Podcast
The Daryl Perry Podcast
Hosted by Daryl Perry · EN
The Daryl Perry Podcast is the home for my Almost Daily Podcast "my audio journal", interviews, conversations and solo episodes about fitness, mindset, body image, running, cerebral palsy, personal growth, and whatever else I'm exploring at the moment.
Some episodes are personal reflections. Some are interviews. Some come from other projects I'm working on.
If you're interested in how I think, what I'm building, and the people I'm meeting along the way, you're in the right place.
58episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Running Changed My Life With Cerebral Palsy | Chad's Story
Today00:14:45Tap to summarizeWhy did Chad start running?What began as preparation for a Spartan Race became a complete transformation of his physical health, confidence, mindset, and sense of purpose.In this episode of Why Did You Start Running, Chad shares how a difficult period following COVID left him struggling with mobility, spasticity, self-doubt, and depression. Living with cerebral palsy, he found himself facing an important decision: continue down a path of inactivity or take a chance on himself and see what was possible.That decision led to his first 5K.Since then, Chad has logged more than 1,000 miles, completed dozens of races, earned a first-place age group finish, organized a charity virtual 5K, launched a scholarship program, and become a voice of encouragement within both the running and cerebral palsy communities.We also discuss the power of community, the mental health benefits of running, navigating grief, overcoming self-doubt, and how one small decision can create opportunities you never imagined.Whether you're a runner, someone living with a disability, or simply looking for a reminder of what's possible when you take a chance on yourself, this conversation is packed with inspiration and perspective.In This Episode• Why Chad signed up for a Spartan Race in 2022• Living with cerebral palsy and navigating physical challenges• How running helped improve mobility and confidence• The mental and emotional benefits of running• The importance of supportive communities• Running through grief and difficult life experiences• Finding purpose through helping others• Creating a scholarship program and charity 5K• Building confidence through personal growth• Why taking one chance on yourself can change everythingConnect With ChadInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/Learn More About Cerebral Palsy PerspectiveWebsite: https://cerebralpalsyperspective.comIf this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that progress doesn't require perfect circumstances. Sometimes the biggest transformations begin with a single decision to try.
Transcribe →Ghost Fat, Body Image, And The Gap Between Change And Self-Perception | From The Body Image Shift Podcast
Yesterday00:14:58Tap to summarizeWhat is ghost fat?If you've lost weight but still see the same person when you look in the mirror, you're not alone. Many people in weight loss communities describe a phenomenon often called "ghost fat," the experience of changing your body while still feeling connected to an earlier version of yourself.In this episode of Body Image Shift, we unpack why this happens, why rapid weight loss can sometimes make the experience even more noticeable, and why changing your physical appearance doesn't automatically change the relationship you have with yourself. We explore the emotional side of body image, the limitations of weight loss as a solution to self-perception, and why learning to appreciate and love yourself at every stage of life may be one of the most important pieces of long-term change.This conversation also dives into confidence, self-worth, identity, therapy, GLP-1 medications, and the gap that often exists between physical results and emotional healing. The goal isn't simply to change how you look. The goal is to change how you see yourself.Topics Covered:• What ghost fat actually means• Why many people still see the "old version" of themselves• Body image versus physical appearance• The emotional side of weight loss• Why rapid weight loss can amplify self-perception challenges• Ghost fat and GLP-1 medications• The difference between changing your body and changing your self-image• Why confidence doesn't automatically come with weight loss• Learning to appreciate yourself at every stage• The role of therapy and emotional support• Building a healthier relationship with yourself• Creating an alternative way of seeing yourselfContinue The ConversationIf you'd like to continue the conversation around shifting your body image, join the live streams at:yourlevelfitness.com/streamThe live streams provide an opportunity to explore body image, self-confidence, self-worth, weight loss, GLP-1 experiences, and the inside/out approach to building a forever active lifestyle.Thank you for listening to Body Image Shift.Weight loss can change your body. Lasting body image change happens when you learn to appreciate and love yourself at every stage of the journey.
Transcribe →You Already Have Proof That You Can Trust Yourself | From The Confidence Podcast
Yesterday00:03:28Tap to summarizeWhat if confidence isn't something you earn?What if confidence starts with a choice?In this episode of The Confidence Podcast, we explore a different way of looking at confidence. Rather than viewing confidence as something that appears after enough success, enough accomplishments, or enough proof, we discuss why confidence often begins with a decision to trust yourself before you have all the answers.The reality is that you'll never have complete certainty. There will always be unknowns, risks, and opportunities that require you to move forward without knowing exactly how everything will work out. The question becomes: Do you trust yourself to figure it out?We also discuss how people reinforce beliefs about themselves, why many of us focus on failures while overlooking victories, and how your life experiences already provide evidence that you are more capable, resilient, and adaptable than you may realize.Confidence isn't about guaranteeing success. It's about believing in your ability to navigate whatever happens next.Topics Covered:• Why confidence starts with a choice• Trusting yourself before you feel ready• The difference between confidence and certainty• Reinforcing beliefs about yourself• Why people focus on failures more than successes• Recognizing the challenges you've already overcome• Building self-trust through experience• Taking action without having all the answers• Defining success on your own terms• Learning through setbacks and opportunities• Why confidence grows through navigation, not perfectionConfidence CollectionNeed a physical reminder of the confidence you're choosing to build?Confidence Collection:https://yourlevelfitness.shop/collections/confidenceThank you for listening to The Confidence Podcast.You do not need more proof to begin believing in yourself. You've already navigated challenges, setbacks, uncertainty, and change. Confidence starts when you choose to trust yourself to do it again.
Transcribe →Who Are You Without The Weight Loss Goal? | From The Life During And After GLP-1 Podcast
Yesterday00:03:42Tap to summarizeWho are you without the weight loss goal?It's a question many people never have to ask themselves. But for those experiencing significant success with GLP-1 medications, it can become one of the most important questions of all.In this episode of Life During and After GLP-1, we explore what happens when weight loss is no longer the primary focus of your day-to-day life. For many people, years or even decades have been spent thinking about food, weight, body image, dieting, and trying to change themselves. When those thoughts become quieter and the weight begins to come off, a new challenge often appears: figuring out who you are beyond the struggle.We discuss identity, self-perception, personal growth, and the opportunity to write a new chapter for yourself. We also explore why this transition can feel both exciting and uncomfortable, and how creating a life beyond weight loss may be one of the most important parts of the journey.Topics Covered:• Who are you without the weight loss goal?• Identity during and after GLP-1• Life beyond dieting and weight loss• What happens when food thoughts become quieter• Rewriting your personal story• The emotional side of major life changes• Moving beyond the struggle• Self-discovery and personal growth• Creating a new chapter in your life• Building a life that isn't centered on weight loss• Adjusting to a new reality• Trusting yourself as you move forwardContinue The ConversationIf you'd like to continue the conversation around life during and after GLP-1, join the live streams at:yourlevelfitness.com/streamThe live streams provide an opportunity to explore topics like GLP-1 medications, weight loss, body image, food noise, identity, and building a forever active lifestyle.Thank you for listening to Life During and After GLP-1.Weight loss may change your body. But who you become afterward is a story that only you can write.
Transcribe →How Long Do You Want Food Noise To Be Quiet? | From The Food Noise Podcast
2d ago00:03:23Tap to summarizeDo you really want food noise gone forever?It's a simple question, but one that deserves thoughtful consideration.In this episode of The Food Noise Podcast, we explore the relationship between food noise, GLP-1 medications, and the future lifestyle you're trying to build. While many people welcome relief from constant thoughts about food, eating, weight, and body image, it's important to ask yourself what role you ultimately want those thoughts and feelings to play in your life.We discuss the value of having a break from food-related stress, the importance of defining your own goals instead of accepting someone else's expectations, and how this quieter period can create an opportunity to build habits that support your long-term success. We also explore the emotional side of eating, the trade-offs involved with different approaches, and why your relationship with food deserves ongoing attention and care.The goal isn't to tell you what your answer should be.The goal is to help you get clear on what you want.Topics Covered:• Do you want food noise gone forever?• Defining your own relationship with food• Food noise and GLP-1 medications• The importance of personal choice• Evaluating trade-offs and side effects• Using quiet periods to build habits• Reintroducing eating routines and structure• The emotional side of food• Why food is more than fuel• Preparing for life during and after GLP-1• Building a sustainable relationship with eating• Creating a forever active lifestyleContinue The ConversationIf you'd like to continue the conversation around food noise, join the live streams at:yourlevelfitness.com/streamThe live streams provide an opportunity to explore topics like food noise, GLP-1s, eating habits, body image, confidence, and building a lifestyle you can actually see yourself living for the long term.Thank you for listening to The Food Noise Podcast.The question isn't whether someone else thinks food noise should be gone forever. The question is what role you want food, eating, and those thoughts and feelings to play in the life you're building for yourself.
Transcribe →Meet Luke | The First Doing Hard Things My Way Scholarship Recipient | From The Cerebral Palsy Perspective
2d ago00:10:15Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of The Cerebral Palsy Perspective Podcast, Chad Williams and Daryl Perry welcome Luke, the first recipient of the Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship.After reviewing hundreds of applications, Luke's story stood out because of his determination, leadership, athletic accomplishments, and commitment to helping others. A recent high school graduate from Alabama, Luke has spent the last four years competing in football and track while developing a passion for adaptive athletics and disability advocacy.During this conversation, Luke shares how he unexpectedly found his love for sports, what athletics taught him about teamwork and leadership, and how discovering adaptive sports opened new possibilities for his future. He also discusses his decision to pursue a career in physical therapy and his goal of helping other individuals with disabilities discover opportunities in adaptive athletics.The conversation highlights the power of community, the importance of creating opportunities for others, and what it means to truly do hard things your own way.In This Episode• Meet Luke, the first Doing Hard Things My Way scholarship recipient• How a friend's encouragement led him into athletics• Lessons learned through football and track and field• Why teamwork matters beyond sports• Discovering adaptive athletics and new opportunities• Attending the University of Alabama's adaptive athletics program• Pursuing a future career in physical therapy• Advocating for people with disabilities in sports• The impact of mentorship, support, and community• What it means to build a future centered around helping othersAbout The ScholarshipThe Doing Hard Things My Way Adaptive Athlete Scholarship was created to recognize adaptive athletes who demonstrate perseverance, determination, leadership, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Luke's story embodies those values and serves as an inspiration for athletes and advocates alike.Connect With Luke:https://www.instagram.com/luke__ramos_Connect With ChadInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadwillia1/Connect With DarylInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryltperryIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who could benefit from hearing Luke's story. Conversations like these help create awareness, build community, and remind us of what's possible when we choose to keep moving forward.
Transcribe →Trust Yourself To Change Direction
2d ago00:03:58Tap to summarizeAre you on the right path?Most people understand the importance of taking action. They know they need to start, stay consistent, and keep moving forward. But there's another part of the process that often gets overlooked.You have to periodically stop and assess where that path is actually leading.In this episode of The Almost Daily Podcast, I explore why taking action alone isn't enough. While consistent effort can help you make progress, it's equally important to evaluate whether the direction you're moving in still aligns with the life you want to build.We discuss the importance of self-trust, making adjustments along the way, changing direction when necessary, and avoiding the trap of blindly following a path that no longer fits who you are or where you want to go.Topics Covered:• Are you on the right path?• Why taking action is only part of the equation• The importance of regular self-assessment• Making adjustments as you grow• Trusting yourself to change direction• Building a forever active lifestyle• Following through versus blindly following through• Why consistency still matters• The danger of staying on the wrong path too long• Learning through experience• Creating a life that fits you• Trusting yourself to figure it outThank you for listening to The Almost Daily Podcast.Taking action will move you forward. But creating a life that truly fits you requires more than effort alone. It requires the willingness to step back, evaluate where you're headed, and trust yourself enough to make adjustments when needed.
Transcribe →A Father's Day Message for the Men Who Are Hurting | From The Men's Mental Health Series
3d ago00:13:02Tap to summarizeFather's Day can be a complicated day.For some men, it's a day of celebration. For others, it's a day filled with grief, regret, distance, loneliness, unanswered questions, or relationships they wish looked different than they do today.In this special Father's Day episode of The Men's Mental Health Series, Daryl Perry shares a heartfelt message for fathers, father figures, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, and the men who have stepped into a guiding role in someone else's life.Drawing from the recent loss of his own father to ALS, Daryl reflects on the lessons his dad taught him about love, forgiveness, vulnerability, and the importance of having conversations before it's too late. He also explores the emotional weight many men carry, the burden of unresolved relationships, and why healing often begins with forgiving yourself.In this episode, we discuss:• Why Father's Day can be difficult for many men• The emotional realities of fatherhood and father figures• Lessons learned from losing a parent• Why vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness• The damage caused by resentment, bitterness, and keeping score• How relationships can begin to heal through ownership and conversation• The importance of therapy, connection, and emotional support• Why your presence matters more than you realizeThis episode is a reminder that many men are carrying far more than they show the world. If you're struggling today, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you, people whose lives have been impacted by you, and people who are glad you're still here.The Men's Mental Health Series exists to encourage honest conversations around mental health, emotional well-being, vulnerability, and the realities men face every day. Because healing starts with a conversation.If you are in immediate danger or considering harming yourself, please seek help right now:United States & Canada: Call or text 988United Kingdom & Ireland: Call Samaritans at 116 123Australia: Call Lifeline at 13 11 14Emergency Services: Call your local emergency number immediately if you are in crisis.You matter. Your story matters. And help is available. Happy Father's Day.
Transcribe →How Fitness Helped Me Process My Emotions as a Dad
5d ago00:13:08Tap to summarizeWhy did Jeremy start running?What began as a challenge inspired by David Goggins eventually became something much bigger. In this episode of Why I Started Running, Jeremy shares how running and fitness became tools for improving his mental health, processing emotions, and showing up as a better father, husband, and man.Our conversation explores the connection between physical fitness and emotional well-being, why so many men struggle to talk about what they're feeling, and how bottling up emotions can affect every area of life. Jeremy also discusses his "How Are You, Man?" series, where he encourages men to move beyond automatic responses and have more honest conversations about what's really going on beneath the surface.We also talk about fatherhood, breaking generational cycles, emotional intelligence, and the importance of teaching the next generation of boys that it's okay to feel, communicate, and work through difficult emotions in healthy ways.Whether you're a runner, someone working on your mental health, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation offers practical perspective and a powerful reminder that growth often starts with being honest about where you are.In This Episode• Why Jeremy started running after years of avoiding it• The influence of David Goggins and embracing discomfort• How running helps process thoughts and emotions• The connection between fitness and mental health• Why many men struggle to communicate their feelings• The dangers of bottling up emotions• Breaking unhealthy cycles through fatherhood• Teaching emotional intelligence to children• The importance of asking, "How are you, man?" and meaning it• Building healthier ways to deal with life's challengesConnect With JeremyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremygrap22If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who could benefit from hearing it. Sometimes the most important conversations are the ones we avoid having.
Transcribe →Everybody Has An Opportunity To Win
5d ago00:02:36Tap to summarizeCan everybody win?I believe they can.In this episode of The Almost Daily Podcast, I explore the idea that success is not a limited resource and that each of us is playing a slightly different game, even when our goals appear similar on the surface. Too often, people get distracted by what everyone else is doing and lose sight of the path that is uniquely theirs.We discuss the importance of consistent effort, trusting your intuition, adjusting course when necessary, and resisting the temptation to compare your journey to someone else's. I also talk about why changing direction is not failure, why it's never too late to pursue a different path, and how many people spend years believing they missed their opportunity when there is still plenty of time to move forward.Topics Covered:• Why everybody has the opportunity to win• Defining success on your own terms• The danger of comparison• Trusting yourself and your intuition• Staying focused on your path• Consistent effort and long-term progress• Making adjustments along the way• Why changing direction is not failure• Letting go of regret• Learning from your experiences• The difference between your journey and someone else's• Creating a life that fits youThank you for listening to The Almost Daily Podcast.Your path will not look exactly like anyone else's, and that's exactly the point. Stay focused on where you're going, trust yourself to navigate the twists and turns, and remember that there is more than enough opportunity for each of us to create a version of success that is meaningful to us.
Transcribe →