Do Cool Shit Podcast

Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Health & Fitness

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. Jul 15

    The Power of Patience

    We give something two weeks, don't see the result, question ourselves or what we're doing, and switch. Then we wonder why nothing ever seems to work. Patience is the Bold Baddies theme this quarter, and in this episode, I'm getting into what patience actually is (it's not what you think), why it's harder than ever right now, and how to practice it without turning into passive waiting, settling, or lowering your standards. What we cover: Why instant gratification culture makes patience harder now than maybe any point in history, and why your body was never built to move at that speedThe difference between patience and passivity: patience is staying engaged in the process, not checking out of itThe "replanting" problem: why constantly switching programs, plans, and approaches feels productive but is actually the opposite of consistencyHow patience builds trust, both in the process and in yourselfThe connection between patience and intentionality, and the one question that tells you whether you're adjusting because it's needed or because you're uncomfortable5 practical tools for building patience as an actual skill, including how to build real instant gratification into a slow process on purposeA reflection on the invisible timeline in your head that's quietly driving your decisions Reflection questions: Take a few minutes with these. Write them down if you can. Where do I feel like I "should" be further along?How is that pressure affecting the decisions I'm making today?What would change if I gave myself permission to build instead of rush?Where am I expecting results too quickly, or rushing growth that isn't ready to be rushed?What am I abandoning right now, before it's actually had a chance to work?What would happen if I stayed with this another month?Am I adjusting because it's genuinely needed, or because I'm uncomfortable?Check more out about Bold Baddies (and think about joining next quarter!) 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

  2. Jul 1

    Navigating Life Transitions, Change, and Uncertainty

    Transitions are part of life as a human being... ALL of them... the chosen ones, the unexpected ones, the exciting ones, and the ones that feel like everything just got flipped upside down. In this episode, I'm joined again by Marcia (my mom who's also a psychotherapist) for a conversation on navigating life transitions with more self-trust, patience, adaptability, and support. We talk about moving from an old norm into a new reality (whether that’s pregnancy, retirement, moving, grief, illness, job changes, relationships, parenting shifts, identity changes, or anything else). I share personal reflections on military moves, pregnancy, training changes, and learning to give myself credit for the transitions I've already survived and grown through. Marcia brings her perspective as a therapist and offers insight into grief, fear, isolation, connection, and why we don’t need to deny the hard parts in order to move through them. This episode is a reminder that hard things are hard... and you can still be capable inside of them. In this episode, we talk about: Why transitions can feel so destabilizingThe role of adaptability and resilience during changeHow past experiences can become evidence that you can handle hard thingsWhy excitement and anxiety can exist at the same timeThe importance of naming hard feelings without living inside themLoss, grief, and feeling lost during transitionsWhy isolation can make transitions feel more chaoticHow support, community, therapy, coaching, and connection can helpWhy “doing the hard thing” sometimes means pulling backHow to stay connected to yourself through supportive behaviorsThe difference between giving yourself grace and quitting on yourselfHow to borrow belief from someone else when you can’t access your own yetIf you’re in a transition, anticipating one, or looking back on one that changed you, this episode will help you feel less alone and more capable of moving through it. Cool shit is still on the other side of doing (even when the doing looks different than it used to). Please Like, Comment, Share if this was an episode that sparked something for you! Connect with Meryl (if you have something for Marcia, I'll pass it on!) ⁠www.wickedironstrength.com⁠ Email: ⁠meryl@wickedironstrength.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/merylcbc⁠ & ⁠www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength⁠ Email list: ⁠https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter⁠

  3. Jun 24

    The Floor, The Ceiling, and Why Your Standards Might Be Keeping You Stuck

    Today, we're diving into an important coaching concept I use with clients (and myself): The Floor and The Ceiling. Most people unknowingly set their minimum standard (their floor) at the level of their best day (their ceiling). The result? Every imperfect day feels like failure, consistency becomes impossible to maintain, and progress stalls. In this episode, I share: A personal story about a simple morning walk that completely shifted my perspectiveWhy "showing up" matters more than perfect executionThe difference between your floor and your ceilingHow the concept of a Minimal Effective Dose can transform consistencyTwo real client examples of overcoming all-or-nothing thinkingWhy shame doesn't create momentum—but small wins doHow to create a floor that actually works with your real life and current capacityPractical questions to help you build habits that stickThe goal isn't to live on the floor forever. The goal is to have a floor that keeps you in the game when life is lifing. Because consistency isn't built on your best days. It's built on the days when things aren't perfect and you choose to show up anyway. Remember: the baby doesn't learn to walk because every step is perfect. They learn because every wobbly step counts. The Floor vs. Ceiling FrameworkMinimal Effective DoseAll-or-Nothing ThinkingBuilding Consistency Without BurnoutCapacity and Behavior ChangeSelf-Talk and MomentumWhy Imperfect Action Still Counts 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

  4. Jun 10

    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.

    Operating With Integrity w/ Andrew Coates

  5. 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

    The 5 Powers of Fitness w/ Quinto Hood

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Meryl Binder⏐Wicked Iron Strength
  • Show Website
    Do Cool Shit Podcast