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Jeff Hittner’s Ambitious Dads: Gaps and Fixes for Dads

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Hey dads, welcome to another episode on the Ryan Fields-Spack Show! I’m Ryan Fields-Spack, and today we’re unpacking my interview with Jeff Hittner, founder of the Ambitious Dads initiative. Jeff, now living in Valencia, Spain, has interviewed nearly 200 dads, uncovering the raw challenges we face in 2025. From time crunches to confidence dips, his insights hit home for any dad striving to level up. On July 16, 2025, as we navigate rising economic pressures and remote work fatigue, Jeff’s wisdom is timelier than ever. Let’s outline the key takeaways and actionable steps you can take right now to improve your life and provide for your family.

The Six Gaps Holding Dads Back

Jeff’s research reveals six "gaps" plaguing ambitious dads—those of us juggling career, family, and personal growth. These gaps stem from modern life’s demands, but they’re fixable with intention.

Time Gap: We’re stretched thin, trying to excel at work, co-parent, and stay healthy. In 2025, with hybrid work blurring boundaries, dads report 20% more burnout than pre-pandemic levels (per Gallup data).
Confidence Gap: 70% of men identify as dads first, but only a third feel they’re succeeding. This stems from societal shifts—dads want involvement, but lack role models.
Brotherhood Gap: Few dads have spaces to share fears openly. Isolation amplifies stress, especially with remote work reducing water-cooler chats.
Co-Parenting Gap: Misaligned expectations arise from cultural differences or unshared histories. Over 70% of U.S. marriages involve diverse backgrounds, leading to clashes on parenting styles.
Role Model Gap: Many dads lack involved fathers from their own lives, winging it in an era where active parenting is the norm.
Legacy Gap: We rarely define our fatherhood philosophy, leaving us reactive instead of intentional.

These gaps interconnect—time scarcity erodes confidence, weakening brotherhood and co-parenting. Jeff’s move to Spain during COVID-19 exemplifies closing them: slower pace, family-centric culture, and intentional presence transformed his dad life.

Jeff’s Journey: From Chaos to Intention

Jeff’s story resonates. With a newborn during 2020’s NYC lockdowns, he faced isolation. A neighbor’s move to Spain sparked his relocation, turning uncertainty into opportunity. “Fatherhood cracked me open,” he says, exposing emotional gaps. Therapy helped him regulate, making him a "dad of intention." His Ambitious Dads podcast and programs (e.g., Founding Fathers) empower dads to build philosophies, not wing it.

Actionable Steps for Dads

Jeff’s insights offer practical fixes. Here are seven steps you can start today to bridge those gaps, improve your life, and better provide for your family. Focus on small wins—consistency beats perfection.

Audit Your Time: Track your week in a journal or app like RescueTime. Identify leaks (e.g., 2 hours on social media). Reallocate 30 minutes daily for family—perhaps a no-phone dinner. This closes the time gap, freeing energy for provision.
Build Confidence Daily: Affirm your strengths—list three wins nightly (e.g., “I showed up for my kid’s game”). Jeff’s therapy tip: Schedule a session via BetterHelp. In 2025’s economy, confidence boosts career moves, increasing family security.
Create a Brotherhood: Join or start a dad group—use Meetup.com for local ones or LinkedIn for virtual. Share one challenge weekly. Jeff’s podcast inspires; aim for 1 call/month with a dad buddy. This combats isolation, sparking ideas for family growth.
Align Co-Parenting: Discuss expectations with your spouse—use Jeff’s prompt: “What did parenting look like for you growing up?” Set shared values. Apps like Cozi help coordinate. Strong partnerships reduce stress, allowing focus on family provision.
Seek Role Models: Follow Ambitious Dads on ambitiousdads.com or Jeff on LinkedIn. Listen to his podcast for real stories. Mentor a young dad—volunteer at Boy Scouts. Role models guide career pivots, like Jeff’s entrepreneurial leaps.
Craft a Legacy Philosophy: Write your dad mission: “What values define our family?” Jeff’s Founding Fathers program (launching September 2025) helps. Review quarterly. This intention ensures your efforts provide lasting security.
Embrace Self-Care: Practice Jeff’s emotional regulation—try 5-minute breathwork apps like Calm. Limit screens; Jeff’s rule: No screen-to-screen without a break. In Valencia’s slower pace, he thrives—apply by walking daily. Self-care sustains energy for family and work.

Conclusion: Rise as an Ambitious Dad

Jeff Hittner’s Ambitious Dads initiative reminds us: fatherhood demands intention. In July 2025, amid economic uncertainty, closing these gaps empowers you to thrive. Start with a time audit or brotherhood chat—small steps yield big changes. Visit ambitiousdads.com for Jeff’s resources, podcast, and programs. Dad, you’re ambitious for a reason—embrace it to build the family life you deserve. What gap will you bridge first?

Join other Ambitious Dads: https://ambitiousdads.substack.com/

Watch the fuill Interview HERE:

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