In today's episode, we dive deep into Stoic philosophy: what it really means, how it’s been misunderstood, and why it’s so valuable in the messy realities of everyday life.

We talk about building emotional resilience, separating concerns from problems, and making intentional choices instead of letting life’s curveballs derail you. We share how Stoic principles show up in real-world situations like holiday meals, unexpected setbacks, and even those little moments when intrusive thoughts whisper, “buy a cake and eat it in the car.”

We unpack wisdom, courage, justice, temperance, and the simple-but-not-easy pause that can change the outcome of any situation. If you’ve struggled with reactive decisions, perfectionism, or attaching your self-worth to external validation, this conversation is for you.

"Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same thing.”

- Amy Rudolph

“Very few problems are made worse with a walk.”

- Iris Deadlifts

“It’s not inevitable that you’re gonna enter the Thanksgiving dinner and just eat half a pie by yourself. You have a choice.”

- Meri

This week on Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck:

• Why “follow your heart” is terrible advice without bringing your brain along
• How to pause before reacting and make a rational decision
• The difference between a concern and a problem (and why we often confuse them)
• Stoic strategies for navigating family gatherings without fear or over-restriction
• How to focus on what you can control instead of catastrophizing
• Why treating yourself fairly isn’t the same as giving yourself “grace” to self-sabotage
• The four cardinal virtues and how to practice them inwardly as well as outwardly
• How to stop chasing external validation and build inner self-worth that lasts

Connect with Us:

• Meri on Instagram
• Iris Deadlifts on Instagram
• Amy Rudolph on Instagram

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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Join Iris Deadlifts on Instagram, Meri on Instagram, and Amy Rudolph on Instagram.