Welcome to The Iron Father. My name is James Sullivan, but on here you will know me as Járn Ulfstaður (find out more about that here) —I’m a father of five, and a man still learning every day what it means to be the father my children deserve. This blog isn’t about me claiming to have all the answers or pretending I’ve mastered fatherhood. It’s about honesty—about sharing my failings and the steps I’ve taken (and continue to take) to grow as a father.

Fatherhood is a journey, not a destination. It’s a path we should walk together as men, as fathers, learning from each other, supporting each other, and striving to become better for the sake of our children. That’s the heart of The Iron Father: connection, growth, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

For me, the gym is more than a place to lift weights; it’s a crucible where life’s lessons are forged. Discipline, patience, resilience, consistency—these are the qualities the iron teaches us. And those lessons don’t stop at the gym door. They spill into every part of our lives, shaping us into better men, better partners, and better fathers.

This blog is built on that foundation. It’s about taking the principles we learn under the barbell and applying them to the challenges of fatherhood. It’s about embracing struggle, owning our mistakes, and committing to the hard work of becoming the men our children can look up to.

I’m not here to preach or pretend I’ve got it all figured out. I’m here to share what’s worked for me and what has not. To share my story, and to create a space where we can all grow together. Let’s take the lessons of the gym and use them to transform not just our bodies, but our lives and our families.

Welcome to The Iron Father. Let’s get to work.