What happens when a 5-year-old boy believes moms are supposed to go find dads? That’s how Larry Hagner began his journey—a journey marked by absence, abuse, discovery, and ultimately, purpose.
In this powerful episode of The Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen, Larry opens up about his early childhood—growing up without a father, surviving a toxic step-parent relationship, and the life-changing moment when he met his birth father at age 12 and reconnecting when he himself, became a Dad in his 30's.
Larry founded The Dad Edge movement in 2012 to help men become better husbands, fathers, and leaders. Since launching The Dad Edge Podcast in 2015, he’s coached thousands and interviewed over 1,400 guests—yet this is the first time he gets this raw about his personal story.
Now a father of four boys (ages 9, 11, 17, and 19) and celebrating 22 years of marriage, Larry is proof that you don’t have to repeat your past—you can rewrite it.
🎙 “Most men think, ‘I’m married. I should just know how to be a great dad and husband.’ But the truth is—it’s a skill. It takes reps. It takes community. And it’s never too late to start.”
👉 Watch the full episode to hear how Larry turned childhood pain into a mission to build stronger men—and stronger families.
🔗 Learn more: thedadedge.com/mastermind
📲 IG: @thedadedge | FB: The Dad Edge
Book: thedadedge.com/legendarybook
Mastermind: thedadedge.com/mastermind
What is Grit Mindset with Matt Rosen?
The Grit Mindset is where the people who already broke tell the real version. CEOs whose playbooks died. Green Berets and pro athletes who lost the identity they built everything on. Founders and fund managers who watched the money disappear. Not the LinkedIn version — the specific day it ended, the unglamorous middle, and what the rebuild actually cost.
Hosted by Matt Rosen — CEO of Allata and national media commentator on AI and leadership — every episode follows the story through four acts: who they were before, the break, the rebuild, and the bill.
If you're leading through the next five years, these are the people to learn from. Stay gritty.