21. Brad The Boilermaker

Awesome. Welcome, boys and girls. Thank you for joining us on another episode of Real Dad Movement podcast. Got a special guest with me today, Mr. Brad Chambers. How are you, sir?

Very good, thanks, mate.

That's right. Awesome. Look, mate, no fluffing around. I want to dive right into it, mate. Tell us, apart from dropping 12 kilos in eight weeks, how has RDM Real Dad Movement changed your life, not just physically, but also mentally for yourself, Your relationships with you, with your wife, mate, and with the kids?

Yeah, mate, yeah, it's been a real change. I've been. It's only been eight weeks so far. You know, I've dropped the 12 kilos, like you said. I'm feeling. I've got a good lot more energy. I'm a lot more relaxed with the kids and that when they're losing their shit, you know, I can kind of just take that step back now and just go, you know, guys, just try and calm down a bit, you know, instead of bloody losing my mind, you know. So, yeah, no, I'm feeling pretty good. I can tie my shoelaces again, mate. The old guts ain't getting in the way when I got to put me boots on. So, yeah, mate, that's going really good. I'm a boilermaker by trade, so just. Even just at work, just doing my normal job, you know, I can move more, I can get around, I can. You know, everything's not an effort. So it's good. Yeah, really good. I've still got a way to go, but, yeah, mate, at the moment, I'm charging and feeling good.

You're an inspiration, mate. And definitely credit to team. And the results you're getting inspiring a lot of the other dads, because we all have our highs and lows. But what was your lowest low, mate? Like, what made you reach out? Like, what was happening in your life?

Look, mate, I come to the realization that I need to do something now. You know, my mum, she passed away at a fairly early age. I think it was 64. And her brother died the same age. And they never really looked after themselves that well, you know? And, mate, I'm coming on 40. I've got a lot to live for, you know, I've got my kids, my wife, and I just want that quality of life, you know? Like, I don't want to be struggling. I don't want to go down the beach and walk up and down the sandhill with the kids and have to wait 10 minutes to try and get me breath back, you know what I mean? Like, that's. Yeah, that's pretty much what got me moving, you know, try and start living life.

Yeah, absolutely, mate, yeah, for sure. And what would, like if there's a dad watching this right now, like, what would you say to him? He's sitting on the fence, he's not sure. He's tried shakes and pills and diets, living a rabbit food and he's not sure. But he's obviously struggling in his life. Like, what would you say to him, mate? What would be your advice to him, mate?

I would say get out there and have a crack. And the thing is, I used to always use excuses time and time again for reasons why not to do it. Now I'm finding myself with RDM that they're changing my mindset and trying to like, I'm thinking ways why I can do it. You know, I had that, I had that niggling knee injury that went for about two weeks. I didn't train for two weeks but I didn't stop on the nutrition, you know what I mean? I didn't just throw my hands in the air and go, ah, bugger and get back to all my old habits. I. And that's it. Like if you're gonna do something, try and just do those 1 percenters that you talk about, you know, and yeah, definitely get out there, have a go and start living your life, you know.

Awesome, mate. Actually, one thing touching on the knee injury, that's what got me thinking about like your training regime and I'd love for you to share like some of the training times you do and that and maybe even the story of like the 1am sessions with the fell, a bit of the fasting and just a couple of the stories and experiences so far. Mate, with this, with yourself would be cool.

Yeah, yeah, definitely. So as we all know, being a dad, it's a pretty full on lifestyle, you know, you've got. I've got three young boys, a seven five and a two year old. I've got a missus at work a few days a week. I work full time, my work. I've got to do some night shifts every now and then on breakdowns and they might go for six, seven nights in a row. Now during the day shifts I can get myself into a good routine, get up early, go to the gym and that's where my day starts, you know. But then when I go on to a night shift, they used to hold me back because it was way out of routine, you know, I'm like, oh bloody hell, I don't want to be exercising at this time. Of night, you know. But since joining RDM, 1am training sessions, mate, that's where it's at.

That's a Skype. Sid. Next time mate wakes up, I'll do some push ups with you. Yeah?

Yeah, yeah. Hey, and I'll tell you what it's good at 1am, your body's telling you that it's time to go to bed, you know, that's it doesn't matter how much sleep you've had during the day. At 1am, mate, the body's saying go to bed. But you go training and you're up, mate, and you're firing again on all cylinders.

Yeah, that's awesome, mate. Yeah. So you felt like doing the training was like it actually got you through the night shifts?

Yeah, yeah, it did. Really helped.

Isn't that crazy? Too like Hamid, just like you said there, mate. And look, this is certainly not judging or copying out on every other person or father out there that works at night. It's hard work. We've got a lot of night shift dads, but Jesus, how did that make you feel, knowing that you could do that? Given that in times gone by, you would have either had the psychology or the feeling that this nighttime shift that's coming up is just going to crush me and it pushes you further and further down.

Yeah, exactly. Right. Well, mate, I was used to. We've got a tea club, right? So we've got a fridge full of chocolates and coke and ice creams and all sorts of shit, right? So I'd be sitting back on a night shift, chowing down on bloody chocolate paddle pops and all the rest of it, you know, but now it's get out there and train and. Yeah, yeah, I never thought I would, I'd be able to do it. But you, you inspire us a lot with some of these podcasts and stuff that you do and you keep us going, mate. You keep us motivated. That's. That's the best part about it. You know, when you're feeling down and you're at your lowest and you're just like, really don't want to do this. You know, I'll pop somebody one of your Tuesday sessions or whatever and you have a look at that and away you go again.

Yeah, good to hear, mate. And paddle pops. You could probably just have post workout now, couldn't you, as well, with your training?

Yeah.

Humbled light, mate. And I appreciate it. And look, it's. It's something. It's real funny, Brad, because I didn't. I don't know, even the Term online coaching. It's coaching helping each other. And yeah, it's online or it's remote, even though we have some physical catch ups, which is great. But I never used to like that term mate, because my idea of it and what I saw years ago anyway, and even now those people end up dying off is people kicking back on their laptop going, look how much time I have on my online coach. And I was like, that's what stopped me doing this for a long time. But I was like, no, stuff this, there's got to be a way. And I think it'd be fair to say, mate, like, the amount of work I put in, like I'm there all the time for you fellas. It's not like I actually feel like I'm doing more for you guys than I've ever done for any gym, to be honest.

Yeah, no, you're always there, mate, that's for sure. And even, you know, guys like Zach and that as well, they're great, you know, like if you're, if you're not available or if we just reach out on messenger, mate, there's always someone there to go straight, you know, and give you answers that you need, you know, or even just, you know, be that bloke that you can have a chat with on the, you know, the messenger. Yeah, it just helps, mate, you know, the support is there.

That's great, that's awesome, mate. And, and how do you feel like this, like the support and the motivational, these things that have helped you create that shift, like, love to hear about you, your kids, man. Like, how do you feel this is affecting, like yourself with your children, educating them, leading by example, these things. Like, what have you noticed has changed there and how you're working or engaging with them now?

Yeah, mate, a hundred percent. Two of my young blokes play rugby union and they play that every Saturday morning and we've got training on Thursdays. And mate, just running around with them with the balls and that, you know, and just helping out with training and game day, mate, it's unreal, you know, and the kids are loving it. Kids that love me being involved and yeah, that's great. It is. And the kids, like, they look at you a bit differently, you know what I mean? Like instead of running around going, oh, look at daddy's tummy. Kids are honest, let me tell you that.

Yeah, I hear that. Oh yeah, little Stella now, I just.

Look at them and say, now what do you got to say, boy.

It'S awesome, mate, that's so nice. 1. And it's, I think you're saying before, like, is this the missus is getting a little bit more on board with being healthier and whatnot? Or is that what you.

Yeah, yes, well, she's always been fairly, fairly healthy. After our last son was born it was a bit tougher than the other two with Sleep wise and all the rest of it. And I think she just sort of fell into that, into that low. But yeah, mate, it's inspired her to move into it too. Yeah, so it's great.

That's awesome, mate. And did you say you had three boys? Yeah, three, three boys. My mum and dad. I was number three. They ended up with four. But yeah. What's it like, mate, having three sons? I've only got two daughters and they're a little bit younger than yours. What's it like, mate?

It's tough. It's got its moments. I'd say probably the hardest one at the Moment is my 7 year old and he's the eldest. But. No, it's great, mate, it is, it's good. I love being a father. My three boys, mate, I'd be lost without them, you know. Yeah, they can wake you up two or three times a night, they can argue with you until your face goes red. But, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's just trying to get the right mindset to be a bit more level headed, you know, to deal with some of these issues and it's helped. This IDM has really, really helped.

That's awesome, mate. Was that like one of the contributing factors to you wanting to create a change as well? Like obviously having the three young blokes and wanting to shift how you are as a, I guess as a dad.

To them and made a hundred percent, like I know myself and how I felt when my, when my mum passed away, you know, mate, you just feel alone. You feel like you got. No, you got your rocks gone, you know what I mean? Like you've, everything that you've ever known is just going out the window and I want my boys to have, have me around for as long as possible, you know, I want to be able to help them and mentor them and just be there for them for anything, you know. And mate, yeah, so I want to live past 65. That's, that's my goal.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's awesome, mate. And it's just lost me Mike then. It's, it's one of those things when you're just saying. And then it got me thinking about Life too. And I was like, man, like my old man's 64 right now. I was like, if he passed away, like, I'd be. Yeah, I reckon I'd be shattered too, mate. Because he's for large part Morocco. I go to for advice and talk to. And sometimes it's too late, isn't it, Mate, at that stage, people pass for different reasons as well. I'm not saying it's all just about health, but it's. It's not easy when it comes. It's almost like that. I mean, that's something that I think I'm passionate about in trying to deliver that message, not just to you guys, but to everyone in that time. Just goes so quick, doesn't it, mate?

You know, flies flies and that's, you know, like, there was a lot of time there where I just got so caught up in my own life that I wasn't really around to see my parents that much, you know what I mean? So. And that's something that I'd. I'm going to try and push on my boys so as they get older, they won't be able to get rid of me, mate.

That's absolutely, absolutely. That's awesome. And what's the plans for the future, mate? Like, you've created a lot of these changes at the moment, but is there something like some definitive goals or things you want to get after for yourself, or does RDM open up that scope for you and different things you want to get after now or different achievements that you not thought possible you want to get after?

Yeah, mate, I've got a surfboard sitting down the back shed that I haven't used in probably about 10 years, mate. I'm getting close. I reckon it'll almost float me now.

That's awesome, mate. So it's used to surf a fair bit back in the day?

A little bit, yeah, mate, yeah. Yeah, I'm pretty keen to get out there, to be honest, so I'm starting to feel a bit better now. But nothing gets you paddle fit rather than paddling, though.

Yeah, I can imagine.

I'd like to do that. I think my goal's probably around the 83 to 85 mark. Wouldn't mind getting. That's, that's. That's my next goal. And then just tone on. Just try and tone up a bit on that, you know. But that's, that's one of my main goals is to try and start surfing again and just get more active, mate, you know, get rid of some of those health issues. The gout and all that sort of stuff, you know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's a good one, mate. And look, you'll have to take me out for a surf mate and show you. You don't have a big mel, do you? Jesus. I've gotten up once on the board and jeez, mate, I'd love to get up there again but I need to be shown, I think need someone to teach me.

It's been 10 years, mate. I want to see how I go. Yeah.

Cheers mate, it's awesome. But look, mate, what's, what's one of the best things that you feel that you can now apply from what you've done so far to your kids? Like something that you know you can give them now, like in raising them, Because I'm big on that too. On regardless of whether people with RDM or not, like something we can pass down onto our kids. Is there something that comes to mind on what you feel you can start to give them or show them that you might not have been able to before?

Yeah. So thinking the nutrition side of things and RDM's really opened up my eyes in nutrition and the amount of crap food that's out there that we're feeding our children and we don't even realize it's that bad because we just think it's everyday stuff. But when I look at it now, I'm just thinking how much sugar and preservatives and crap am I pushing into my kids mouths that I didn't realize how bad it was? You know, and behavioral issues, that's, that's, I reckon that's a massive contributor to the kids behaviors, you know, the stuff you're putting in their mouth. I know for a fact that my kids, you know, if they're not eating sugary lollies and drinks and things like that, mate, they're 100% better, you know, more well behaved, you know, you don't want to take away everything from them because you know, like when they do go somewhere and say it and you're not around, then they'll just overindulge, you know, they'll just smash it in. But, but yeah, just to try and keep their nutrition right. But make them realize what they're putting in their mouths and try and let them have control and make the right choices, you know, that's, that's what I'm trying to. Yeah.

Unreal, mate. And it's so true. Like I remember when I was working, when I was coming up with footy, I did some teachers aid work and I handled a Lot of the. There weren't many male teachers in this school at Emmerton out in Mount Druitt. And so there were a fair few kids that needed some help. They didn't have that male role model. And it was crazy. The difference between when they either ate, yeah, shit, quality food with heaps of preservatives and additives and artificial stuff, or ate nothing, as opposed to when we actually, sometimes we cook for him and gave him a good food, a good brekkie to start the day. So much better, so much more well behaved, mate. It was cr. Like, these are kids who would, like, try and stab other kids with pens. Like, it was pretty crazy, man. And then they end up being, like, some of the most intelligent students in class and crazy the difference, you know? But that's an awesome thing to pass down to. Especially when I look at things. Like, I look at sugar and I'm like, okay, like, when we have fruit and honey and other things and all things get converted to sugar and whatnot. But the volumes in which they're having it, man. And like you said, all the preservatives and additives with it, it's like they might have X amount of all this artificial stuff in their body. It's almost the same volume as an adult, but they're like 20 to 30 kilos. What's that mean for their body? Because they're just, like you said, either overindulging because they've never had it, or it's something they're used to. So they're. They're dependent on it and they can't get shown any other way because they don't know any other way, do they? I guess.

No. No, that's right. And I know myself, like, the cravings that I get or the cravings that I used to get when I was. When I was getting off the sugar, mate, it was horrendous, you know, like, the headaches and just. Mate, I had the shits for days. Like, I was literally pissed off with the world. And, like, you think about the kids now, like, if they load up on sugar all weekend and then they go to school on Monday, Monday, Tuesdays, they're not getting the sugar intake is what they've had all bloody weekend. How are they gonna be at school? How are they gonna focus? How are they gonna get their shit right? You know? Like, they can't. And it's. And it's us that's setting them up for failure, you know? So that's, you know, that's one of the biggest things I think I've taken out of rdm, which is great, you know, is to try and get on the nutritional track, you know. That's great.

Yeah, that's gold, mate. And it really is like what we put in our mouth really creates the energy we have and our output and our focus. Like you said as well, how you think, how you feel once you clean all that up. So looking back, mate, you know, great stuff. Well, look, thanks for jumping on today, mate, and having this catch up and this yarn with us. I am curious though, like, like boilermaking, does it get pretty hot?

It does.

What are we talking? What's involved? Because I've got a few mates who've done that before and yeah, I'm just curious to know what it's like.

Yeah, it's good, mate. It's a great trade. I've always been happy to do it. It's long pants, long sleeve shirts. In the middle of summer. It gets tough. But I'm not really on the tools too much these days. I'm supervising a bit more. But yeah, no, I still enjoy getting on the tools and getting amongst it, mate. You get used to the heat.

Between that and surfing and rdm, you're all set, mate.

Yeah, mate. Yeah. I will say though, if there's any dads out there that are thinking about getting into it, stop thinking and just get into it. Just make that move. You will not regret it. Yeah, it's great.

Nah, humble to not have made appreciate it. And it's funny, I still remember our first phone call and getting you on board and getting you started and it's awesome, mate. Like, here's what I love doing, Brad as obviously you'll see and I've been over backwards for the fellows and the group because I believe in the vision of RDM and all of us. And it's hard, mate. Some people aren't ready at that time or some maybe never will be. But credit to you, man, I don't use the term life coach, mate. You're changing your life and it's awesome to see and I'm honored to be a part of it, mate. And that is the reality. And I know that the more that we continue to work together, mate, the more keep kicking ass and it's awesome, mate. I really appreciate you being part of the crew too. Like you're setting the standard for the culture as well, mate. So I want you and everyone else to know that as well.

That's great, mate. It's good to be part of it. And thank you. Thank you to you and the whole idea, mate, it's great.

Good stuff, mate. You have any dad jokes to close out this episode, mate?

No, I got nothing, mate.

My dad's got heaps. But then I found. I used to find books. He literally just had joke books around, especially in the toilet. Probably just sat on the can and read them, mate. And that's why he had a lot. Yeah, I've skipped that part, but that's awesome. Nah. Thanks for joining us again, mate. Appreciate your time on a Sunday arvo and yes sir, I'll see you tonight with our live video anyway for the group Sunday wrap up and let's hook into another week, mate and get stuck into the rest of winter and then spring.

I'm pumped for it, mate.

Beautiful. Thanks, mate. And thank you guys for joining and yep, I don't see you. Good afternoon, good evening, good night, See you guys. Cheers.