Welcome back to the ACT OUT podcast!
CW: This episode contains content regarding themes of suicidal ideations. Viewer discretion advised.
In this episode, host Adam Tomlin sits down with men’s coach and founder of Dad Mode Activated, Aaron Gambel, for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about men’s mental health, fatherhood, emotional awareness, and what it really takes to break generational cycles.
Aaron shares his journey from spending 15 years working in the high-pressure Hollywood film industry to experiencing what he calls a “dark night of the soul.” After hitting rock bottom and facing a moment where he nearly ended his life, Aaron made the courageous decision to seek help and check himself into UCLA’s behavioral health unit. That decision—and everything that followed—became the turning point that reshaped his life and eventually led him into coaching and mentoring other men.
Adam and Aaron dive into the realities many men quietly struggle with: feeling disconnected from their emotions, growing up in households where vulnerability wasn’t modeled, and learning how childhood experiences shape the way we show up in relationships, careers, and parenting. The conversation explores how trauma patterns can keep people stuck in familiar chaos, why our brains often choose a “familiar hell over an unfamiliar heaven,” and how awareness, nervous system regulation, and self-reflection can help people start rewriting those patterns.
The episode also explores Aaron’s work with men’s groups like The Wolf Den, where men practice stepping out of “fix-it mode” and into emotional presence. Through meditation, breathwork, and intentional conversations, Aaron helps men reconnect with their bodies, their emotions, and their sense of purpose—something many men were never taught growing up.
Aaron also talks about the inspiration behind his upcoming Dad Mode Activated program, a fatherhood mentorship designed to help men navigate the emotional and psychological shift that comes with becoming a dad. From the anxiety many men experience during pregnancy to the fear of repeating generational mistakes, Aaron explains why preparing men for fatherhood isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.
If you’ve ever struggled with emotional awareness, questioned your identity as a man or a father, or wondered how to break patterns from your past while building something healthier for your kids, this episode offers an honest and relatable look at what that journey can look like.
Learn more about Aaron Gambel and Dad Mode Activated: https://www.aarongambel.com
Tune in every Thursday for episodes that inspire, challenge, and entertain. Whether you’re here for laughs, lived wisdom, or action steps, the ACT OUT podcast is your space to rethink growth, embrace self-awareness, and act out your passions.
This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health crises. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please contact your local crisis support service.
Want to be a guest on the ACT OUT podcast? Send Adam Tomlin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17697025629686282ce7409dc
Other ways to follow and connect with the ACT OUT podcast:
Learn more at:https://www.theactoutpodcast.com/
Subscribe to the show on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theACTOUTpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram: @actoutpodcast & TikTok: @actoutpodcast
Credits:
