A Chat with McKenna Durkin — Hard Work, Big Dreams & Preparing to Fly | Ep. 492

For the final episode of our three-part Durkin family trilogy, I’m sitting down with my youngest child, McKenna Durkin, just before she leaves home to begin a brand-new chapter at High Point University (NC). This conversation is special—not only because I get to hear directly from McKenna about her dreams, goals, fears, and excitement for college and Division I lacrosse, but because we also get to flip the script and let her interview me. We talk about the value of hard work, discipline, mindset, controlling the controllables, limiting distractions, the power of networking, and what it really means to believe in yourself when you’re stepping into something bigger than anything you’ve experienced before. As a Dad, this episode is a reminder that raising kids is ultimately about preparing them to spread their wings, chase their dreams, and become who they were created to be.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• McKenna’s move to High Point University and why she’s so excited for this next chapter.
• What it takes to prepare for the next level of Division I lacrosse—and why “controlling the controllables” matters.
• The training, recovery, nutrition, sleep, and discipline McKenna has prioritized this summer.
• Why your environment matters and how the people and places around you can shape who you become.
• McKenna’s approach to nutrition, including whole foods, protein, fruits, vegetables, and enjoying a healthy sweet treat.
• Why McKenna is choosing to study Exercise Science and her current dream of becoming a physician’s assistant.
• The importance of using college as a time to explore, learn, and discover what you truly love to do.
• McKenna’s biggest excitement—and biggest challenges—as she prepares to leave home and figure things out on her own.
• Her dreams for the future, including building a career she loves and someday having a lake house.
• Why some of the best family memories aren’t the big trips, but the ordinary moments spent together.
• The Durkin family’s special connection to Whitefish, Montana, and the importance of unplugging, slowing down, and creating quality family time.
• McKenna flipping the script and asking me some powerful questions—including the one lesson he hopes she has learned from watching me.
• Why hard work, grit, discipline, and believing in yourself are essential to reaching your goals.
• How to handle self-doubt when you’re surrounded by people who are talented, accomplished, and competing at a high level.
• The power of focusing on the process instead of putting pressure on yourself to achieve a specific result.
• Todd’s perspective on raising a daughter and the unique bond, love, pride, and protection that comes with being a dad to a girl.
• Why limiting distractions—especially social media—is critical when you’re trying to accomplish something meaningful.
• The incredible power of networking and why “your network is your net worth.”
• Todd’s advice for McKenna as she heads off to college: come home, stay connected, keep getting better, and enjoy the process.
• A powerful reminder from Proverbs 22 about training a child in the way they should go—and then giving them the freedom to grow and spread their wings.

There’s something incredibly powerful about watching your kids grow up, develop their own dreams, and step into a future you know you can’t completely control. McKenna is about to leave the nest, and while there’s certainly some emotion that comes with that, there’s also an incredible amount of pride and excitement.

My job as a father has never been to create a life for my kids—it’s been to equip them with the values, discipline, faith, work ethic, and confidence to go create their own. McKenna, I am so proud of you. Go chase the dream. Go compete. Go learn. Go build relationships. Go get better every single day. And most importantly, enjoy the PROCESS of becoming the woman you’re
meant to be. The next chapter is just beginning—and I can’t wait to watch you spread your wings and create your IMPACT.

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Tag me at: IG: @ToddDurkin @mckennadurkin

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