Zac Perez on the best advice for first-time dads

In this episode, we chat with Zac Perez, who you might know by his moniker ‘non-practising genius’ on social media, where he’s racked up hundreds of thousands of followers, and millions more views on his inspiring but relatable content. We cover his globally viral “Wednesday Waffle” movement and keeping up connections with mates, plus what preparing for fatherhood involved for him and how he’s finding these first few months in the job.

Key takeaways:

• Zac and his mates invented the Wednesday Waffle as a simple way to check-in and it unexpectedly went global
• Before trying for a baby, he visited his GP for a preconception health check — he felt it was the least he could do, given what many women do to prepare for pregnancy
• Finding out his partner was pregnant brought immense gratitude, followed closely by anxiety that stayed through much of the pregnancy
• Despite advice, preparation and support, the early weeks of fatherhood have still been confronting and all-consuming — he deeply loves his son while also accepting the loss of independence and an abrupt transition to a new life
• Before the baby arrived, Zac asked other dads for advice and later shared that wisdom publicly, reinforcing how much men learn best from each other’s lived experience
• Connecting with other fathers through informal dads groups has become essential for coping, learning and feeling less alone

More resources:

You can follow Zac — the non-practising genius — on Instagram and TikTok. You can make Zac’s extra sleep deprivation worth it by signing up to his Substack — The First 50 Days.

Looking for a dad’s group? You can find a bunch through Dads Group here.

Got questions or feedback?

Email us at [e-mail]. We love getting your voice notes.

The end bits:

This podcast was created by Healthy Male — an Australian not-for-profit that provides evidence-based information on men's health. You can find more from us on Instagram, TikTok and our website.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which this podcast was recorded — the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples listening today.

This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, treatment and personalised medical guidance.