Do Cool Shit Podcast

Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength

The Do Cool Shit Podcast exists to amplify the stories of people who boldly embrace the process of building their strongest body and mind. We get real about what growth actually looks like - the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. Through raw conversations about change, challenges, and what it takes to show up for yourself, we prove that cool shit happens when you stop holding back and start living from a place of strength, integrity, and empowerment. This isn't about perfection - it's about the messy, powerful process of becoming unstoppable.

  1. 2D AGO

    Pulling Back the Curtain on My Personal Journey

    My husband (Josh) and I just got back from my first real vacation in over 6 years- a week in San Francisco and the surrounding area. Almost 50 miles walked, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Big Sur, Carmel, and probably more pastries than I'd eaten all year. I'm 23 weeks pregnant, up almost 20 pounds this year, and somehow in the best relationship with my body and mind I've ever had. No guilt. No shame. No "I'll fix it Monday." That's what this episode is really about. I get personal in this one. I pull back the curtain on the stuff you may not know about me: the years of restriction, the secret bingeing, the chasing lean at any cost, and how I dug my way out. If you've ever looked at someone in this space and assumed they've got it all figured out, this is the other side of that story. In this episode: A small trip recapEating all the pastries with intention instead of a "last hurrah"Gaining almost 20 pounds this year and appreciating & trusting my body more than everSecret candy bags as a kid and Hydroxycut as a teenagerNot eating a lot and doing cardio, hungover in college, and wondering why nothing changedThe dozen bagels I bought for the office and ate at my deskThe Paleo cult years: half an apple, almond-flour rules, and still demonizing foodGetting the leanest I'd ever been, losing my period, and being completely miserableThe move to Hungary that forced me to slow down and face myselfHiring my own coach, what I was scared of, and what actually changedWhy I coach the way I do now: regulation, nervous system, emotions, and functional healthIf any of this hit home, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, tell me what landed, or reach out if you're ready for support in building a different relationship with your body and yourself. And if this episode would help someone you love, send it their way. New here? Follow the Do Cool Shit Podcast so you don't miss what's next. Let's keep doing cool shit. Let's Connect: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠ Join The Self Sabotage Solution, a 12-week group cohort that does the work to get you into a place of confidence, self-trust, and no longer self-sabotaging: https://go.wickedironstrength.com/self-sabotage-solution-817269

    33 min

  2. MAY 6

    The Key to Happiness

    Everyone says they just want to be happy… but why does it feel like something you’re constantly chasing—and never quite reaching? In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve ever had around happiness. A few years ago, a mentor asked me a simple question: “Are you happy?” My answer, and what came after, completely changed how I view happiness, growth, and how I support my clients. If you’ve ever felt like: “I should feel happier than I do”“Why doesn’t this feel like enough?”Or like happiness is waiting on the other side of a goal…This episode is for you. We’re unpacking: Why happiness is NOT a destination or permanent stateThe trap of attaching happiness to weight, appearance, money, or achievementsHow you can feel discomfort (frustration, sadness, challenge) and still be happyThe powerful reframe: discomfort isn’t the opposite of happiness—it’s often part of itWhat to ask yourself instead of “Am I happy?”This is your reminder that happiness isn’t something you unlock at the end… it’s something you experience through how you live right now. Key Takeaways: Happiness is being engaged in a meaningful pursuit, not arriving at an outcomeAchievements create moments of happiness, not permanent fulfillmentYou can feel multiple emotions at once (including happiness and discomfort)Growth, purpose, and alignment are where happiness actually livesYou might already have happiness—you’re just expecting it to feel differentReflection Questions: What am I actually chasing right now?What do I believe happiness is supposed to feel like?Am I overlooking happiness because it doesn’t match my expectations?Am I engaged in something meaningful to me?Action Step:This week, shift the question.Instead of asking “Am I happy?” ask: “Am I showing up in a way I’m proud of?”“Am I growing when I'm feeling uncomfortable?”That’s where happiness lives. Let's Connect ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    15 min
  3. Redefining Strength w/ Curtis Miller

    APR 29

    Redefining Strength w/ Curtis Miller

    In this episode of the Do Cool Shit Podcast, Meryl sits down with strength coach, business owner, and former competitive powerlifter Curtis Miller for a conversation that goes far beyond the barbell. Curt shares his philosophy on “redefining the bond between athletes and strength”—and why true strength isn’t built on competition day, but in the persistence, discipline, and identity you build along the way. Together, we dive into: Why the process > the outcome (and how this mindset creates long-term success)The difference between chasing big goals vs. focusing on incremental progressLessons from 12+ years of powerlifting (including injuries, setbacks, and evolution)How training builds confidence, resilience, and self-trust that carries into lifeThe truth about failure—and why it’s not what you thinkWhat a lot of people get wrong about nutrition and performance,Why honesty (especially with yourself) is the foundation for progressThe role of coaching, connection, and trust in real transformationHow one bold decision can completely change the trajectory of your lifeCurt also shares: The mindset shift that helped him transition out of competitionWhat it actually takes to build strength at a high levelHis perspective on doing hard things—even when you don’t feel like itThis episode is for you if: You’re tired of chasing outcomes and want to enjoy the processYou struggle with all-or-nothing thinking in fitness or lifeYou want to build confidence through action—not perfectionYou know what to do… but aren’t consistently doing itYou’re ready to challenge your perspective on failure, progress, and growthReal strength isn’t just what you lift—it’s who you become in the process. Connect with Curtis: https://www.instagram.com/curt_ironboundstrength/ Connect with Meryl: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    1h 20m

  4. APR 22

    The Dance Between Grief, Capacity, Expectations & Perspective (with a Psychotherapist…Who's Also My Mom)

    In today’s episode, I’m joined by someone incredibly special—my mom, Marcia Binder, a psychotherapist who has deeply influenced how I understand people, behavior, and what it actually means to take care of yourself. She's been on before, but this one is a little different. There’s no rigid structure—just a real, layered discussion around something every single person experiences… but not everyone knows how to navigate. We explore the dance between: PerspectiveGriefCapacityExpectations…and how these directly impact your decisions, stress levels, behaviors, and your ability to follow through (especially during challenging seasons of life). Most people don’t struggle because they don’t know what to do. They struggle because of what’s happening underneath their behaviors. We cover: Why the gap between knowing and doing isn’t a discipline problemHow misaligned expectations quietly lead to self-doubt and inconsistencyThe difference between capacity as a limit vs. capacity as something you can buildWhy grief shows up in more ways than you think (not just death)How fear of disappointment can drive avoidance and self-sabotageThe role of your nervous system + stress state in your daily decisionsWhy slowing down is the hardest—and most important—thing you can doThe difference between reaction vs. response (and how to shift into response)How to create clarity and direction when life feels chaoticWhy small wins + self-recognition are essential for building self-trustIf something in this episode hit home for you, share it with someone who needs it. And if there’s a topic you want us to explore in future episodes—send me a message or email. We may make these conversations a regular thing 👀 Let's Connect: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    1h 11m

  5. APR 15

    Why You're Not Following Through (And It's Not Discipline)

    You don’t have a follow-through problem. You have a gap. In this episode, I’m breaking down the intention–behavior gap, which is the space between knowing what to do and actually doing it, and why trying to fix it with more discipline, pressure, or guilt isn’t working. If you’ve ever told yourself: “I just need to be more disciplined”“I need to get my shit together”“I just need to be more consistent”…this episode is for you. Because the truth is:👉 You likely don’t lack discipline👉 You’re missing clarity, tools, systems, and alignment And until those are addressed, nothing changes long-term. What the intention–behavior gap actually is and why it keeps you stuckWhy pressure, guilt, and “trying harder” don’t create real follow-throughThe real reason discipline alone isn’t enoughHow motivation + discipline actually work togetherThe deeper layers that are often missing:Getting clear on your next step (not vague goals)Using if–then / when–then planning to remove decision fatigueLooking at your actual calendar and planning based on your real lifeUsing food tracking as a planning tool, not just logging after the factTracking progress so you can adjust instead of guessLearning to pivot instead of quit when things don’t go as plannedBuilding intrinsic motivation through values, identity, and ownershipYou don’t need more discipline. You need: Better systemsBetter toolsBetter expectationsA plan that actually fits your lifeBecause follow-through isn’t about forcing it… It’s about building something you can actually follow through on. Connect with Meryl ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    28 min

  6. APR 8

    Tracking Your Food Without Losing Your Mind (Or Your Freedom)

    Food tracking has a reputation—and not always a good one. For a lot of people, it feels obsessive, restrictive, and honestly… pretty freaking miserable. But what if that’s not because tracking itself is the problem, but because of the way we’ve been taught to use it? In this episode, Meryl breaks down how to reframe food and macro tracking into something that actually supports you instead of working against you. This isn’t about perfection, punishment, or cutting out your favorite foods. It’s about using data as a tool for awareness, clarity, and intentional decision-making, so you can build confidence with food and actually see progress without losing your freedom. Inside this episode, we cover: Why tracking feels so triggering (and how diet culture shaped that)The mindset shifts that change everything when it comes to trackingHow to start tracking without falling into all-or-nothing thinkingThe most common tracking mistakes (and how to fix them)Why imperfect data is still powerful dataHow tracking can actually create more freedom—not lessUsing tracking beyond fat loss (performance, energy, muscle building, etc.)If you’ve ever felt like tracking made you obsessive… or you’ve avoided it completely because you didn’t want to go down that path—this episode will give you a completely different perspective. Because the goal isn’t to control your food. It’s to understand it. And when you understand it, you can actually make choices that align with your goals, your lifestyle, and the version of you you’re building (and, obviously, do the coolest shit) Links & Resources: MacrosFirst App: Apple App or Google Play App WIS Nutrition Tracking Simplified Guide *Check out the Real Talk Nutrition Podcast for LOADS of episodes that will also be helpful in nutrition and tracking Interested in working with Meryl? Apply for coaching and book a call. Applying for coaching isn't a commitment; it's a step of interest where we'll chat and see if we're a good fit. It might just be something you look back on years from now, feeling so grateful that you took that step. Connect with Meryl ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    50 min
  7. Self Led Love w/ Bahia Miller

    MAR 25

    Self Led Love w/ Bahia Miller

    What if the things you’re trying to “fix” about yourself… are actually trying to help you? In this episode, I sit down with Bahia Miller, a conscious relationship coach and Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, to unpack the deeper layers of behavior change, self-trust, and relationships. We go way beyond surface-level advice and into the real work—understanding your patterns, your “parts,” and how your past experiences shape how you show up today. We talk about: Why you don’t just “arrive” after doing the workThe role of coping behaviors (food, alcohol, distraction) and what they’re actually doing for youWhat “parts work” is and how it helps you understand yourselfWhy discomfort is required for growth (and how to actually sit in it)The truth about self-trust and how it’s builtWhy relationships feel hard—and how to communicate in a way that actually worksThe power of slowing down in a world that constantly pushes speedThis is one of those conversations that helps you make sense of yourself in a way that feels relieving, not overwhelming. Because growth isn’t about eliminating uncomfortable thoughts or emotions…It’s about learning how to respond to them differently. Key Takeaways: You’re not broken—your behaviors have a purposeGrowth doesn’t remove discomfort, it builds your capacity for itYou don’t need to “fix” your parts, you need to understand themSelf-trust is built through action, not certaintySlowing down is one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools you haveConnect with Bahia: Website: www.bahiamiller.comEmail: me@bahiamiller.comInstagram: @bahiamillerPodcast: Self-Led LoveFree resource: Unblending MeditationConnect with Meryl: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    1h 14m

  8. MAR 18

    Why Growth Still Comes With Disappointment

    A lot of people believe that once they “do the work” on their mindset, nutrition, and habits… they’re supposed to stop having "negative" thoughts or feelings. For example, they think progress means they shouldn’t feel disappointed by the scale anymore. But that’s not how growth actually works. In this episode, I share a real conversation I recently had with a client after she did an InBody scan and saw a number on the scale that initially disappointed her. Her first reaction was disappointment, along with the follow-up thought of, “I know I shouldn’t feel this way.” But who said we shouldn’t feel things like disappointment? Thoughts and emotions are automatic. You don’t control what pops up... what you do have the ability to do is observe those thoughts, think through them, and move forward in a way that actually supports you. In this episode we talk about: Why personal growth doesn’t eliminate uncomfortable emotions The unrealistic expectations many people have about mindset work How one client navigated disappointment with the scale in a completely different way than she would have in the past Why responding differently — not feeling differently — is the real sign of progress A simple framework to help you navigate difficult moments instead of spiraling If you’ve ever looked at the scale and immediately felt frustrated, discouraged, or like nothing is working, this conversation will help you zoom out and see the bigger picture. Growth isn’t about never feeling disappointed. It’s about what you do next. Let's connect: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

    13 min
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About

The Do Cool Shit Podcast exists to amplify the stories of people who boldly embrace the process of building their strongest body and mind. We get real about what growth actually looks like - the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. Through raw conversations about change, challenges, and what it takes to show up for yourself, we prove that cool shit happens when you stop holding back and start living from a place of strength, integrity, and empowerment. This isn't about perfection - it's about the messy, powerful process of becoming unstoppable.

Information

  • Creator
    Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength
  • Show Website
    Do Cool Shit Podcast