Issue #13: When Men Say They Are Tired

Welcome back!

The First Rule of H.M.C - Don’t Talk About the H.M.C

What’s on Today’s Agenda:

🍔 Damn, That Looks Good

🧢 Bold Beanies

🎧 New Song

🥱 When Men Say They Are Tired

🤣  Dad Joke

👀 Must-Watch Documentary

😖 The Quiet Struggle

📆 Events

💪 He-Man Life Lessons

Damn, That Looks Good 🐖

@kendrick.bbq

Smoked and Marinated Cherry Dr Pepper Pulled Pork and a lot of heavy breathing 🤷🏻‍♂️ . . #kendrickbbq #traegergrills #pulledpork #porkbutt... See more

Your Wardrobe: Beanies

Fall is full of stunning colours, but it can quickly start getting a bit too seventies if you don’t throw in a few brighter pieces to balance out all the brown and beige. That’s where a nice, bold beanie hat comes in.

Chucking a vibrant lid on helps inject a splash of colour into your outfit, providing a focal point and keeping things interesting. Bright safety orange is our shade of choice this season.

Listen To This Song! 🎧

When Men Say They Are Tired 🥱

@user84052701423125

When Man say We’re Tired #melrobbins #melrobbinspodcast #mentoringmen

Try Out This Dad Joke At Work

Why do ducks have feathers on their tails? To hide their butt-quacks.

👀 Must-Watch Documentary

Men face unique mental health issues influenced by societal expectations and stigma. Two of the most pressing concerns include depression and anxiety, and the alarming rates of suicide among men.

Depression And Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental health issues that significantly affect men. Depression in men often manifests differently compared to women. Symptoms may include irritability, anger, and aggression, rather than sadness. Due to societal expectations, men are less likely to seek help, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.

Anxiety in men is also a critical issue. Men might experience excessive worry, panic attacks, and physical symptoms like increased heart rate. Chronic stress from professional pressures and personal responsibilities often exacerbates these conditions. Awareness programs and targeted therapies are essential in addressing these concerns and encouraging men to seek help.

Symptoms Actions Needed Irritability Promote counseling Increased heart rate Encourage mindfulness practices

Suicide Rates Among Men

Suicide rates among men are alarmingly high. Statistics highlight that men are more likely to die by suicide compared to women, with middle-aged men being particularly vulnerable. This disparity is attributed to factors such as reluctance to express emotions, underdiagnosis of mental health conditions, and limited social support.

Preventative measures include increasing public awareness, fostering open dialogues about mental health, and providing mental health resources tailored for men. Encouraging early intervention and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health can potentially save lives.

Key Factors:

• Lower help-seeking behavior

• Greater stigma associated with mental health

• Higher likelihood of using lethal means

Prevention Strategy Description Public awareness Campaigns to reduce stigma Early intervention Access to mental health services

Promoting a culture where men feel safe seeking help is crucial in addressing these mental health concerns.

😖 The Quiet Struggle: How Hormone Imbalance Affects Dads' Relationships

Guest author -Chas Gessner, CEO I Vitality Rx

Jake used to be the dad who built blanket forts on Sunday mornings. The husband who'd surprise his wife with impromptu date nights. The guy who had energy left over after a long workday to actually listen when his 8-year-old explained the intricate rules of her latest made-up game.

But somewhere along the way, that version of himself started slipping away – and someone much angrier took his place.

These days, Jake finds himself snapping at his daughter for leaving toys in the hallway, something that used to earn a gentle reminder at most. He argues with his wife Sarah about trivial things – whose turn it is to do dishes, whether they really need to buy organic groceries, why she's "nagging" him about plans for the weekend. The man who used to roll with life's small chaos now treats every minor inconvenience like a personal attack.

Jake loves his family fiercely. That's never changed. But his ability to show them patience, kindness, and emotional stability? That's been unraveling for months.

When "Just Tired" Becomes Something More

If Jake's story sounds familiar, you're not alone. Millions of dads are living this quiet struggle, chalking up their exhaustion to "getting older" or "the stress of parenthood." But what if it's not just about being busy or aging? What if there's an actual medical reason behind the fog that's settled over your family life?

Here's what Jake didn't realize: his constant fatigue wasn't a character flaw or a sign that he was failing as a husband and father. It was his body sending a signal that something was off – specifically, his hormone levels.

Low testosterone doesn't just affect your gym performance or your libido (though it does that too). It directly impacts your ability to show up as the dad and partner you want to be. When your energy tanks, everything else follows:

• Your fuse gets dangerously short. You know that "hangry" feeling when you're tired and hungry? Now imagine that's your default state. Spilled milk becomes a reason to raise your voice. Your kid's innocent question interrupts your concentration and you snap before you can stop yourself.

• You become the dad you swore you'd never be. The patient, understanding father you envisioned yourself being gets replaced by someone who's constantly irritated, argumentative, and quick to anger over things that shouldn't matter.

• Your family starts walking on eggshells. Your wife stops bringing up topics she knows will set you off. Your kids learn to read your mood before approaching you. Everyone's adjusting their behavior around your unpredictable temper.

The Ripple Effect Nobody Talks About

Sarah didn't understand why her husband had become so reactive and critical. The man who used to laugh off life's little mishaps now treated every forgotten chore or innocent mistake like a crisis. Their conversations turned into arguments about nothing, leaving both of them frustrated and confused about how they got there.

Their daughter noticed too, in the way kids always do. She started tiptoeing around dad, choosing her words carefully and reading his mood before asking for help with homework. The easy, playful relationship they'd always had was replaced by caution and confusion.

The worst part for Jake? He could see what he was doing to his family, but felt powerless to stop it. He'd promise himself to be more patient, only to explode over something trivial the next day. The guilt from his outbursts only made him more irritable, creating a cycle that seemed impossible to break.

The Science Behind the Shutdown

When your testosterone levels drop – which they naturally do as you age, but can accelerate due to stress, poor sleep, and environmental factors – your body essentially goes into conservation mode. Your brain prioritizes basic survival over the energy-intensive work of being emotionally present and physically active.

This isn't about willpower or character. It's biology. Your body is literally rationing energy, and unfortunately, family engagement often gets cut from the budget first.

But here's the hope: once you understand that your relationship struggles might have a medical component, you can actually do something about it.

The Turning Point

Jake's wake-up call came during his daughter's bedtime routine. She'd asked him to read an extra story, and instead of the gentle "not tonight, sweetheart" he intended, he snapped: "I said ONE story, why can't you just listen?"

The look on her face – hurt, confused, a little scared – stopped him cold. This wasn't the dad he wanted to be. This wasn't even the man he recognized as himself.

That night, he had an honest conversation with Sarah. Not about their relationship problems, but about how he'd been feeling – the constant irritability, the hair-trigger temper, the sense that he was becoming someone he didn't like despite trying his best to control it.

Sarah had been thinking the same thing. "What if this isn't really you?" she asked. "What if your body just needs help?"

Testing Made Simple

The old Jake might have put off making a doctor's appointment for months. But modern hormone testing has evolved. Companies like Vitality Rx now offer comprehensive at-home testing that measures all the key markers affecting energy, mood, and overall vitality – no awkward conversations with your family doctor required.

Within a week of his at-home test, Jake had a virtual consultation with a men's health physician who explained his results. His testosterone wasn't just low – it was significantly below the range for optimal health and energy. But more importantly, the doctor outlined a plan to naturally reboot his hormone production without the risks of traditional testosterone replacement therapy.

The Dad You Want to Be Is Still There

Three months later, Jake's household is peaceful again. Not perfect – no family is – but the constant tension has lifted. He still has stressful days, but minor frustrations don't send him into a rage anymore. His patience for bedtime negotiations has returned. His conversations with Sarah focus on connection instead of conflict.

His daughter runs to greet him when he gets home from work again, confident that dad's hug will be warm instead of irritated. She's stopped walking on eggshells, and their easy relationship has been restored.

The transformation wasn't overnight, but it was dramatic. Jake's hormone optimization program – combining targeted supplements, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring – gave him back the emotional regulation to be the husband and father he'd always wanted to be.

Your Family Deserves the Real You

If you recognize yourself in Jake's story, know this: the dad and partner your family fell in love with is still there. He might just need some biological support to show up fully again.

Your relationship struggles aren't a reflection of how much you love your family. They might be a reflection of hormones that are out of balance – and that's something you can actually fix.

Don't let another month pass feeling like you're watching your own life from the sidelines. Your family deserves the real you, and you deserve to feel like yourself again.

Ready to take the first step? Learn more about at-home hormone testing and start your journey back to the engaged, energetic dad you know you can be.

Learn More

Events 📆 🍻 Real Talk. Cold Beer. No B.S. | Sept 4th Dad’s Beer Night

Sometimes you need a cold one, a good story, and a crew that gets it.

Join the He-Man Club for our monthly Dad’s Beer Night—a laid-back gathering for dads who are doing their best, laughing through the chaos, and ready for real convo that doesn’t feel like homework.

📅 Thursday, September 4th, 2025
🕗 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Farmington Brewing Company
33336 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI
☎️ (248) 957-9543

Expect craft beer, solid dudes, and maybe a few dad jokes that go too far—no name tags. No lectures. Just life.

👊 Show up. Unwind. Build your circle.

[RSVP Now] (or whatever link you'd use)

Never Forget: He-Man Life Lessons