S2E9: Michael Winwood - Healthy Habits as a NICU Dad

Today, we talk about why routine matters.
Why healthy habits matter, and how easy it is to slip into bad patterns when everything feels out of control.

In this episode, I speak with Michael Winwood, a dad who had two weeks’ notice that something wasn’t right — just enough time to feel the fear, but not enough time to prepare for what was coming.

While his baby was in the NICU, Michael was also juggling life with a two-year-old at home. Like many dads, he felt invisible at first — unsure of his role, unsure of the support available to him. That shifted when he began advocating for clearer routines, defining what his role was, and trying to find something that felt close to “standard operating procedures” in all of the chaos.

Michael also shares how his background in the defence force — and how having existing touch points with psychology support for his PTSD — helped him stay mentally steady during the NICU journey. He reflects on the value of human connection, healthy distractions, and staying engaged with people around him.

This is an honest conversation. No filters. No clichés. Just one dad sharing his story so other dads know they’re not alone.