We were lucky to catch up with Meryl Binder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Meryl thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2012 I moved across the country to the middle of nowhere to be with my then boyfriend (now husband: spoiler alert). I had spent the previous 4.5 years working in professional sports in Philadelphia. I got laid off during the NBA lockout and was devastated. I cried A LOT. It was what I thought my future was. I used that as opportunity and took my first of many risks. I found myself in a town with nothing for me in the terms of what my career had been. The only familiar place I had was a gym. This is when I fell in love with coaching and decided that THIS was going to be my new career- it just felt RIGHT. 10+ years and a lot more risk taking later, and my passion continues to grow as I continue to take risks, look for opportunities, connect with and support others in creating change, and expand upon what I’m doing in the coaching industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have a hard time defining myself and what I do in one way. Maybe that’s because I don’t love being boxed in to a title that’s open to so much individual interpretation. In all areas of life, I focus heavily on expansion, continuous growth, and behaving in ways that allow us to feel the ways we want to feel.

Professionally, I work with people to create life changing shifts while building their strongest body and mind. I focus on fitness, nutrition, mindset and behavior change. I work with many high achieving humans who struggle in these areas- I empower them to get out of their own way so they can live confidently and powerfully as a whole. We, as humans, our own worst enemies and are truly the only ones who can block our own path forward. I work to help people BE the person they want to be and do the things that allow them to feel the ways they want to feel.

Personally, my goal in life is simple: do cool shit. I never want to look back with regret or live in fear, which is something I did for a long time. This sentiment comes through professionally as well as I aim to support others in doing the cool shit THEY want to do.

I pride myself on taking the “harder” road and building a business based in integrity and authenticity. Wicked Iron Strength is more than a change in what you look like. We really work inside AND outside. Creating change is HARD, and I’ll never deny that. Instead of muddying the waters of the fitness industry even more, I choose to empower people to do that hard work that allows them to continually create growth and progress. I choose to help people face fears and challenge head on and support them in learning how to navigate the barriers. I want the people I work with to gain autonomy and competence and have the skills the need to play the long game.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Simply, actually caring about the people I work with and treating them like a human.

I often think some coaches forget that they are working with human beings- it’s easy to get wrapped up in “the perfect plan” or specific numbers or percentages when it comes to fitness, strength, and nutrition. The thing is- you can create the best plan in the world, but if it won’t work for the person involved then it won’t work.

This makes the person wanting help feel even more broken and like something is wrong with them- which often results in them moving FURTHER away from their goals.

Humans are complicated. That’s why physiology and psychology both matter so much.

I always look at the people I’m working with as humans, not robots. I know that I need to be flexible, ask questions and strategize depending on that person, and listen to them. I look at coaching as a relationship and I treat it as such. I deeply care about my people and hold myself accountable to doing everything I can to support them in the ways they need.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I think about this often and the answer is always that I would choose coaching again and again. If I could go back, I may do a few things differently, although I know I got to where I am BECAUSE of all the steps that came before. Growth comes from experience and learning along the way.

I would have done more work with psychology and behavior change earlier.I also would have gotten into an online space earlier.

That all being said, I couldn’t be more happy about where I am now. I LOVE what I do, I have the best clients, and there’s not a day that goes by where I’m not filled with gratitude for being able to support others on their journey of self-improvement and growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.wickedironstrength.com
• Instagram: @merylcbc and @wickedironstrength
• Linkedin: Meryl Binder
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wickedironstrength?si=0iiFc6lQHGL-CsyQ
• Other: Podcast: Real Talk Nutrition Podcast