"I am engaged." Insights from The Code "Focus & Presence."

Insights on the power of small actions from "The Screwtape Letters."

This episode marks a refining moment in this podcast and more broadly in the direction of Full Strength Father. Through some personal and powerful experiences, my vision and purpose with FSF has been refined and directed. I am aware that the authenticity of my words and the vision I have may create polarization and cause some to go elsewhere. I know that those who are meant to hear this message and move forward with us will do so.

"This life is the time to prepare to meet God."

Onward.

Summary

Tim Bleakley shares his family background, education, career path, and important life decisions. He discusses meeting and marrying his wife Holly and their decision to have a large family. Tim also talks about his experience in the Royal Air Force and Holly's academic achievements and rowing career. This part of the conversation focuses on Tim's rowing and athletic achievements, his roles in the Royal Air Force, the challenges of balancing career and family, the considerations for extending his Air Force career, the decision to move to the United States, maintaining faith and trust in God, and the importance of parenting as a joint effort. In this conversation, Tim Bleakley shares his experiences and insights on various aspects of fatherhood and family life. He discusses the importance of establishing a family vision and the role of faith and family values in shaping their lives. Tim emphasizes the need to balance technology and physical experiences, encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities and pursue their interests. He also highlights the significance of treating children as rational individuals and allowing them to explore and discover their own passions. Tim's story serves as a reminder to lead by example and continually grow as a father and husband.

Takeaways

Family stability and a supportive community can provide a strong foundation for personal growth.

Important life decisions often require faith and guidance from a higher power.

Education and career choices can shape one's life trajectory and opportunities.

Meeting the right partner can have a profound impact on personal happiness and fulfillment. Balancing a demanding career and family life can be challenging, but open communication, support, and shared responsibilities can help navigate these challenges.

Trusting in God's plan and having faith can provide strength and reassurance during times of uncertainty and adversity.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth can arise from unexpected changes and setbacks.

Parenting is a joint effort that requires understanding, support, and appreciation for each other's roles and contributions.

Taking time to be present and create quality moments with family is essential for building strong relationships and creating lasting memories. Establishing a family vision and core activities can provide a sense of purpose and direction.

Commitment to faith and family values can serve as a strong foundation for raising children.

Balancing technology and physical experiences is crucial for children's mental health and social development.

Treating children as rational individuals and encouraging their interests and pursuits can foster their growth and self-confidence.

Leading by example and constantly growing as a father is essential for maintaining a strong family dynamic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Family Background

03:00 Education and Career Path

13:10 Meeting and Marrying Holly

23:26 Important Life Decisions

29:15 Joining the Royal Air Force

35:23 Holly's Education and Rowing

43:10 Rowing and Athletic Achievements

47:00 Roles in the Royal Air Force

53:05 Challenges of Balancing Career and Family

57:41 Considerations for Extending Air Force Career

59:36 Decision to Move to the United States

01:08:50 Maintaining Faith and Trust in God

01:20:20 Parenting as a Joint Effort

01:25:37 Maintaining Communication and Quality Time

01:26:50 Establishing a Family Vision

01:27:23 Commitment to Faith and Family Values

01:29:08 The Importance of Family and Church Community

01:30:34 Individual Pursuits and Spiritual Relationships

01:33:54 Navigating the Current World as Fathers

01:35:39 Balancing Technology and Physical Experiences

01:38:01 Creating Family Rules and Boundaries

01:41:15 Treating Children as Rational Individuals

01:44:35 The Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

01:50:57 The Impact of Nature and Analog Activities

01:53:15 Being Present and Allowing Children to Explore

Bart Hamilton grew up in Southern Idaho and from a young age developed a love for hard work, the outdoors, and athletics. He has been married to his wife Christy for 28 years and has raised their 5 boys (ages spanning 29 down to 14) alongside her. They currently have 3 grandkids with one on the way. 

Bart has worked professionally in IT sales for over 2 and a half decades and manages commercial accounts throughout southern Idaho. His diligence and success in his profession has enabled him to provide security, stability, and freedom for his family. 

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of the small and seemingly simple daily practices that bring power and direction into our lives as fathers. We also reflect on experiences in Bart’s life that helped him maintain perspective though challenges and stay the course through the storms of life. 

Mark Taysom is a friend and mentor. He's been in health and human performance for well over two decades. And throughout that timeframe, he's accumulated a very wide and deep experience level with a variety of populations. Currently as program director for

the United States Army Holistic Health and Fitness program and is doing amazing work there.

Prior to that, he worked in multiple educational settings and also with pretty much every population of high performing athletes you could possibly think of from NFL to the Olympic training center. He's also spent time with geriatric populations. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon.

Mark has competed in strongman and throughout many years has has placed multiple times at the national level of the United States. And in 2016 was a strongman national champion. His awards, his accolades are extensive and anybody who's in the space who knows Mark knows that he has a servant heart.

He's a true leader by example and is deeply passionate about what he does. In addition to all of that, Mark is a father of four and a devoted husband and a very faithful, solid man.

Joseph Koerper is a devoted husband and hard-working father of 3 with one on the way. His life’s course is a testament to the power of consistent faith-founded action. 

His diligence enabled him to create success in academics and athletics from a young age where he was a top ranking student-athlete in both high-school and college, earning multiple awards.

He married his high school sweetheart after he spent 2 years away from her on a service mission in Boston Massachusetts. It was during that mission experience that he gained a deep understanding of his relationship with God and a love of serving others selflessly. 

In college, he majored in genetics and bio-tech, with minors in math, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry while playing division 1 baseball. 

Following graduation, much to the disbelief of his academic advisors and peers, he departed from the career trajectory he had established (the medical field) and entered the world of real estate sales where he leveraged the attributes he developed through academics and his mission to become of the top rookie producers in the nation. He’s since gone on to produce in the top 1.5 percent nationally each consecutive year. 

In our conversation today, we hone in on the power of remembering our mortality as fathers and how that remembrance can help us maximize our time with our loved ones. 

This interview is with 31 year old husband and father to two young children, Chandler Yamane. He’s a serial entrepreneur and has grown successful businesses in commercial cleaning, digital marketing, and health and fitness. Chandler is a driven, positive, self-starter and is an example to all of us of what it means to Live Full Strength. 

In this conversation, we discuss the challenges of combining fatherhood with business ownership, maintaining consistency through ups and downs, dealing with failure and showing up during hard times, the power of optimism and gratitude, the importance of creating a vision for our lives, and how implementing simple, achievable positive habits can be a game changer for us as fathers. 

We begin this conversation discussing Chandler’s decision to go on a 2 year service mission at the age of 19 and the impact that decision has had on his life as a young father.