Dad Academy helped me turn my past into purpose

Tyler Cooper

Cooper Family | Ogden UT

I grew up in Utah with my mom and sister. My dad lived in California, so I’d see my father for a couple of weeks every summer, but most of the year it was just the three of us. My stepdad was around, but not really involved—more like background noise than a real father figure.

My relationship with my dad stayed pretty surface-level. We’d talk, but not deeply. One memory that’s always stuck with me is when we were playing catch. I missed a throw, and he stopped playing. That moment hit me hard, even as a kid. It taught me how much patience, presence, and encouragement matter to a child. Those few seconds told me everything I didn’t want to repeat.

Now that I’m a dad, patience is still my biggest challenge—especially when my kids were toddlers. Between lack of sleep, long workdays, and trying to find reliable childcare, it’s easy to feel stretched too thin. There are days when I wonder if I’m doing enough or if I’m even built for this. The hardest part has been finding balance between wanting to give my kids everything and also teaching them grit, responsibility, and values.

Some days I’m completely worn out, but then one of my kids will laugh, or run up to hug me for no reason, and it all makes sense again. Those little moments remind me why I want to be the kind of dad I never had.

Dad Academy helped me make sense of all that. It helped me turn my past into purpose. I learned that being a good dad isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. Structure, patience, and traditions matter more than checking boxes or having it all figured out.

Since going through Dad Academy, I’ve slowed down. I notice the small things now: bedtime talks, morning hugs, those quick moments in the middle of chaos that end up meaning the most. I think more about what my kids will remember when they think about “Dad.”

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that being a great father isn’t about providing the most. It’s about being there the most. Showing up, loving consistently, and being steady—that’s what makes a man. And that’s the kind of father I’m becoming.