Below is Part 2 of my interview with The World’s Strongest Librarian Josh Hanagarne. In case you missed Part 1, you can read that here.

YC: My blog is dedicated to fathers. Not to diminish the role of everyone else but the need for strong fathers is now clearer than ever, in my mind. You’re a Strong Dad both literally and metaphorically. What role do you see your strength training playing in the raising of your precious son Max?

WSL: Training requires commitment, dedication, self-scrutiny, honest self-assessments, patience, humility, and the honoring of one’s own body and mind. If he learns any of those things  from the example of my training and (hopefully) his own, I’ll be a happy man.

YC: I’m sure he will Josh. Kids are super smart by nature; they mirror our actions. I think our only hope of raising our kids to be the adults we want them to be is to walk the walk.

Randy Pausch wrote a concise legacy for his kids: The Last Lecture, compacting all the wisdom he planned on sharing throughout their lives into a book after being diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer, learning his demise was near. You read a lot and are contemplative as it is, so I imagine a lot of the lessons were not new to you. But was there one thing from his message that impacted you, especially as it relates to how you approach your family life?

WSL: Okay, first, I concede that I am contemplative, but I believe Randy was truly wise and that’s not me yet. But let’s see…

I believe we become what we are exposed to. Children are not shaped by anything quite as much as by their parent’s examples. Randy was a person of excellence who stayed happy and loved life under unimaginably difficult circumstances. I have a hard time picturing his family and friends doing less with their own lives.

I hope that Max will see that I try to be honest, kind, and that I believe in the power of compassion above all things. And hopefully if he knows those things are important to me, and that he sees me living the convictions I say I have, he’ll want to do the same.

YC: Ooh nice: “the power of compassion above all things.” It seems like this might be THE secret.

What would you advise the Dad who is a successful professional, an excellent provider financially, but is gaining extra fat each year, comes home exhausted from work, and finds his kids tire him out when he gets home? Life is just comfortable enough but he wishes he had more vitality, more playfulness, and spent more time with his kids?

WSL: Even busy fathers and husbands have to take care of themselves first. Not to the point of neglecting duties, but we have to keep ourselves happy if we’re going to be much good to anyone else. How do you get more vitality, more playfulness, and more time? By getting better. If there is a science to happiness, it is the science of better.

As we move better, we feel better. As we think better thoughts, we ask better questions. Better questions lead to better results. Whatever better means, I would say that we should all be seeking better. Better creeps into all aspects of our lives.

YC: Josh, you’re breaking it all down here. This is great. After compassion, I agree that “asking a better question” is a miraculous habit and something well worth practicing. Speaking of having better thoughts, being able to imagine new possibilities, and ask better questions, how does reading fiction fit into that, if at all?

A lot of men I know don’t feel justified in reading fiction because there are too many important non-fiction books to read, and life is too busy etc. In your opinion can mixing in a little fiction support the goals of an aspiring Strong Dad, someone who wants to be at his best for his family and community? If so, what is one fiction book you’d recommend that every Strong Dad reads and why?

WSL: My favorite novel is A Confederacy Of Dunces. But in the abstract, the one book every Strong Dad should read is the one he can enjoy. The one that puts him into a good state so he can go back to being a stronger, happier dad after closing the book.

The best books make us better people. Those are the ones to look for, and they are different for every single man.

Josh, this has been a thrill for me. So thanks so much sir. Really appreciate your time and look forward to the continually reading your blog, and following your story as it unfolds!. Continued Success.

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If you’re interested in Josh’s evolution in strength (he’s a beast) be sure and read read this epic post, Strength Training 101.