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
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Keep trying, dudes.
— Marcel & Dan