What happens when your entire world gets turned upside down in the best way possible at age 40? In this episode of the It’s Your Break podcast, host Jonathan Mertz sits down with new guest host Troy Yount to discuss the beautiful, exhausting, and life-changing reality of late fatherhood, the power of patience, and how to stay connected in an increasingly digital world.
Whether you are a new dad at 40, navigating a long fertility journey, or just looking for a reminder to take a break and laugh, this conversation is packed with heartfelt advice, nostalgia, and practical wisdom.
The 17-Year Journey to Late Fatherhood
For Troy and his wife, the road to parenthood was anything but short . After a solid 17 years of trying—including 12 years of working with a fertility specialist—they had begun to think it might never happen. Troy recalls standing in a living nativity scene as Mary and Joseph on December the 23rd, when his wife decided to grab a pregnancy test “just in case”.
The result? A positive test that changed everything. Their son is now about to turn one year old, proving that “everybody deserves the opportunity of happiness” and life, no matter how long the wait.
“Parenting is a Young Man’s Game” (But Maturity Wins)
Starting fatherhood at 40 comes with unique physical and social challenges. As Troy puts it, “parenting is a young man’s game—especially in the knees and the back”. With a highly mobile baby learning to open cabinet clips and stand up, childproofing becomes an extreme sport.
But late fatherhood also brings unexpected social dynamics. While Troy’s peers are raising teenagers and high school graduates, they often don’t remember the baby phase when asked for advice. This leaves Troy turning to younger parent groups for tips.
However, there is a massive silver lining to older parenting. While you might lose some of the physical stamina of youth, you gain invaluable maturity, patience, and self-understanding.
3 Key Survival Tips for Late-in-Life Fatherhood
Drawing from his first year of parenting, Troy shares essential advice for couples navigating this transition:
- Prioritize Communication and Connection: With one partner napping while the other watches the baby, it’s easy to drift. Staying on the same page and supporting each other is crucial to avoid resentment.
- Lean Into Patience: The toddler years require deep patience. Understanding that you are in this together for life helps keep things grounded.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks: Professionally or personally, putting aside pride and taking chances is essential. Troy shares how taking a risk in his own IT career 16 years ago shaped his life, and encourages his son—and listeners—to embrace bold steps.
Moving Beyond the Screen: Building Real Community
Beyond fatherhood, Troy and Jonathan dive into a broader discussion about modern society. Reflecting on their shared upbringing in a small town (Eminence, Kentucky – Henry County) where doors were left unlocked and neighbors actively visited, they express concern over how “terminally online” today’s world has become.
Troy, who serves as a worship leader and has a deep love for faith, family, and music, highlights the importance of building genuine, offline relationships. “There’s something to be said about trying to get back to some of the basics and talk to people,” Troy urges, noting how isolated we can become when we can order everything on our phones without human contact.
Fun, Pop Culture, and Microsoft Teams Memes
It wouldn’t be It’s Your Break without some lighthearted fun. The episode wraps up with a hilarious rapid-fire round where Troy shares his favorites:
- Favorite Music: Hard Rock
- Favorite Sci-Fi Characters: Bender from Futurama and Batman
- Favorite Pastime: Classic movies (like Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart) and collecting physical media to protect against streaming changes
- Sorting Hat House: Gryffindor
- The Ultimate Office Survival Tool: Sending GIF memes on Microsoft Teams to cope with corporate life
Listen & Follow “It’s Your Break”
Take a break from yourself, laugh, and reset. Follow It’s Your Break on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube @ItsYourBreak. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, and iHeartRadio!