I think it's fair to say that most of us have some "daddy issues." Whether we had a great dad, a good dad, or maybe one who was just kind of okay—or even a dad who wasn’t present at all—those experiences shape us in profound ways. As humans, we all fall short, and sometimes, it’s tempting to compare our earthly fathers to our Heavenly Father. But doing so isn’t exactly wise because our Heavenly Father is perfect, while our earthly fathers, like us, are imperfect.

I am incredibly blessed to work alongside an amazing team at Man Up and Go. One of the things I love most is their passion for fatherhood. Our team doesn't just know the statistics about fatherless homes—they’ve lived through the real-life struggles. It hits home for them, and because of that, they bring an authenticity to everything we do. It’s inspiring to see how their personal stories fuel their dedication to our mission.

As a father and the CEO of Man Up and Go, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of the role fathers play in shaping the lives of their children. It’s also interesting to observe how fatherhood is portrayed in the media. Over the years, we’ve seen a couple of dominant tropes emerge: the bumbling, clueless father and the wise, knowledgeable dad.

One of the most consistent truths I’ve observed in fatherhood—whether here in the U.S. or in other parts of the world—is the importance of respect. It transcends cultures, languages, and borders. Respect is the foundation of healthy relationships, not just between fathers and their children, but also within marriages, communities, and even nations.