Who would have thought a simple fantasy football podcast interview would turn into one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had in years?
It all started when a listener of our “Sunday Surefire” podcast—Anthony, a Panthers fan living in LA—agreed to an interview after winning our annual fantasy football league. The interview itself wasn’t what stuck with me. It was the conversation after we hit “stop recording.”
As we wrapped up, Anthony paused and asked me,
“Do you have any advice?”
This wasn’t football advice.
This was life advice.
He had listened to the show long enough to pick up on bits of my life: living with my family of four in the Pocono mountains, balancing work and parenting, navigating marriage, and figuring things out one step at a time. Somehow, his life as a young sales professional in California resonated with mine more than I expected.
His question caught me off guard for a second.
After all, I’m only in my mid-30s.
But within five seconds, I felt something familiar—because not long ago, I was him.
Ambitious but uncertain. Trying to build a career. Thinking about marriage. Overthinking fatherhood. Feeling the pressure of making good decisions for a future family.
What would the older me tell the younger me?
Here’s what I told Anthony.
1. Things Will Keep Happening — And You Will Keep Handling Them
At 22, it feels like rent is the biggest stress you’ll ever face.
At 32, it’s a mortgage.
At 42, it’s something else.
There will always be new milestones, new bills, new responsibilities. It never stops—but neither do you. You grow with each one.
2. Let the “Future You” Handle It
I told him this:
Don’t let the weight of everything hit you at once.
Be aware of what’s ahead… but trust that the older version of you will figure it out when the time comes.
That’s how life works.
The guy you’ll be in three years will handle things better than the guy you are right now. Let him take some of the pressure.
3. Where You Live Matters More Than You Think
This is something I never considered in my twenties.
Once you start thinking about marriage and kids, suddenly things like:
- state laws
- vaccination policies
- school districts
- demographics
- gun laws
- cost of living
…all become real factors.
When we started planning our own moves, we thought about which state aligned with the life we wanted for our kids. Those are conversations you don’t expect to have at 22 — but eventually, they show up.
4. Being a First-Time Dad Comes Naturally
No one is magically ready.
But you’ll be surprised how much comes naturally or from word-of-mouth advice from other parents you already know.
The best random advice I ever heard?
“Babies are basically rubber. They’ll bounce.”
(Obviously — not literally.)
But that little line took away a lot of stress. Kids are resilient. Parenting is imperfect. And that’s okay.
5. Friends Will Shift — And That’s Normal
Some friendships will stay strong.
Others will fade naturally.
It’s not personal… it’s just life stages changing.
You also gain parent friends — people who relate to exactly what you’re going through. And those friendships are quite different.
6. Family and Friends Matter — But Your Path Is Your Own
Moving away, changing jobs, having kids… it all affects your circle.
But at the end of the day, you’re building a life with your partner. You’ll have to figure out that balance.
7. Your Next Move Isn’t Your Final Move
I told Anthony something we learned firsthand:
We moved four times in three years before finding a place that fit us.
Your next job, next city, or next apartment doesn’t have to be permanent. It’s just the next step toward where you’re ultimately going.
Think two moves ahead.
Two jobs ahead.
Two chapters ahead.
Each step gets you closer.
Conclusion: What the Older You Would Tell the Younger You
If you get the chance to talk to your younger self, tell him this:
You’re doing just fine.
You don’t need to have it all figured out right now.
Everything you’ve handled so far proves you’ll handle what’s next.
Your future self will take care of the rest — just keep moving, keep planning, keep dreaming… and remember:
Babies have a little bit of rubber in their bottoms.
