always “Dad Strength.”
I carried my five-year-old daughter through Disney World a couple years ago and I thought I was going to die.
The family got caught in the riptide post-firework rush to the mono-rail. When the fireworks began, I remember thinking, Oh my God, we’re still in the park. Yes, we had a stroller, but like the child in the article, she felt more comfortable in my arms. I kept whispering/repeating in her ear, “Are you sure you don’t want to lie down in the stroller? Are you sure you don’t want to lie down in the stroller?”
Two comments: 1) Great post; 2) I clearly need to increase my Prowler Pushes/Hill Sprints
EJE
great article
excellent article, great job
Absolutely true! I squat over 400lbs but my dad is still stronger than me, even though he’s in his 60′s.
A few weeks ago, my son got his thumb caught in the van sliding door. When I heard his cry I went into a different mode. I ripped the door handle off in an effort to get him out. I have totaled elite in the APF and made the top 40 on the Powerlifting USA in squat and total, but that is by far the greatest feat of strength I have ever done.
Dad and mom strength as well, one of the amazing things you discover about yourself only by being a parent. Great Read.
Great article man. Respect.
Nice Article! Every winter I put my two boys in a sled, hook up the harness and pull them a half mile through a field to a sledding hill. Sure I could drive them there, park next to the hill and only have to walk a short distance, but where is the fun in that?! I am the bull! This is why I train so hard. Sure I like to compete in various competitions, but to pull my boys to a sledding hill! And have energy to boot!? Priceless!
I started doing cleans after my daughter was born, best exercise ever for picking up and carrying kids.
Great Article.
Greenville seemed like a great place to raise kids. Enjoy.
Brilliant and true.
My old man always outworked us even while my brothers and I were lifting and trying to be wrestling bad asses growing up. He had the old school, farm boy strength- cutting tobacco and working as a waterman in the Chesapeake Bay. To this day you can’t deny him, he was in a coma for 3 months and almost died this past summer. He got home and we had to hide his truck keys to keep him from escaping. He threw the wheelchair out and used his walker maybe twice. He uses what is left of his worn down upper body to propel himself, never giving in. I hope I can be that strong and an inspiration to my son as he grows into a man
Great Article – thanks for reminding us all what life is about.
When my son was born, I bought a backpack to pop him in and carry him around. A few 15 km walks and hillclimbs work the legs nicely. Now my daughter is 3 and she rides around in it, along with the shopping and whatever we pick up for the day
So much fun and beats doing farmers walks!