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A
This is the Jocko Underground podcast number 193, sitting here with Echo Charles. You all have submitted various questions. We will give you courses of action, we will give you guidance, we'll give you possibly answers, but we will certainly give you some direction that you can move into. So Here we go.
B
First question. Good evening. I recently just turned 25 and my wife of almost three years and I are about to have our first baby come to this winter. When I found out it was going to be a boy, I was overcome with joy, but also a deep nervousness and almost shame. I grew up with a father that was always in my life and was a great example and was always in very good shape. I believe that I have gotten after it when it comes to my work and pursuing my career and goals in life, but my health and fitness is currently falling short. I was always in sports growing up, so training wasn't. Was always with the goal of football in mind. But going through college and being out in my career, I've had times where I'll be in the gym and be eating clean and healthy for a few weeks or a few months and feeling really good, and then I lose focus and get out and go right back to where I was. What advice would you have when it comes to being able to stick to a healthy lifestyle? I want to be able to give my son the same enjoyment that I had with my own father. P.S. the way the work, it is already on its way.
A
Oh yeah, Mikey and the Dragons too. That's a little bit younger version, a little bit younger book.
This is the situation here, bro. Congratulations on your kid. You know what you need to do. And here's the positive change here is you're not just doing it for yourself anymore. You're doing it for your family. You're doing it for your son.
So you know what to do. You know what to do. Got to get up early, you got to train, you got to lift, you got to run, you got to sprint, you got to do jiu jitsu, you got to get after it, you got to eat clean, you got to get the trash, junk, donuts, Doritos, Cheetos out of your freaking house.
And you got to be a good example. And as far as being focused, like you used to look in the mirror and say, geez, I'm letting myself down. Now go look at your son in the eyes and remember that he is going to mimic you in life.
And if you are fat and out of shape and pathetic, he's going to grow up being fat. Out of shape and pathetic. And if you're strong and you're fit.
He'S going to emulate that.
So you know what to do. You know what to do. Get on the path, Stay on the path. That's what we're doing.
B
You know how that there's like a bias or whatever when you can see something in someone else, like all their mistakes and flaws, you know, but it's hard to see it with yourself or whatever. You can do that where if you just keep your mindset, like, okay, anything I want for my kid, like, basically, I have to do it. Mm. Because it, you know, the whole. You know, some parents will be like, do as I say, not as I do.
A
Oh, yeah.
B
Where it's like, bro, that's almost impossible, by the way. Like.
I can think of a lot of things that my dad said to do or not to do or whatever, and it's just one in one ear, out the other. But at the same time, I can. I can point to a bunch of different things that my dad has done that I'm like, oh, like you would think from a logical standpoint, I wouldn't do that, you know, if I would. If I had even, like, whatever level. Level headed. Right. I'll be like, I just. I won't do that part. But then it's like, subconsciously or something, it kind of like makes that stuff. If it's bad, it kind of seems like normal, so it might not be that bad. So, yeah, I'll do it, you know, I'll let it happen, you know, kind of a thing. So it's like, yeah, you're gonna. You know, I want my kid, you know, my boy, you know, I want him to be strong, disciplined, patient. You know, all this stuff or whatever.
A
You gotta be all those things.
B
You gotta get. Yeah, you gotta. You gotta get on it. And that's the way I see it. And you know, me, I don't know, but this is really what it seems like. There's kind of no other way. Like, you can't just be like, hey, I want my son to be this, and I'm not. But me, I'm not gonna be that at all. I'm just gonna tell him what to do. It doesn't work, you know, so if you can make that reflection in your mind, and that's a new mindset. But I think. I think it'll work.
A
Yeah. Not to mention your kid needs you to be. Feed him. That means you got to have a job. That means you got to be healthy. You got to be able to rescue him if there's a fire. You got to be able to defend him if somebody attacks him or someone comes into your house or someone gets road rage and approaches your car and, like, has a way. You got to be a man. So that is a little excerpt of what we are doing on the Jocko Underground podcast. So if you want to continue to listen.
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Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Jocko Willink
Co-host: Echo Charles
This episode centers on the responsibilities of fatherhood, specifically the importance of setting a strong example for one’s children—especially sons—in terms of discipline, fitness, and overall character. Jocko Willink and Echo Charles respond to a listener question about how to develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle, using personal anecdote and hard-edged guidance to stress that children emulate their parents’ actions, not just their words.
(01:33 — 02:42)
Jocko congratulates the listener, emphasizing that the arrival of a child should be a powerful motivator to make positive changes. The focus shifts from personal discipline to the added responsibility of being a model for the next generation.
Jocko lists specific actions: wake up early, train regularly, lift, run, do jiu jitsu, eat clean, and purge junk food from the home.
Quote [Jocko, 02:08]:
“Now go look at your son in the eyes and remember that he is going to mimic you in life.”
The idea is simple but direct: set the pace, and your child will follow.
Jocko refrains:
(02:51 — 04:03)
Echo discusses the classic parental dilemma: children are more likely to copy what you do than what you say.
He reflects on his own father, noting the subconscious power of parental actions. Even when you “know better,” you absorb what you see modeled as ‘normal.’
Quote [Echo, 03:19]:
“I can think of a lot of things that my dad said … but it’s just one in one ear, out the other.”
Aspirations for your child must be matched by your own conduct.
Quote [Echo, 04:03]:
“You can’t just be like, hey, I want my son to be this, and I’m not … I’m just going to tell him what to do. It doesn’t work.”
(04:28 — 04:55)
Jocko emphasizes that the call to personal excellence is not just about appearance or ego—it’s about being capable for your family’s welfare.
“You know what to do. Got to get up early, you got to train, you got to lift, you got to run, you got to sprint, you got to do jiu jitsu, you got to get after it, you got to eat clean, you got to get the trash, junk, donuts, Doritos, Cheetos out of your freaking house.”
— Jocko Willink, [01:50]
“If you are fat and out of shape and pathetic, he’s going to grow up being fat, out of shape and pathetic. And if you’re strong and you’re fit, he’s going to emulate that.”
— Jocko Willink, [02:28]
“You can’t just be like, hey, I want my son to be this, and I’m not … It doesn’t work, you know?”
— Echo Charles, [04:03]
The conversation is laid-back but direct, blending Jocko’s signature no-nonsense, motivational style with Echo’s relatable personal insights. The episode’s core message: True leadership and fatherhood are about modeling strength, discipline, and integrity—your children are watching, so “get on the path, stay on the path.”
(Note: This summary excludes the promotional and subscription sections to focus on core content.)