Being a dad changes everything. Everyone says that — but what does it actually mean?

Being a dad changes everything. Everyone says that — but what does it actually mean?

For Dr. Derek Cook, ND and clinic director at Healthflow ND, becoming a father sharpened the stakes. “My kids mean the world to me. Having them put into razor focus the choices we make every day for our health — it doesn’t just affect me anymore. It impacts them too.”

And yet, modern fatherhood often feels like an uphill battle against fast food, exhaustion, and packed schedules. Between late-night emails and early-morning rink runs, self-care can feel like a luxury — not a priority.

This Father’s Day, we want to shift that story. Because your health isn’t a luxury — it’s your legacy. Whether you're trying to keep up with your kids, be around for the long haul, or simply want to feel good again, here are three ways to start reclaiming your energy and wellbeing:

1. Nourish Your Gut, Protect Your Health

Digestive issues in men are far more common than most realize. From IBS and SIBO to Crohn’s and IBD, men often dismiss symptoms until they become disruptive. Functional medicine helps uncover the root causes — like inflammation, food sensitivities, or stress overload — and rebuild digestive resilience.

"Food marketing is wild," says Dr. Cook. "Fast food is too convenient when you're racing between work and sports drop-offs. But it adds up — in energy crashes, digestive pain, and poor long-term outcomes."

✅ Tip: A functional assessment with one of our NDs can identify imbalances early, so you can optimize your gut, energy, and mental clarity before burnout hits.

2. Don’t Ignore Burnout — Recover From It

Before kids, you could survive on poor sleep and coffee. Now, you’re doing bedtime duty, rink duty, and work duty — every day.

“Burnout becomes the norm if we’re not careful,” says Dr. Cook. “The biggest shift in fatherhood is realizing your body’s not just carrying you anymore — it’s carrying your family too.”

Whether it's nervous system regulation through craniosacral therapy, stress support via acupuncture, or ND-directed fatigue recovery plans, your body needs a reset — not just a “push through.”

✅ Tip: Schedule a massage or craniosacral session to shift your nervous system out of fight-or-flight. You’ll parent (and sleep) better.

3. Move with Intention — It’s Not Just About the Golf Swing

Sure, golf and Father’s Day are a classic combo — but why is that? (Spoiler: about 24% of Canadian men golf at least once a year, with the average golfer aged 45–64. It's become the “dad sport” because it blends quiet time, movement, and socializing.)

But fatherhood asks a lot more of your body than 18 holes on the weekend. You need strength, recovery, and a system that can keep up — from your joints to your nervous system.

That’s where physiotherapist Fiona McDonnell steps in. Her approach isn’t just about mobility — it’s about optimizing how your body moves and feels under real-life pressure: carrying your kid on one arm, bags in the other, and still managing to chase a soccer ball down the field.

✅ Tip: Book with Fiona for hands-on postural assessment, mobility support, and integrative physio care that helps you stay strong, agile, and injury-free — beyond the fairway.

🎯 The Bottom Line: Dads, You Matter. Your Health Does Too.

Fatherhood isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. When you invest in your health, you show up — for your kids, your partner, and yourself.

Ready to stop running on empty?

📅 Book with one of our NDs, massage therapists, or physiotherapists this week and give yourself the gift of a longer, stronger future. You deserve it.