My boys and I were at a recent mass for my Father-in-law's funeral. As our parents age, I find myself trying to view seasons through their eyes. “As you grow older, you begin to understand: your father was just a man trying his best with what he knew. Forgive him. He was living life for the first time, too.” That quote crossed my social media feed sometime last week. It stopped me in my tracks. The kind of line you screenshot, not to repost, but to sit with. To let its meanin

Some friendships fade away, while others remain steady. A few surprise you by going deeper when you least expect it. This is a reflection on male friendship, vulnerability, and showing up for the people who still matter. The first time I saw this, I was instantly transported to my childhood. There are a handful of memes circulating on social media, such as the one in the photo, featuring boys on bikes, quiet streets, and a haunting caption: “At some point in your childhood, y

Over the years, I’ve coached a countless number of  boys and young men. Some arrive joyful and eager. Others, quiet or unsure. But every so often, a different pattern emerges, one I’ve come to recognize all too well. Seems like so long ago. Nothing but joy and innocence. A kid with undeniable talent. Strong. Fast. Electric on the field. An uncanny feel for the game. But also: bravado. Guarded. Defiant. Sometimes smugness. Often un-coachable. And too often, shielded from accou

Our roles in life change; they always do. The real question is whether they define us or shape part of who we are. It’s a question I’ve asked myself often over the past few years—an interesting, and at times uncomfortable, paradox. Fortunately, I’ve spent several years working with Aaron Goldman from Playfree Sports , building a mental performance coaching program for the Rogue Valley Timbers. A core part of that program focused on handling pressure in context and, more impor

It’s no accident that emotional intelligence is often derided as “soft.” In a culture that equates vulnerability with defeat, a man who listens deeply, shares emotions, or admits uncertainty risks being labeled less than “manly.”

“You Can’t Throw It That Far." Those were the words my father said one day at the local park, as I kept asking him to move farther back while tossing a football.

Last fall, Sarah and I got to watch Rocco (junior) and Giovanni (freshman) take the field together for the first time. After all these years coaching and parenting, this one just felt special. “There’s a difference between honoring where you come from and being bound by it.”  This night felt like honoring. As I approach my 53rd birthday, I find myself seeing the world with more clarity and optimism than ever before. I only wish it had always felt this way. In the summer of 20