I’m Trying, Dude.

I’m Trying, Dude.

By Daniel Victor and Marcel FlorussSociety & CultureRelationships
Download on the App Store

I’m Trying, Dude. episodes

  • Balancing Burnout and Breakthroughs

    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

    43 min
  • Rebel or Robot? How Rules Shape Who We Become...

    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 

    40 min
  • How to Be Alone & Actually Enjoy It (V-Day Edition)

    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 

    43 min
  • What If You Couldn’t Fail? Here’s Why It Changes Everything

    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:

    • Why this question forces you to confront what you actually want.
    • The biggest excuses that stop people from even trying.
    • What happens if you love something but you’re actually bad at it?
    • Why failure makes things more fun, not less.
    • How to start moving toward the life you want today.
    • We also take a detour into:

      • Daniel getting married (!!) and what commitment really means.
      • How to balance doing you while being in a happy relationship.
      • Why some people are more afraid of success than failure.
      • 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?

        46 min
      • Permission to Cry: Emotions and the Modern Man

        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


        40 min
      • The Fear of Being Average

        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

        39 min
      • Crash, Burn, Learn: Lessons from Taking L's

        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!

        56 min
      • The Lost Art of Fun: Why Everything Doesn’t Need to Be a Side Hustle

        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

        54 min
      • Soft Finish

        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

        28 min
      • Do Your Best On A Sh*t Day

        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

        55 min

      About I’m Trying, Dude.

      From the publisher's feed

      Welcome to I’m Trying, Dude—a podcast by two friends figuring out what it really means to be comfortable in our own skin.