logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2
1h 6m

Is Brain Fog Stealing Your Fatherhood? f...

Larry Hagner
About this episode

Have you ever asked yourself:

  • "Why am I so tired, even after a full night's sleep?"
  • "Am I really present for my kids, or just physically there?"
  • "Could my low energy be impacting my marriage and family life?"

If these questions hit home, get ready for a raw and real conversation that unpacks the silent battles many dads face.

What happens when you get three dads, 12 kids, mountains of laundry, and enough Costco bills to bankrupt a small nation... all together on one podcast? Chaos? Yep. Laughter? Absolutely. But beneath the wild potty-training stories and "Dad, look at my squat!" moments, today’s conversation hits something way deeper with Matt Salazar, father of five boys, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Gent Health, and his partner, Sonny Howard, a dad of three.

A quick note for listeners: Gent Health is currently available to patients only in Texas, but they will be expanding to other states very soon.

Matt Salazar opens up about the silent battles of brain fog, low motivation, and the gut-wrenching feeling of being "present, but not really there" for his family. Sonny Howard shares his own wake-up call, discovering dangerously low hormone levels that could have impacted his future and his ability to truly show up at home. 

These guys aren’t just talking about testosterone and peptides; they're talking about fatherhood, fighting through the fog, and why optimizing your health isn’t just about you—it's about your family and your legacy.

 

In this powerful episode, we dig into:

  1. The Hidden Epidemic of Brain Fog & Low Motivation: Understanding why so many modern dads feel wiped out and disconnected.
  2. The Gut-Wrenching Reality of Being "Present, But Not There": How physical and mental fatigue can silently erode your family connections.
  3. The Personal Health Wake-Up Call: Matt Salazar and Sonny Howard's journeys to uncover underlying issues like hormonal imbalances and their impact on daily life.
  4. Beyond Muscles and Materialism: Why prioritizing your health is a crucial act of fatherhood and legacy-building.
  5. Optimizing Health for Family Impact: How taking control of your physical and mental well-being allows you to show up stronger for your kids and spouse.

Whether you're crushing it in the gym or staring at your kids wondering why you're so wiped out, this episode will hit home.

 

Here's what research and observation highlight about men's health and its impact on family:

  • Studies indicate that men experiencing low testosterone often report a 30% decrease in energy levels and a 25% increase in symptoms of brain fog.
  • Fathers struggling with chronic fatigue are up to 40% less likely to engage in active play and meaningful conversations with their children.
  • Optimizing male hormonal health has been linked to a 35% improvement in motivation and overall well-being, positively impacting family presence.

 

www.thedadedge.com/529

www.thedadedge.com/alliance

www.gent.health

www.instagram.com/genthealth

 

Up next
Yesterday
Purposeful Parenting to Build Strong, Responsible Young Men
In this special father-son episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with my son, Ethan, to continue our August series on raising boys into strong, capable men. Together, we dive into the real challenges young men face today and the lessons that shape character, responsibility, ... Show More
54m 36s
Aug 18
How to Redesign Your Life Intentionally with Identity, Mindset, and Ownership ft. Rock Thomas
In this powerful episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Rock Thomas—entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of the I Am Movement—to explore what it truly means to break free from limiting beliefs and take ownership of your life. Rock shares his journey from humble ... Show More
56m 38s
Aug 15
How We Stay Close When Life Gets Loud ft. Jessica Hagner
In this heartfelt episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m joined once again by my wife, Jessica Hagner, to share an inside look at how we approach marriage, parenting, and family life as a team. From building respect and handling conflict to raising four boys with shared values, thi ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
Jun 27
519. Connection in Your Marriage with Brooke Castillo
When your spouse doesn't open up, doesn't communicate the way you want, or seems emotionally unavailable, it's easy to believe that connection is impossible. This is a story many women tell themselves. But what if this belief is actually what keeps you stuck in frustration and re ... Show More
26m 39s
Apr 2025
Top 3 Tips to Fix The Communication In Your Marriage
Enjoy the episode? Send us a text!Ever found yourself wondering why your spouse doesn't just "get it" without you having to say anything? You're not alone. Marriage communication breaks down in predictable patterns, but understanding these patterns is your first step to ... Show More
14m 7s
Oct 2024
How To Stop Mirroring Your Spouse's Negative Emotions
Have you ever had your spouse come home stressed and before you know it you're feeling stressed, too? This is mirroring, and it's what happens automatically because of mirror neurons. But just because it's automatic doesn't mean it's the only way. In fact, there's a much better w ... Show More
26m 25s
Jul 2
How To Ask Your Spouse To Work On The Marriage With You
Enjoy the episode? Send us a text!You want to save your marriage, but your spouse doesn’t seem interested. What now?In this powerful episode, Kimberly Beam Holmes and Dr. Joe Beam walk you step-by-step through how to approach your spouse about working on the marriage—even if they ... Show More
1h 9m
Jun 5
Even If Your Spouse Doesn’t Deserve Grace
How do you show your mate kindness when you don't feel like it? Sean and Lanette Reed speak with Jim Daly about how all of us need grace and a chance to grow sometimes. Also, John asks Greg Smalley about how grace has strengthened his marriage. Find us online at focusonthefamily. ... Show More
13m 46s
Jul 2024
#411: Did You Marry The Wrong Person?? How to Tell...
Was your marriage a MISTAKE? Today we’re diving into a question I hear a lot: "Did I marry the wrong person?" If your relationship feels hard and you're starting to wonder if you made the right choice, you’re in the right place. We’ll tackle four essential areas to help you gain ... Show More
38m 15s
Sep 2024
825: WORKING TOGETHER ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE
Let's discuss a topic we’ve been asked about a lot: working together…How do you do it? How do you navigate all the ups and downs? | "If every couple quit when marriage got hard 100% of couples would be divorced. Challenges in your marriage are an opportunity to work together; not ... Show More
31m 20s
Jun 12
Seeing Life Through Your Spouse’s Temperament
Anyone who's been married for a while will tell you that you and your spouse will have different perspectives sometimes. Dr. Kevin Leman and Jim Daly explain how you need to learn to see things through your spouse's eyes. Also, the Smalley's provide some hope if your temperament ... Show More
13m 33s
Mar 2022
Work Wife
A term often used at work, is "work wife" or "work spouse," is this a harmless saying or is there potential danger in thinking this way? On today's episode we tackle what is appropriate conduct in the workplace to protect yourself and your spouse. Today's Question (21:00): My in ... Show More
32m 25s
Oct 2024
3353: Enriching Your Marriage by Creating Shared Meaning by Terry Gaspard of the Gottman Institute
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3353:Terry Gaspard explores how couples like Teresa and Brian, struggling with everyday frustrations, can strengthen their m ... Show More
11m 35s