We recently had the chance to connect with Hezekiah Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Hezekiah, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are where everything begins, not with noise or urgency, but with intention. Before my feet even hit the floor, I take a moment to thank God for waking me up. That quiet gratitude sets the tone. I read a Bible verse to anchor myself, a small reminder that whatever the day brings, I’m not walking into it alone.
After that, I keep things simple: a glass of water, a quick wash-up, teeth brushed, and then I step out of the room while the house is still asleep. There’s something powerful about those early minutes, when the world hasn’t started moving yet. I make a cup of coffee or tea, step outside, breathe in the cold air, and speak my affirmations. Gratitude. Vision. Presence. I treat that moment like a daily reset prayer, reflection, and a reminder of who I’m becoming.
Once my mind and spirit are grounded, I shift into movement. Depending on the day, it might be a 30–45 minute workout, a gym session, or a light 2–3 mile jog. It’s less about intensity and more about momentum showing up for my body so it can show up for my family and my work.
When I’m back, the house is just starting to get up. That’s when I shift gears into planning mode: sending a few emails, checking school assignments, mapping out what Rolling With Dads needs, and organizing the day before it gets away from me. If I’m lucky, I can get through most of it before our baby boy wakes up. Then it’s dad mode, making his breakfast, getting him ready, and easing us both into the day.
Those first 90 minutes aren’t just a routine; they’re my foundation. They give me clarity, discipline, and peace before the world starts demanding things from me. It’s how I make sure I’m not just reacting to my day, but actually leading it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Hezekiah Johnson, founder of Rolling With Dads and a proud father to a two-year-old boy who inspires everything I do. I’m currently studying nutrition and dietetics at Los Angeles Southwest College, blending my passion for health with my work supporting fathers. Through RWD, we’ve built a community for dads from the Dad Walk and Stroller Run Club to mental health and wellness workshops, all rooted in the belief that when fathers are supported, families thrive.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that truly reshaped my entire perspective was the birth of our two-year-old son. From the moment I held him, everything in my life shifted: how I think, how I act, how I love, and how I show up in the world.
Becoming a father changed me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It inspired me to strive to be a better person, a better partner, and a better leader. It pushed me to lead by example, to be present, and to build something meaningful for him and for our family.
His arrival is what sparked my purpose. It’s why I founded Rolling With Dads, why I advocate for fathers, why I serve the community, and why I’m pursuing a degree in nutrition and dietetics. He gave me a legacy to build, a reason to grow, and a reminder every day of what truly matters.
That moment didn’t just shape how I see the world, it shaped who I am and the work I feel called to do.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
It taught me humility and that you can’t do everything alone, and you’re not supposed to. It showed me the truth about patience, resilience, and faith in ways easy seasons never could. When life breaks you down, it forces you to face yourself, to grow, and to decide who you want to be when it’s hard, not just when it’s good.
Suffering also taught me compassion. It made me more understanding, more present, and more able to relate to other fathers and families who are carrying weight they don’t always talk about. It softened me in some ways and strengthened me in others.
Most importantly, suffering taught me purpose. It pushed me to build Rolling With Dads, to advocate for men’s mental and physical health, and to create a space where fathers don’t have to suffer alone. It taught me that every struggle can either break you or build you, and I chose to let it build me.
Success feels good, but suffering is what gave me depth.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I am committed to for the long term is building the full foundation of Rolling With Dads and expanding it into chapters nationwide and eventually globally. What started as a personal mission has grown into a vision to ensure fathers everywhere have access to the emotional, mental, and wellness support they need.
I believe deeply that fatherhood shapes families, and families shape communities. So I’m committed to creating a sustainable network where dads can find brotherhood, resources, guidance, and a safe space to be vulnerable. Whether it takes years or decades, I’m dedicated to building an organization that advocates for fathers and equips them with the tools to thrive.
For me, this work isn’t about speed; it’s about impact, longevity, and making sure no father has to walk this journey alone.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was a loving father who showed up fully for his family and never stopped fighting for his vision. Someone who poured into his son, his community, and the fathers who needed support the most.
I want to be remembered as a man who never gave up, who pursued his purpose with consistency, faith, and grit, no matter how hard life got. Someone who turned his challenges into fuel and used his journey to inspire others to keep going.
I hope they say I built something meaningful with Rolling With Dads, created real spaces for men to grow, and dedicated my life to serving families and strengthening communities.
More than anything, I want my story to inspire someone else to believe in themselves, chase their purpose, and never stop becoming who they were meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rollingwithdads.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollingwithdads/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hezekiahjohnson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Rolling-With-Dads-61561034575881/
- Other: https://substack.com/@rollingwithdads
Image Credits
Rolling With Dads
Melissa Phillips
Ron Holden Jr
