We wrap Season 3 with one of our most personal, reflective, and laugh-filled episodes yet. From stupid humor that sends us into tears to deep questions about legacy, fulfillment, and friendship, this one hits on all fronts. Dan opens up about accountability and what it means to show up, Marcel reflects on chasing meaning beyond metrics, and together we look at what it means to keep trying—creatively, emotionally, and personally.
🕐 Timestamps:
00:00 – The last episode of Season 3
01:05 – Laughing until your chest hurts
05:30 – Hot sandwiches, pesto beef, and Nantucket stories
12:00 – Marcel on feeling like a show version of himself
15:15 – The power of routine and why we’re not done trying
27:00 – Dan opens up: apology, ownership, and planning struggles
38:00 – Marcel’s emotional reaction to a Staten Island movie
41:00 – The fear of being forgotten and leaving your mark
52:00 – Here and now vs. legacy: what really matters?
55:00 – Our goals for Season 4
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
In this episode of I'm Trying, Dude, Marcel and Dan dive into the real reason we struggle with consistency — especially when it comes to routines, working out, or picking up new habits. They explore how to shift from a mindset of “I should” to “I want to”, and why that simple change is the key to sustainable growth.
Things get personal, too. Dan relives some wild high school fights (including the time someone punched themselves), Marcel shares the time he stole a cop-jumper’s girlfriend, and they both open up about how repressed anger has shown up in their lives. From anxiety and outbursts to healing and humor — it’s all here.
Stick around to the end for a surprisingly deep take on nostalgia, living in the moment, and the mental photos we carry with us.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – The chaotic cold open00:40 – Connecting to divine energy before recording01:30 – HYROX weekend recap04:00 – Dan’s 7-minute penalty & Marcel’s Berlin HYROX plans06:15 – Nick’s struggle and friendship through shared goals08:00 – Marcel’s rooftop sickness & recovery reflection09:30 – Morning routine wins vs. video game temptation11:00 – Learning Italian & guitar as small daily wins13:45 – “I should” vs “I want to” — the mental shift that matters15:30 – Movement, motivation, and building sustainable habits19:00 – Yin yoga + the five-minute rule21:00 – Why it’s hard to keep up new habits22:15 – The piano example & gamifying consistency23:30 – Marcel’s thoughts on burnout, podcasting, and creative pressure25:00 – Have you ever been in a fight?28:00 – Dan’s wild high school fight story (First one's on me!)30:30 – Marcel gets hit in Spain — wrong guy32:00 – Dan almost gets roped into a brawl34:00 – Marcel dates the girlfriend of a guy who jumps cops35:00 – Rage, fights, and why anger builds up38:00 – How repressed emotions show up as anxiety41:00 – Learning to express anger safely43:00 – Comparing vs. competing44:00 – Nostalgia, memory, and trying to stay present47:00 – Capturing moments vs. being in them49:00 – Dan’s mental snapshots practice51:00 – How to consciously choose presence52:00 – The “Jim & Pam” mental photo54:00 – Wrap-up: being present, trying, and growing
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
In this raw and real episode, Marcel and Dan unpack everything from Memorial Day weekend plans gone sideways to the value of hard conversations in male friendships. From unexpected tension and honest apologies to food meditations, kombucha love, and being haunted by an ice bath fail—this one is truly all over the place in the best way.
Whether it's mindful eating, getting vulnerable in a sauna, or being called “daddy” at the grocery store, the guys navigate discomfort with humor and heart. Tune in for stories, self-awareness, and the unfiltered dynamic of two friends learning to show up better—for themselves and each other.
🎙️ Topics include:
Why Dan got grilled (literally and emotionally)
What Marcel should’ve said in the sauna
Why vulnerability can feel embarrassing—but is always worth it
A titanium-armed chef named Neil
The risks of wearing Knicks gear in public
This episode is funny, messy, honest, and full of the stuff real friendships are made of. You in?
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Memorial Day Vibes01:20 - Favorite Flavors & Fake Drink Reviews03:35 - Family Visits and Emotional Flashbacks06:45 - Aging, Injury, and Our Fathers09:40 - Food, Mindfulness, and “The Best Bite”14:00 - Stillness, Presence & Food Meditations16:20 - BBQ Wins & Burger Brags17:20 - Dan’s Disappearing Act21:00 - Real Talk: Feeling Like a Backup23:30 - Navigating Conflict in Male Friendships27:00 - Emotional Triggers & Taking Ownership30:20 - Knicks Sweatshirt & Sports Paranoia33:00 - Wearing Teams You Don’t Watch35:05 - The Old Lady Who Said “Thanks, Daddy”37:30 - The Cold Plunge Shame Spiral42:00 - Performing vs. Expressing Honestly45:20 - Mindful Masculinity & Vulnerability48:30 - Learning to Love the Real You52:00 - Boredom, Stillness & Who You Really Are53:50 - Final Reflections & Next Week’s Topic54:45 - Marcel's Subway Origins57:00 - Dan’s Titanium-Armed Chef Story1:00:45 - Wrap Up & Neil Lives On Forever
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
Dan kicks things off with his Brooklyn Half win—and how that somehow led to a night of trying way too hard to impress a woman. Marcel confesses to breaking his sobriety and reflects on the emotional spiral that followed. From dating drama to performative masculinity, the guys unpack why we chase validation and how true confidence comes from within. It’s raw, hilarious, and painfully relatable.
🕐 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro Buzzcuts & Not Giving a F***
00:40 Brooklyn Half Marathon Recap
07:40 Marcel Breaks Sobriety in Antwerp
13:50 Duolingo, Language Learning & Lily
19:10 The Lengths We Go To Impress Women
22:00 Overtexting and First Attempts at Love
27:00 Dan's Beach House Heartbreak
35:00 The Marathon for a Girl Story
43:00 Cringey Teen Romance and Club Dances
47:15 Marcel's Takeaway: Just Be Yourself
49:30 Outro: A Love Letter to Lily from Duolingo
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
Addiction comes in many forms — and not all of them look destructive at first glance. In this episode, Marcel and Daniel open up about their own struggles with addiction, both obvious and subtle, and how they’ve replaced old patterns with new “healthy” ones. But is constant replacement true healing? They explore the tension between obsession and discipline, what it means to be truly free from compulsive behavior, and why learning to sit in silence might be the ultimate unlock for your personal growth.
🕐 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Funny catch-up & framing the topic
02:20 “Addicted” to growth or just evolving?
06:10 The trap of replacing one addiction with another
12:45 Why stillness matters more than we think
17:20 Is therapy still therapy if you’re avoiding pain?
21:05 Projecting vs. living who we really are
24:10 Boredom, silence, and what we avoid
27:55 When “healthy” habits become harmful
32:20 Can you just sit with yourself?
38:00 Outro – Learning to be present without noise
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
This week, we’re diving into a topic we’ve both wrestled with — body image. Dan opens up about his long history with body insecurities, unhealthy dieting, and how a childhood comment stuck with him for years. Marcel reflects on his own struggles with feeling too skinny and how the desire for external validation shaped his early fitness habits. We unpack how body image affects not just how we look, but how we feel, and why doing things for yourself is the key to healing.Whether you've felt too small, too big, or just “not enough,” this episode is for you.In this episode:Why face yoga might (or might not) be worth your moneyChildhood memories that shape adult insecuritiesThe hidden reasons behind extreme dieting and over-exercisingHow male body image issues often go unspokenWhy working out for yourself is the real game changerBuilding a body-positive mindset through self-compassionDisclaimer:This podcast reflects personal experiences and opinions and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice. If you're struggling, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist or counselor.
🕐 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – Face yoga + body image preview02:50 Why Dan wanted to tackle this topic06:00 Marcel’s new morning routine shift09:40 Why men rarely discuss body image18:00 Dan’s pool party memory that changed everything22:00 Marcel’s “too skinny” story and validation trap26:50 Psychoanalyzing our younger selves31:30 Why trauma lingers silently35:00 Are you working out for yourself or others?37:10 The trap of turning insecurities into motivation39:00 Food, comfort, and the emotional side of body image45:00 Why quiet moments reveal hidden stressors47:20 Beauty standards, self-acceptance, and final takeaways
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
This week on I'm Trying, Dude, Marcel and Daniel dive into the moments that tested their moral compass — from small things they got away with as kids to the deeper question: are we actually good people? They swap stories about books that shifted their perspective, movement and recovery journeys, and share a hilarious moment involving running, falling, and friendship.
Tune in for laughs, reflections, and the kind of honest conversations that leave you thinking long after the episode ends.
🕐 Timestamps:
00:00Intro – Literature, Moral Compass, and Lunatic Energy
02:00Marcel’s Discovery: The Need for Fuel & Recovery
03:30Reading a Book in a Day – Veronika Decides to Die
07:00Reflection on Life, Death, and Madness
08:30Dan’s Reading Struggles and Audiobook Adventures
12:30The Fantasy Audiobook Mishap (Spicy Audiobooks in Public)
15:00Dan’s Running Fall and the Art of Laughing at Yourself
17:00Lessons from Embarrassment and Friendship
19:00Moral Compass Check – Subway Jumping & Chipotle Hot Sauce
23:30Dan’s Wild Story: Paintball Drive-By (Christmas Chaos)
30:00Marcel’s Reflection on Cheating and Weakness in Relationships
37:00Wrap Up – Growth, Understanding, and Owning Your Actions
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.— Marcel & Dan
We're back! Season 3 of I’m Trying, Dude kicks off with a deep dive into courage—what it means to show up, to try something new, to speak up, or to just sit with someone who's hurting.
From running marathons to asking for tea on a flight (yes, really), Marcel and Dan unpack why even the smallest decisions can take courage. We also talk about burnout, acting class breakthroughs, creative doubts, emotional expression, and our eternal quest for purpose.
If you're feeling stuck, inspired, lost, or just trying your best—this one’s for you.
💭 Topics in this episode:
– Courage in the mundane and extraordinary– Marcel’s marathon and injury aftermath– Dan’s acting class and emotional unlearning– Creative doubt vs. creative purpose– Being seen, asking for help, and saying no– Breathwork, Bashar, and bedtime intuition
🕐 Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome back!
3:12 – Marcel's marathon moment
8:40 – Dan’s acting breakthrough
12:55 – Creative work vs real impact
21:00 – The “AI therapy” idea
26:10 – Big dreams & new paths
39:15 – Ask for what you need
46:45 – Courage in small decisions
🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@ImTryingDude
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @ImTryingDude
❤️ Like the episode? Share it, rate it, or send it to a friend who’s also trying.
Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan
It’s the last episode of Season 2! 🎉 In this wrap-up, Marcel and Dan reflect on their journey so far, balancing goals with self-care, and how to build consistency without burnout. Marcel shares highlights from his intense Bahamas training trip, Dan preps for a Thailand wedding, and both discuss their first-ever joint modeling gig… which involves no pants 🚇.
They also get real about what’s next for I’m Trying, Dude, including plans for Season 3, potential guests, and pushing each other’s comfort zones. Plus, they talk about the struggle of watching TV in the streaming era, The White Lotus hype, and Marcel’s unexpected resurgence in booking jobs.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to the Season 2 Finale!
02:00 – Marcel’s trip to The Bahamas & intense training at Champion Spirit Country Club 🏋️♂️
07:30 – Balancing workouts with injury: lessons learned 🤕
12:00 – Pushing for goals vs. respecting limitations 🔥
18:00 – Dan’s upcoming trip to Thailand & officiating a wedding 💍
20:00 – The No-Pants Subway Campaign: Modeling in our underwear 🚇
25:00 – TV Talk: The White Lotus, The Last of Us & the death of weekly shows 📺
33:00 – What we’ve done well & what we want to improve for Season 3
37:00 – More personal stories coming soon: wild pasts & deeper convos 💬
39:00 – Season 3 plans: A new recording setup, potential guests & bigger things ahead!
🔥 Season 3 Sneak Peek:
✔️ More personal stories & deep dives
✔️ More guests & collaborations
✔️ A fresh, upgraded format
We’re taking a short break before Season 3, but we’ll be back stronger, better, and even more real. Thanks for rocking with us through two seasons!
💬 Tell us in the comments: What do you want to hear in Season 3? Any guest suggestions?
👀 WATCH / LISTEN TO MORE:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtryingdude
📸 Follow us on IG: @ImTryingDude📷 Instagram: @ImTryingDude | @marcelfloruss | @danielvictor
🔥 See you soon for Season 3! 🔥
This week, we’re catching up and covering everything from Mardi Gras chaos to the underrated power of dancing. Dan’s trip to New Orleans takes an unexpected turn, Marcel gets deep about his hairline, and we both realize we might have cracked the code to feeling young forever.
Also in this episode:
🟣 Dan’s wild, unplanned Mardi Gras adventure (and a whole new side of New Orleans)
💃 Marcel’s sober night out in Stamford: why dancing sober might be even better
⚡ “You don’t stop dancing because you get old. You get old because you stop dancing.”
🩸 Marcel’s first PRP treatment—does it actually work for hair loss?
This one’s all over the place in the best way possible—storytelling, life lessons, and a reminder that moving your body is more important than you think.
👀 WATCH / LISTEN TO MORE:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtryingdude
📸 Follow us on IG: @ImTryingDude
This week, we’re switching things up—again. A "long-distance" recording, half caffeinated, and a whole lot of real talk.
Marcel and Dan catch up on life, injuries, and the mental game of chasing big goals. Dan just got back from Ireland, where he lived his best medieval life in a castle, and Marcel is questioning if he pushed himself too hard on his latest 20-mile run.
Also in this episode:
🏃♂️ Marcel’s longest (and fastest) run ever—was it worth the pain?🍻 Dan’s Ireland trip, a bar that stopped mid-convo when they walked in, and a beer-opening fail gone very wrong💭 The battle between self-doubt, ambition, and knowing when to rest🎯 Clay pigeon shooting—just good fun or a hidden primal instinct?😂 Why Dan keeps his friend groups separate (and why Marcel is calling BS on it)
This one goes in every direction—from marathon training to bachelor party mishaps to why we’re all just trying to figure sh*t out.
👀 WATCH / LISTEN TO MORE:🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtryingdude📸 Follow us on IG: @ImTryingDude
This week, we’re switching things up—again. Looser structure, more real talk, and a whole lot of rule-breaking.
Marcel and Dan dive into childhood chaos, from strict upbringings and rebellious streaks to revenge plots that may or may not have involved a car 👀.
Marcel shares how his dad’s rule-breaking shaped his life, while Dan confesses to a klepto phase that got way out of hand.
Also in this episode:
🚨 The time someone pissed in Dan’s Jordans (and how he got even)
🤯 Marcel's lifelong fear of breaking rules—even the small ones
💭 Do good parents raise rebels? Or rule-followers?
📜 Aristotle, balance, and why moderation might actually be the answer
😂 Tiny wieners, personal growth, and other deep sh*t
This one goes everywhere—from dumb teenage decisions to life lessons about choosing your own path. Buckle up.
👀 WATCH / LISTEN TO MORE:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtryingdude
📸 Follow us on IG: @ImTryingDude
Learning to thrive solo & make the most of your time. Being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely.
Whether you’re single on Valentine’s Day or just looking to enjoy your own company more, we’re diving deep into what it actually means to thrive solo.
We’re talking about:
- The difference between being alone vs. feeling lonely
- How to make solo time feel meaningful instead of isolating
- Why your ability to enjoy yourself directly impacts your relationships
- Practical ways to embrace solitude (solo dates, hobbies, self-reflection)
- Our own experiences learning how to be comfortable alone
- Plus, Marcel & Daniel share a powerful story from a recent breathwork session that unexpectedly hit deep.
If you’ve ever struggled with being by yourself, this episode is for you.💬 What’s your go-to way to enjoy time alone? Drop it in the comments!
👀 WATCH / LISTEN TO MORE:
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtryingdude
📸 Follow us on IG: @ImTryingDude
What if the only thing standing between you and the life you want… was your fear of failure? In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the thought experiment that could change everything.
We dive into:
We also take a detour into:
It’s one of those episodes that will stick with you—so buckle up and let’s get into it.
🎙️ Listen on Spotify, YouTube & Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow us on IG: @imtryingdude
💬 Drop a comment: What would YOU do if failure wasn’t an option?
For years, men have been told to "man up" and hold it in. But why? In this episode, Marcel and Daniel dive into the stigma around men crying, where it comes from, and why it’s time to let it go—literally. From childhood lessons about toughness to the science behind why crying is actually good for you, we’re breaking down what it really means to be strong.
🗣️ Topics We Cover:
Why men are told not to cry—and why that’s outdated The one tear rule vs. actually letting it out The paradox of vulnerability: Why we admire it in others but avoid it ourselves How repressed emotions affect mental and physical health Redefining “man up” for a new generation📝 Challenge of the Week:
If you feel like crying, let it happen. No shame, no holding back—just let yourself feel.
📲 Follow & Subscribe for More!
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @imtryingdude
📩 Have a topic you want us to cover? DM us!
#MensMentalHealth #MenAndTears #EmotionalStrength #Vulnerability #MentalHealthMatters
Why are we so afraid of being average? In this episode, Marcel and Dan dive into the deep-rooted fear of mediocrity—where it comes from, how social media fuels it, and the dangerous game of comparison. We break down the difference between healthy competition vs. toxic comparison, how ambition can turn into burnout, and the biggest question that shook us: “When is it enough?” Along the way, we get real about our own struggles with self-worth, career pressure, and the sneaky ways we let external validation define success. Plus, Marcel admits to a thought he probably shouldn’t say out loud, and Dan shares a gym moment that changed his mindset. If you’ve ever felt like you’re never doing enough, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now & let’s talk: 📩 Drop a comment—what does success mean to you? 🔔 Subscribe & follow for more real talk on modern masculinity, personal growth, and life’s struggles. #Podcast #MensMentalHealth #ComparisonTrap #SelfGrowth #ImTryingDude
We all make mistakes, but how often do we truly talk about them? Do we process them, and if so, how? Are you sure that all the mistakes you have made in your life left you with the right lesson... or did it even teach you one?
Dan & Marcel are diving into all these questions and more in today's episode, to make sure that you learn after you crash & burn.
And while it was a joke: failing can feel incredibly overwhelming, but you are not alone. If you ever feel like you can't bear the burden and have suicidal thoughts, call 988 for help. It will get better!
Hobbies over Side Hustles, filling your cup rather than filling your wallet. Kicking off 2025 with the first episode of season 2 that will take us through the rest of winter with a topic both of us have a lot of experience with: making money with something you love to do. But is that always the best choice? Tune in and figure it out together with us... Much love, Dan & Marcel
Not what you think. Just a low-key episode shooting the sh*t to end the year and "season 1" of I'm Trying Dude. Stoked you guys made it here, and proud of ourselves for actually pulling through with this podcast thing! More to come in 2025 but we're sending you off to enjoy your holidays and we'll see you next year. Or you'll see us, at least lolMuch love,D + M
Ngl, this day was not it for Dan or Marcel. But it presented a nice opportunity to talk about how to handle feeling unmotivated & deciding when to push and when to rest up instead. All while being riddled with self-doubting questions like: am I a bad friend?! Tune in as we turn these frowns upside down.Much love,D + M