In the wake of COVID-19, I was working from home and developed a stronger-than-ever relationship with alcohol. The unexpected loss of a lifelong friend left me grappling with purpose and mortality, spiraling from casual drinking to a more toxic habit fueled by confusion, anxiety, depression, and self-deprecation. These mental health issues put my faith and self-worth into question, starting innocently enough with drinking but evolving into something far worse.

I was slipping into what I now recognize was addiction. My family and I knew it, and it had become a serious health concern. As my physical health began to show signs of distress, my mental health suffered the most. With little knowledge of how to address it or the courage to admit it, I began researching and utilizing resources like coaching and group meetings, exploring my mental health further. After trying numerous programs, I found my stride with sobriety through peer addiction and recovery coaches, a resource I previously knew nothing about. Since then, I've regained my career, my family, and a stronger life than ever before.

I made a conscious decision to share my journey on social media, which led to an influx of messages of encouragement and inquiries about my sources of inspiration. My answers always included prayer, supportive family and friends, hard work, determination, and making use of community resources.

Over the last two years, I've lost friends to suicide, alcohol, drugs, and tragic accidents, devastating everyone connected to their lives. I’ve learned how to cope with these events, trust in my faith, and lean on my beliefs to overcome addiction and advance my goals.

The Domestic Dad Project arose from a pressing need to address the unique challenges parents face. When I realized the necessity for change in my own life, the available options felt daunting and impersonal. A community offering peer coaching rather than conventional programs would have aligned more closely with my goals of sobriety and becoming a better parent.

Today, parents are expected to be more than just providers; they are crucial to their children’s emotional and developmental growth. Yet, many struggle due to a lack of support and pervasive societal stigmas that discourage them from seeking help. The Domestic Dad Project aims to shatter these stigmas and bridge the existing gaps by providing a comprehensive support system that equips parents with the essential tools required to excel as both caregivers and partners.

This project is inspired by my personal journey through sobriety and the hurdles I faced in becoming the parent I aspired to be. I battled with emotional regulation, empathy, and presence—skills that must be cultivated. The complications of substance abuse can exacerbate mental health challenges, leaving many feeling isolated. Society often expects men to endure silently, perpetuating a culture where seeking help is seen as a weakness. The Domestic Dad Project aims to dismantle these outdated notions by fostering a safe, supportive environment that nurtures fatherly success.

What began as a Facebook page and website offering supportive clothing to raise awareness quickly evolved. It became evident that parents needed tangible, actionable resources beyond symbolic support. This realization spurred the creation of a peer addiction and recovery coaching program, providing the guidance and tools necessary for parents to thrive.

Despite the evident need, overcoming the stigma attached to seeking help remains a formidable barrier. To combat this, I launched the "Domestic Dad: Cleaning Up The Mess" podcast as a platform for parents to share their experiences and learn from each other in a supportive environment. The podcast has gained significant traction, ranking in the top 5% globally for parenting and personal growth, signaling a substantial impact yet underscoring the continued need for our work.

The ultimate vision for the Domestic Dad Project is to establish a comprehensive community support center—a space where parents can unite to receive coaching, engage in support groups, and access diverse resources that aid their success. This center will resemble a gym but for mental and emotional fitness, where parents can refine their parenting skills in a supportive environment, akin to a training ground for the heart and mind. Each session is designed to build the endurance, flexibility, and strength needed in parenthood.

We also plan to incorporate an onsite barber to boost confidence, a sober lounge and pool tables to foster community, a podcast studio for ongoing storytelling, and facilities to host AA/NA meetings because we believe in all pathways to recovery!

At the Domestic Dad Project we have a peer-centered approach, emphasizing that recovery is attainable. We focus on providing comprehensive recovery support services, engaging in advocacy, conducting outreach initiatives, and offering telephone recovery support. We are dedicated to showing that through community and connection, sustainable recovery and improved parenting is not just possible, but within reach for every individual.

We are actively seeking funding to make this vision a reality, aiming to provide a lifeline for parents in need, helping them to overcome challenges and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. By supporting the Domestic Dad Project, you contribute to the well-being of our community's families, ensuring every parent has the chance to be the best they can be.

In essence, the Domestic Dad Project is about transforming families and building stronger, healthier communities. Your support enables us to create a world where parents are empowered to seek help, develop their parenting skills, and provide their children with the love and support they deserve. This comprehensive strategy for recovery and personal development confronts the stigma associated with seeking assistance, fostering an environment that nurtures success. This project isn't just about helping fathers; it's about transforming families and building a community where parents can thrive.

Our goal is to establish a Recovery Community Center that includes a sober lounge, a six-week parenting course, and dedicated addiction and recovery coaches. We want to create a welcoming space for the community to find their path to recovery, while also offering resources to improve parenting skills.

When Dads decide to get sober, it becomes clear that there's important work to be done, and becoming a better parent is a crucial part of that journey.

At The Domestic Dad Project, our vision is to empower dads to become exceptional fathers, thereby enabling them to build brighter futures for their children. We strive to achieve this transformative goal through a multi-faceted approach that includes:

Peer Coaching: We provide one-on-one sessions that foster personal growth and enhance practical parenting skills.

Addiction and Recovery Coaching: Our specialized support focuses on sustainable recovery and effective relapse prevention to address and overcome challenges related to substance abuse.

Six-Week Parenting Course: Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to address critical aspects of personal and parental development:

• Week 1: “Who Am I?” — Participants engage in self-assessment and explore their identities to better understand their strengths and weaknesses.

• Week 2: “What’s Inside of Me?” — We introduce techniques for emotional regulation to help fathers manage their feelings constructively.

• Week 3: “When I Speak, What Comes Out?” — Training in empathetic communication equips fathers with the skills to foster understanding and connectivity with their families.

• Week 4: “Where Do I Want to Go?” — Goal-setting workshops help fathers envision and plan for a successful future.

• Week 5: “Why Am I Here?” — We explore personal purpose to give fathers a clearer sense of direction and motivation.

• Week 6: “How Am I Engaging?” — Conflict resolution training is provided to manage and resolve disputes effectively, ensuring healthy family dynamics.

Resource Advocacy: By establishing a robust network of resources, we ensure that fathers have access to a wide range of services, providing referrals and support beyond our direct offerings to guarantee comprehensive support for every dad’s journey.

Through these initiatives, The Domestic Dad Project aims to cultivate a community of people who are not only equipped to handle the challenges of parenting but are also motivated to pass on the legacy of positive fatherhood to future generations. Our commitment is to transform families, one father at a time, ensuring that each dad has the tools and support needed to lead with confidence and love.

Whether you know it or not, we’ve ALL met someone at some point that has struggled, who's had too much weight on their shoulders, and didn’t know how to talk about it. They probably didn't think there was a real issue until it was too late. So often we default to ignoring, drinking, or medicating through it. Those are difficult trends to break without help.

You may have wanted to help someone else and just didn’t know where to point them, point them here. In the beginning of that journey, Dads are hard wired to suck it up and handle it ourselves.

Also, while highly effective for those trying to get sober, Alcoholics Anonymous, rehab, detox facilities or state funded programs can be uncomfortable places to start.

We built this as an ongoing project to provide a comfortable and encouraging place to start while helping people come together, drive success and save lives in the process.

By donating to our project, by listening to our podcast, and by wearing our merchandise to raise awareness and identify the community that supports Dads who want to get their lives on track so they can build brighter futures for their children..