At Bath & Pajama Society, we believe every dream starts small—sometimes with a single step, or in Dan Village’s case, a single mile. Dan is a Santa Barbara-based illustrator and dad of two whose bold, joy-filled artwork has graced everything from The New York Times to children’s books. But recently, he launched a deeply personal project: See Dad Run, a blog and platform chronicling how running helped him reconnect with himself, redefine fatherhood, and lace up for something bigger than fitness.

We caught up with Dan to talk about the messy, beautiful intersection of movement, mental health, and parenthood. Here’s what he had to say:

1. What was the spark that led you to start See Dad Run?

It all started when I was juggling kids, work, and snack crumbs in my hoodie pocket…classic dad chaos. One day when I was totally wiped, a friend of mine suggested I try running one mile a day to see if it helped clear my head. So I laced up and hit the pavement... and BAM! Mid-run epiphany. Running wasn’t just exercise, it was therapy, escape, and it became my secret dad superpower. That spark lit the fuse for See Dad Run, a way to share the wild, sweaty, hilarious journey of balancing life, love, and leg cramps.

2. In the early days of your running journey, what was the biggest hurdle—mental or physical?

In the beginning, it was true mental warfare. My brain was like, “Hey man, wouldn’t a nap and a burrito be way more chill right now?” I had to fight the inner voice that said I wasn’t a “real runner.” Every step felt like I was dragging a baby elephant uphill in flip-flops. But once I pushed past that self-doubt and embraced the sweat, the soreness and the awkward dad jog swagger, I started to find my groove. And it turns out, the brain is just a punk you can train like a puppy. It just takes consistent and daily practice.

3. How has running changed the way you show up as a dad?

Running turned me from zombie dad to Zen master of playtime. It burns off the stress, clears out the mental cobwebs, and fills my tank with that sweet dad energy. After a run, I’m not just surviving, I’m thriving. I’ve got more patience, more presence, and I can actually keep up with my kids when they launch into full-on ninja jump on Dad mode. It’s like I unlocked a secret level in the Dad Game. 

4. What’s your routine like now? Are you a 5AM runner or a "sneak-out-during-nap-time" kind of guy?

I’m definitely a “wherever I can squeeze it in” kind of guy! Some days it’s 6 AM with the raccoons and some days it’s full-on Mission: Impossible… tiptoeing past toys and Goldfish crumbs to escape out the door. Life as a dad doesn’t come with a set schedule, so I just roll with it and run when I can. The key for me? I treat those miles like a recharge station. Doesn’t matter when, just that I show up and sweat it out.

5. How do your kids fit into this story? Are they part of your runs, or your motivation, or both?

My kids are 100% the heartbeat of this whole running journey. They're my tiny cheer squad, my comic relief, and my biggest why. Sometimes my son Leo joins me (I trell him it;s training for soccer) and my daughter will also scooter alongside, tossing me imaginary power-ups.. Other times, they’re the reason I lace up at all, because I wanna show up strong, present, and full of goofy dad energy. Every mile I run is basically powered by juice boxes and unconditional love.

6. What do you hope other dads take away from See Dad Run?

I want other dads to know that you don’t have to be an elite athlete or own fancy running shoes that sound like robot feet. You just gotta start. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s sweaty. Even if your playlist is 90% ‘80’s power ballads (no shame). See Dad Run is about showing up for yourself so you can show up stronger for your fam. It’s not about the miles but about the mindset. You’re not just running… you’re becoming the superhero your kids already think you are!

At Bath & Pajama, we’re always cheering on parents who turn their dreams into rituals—big or small, messy or magical. Dan’s story reminds us that showing up for yourself is showing up for your family. Even if it starts with just one mile.

Follow Dan’s journey: @danvillage_illustration
View his work: Dan Village Illustration
Read his blog: seedadrun.co