Author Archives: Drew Dilisio

The police academy, fire academy and military boot camps are filled with 18 to 20-somethings pushing harder mentally and physically than they have ever pushed themselves before. These platforms are mostly for young adults and are even more highlighted than previously with the invention of social media. While Navy Seal movies and Police SWAT shows …

Continue reading “REINVENTING MANHOOD: A NEED FOR CONNECTION AND PURPOSE”

Alex stared out the window and wondered what the problem might be. He liked to golf and was always ready to get together with the guys and go out for 18 holes. Sometimes he went to the golf course and just played a round by himself or with anyone who showed up. Lately, though, it just wasn’t that interesting. He found it easier to stay at work.

My baseball career ended at the age of 16, as a junior varsity benchwarmer. I couldn’t throw as hard or run as fast as my teammates. But, that is still longer than most kids play these days. Now, by age 14, more than 70% of ballplayers have stopped playing ball.

Let me tell you about my brain.

Imagine thinking about all the things you have to do one day at work. While you are thinking about those things, a constant song plays in your head. While this song is only in your head, if you sing a line wrong, you must start over again, until you get the line perfect.

You forget to set your alarm, wake up late, spill coffee on yourself, and trip over your kid’s toys on the way out the door. Your wife texts you on the way to work, unhappy about the mess you left in the kitchen and reminds you that your son has soccer practice this evening. You will need to attend because she will be at another event with your daughter.

Mental health is a tough topic of discussion in most homes and oftentimes met with negative comments. Those who deal with mental health challenges are often shunned and ostracized.  I thought “finance” was a sensitive topic, but discussing mental health is like walking on thin ice!

There’s a pain in Dave’s chest that he can’t get rid of. He massages it constantly and has no clue as to why it hurts. He can’t sleep at night, and he feels tired all during the day, even when he does get some good sleep. Dave used to love bowling.

Like trucking, the naval submarine service is mostly made up of men. On my boat, the USS San Francisco, a lot of the men on board had children and families who would stay behind while we were out to sea. We left on deployments and missions for months at a time, often with limited contact.

It’s hard to believe, but just ten years ago, I was a fast food, frozen pizza eating bachelor. I rarely did any real cooking of any kind.

In a world that has men constantly under attack, it is easy to feel defeated. Sometimes it feels like the world is out to destroy the role of father and husband in the home. Over-The-Road dads, step-dads, and grandfathers feel the pressure more than most.