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. Operating With Integrity w/ Andrew Coates

    3d ago

    Operating With Integrity w/ Andrew Coates

    Social media can connect us, educate us, and inspire us. It can also overwhelm us, mislead us, and leave us feeling more stressed, reactive, and disconnected from ourselves. In this episode, I sit down with coach, personal trainer, writer, educator, podcast host, and all-around great human being Andrew Coates for a conversation that goes beyond fitness. We talk about how to navigate social media with more discernment, why credibility matters, and how to recognize when someone is more interested in status than service. We also dive into emotional regulation, boundaries, relationships, integrity, and what it means to create a life that feels meaningful (not just one that looks impressive from the outside). Andrew shares lessons from 15 years of coaching, building a successful business, and staying grounded in an industry that often rewards noise over substance. In this episode, we discuss: • How social media algorithms reward outrage, polarization, and attention-seeking behavior• Red flags to watch for when deciding who to trust online• Why emotional regulation matters more than most people realize• The power of pausing before reacting• Boundaries, relationships, and protecting your time and energy• Integrity as a guiding principle for life and business• Why sustainable change requires looking at the whole person• Common misconceptions about fat loss and exercise• The difference between status chasing and meaningful contribution• What doing cool shit means to Andrew Connect with Andrew: Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness Website: https://andrewcoatesfitness.com/ Listen to the Lift Free and Diet Hard Podcast Check out The Real Coaches Summit 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 If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who could benefit from the conversation and leave a review to help more people find the podcast. And remember, cool shit is on the other side of doing.

    1h 14m
  2. The 5 Powers of Fitness w/ Quinto Hood

    Jun 3

    The 5 Powers of Fitness w/ Quinto Hood

    What if the biggest thing holding you back… isn’t a lack of knowledge? What We Talk About In this episode, I’m joined by Quinto (Quinn) Hood, and we go way beyond sets, reps, and macros. We talk about what actually creates change...and why most people stay stuck even when they “know what to do.” Quinto breaks down his 5 Powers of Fitness: a framework that blends strength, nutrition, muscle, intention, and action. We also get into the real stuff: Confidence (and why it doesn’t come strictly from your physique or what you look like)The gap between knowing and doingBody image, identity, and chasing outcomes that don’t actually fulfill youWhat it looks like to rebuild, both physically and mentally, after injuryAnd what “doing cool shit” actually means in real life, according to himThis one is part fitness, part mindset, and a whole lot of honest conversation about what it actually takes to grow. Key Takeaways Why fitness is more than just physical transformationThe 5 Powers of Fitness: strength, muscle, nutrition, intention, and actionThe truth about why most people struggle with consistencyMeeting people where they’re at (instead of forcing a perfect plan)The difference between having information vs. actually applying itBody dysmorphia, confidence, and shifting from how you look → what your body can doWhy goals without values don’t workBuilding a life that supports your habits (instead of relying on discipline)Recovering from a major injury and returning to competitionWhy you don’t fail unless you quitKnowing what to do isn’t the problem...doing it consistently is where the gap liesConfidence is built through reps, not resultsYour environment and systems matter more than willpowerGoals only work when they’re aligned with your valuesYou’re not meant to “arrive”...you’re meant to evolveProgress isn’t linear… but it’s always availableConnect with Quinto: Instagram: @coachq_strength_fpf Website: https://www.fifthpowerfitness.com/ Email: fifthpowerfitness@gmail.com 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 19m

  3. May 27

    Intentionality: The Skill That Changes Everything

    You know what you want to do. You've done the research, made the plan, and set the intention. And then life happens, and somehow you end up somewhere you didn't choose. This isn't a discipline problem. There isn't something WRONG with you. There's a gap in intentionality...and intentionality is a skill, which means it can be built. In this episode, I'm getting into what intentionality actually is, how it works in your brain, and how to practice it in the real, messy, unpredictable circumstances of your actual life. Not the life where everything goes according to plan. What this episode covers: Why knowing what to do is never enough, and what the real gap actually isThe difference between intent, intention, and intentionality (they're not the same thing)Intentionality as a skill of presence and mindfulness, and what that actually means in practiceIntentionality as initiative: how to play offense before you're already in the reactionThe neurobiology of why your behavior gets less intentional when life gets harder (it's not weakness, it's your brain doing exactly what brains do)How intentionality connects to identity and the story you're building about yourselfWhy intentionality is not a set of rules, and how the same action can be aligned or misaligned depending on the contextHow to actually build this skill: 5 practical tools you can start using this week Real stories in this episode: A client planning a vacation around connection and fun, who built a proactive approach that let her enjoy every part of the trip and come home feeling good. A client navigating one of the hardest seasons of her life, with a sick parent, a family to care for, and herself in the middle of it, who is doing the work of intentional self-care even when the pull to say screw it is loud. And my own experience with intentionality during pregnancy, where the daily choices feel more loaded than ever and every single one is an opportunity to practice being the person I want to be. This week's reflection questions: Take 10 minutes at the end of the week and write these out. Not in your head. On paper (or your notes app). Writing slows you down and tells you the truth. Where did I act on autopilot this week, and how did I feel afterward?Where did I make a conscious, intentional choice, and how did I feel afterward?What's one area where the gap between what I believe and what I do is widest right now?What would a single proactive step look like, before the next hard moment, to narrow that gap? If this episode hit something real for you, The Self Sabotage Solution is where we do this work together. It's the program I built for people who are already doing the things, but still getting in their own way. We go deep on the mindset, the behavior patterns, the values alignment, and the tools that actually make it stick. Enrollment is open. Get in here: https://go.wickedironstrength.com/self-sabotage-solution-enroll Let's Connect: ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠

    52 min

  4. May 22

    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

  5. 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
  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength
  • Show Website
    Do Cool Shit Podcast