A dad’s attempt to celebrate his wife’s self-care backfired spectacularly when TikTok users chimed in with some harsh critiques.
Phil Mackenzie, known as @LeanSquad1 on TikTok, posted a 19-second clip of his wife working out in their living room. Surrounded by a sea of toys and a visibly messy house, the video, now viewed over 5 million times, was meant to be a tribute to her taking some much-needed time for herself.
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An overlay in the video read:
“Today I walked in on my wife working out while our newborn napped. Our house was a disaster. Dishes needed to be cleaned. Laundry needed to be done. And a million other things she felt she had to do.”
The message continued:
“Yet I could not be more proud. She instead decided to take just a little time to herself that she deserved 10 times over. Always remember that YOU DESERVE time to yourself. The mess and chores can always wait, but your mental health should never be sacrificed.”
Phil also included a caption promoting his beginner-friendly “Lean Reset” workout package.
What he likely intended as a sweet gesture quickly turned sour, as commenters flooded in with criticism. Many accused him of being oblivious to the obvious solution: helping out.
“This happened to me,” one commenter wrote. “I didn’t record her—I did the dishes and laundry.”
Another chimed in: “You got hands. Clean.”
The critiques kept rolling:
- “How about helping her?”
- “Congrats on doing… nothing.”
- “This video alone is my nightmare. HELP HER.”
- “If you cleaned while she did this, you could both relax later.”
Some accused Phil of being patronizing, with one commenter sarcastically remarking, “He thinks he’s the husband of the year for not getting mad at her.”
Yet not everyone was on the attack. Phil’s wife, Brodie, defended the post, clarifying that it wasn’t what critics thought.
Speaking to Today.com, Brodie explained: “Phil was showing how proud he was that I left the mess until we could clean together. He didn’t deserve the backlash.” She added that her husband prioritizes their mental health and has never pressured her about weight loss.
The couple, who share four sons under five—including a newborn—strive to show the authentic side of parenting through their videos. As Phil put it, they “split the load” when it comes to household chores.
Still, the video sparked a broader conversation about gender roles, parenting, and how partners can support each other. What do you think? Was the backlash deserved, or did Phil’s good intentions get lost in translation?
What’s your take? Share your thoughts below or tag a friend who would have something to say about this!
