Most people spend their lives waiting to feel ready.
Built to Say Yes is about becoming ready through action.
Hosted by Chris Merritt, this podcast explores strength, endurance, adventure, mindset, and the lessons learned from pursuing meaningful challenge. From ultramarathons and training to business, family, and personal growth, each conversation is rooted in a simple belief:
Life is better with strength and endurance.
If you’re interested in pushing your limits, raising your standards, and building a life that allows you to say yes to more opportunities, more adventures, and more of what matters most—you’re in the right place.
One-Size-Fits-All Nutrition Struggles — and How Tiered Coaching Fixes It | The Beyond Strength Show
Train with Beyond Strength online: https://www.bspnova.com/hybrid-performance/
Or, if you're local to northern Virginia, come join us in-person: https://www.bspnova.com
In this conversation, Todd Bumgardner and Chris Merritt discuss the importance of establishing daily non-negotiables for personal well-being, including habits related to fitness and nutrition. They explore the evolution of their nutrition coaching program, emphasizing the need for quick wins and sustainable habits. The discussion also delves into the use of AI in tracking nutrition and performance, highlighting how technology can simplify the process and enhance results.
00:00 - Daily Non-Negotiables
10:06 - Nutrition Overhaul and Coaching
19:30 - Tiers of Nutrition Coaching27:38 - AI in Nutrition Tracking
28:32 - Exploring Body Composition and Performance Goals
30:05 - Utilizing ChatGPT for Personalized Nutrition Plans
31:43 - Refining Nutritional Strategies Through Data Tracking
34:43 - The Impact of Nutrition on Performance
38:16 - Innovations in Nutrition Tracking and Coaching
42:04 - Personalized Nutrition Approaches for Optimal Performance
5 Mar 2025
Rucking Insights, Kettlebell Carries, and The Secret to Happiness
Train with Beyond Strength online: https://www.bspnova.com/hybrid-performance/ (https://www.bspnova.com/hybrid-performance/)Or, if you're local to northern Virginia, come join us in-person: https://www.bspnova.com (https://www.bspnova.com)In this conversation, Todd Bumgardner and Chris Merritt explore various themes related to community, aging, fitness, and personal development. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences visiting retirement communities, discuss the importance of maintaining social connections as one ages, and reflect on the changing perspectives that come with age. The discussion also delves into training techniques, particularly focusing on kettlebell carries and rucking, and the upcoming Kettlebell Mile event. They emphasize the significance of running for improving rucking performance and share practical tips for effective training. The conversation concludes with light-hearted banter about personal preferences in shoes and bags (it's not what it sounds like ha).00:00 - Technical Difficulties and Introduction01:15 - Community and Connection in Retirement03:42 - The Importance of Social Connections06:16 - Reflections on Aging and Life Perspectives10:21 - Shifting Perspectives on Age12:01 - Experimenting with Rowing Techniques17:04 - Kettlebell Mile Event Introduction21:54 - Kettlebell Mile Event Details and History28:02 - Food Truck Adventures and Potluck Plans30:06 - Kettlebell Mile Insights31:53 - Rucking Techniques and Strategies36:09 - Weight Management in Rucking39:54 - Training for Heavy Loads40:54 - Choosing the Right Gear for Rucking43:35 - The Importance of Proper Weight Distribution49:05 - Running vs. Rucking: The Efficiency Debate54:01 - Building Aerobic Capacity through Running56:59 - Progressing from Walking to Running
12 Feb 2025
The Self-Care Lie
In this episode of The Beyond Strength Show, Todd Bumgardner and Chris Merritt explore the concept of self-care, particularly in the context of fitness and personal growth. They discuss the importance of defining one's values and purpose, the need for long-term thinking in achieving fitness goals, and the common misconceptions surrounding self-care. The dialogue emphasizes that true self-care involves making decisions that may not feel good in the moment but are beneficial in the long run. They also highlight the significance of consistency, the role of motivation, and the necessity of understanding one's values to navigate challenges effectively.
The Self-Care Lie Article Series:
Part 1 (https://www.bspnova.com/embrace-the-uncomfortable-pace-2/)
Part 2 (https://www.bspnova.com/the-self-care-lie-part-2-finding-your-purpose/)
Part 3 (https://www.bspnova.com/the-self-care-lie-part-3-crafting-your-values/)
Part 4 (https://www.bspnova.com/the-self-care-lie-part-3-crafting-your-values-2/)
Chapters
00:00 - The Journey of Self-Care and Fitness
00:59 - Getting back to training after the flu
06:35 - The Self-Care Lie
08:15 - How will you feel in 10?
09:02 - How the self-care article turned into a 4-part series
23:54 - Defining Values and Long-Term Goals
28:49 - The Importance of Showing Up
29:06 - Values and Purpose in Decision Making
30:26 - Choosing the Version of Yourself You Want to Be
32:13 - Taking Action: The Small Steps Matter
33:24 - Understanding Trade-offs and Sacrifices
34:43 - Self-Care and Long-term Goals
36:22 - The Role of Self-Knowledge in Fitness
39:14 - Creating a Supportive Environment
41:09 - Building Habits Beyond Motivation
43:04 - Navigating Short-term vs Long-term Goals
44:34 - The Value of Rest and Recovery
46:46 - Emerging Values and Goals
49:31 - The Miracle Question: Defining Success
52:51 - Integrating Values into Daily Decisions
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
582,958
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
61
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
77
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