What dads love
"Dadfit has been one of the best experiences of my life"
Chris, dad of two
"Adding small steps each week to being a better dad"
Uddika, dad of one
"Hearing other dads are going through the same struggles, I feel less isolated"
Anton, dad of one
"Feels like I’m improving my life, and my family’s, a little every week"
Tim, dad of two
Why we do it
Being a dad is awesome, but it's also hard work.
It's so much better when you have a team of dads to share the ups and down with.
We want every dad to be supported to be at their best.
Because when dads thrive, entire families and communities benefit.
4.9 out of 5 Average Rating
Over 500 dads have completed the free five-week Dadfit program. 98% said they would recommend the program to a friend.
Many continue to catch up in their local Dad Teams.
Drummond Street Services independently evaluated Dadfit, finding significant improvements in dads’ mental and physical health, self-confidence as a parent, and community connection.
You can read more about our impact here.
How Dadfit Started
Dadfit was founded in 2023 by Ryan Carters and Sarah Darmody.
Starting a charity with three young kids is a great idea, right?
As a young dad, Ryan often felt he was working it out on his own.
As a writer and gender equality advocate, Sarah saw the potential of fatherhood to transform families.
Our community has grown from 15 guys meeting in a park to 1,000+ dads, and we're just getting started.
We'd love you to join us.
Dadfit Facilitators
Tom Rujis
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
Simon Hogan
- Dad of three
- Dadfit Head of Programs
- Organisational psychologist
- Originally from Netherlands
Simon Hogan
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
Simon Hogan
- Dad of two
- Mental health expert and advocate
- Former AFL player
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
- Dad of two
- Drummond Street Peer Worker
- Originally from Eritrea
Glory Sekhon
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
Mukhtar Mohamed-Saeed
- Dad of one
- Drummond Street Peer Worker
- Originally from India
Srinivas Manchikanti
Srinivas Manchikanti
Srinivas Manchikanti
- Dad of one
- Social impact consultant
- Former teacher
Vincent Carson
Srinivas Manchikanti
Srinivas Manchikanti
- Dad of two
- Improvement specialist
- Expert at running with a pram
Brad Tellis
Srinivas Manchikanti
Simon Marrow
- Dad of three
- Program coordinator
- Wellbeing professional
- Dad joke enthusiast
Simon Marrow
Srinivas Manchikanti
Simon Marrow
- Dad of two
- Solar and battery expert
- History buff
Barney Pienaar
Barney Pienaar
Barney Pienaar
- Dad of one
- Mental health advocate
- Engineer and designer
- Campervan expert
Andy Bell
Barney Pienaar
Barney Pienaar
- Dad of two
- Program manager
- Musician
Ben O'Toole
Barney Pienaar
Ben O'Toole
- Dad of three
- Public speaker and facilitator
- Program coordinator
- Moustache grower
Simon Lee
Barney Pienaar
Ben O'Toole
- Dad of one
- Human rights advocate
- Originally from Canada
- Even more moustache than Ben
Our Founders and Board
Ryan Carters (Co-Founder)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
- Dad of three
- Dadfit Founder and CEO
- Former pro cricketer
- Ex McKinsey consultant
- John Monash Scholar (Harvard University)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
- Mum of three
- Award-winning author and journalist
- Media and communications adviser
- Women's health advocate
Edward Kus (Chair)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
Simon Hogan (Director)
- Dad of two
- Legal, governance and strategy expert
- Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and member
Simon Hogan (Director)
Sarah Darmody (Co-Founder)
Simon Hogan (Director)
- Dad of two
- Mental health expert and advocate
- Operational Excellence Manager, Medibank (formerly KPMG and Alfred Health)
- Former AFL player
Rob Moodie (Director)
Rob Moodie (Director)
Rob Moodie (Director)
- Dad and Granddad
- Professor of Public Health, Uni of Melbourne
- Former CEO, VicHealth
- Former Chair, National Preventative
Health Taskforce - Victorian Father of the Year, 2005
Trudie Vos (Director)
Rob Moodie (Director)
Rob Moodie (Director)
- Mum of two
- Senior NFP Leader and Consultant
- Expert in scaling & sustainabilty
- Diplomas in Business, Accounting, Applied Psychology. and Management
Our Partners
