What It Means to Own a Men’s Mental Health Brand

Every May, when Mental Health Awareness Month rolls around, I take a second to stop and remind myself why I started Dad Bod Summer. This brand wasn’t created for followers or hype. It was born out of frustration, reflection, and the reality that way too many men suffer in silence. I wanted to create a space where men felt seen, heard, and represented. I wanted to use clothing and storytelling as tools to normalize conversations about mental health. Not just once a year in May, but every single day.

Dad Bod Summer is a Men’s Mental Health Brand. It’s also a fishing brand. And a golf brand. And a humor brand. And a storytelling brand. That’s because men’s mental health doesn’t look one way, it shows up on the boat, on the course, and on the couch with friends. For some of us, fishing is the only time we breathe. For others, golf is the one place we get to clear our heads. These aren’t just hobbies, they’re therapeutic outlets. They’re ways to decompress without having to explain what’s going on inside. And that’s why I proudly lean into both in our content and clothing. If a shirt about a fishing trip makes someone laugh and sparks a conversation they wouldn’t normally have, that’s a win. If someone buys a golf shirt and it reminds them to check in on their buddy later, that matters.

I’ve talked before about the power of humor, about the importance of checking in, about the value of community. And while those things are still at the core of everything we do, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month hits me even deeper. Because it’s not just about what we’re building, it’s about who I’m building it for. Jake. Jude. Finn. My three nephews. The ones who gave me the best name ever: Uncle Mikey. The next generation of young men who I hope grow up in a world where vulnerability isn’t considered weakness. Where asking for help doesn’t feel like failure. Where talking about your mental health is just as normal as talking about your golf swing or your favorite fishing spot.

When I started this brand, I knew it wouldn’t be perfect. But I knew it had to be real. I didn’t want to just slap slogans on shirts and hope they’d sell. I wanted to tell stories, to start conversations, to donate 5% of proceeds to Mental Health Awareness causes that actually move the needle. I wanted to be loud about things most guys are told to keep quiet about. And I wanted to make people laugh while doing it. Because sometimes laughter is how we survive. Sometimes a joke is the doorway to a deeper conversation. And sometimes, just seeing someone else speak up gives another guy permission to finally speak for himself.

Dad Bod Summer is a Men’s Mental Health Brand because that’s what I needed growing up. And now it’s what I’m building for the next generation. For the men still figuring it out. For the ones holding it together on the outside and falling apart on the inside. For the dads, the brothers, the friends, the uncles, and for the nephews who are always watching. This month, and every month, I’m proud to say this brand isn’t just about clothes. It’s about giving men a reason to open up, a place to feel seen, and the tools to start healing, even if it starts with a T-shirt.

To anyone reading this: you matter. You’re not alone. And whether it’s on the boat, on the course, or just here on this site, I’m glad you’re here.