The Selfish Case for Self-Care: Why Putting Yourself First Makes You a Better Parent

The Hard Choice with Brad Draper · Jun 25, 2026 · 16m

When Putting Others First Is Actually Holding You Back

Rarely does a conversation challenge something as deeply held as the virtue of selflessness. Brad Draper, host of The Hard Choice podcast, makes a compelling case that self-sacrifice, when taken too far, can quietly undermine your ability to serve the people you love most.

Brad wakes at 4:45 a.m. to exercise, not because he ignores his family, but precisely because of them. Skipping the gym, he explains, makes him irritable, unfocused, and less effective as a parent and partner. That kind of honest self-awareness is rare, and it's worth…