Brilliant Dad Feature Week 110 

This week the Brilliant dad feature is Dai Manuel. He is an award winning digital thought leader and author, executive performance coach and certified lifestyle mentor who empowers people to lead a FUN-ctionally fit life through education, encouragement, and community. Dai models his work based on 5 F’s: Fitness, Family, Finances, Faith with an overarching roof of FUN, built on a rock-solid foundation of Health.

Dai is a super dad, dating his wife, a founding partner and former COO of Fitness Town Inc, keynote speaker, professional blogger, spokesperson and brand ambassador at DaiManuel.com, freelance writer, podcaster, CrossFit athlete and coach, a BC Children’s Hospital Ambassador, and published author of the Whole Life Fitness Manifesto.

Thank you to Dai for taking part

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

I knew being a father would be a huge responsibility and it was definitely an aspect of my life I wanted to experience one day. I saw being a dad as one few ways I could give of myself fully and completely… a barometer to hold me accountable to being the best version of me.

2. How did you feel when your children were born?

When my children were born I felt like I was born again. It was like I found purpose in my life in the blink of an eye. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of personal growth throughout the pregnancies – after all 9 months affords one time to reflect, plan and introspect. But the day my daughters were born, I found myself overcome by happiness and love to the point of tears. I knew that being a dad was the missing piece to make my life whole, and I thank my daughters every day for that.

3. What have been the most rewarding experiences been so far?

Experiencing my daughters’ firsts are always momentous occasions. It’s nothing like seeing the pride sparkle in their eyes as they accomplish something for the very first time. It’s amazing! But by far one of the most fun and rewarding experiences has been the opportunity to travel together as a family for the past 20 months. My wife and I set out to live a life by design and our daughters were on board with that dream, and here we are, traveling together and experiencing lots of firsts along the way.

4. What are some of funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad? 

So many funny moments… one, in particular, comes to mind. When my eldest daughter was about 5 or 6 years old she was asked to come in for an audition for a part in a movie. She, with her coke bottle glasses, curly blondish-red hair and a huge smile were a hit. She went into the audition on her own and auditioned in front of the director, producers and casting directors… a lot of pressure you’d think for someone of her age, right? But not the case with lil’Chardonae… she proceeded to answer their questions and was having fun sharing about herself. At one point, the casting director asked what were some of her favorite things to do? She quickly perked up and answered, “I love wrestling with my Dad naked!” Very quickly based on the reactions she received, she qualified her answer a little more: “well, I’m in my underwear and daddy has his clothes on!” Hysterics broke out… she made quite the impression and when called back for a second audition, everyone made a point of letting her know that they remembered her. And when they asked her the question again, this time she was quick to respond with all the details… Still, to today, my daughter always knows how to make a lasting first impression. LOL!

5. Have there been any situations with your children that you found difficult to cope with? 

My eldest daughter is 13 going on 14 at the time of me writing this answer. She’s growing into herself and becoming a woman. She exudes self-confidence and at times wants to exercise her independence in thought and action. She’s like her mom – strong willed, stubborn and opinionated. I love them both for these qualities… seeing my little girls growing up so quickly, that’s always one of the biggest challenges. So I hold on as long as I can to the little girls that they are, realizing that a time will come when they will be on their own, creating their own lives… it’s difficult to think about that, so I choose to live in the moment and be present with what we are doing now as much as I can.

6. What are your dreams and hopes for your children?

My dreams and hopes for my children are that they continue to grow into the amazing people that I know they already are. As they mature, I hope they never stop questioning the way things are portrayed, continue to learn and expand their knowledge and comfort zones, chase their passions and dreams, realizing that there is indeed no ‘status quo’ for life. Always be growing, dreaming, living and learning, being the best version of themselves and impacting the world along the way. I sleep well every night knowing they are well on their way to realizing they have full control over their destinies… all I can do is show them the various doorways available to them, but they have to ultimately choose which ones they go through… isn’t being a dad amazing!?