Unapologetically Wild with Mary Giordano

6. The One Habit That Changed My Life (And It’s Not What You Expect)

At 19, I had my first panic attack—and I was convinced I was dying. That moment led me down a path I never saw coming. A doctor handed me a prescription, but what really changed my life? Meditation.
And before you roll your eyes or think, I can’t meditate because my mind won’t shut up—this episode is for you. Because meditation isn’t about clearing your mind, sitting still for 30 minutes, or achieving some mystical Zen state. It’s about training your brain to stop running on autopilot and helping you break free from stress, overwhelm, and overthinking.
In this episode, we’re diving into:✅ How meditation literally rewires your brain (and the science behind it)✅ The biggest myths that hold people back (hint: you don’t have to clear your mind)✅ How to start meditating in just two minutes a day (yes, really)✅ Different types of meditation (because it’s not all sitting on a cushion)✅ How I completely stopped overthinking (and how you can, too)
Because if you’ve ever laid in bed at night, stuck in your head, spiraling about something you said, what you should’ve said, or what so-and-so meant when they didn’t text you back—this is for you.
By the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to make meditation part of your life—without making it complicated.
Resources & Mentions:
📌 The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – A deep dive into mindfulness, presence, and how most stress comes from worrying about the past or future instead of being in the moment.
Meditation Apps:
📌 Insight Timer – Free meditation app with guided sessions, ambient sounds, and courses.
📌 Headspace – Perfect for beginners with structured programs that make meditation feel doable.
📌 Calm – Great for stress relief, sleep meditations, and mindfulness.
📌 Waking Up (by Sam Harris) – A deeper dive into mindfulness, meditation, and the philosophy behind it.
📌 Simple Habit – Quick meditations for busy people—designed for specific moments in your day.
CONNECT WITH ME:
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5. The Truth About Fear (And Why You’re Still Playing Small)

What if fear isn’t what’s actually holding you back? 
You tell yourself you’re afraid—of failure, of judgment, of taking the leap. But what if that’s not the real reason you’re still playing small? What if fear is just a convenient excuse to keep you from facing something deeper?
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why fear isn’t the real problem—and what actually is. We’re talking about:
🔥 The hidden reason you keep hesitating (and why “overcoming fear” isn’t the answer)🔥 How your identity is the real thing keeping you in the same cycle🔥 The three-step process to rewrite your narrative and finally take action🔥 How to make decisions from the version of you who already has what you want
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same loop of “I can’t” / “I’m not ready” / “What if I fail?”—this episode is going to call you out and call you up.
🚀 Ready to stop waiting and start moving? Let’s fkn go.
If this episode hit home, let me know! Tag me on Instagram @liveunapologeticallywild and share your biggest takeaway.
And if you haven’t already—subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support is what keeps this podcast going!
🔥 No more waiting. No more overthinking. You already know what to do. Now go do the fkn thing.
Resources mentioned:
Mind Magic by James Doty
 
CONNECT WITH ME:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles
Check out my Women's Group Trips 
Connect with me on Instagram
Follow me on Substack
Subscribe to my Spotify Playlist

4. People-Pleasing is Making You Miserable: Here’s How to Stop

Hey friends, today’s episode is about to hit deep.
If you’ve ever found yourself bending over backward for people who wouldn’t even lean for you, this is for you.
If you’ve ever said yes when you really meant hell no—this is for you.
If you’ve been taught that being nice means sacrificing your own well-being—this is for you.
In this episode, we’re breaking down:✅ Where people-pleasing actually comes from (spoiler: it’s deeper than just wanting to be “nice”)✅ Why saying no feels so damn hard—and exactly how to change that✅ How to set boundaries without feeling like an asshole✅ How to reclaim your energy, your time, and your f*cking sanity
Here’s the truth: People-pleasing isn’t about kindness—it’s about fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of being seen as selfish. Fear of losing love.
But at what cost?
💥 Every time you say yes when you really want to say no, you are betraying yourself.💥 Every time you prioritize everyone else’s comfort over your own well-being, you are reinforcing the belief that your needs don’t matter.💥 And every time you keep pouring into people who never pour back? That’s not a friendship. That’s a transaction.
This stops today.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to stop over-explaining, apologizing, and justifying your boundaries—and instead, confidently say NO without guilt.
And here’s your challenge:✨ Say NO to something this week.✨ Use one of the responses I share in this episode.✨ Then pay attention—how does it feel? Who respects it? Who doesn’t?
Because the more you start choosing yourself, the more you start living on your own terms.
This is the wake-up call you’ve been needing. So grab your coffee or tea, lace up your shoes for a walk, or just take a deep breath—because this episode is about to change the way you show up for yourself.
If this episode hit home, let me know! Tag me on Instagram @liveunapologeticallywild and share your biggest takeaway.
And if you haven’t already—subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support is what keeps this podcast going!
👉 Let’s keep this conversation going—because you don’t need permission to take up space.
 
CONNECT WITH ME:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles
Check out my Women's Group Trips 
Connect with me on Instagram
Follow me on Substack
Subscribe to my Spotify Playlist

3. The Real Reason You Feel Stuck (And How to Break Free)

Welcome back to Unapologetically Wild! Before we dive in, I’ve got some exciting news—thanks to all of your amazing feedback, I’ve decided to start posting weekly instead of every other week. That means you can tune in every Tuesday for a brand new episode!
Now, let’s talk about that restless, nagging feeling of being stuck. You know the one—where life feels like Groundhog Day, like you’re pressing the gas and the brake at the same time, revving the engine but going nowhere.
You’re busy. You’re checking all the boxes. And yet, it still feels like nothing is actually moving forward.
If you’ve been wondering:🚨 Why do I feel stuck, even when I try to change?🚨 Why do I start things but lose momentum?🚨 Why does my brain fight me every time I try to step outside my comfort zone?
Then this episode is for you.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why feeling stuck isn’t a life sentence—it’s a signal
How your nervous system & dopamine keep you trapped in the same cycle
The difference between real movement & chasing the next high
How microshifts create real, lasting change
The power of curiosity to shake things up
The key to making external & internal shifts that actually stick
A Journal Prompt or Reflection
📖 Try This: Take five minutes today and ask yourself:👉 Am I actually moving forward, or just keeping myself busy?👉 What’s one small action I can take today to create real momentum—without waiting for the “perfect” moment?Write down your thoughts and make a commitment to take that next step.
CONNECT WITH ME:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles
Check out my Women's Group Trips 
Instagram
Substack

2. Start Messy, Stay Wild: 5 Ways to Do the Fk'n Thing

Welcome to the second episode of Unapologetically Wild! In this episode, we’re getting into what it really means to "do the fk'n thing"—not with fearlessness or a perfectly laid-out plan, but by showing up messy, scared, and uncertain, and taking action anyway.
 
I share my personal journey of leaving a stable career, buying an RV (without a clue how to use it), and proving to myself what’s possible when you trust your gut and start taking bold steps -- but to be wild, you don't need to do all that!
 
I share all about the mental traps that keep us stuck—like perfectionism, fear of judgment, and waiting to feel “ready”—and break them down with 5 actionable strategies to help you take the first step toward the life you want. Spoiler alert: Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from it.
 
Plus, hear about the science of fear, how to flip the script when self-doubt creeps in, and why your future self will thank you for making bold moves today.
 
In this episode:
Why waiting for “ready” is keeping you stuck—and how to move forward anyway.
How to take micro shifts instead of overwhelming leaps.
The power of asking, “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Why clarity comes from doing, not planning.
How to reframe fear and focus on what’s possible.
 
Take Action:
Make your “badass list.” Write down all the bold, amazing things you’ve already done and keep it handy for moments of doubt.
 
Resources mentioned:
Mind Magic by James Doty
 
Connect with me:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles
Check out my Women's Group Trips 
Instagram
Substack

1. Living Unapologetically Wild: How My Journey Began

Welcome to the very first episode of Unapologetically Wild! Today’s episode is extra special as I launch this podcast on what would have been my dad’s 85th birthday. He taught me to live unapologetically wild, to trust myself, and to figure life out by doing—not waiting.
 
In this episode, I’m sharing the moments, lessons, and leaps that led me here. From learning how to change a tire on I-95 at 16 to quitting a 13-year nursing career to live life on my terms, my journey has been anything but conventional. Through all the twists and turns, the fears and failures, I’ve learned that you don’t need the perfect plan to create a life you love—you just need to be willing to take the first step.
 
If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared, or unsure about your next move, you’re in the right place.
 
In this episode:
How my dad inspired the Unapologetically Wild mindset.
The value of figuring life out by doing—not waiting.
Why taking action (even when scared) is the key to growth.
How I left nursing, bought an RV, and started a business from scratch.
Why living unapologetically wild doesn’t require a grand leap—it can start with small steps.
 
Take Action:
What’s one small step you can take today toward the life you want? It doesn’t have to be perfect or planned—just start!
 
Connect with me:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles: https://bit.ly/ua_wild_chronicles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveunapologeticallywild/
Check out my Women's Group Trips at
https://trovatrip.com/host/profiles/mary-5cma2
Substack: https://substack.com/@dothefknthing

Trailer: Unapologetically Wild with Mary Giordano

Every day, you have a choice: to stay where you are or to step into a life of greater vitality, alignment, and growth. Unapologetically Wild is for women who are ready to take control of their lives, prioritize their well-being, and explore what’s possible when they embrace change, intention, and a sense of adventure.
I’m Mary Giordano, a former nurse who left a 13-year career to pursue a life of freedom, exploration, and intentional living. Through reflections on mindset, health, travel, and outdoor adventure, I’ll share stories and insights that inspire meaningful change. Whether it’s building healthier habits, stepping out of your comfort zone, or discovering new places and perspectives, this podcast is designed to inspire you to create a life that feels authentic, purposeful, and fulfilling.
It’s about showing up, doing the fkn thing, and realizing it’s not the mountains you climb, but the willingness to take the first step—messy, scared, and unapologetically wild.
Connect with me:
Subscribe to UA Wild Chronicles: https://bit.ly/ua_wild_chronicles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveunapologeticallywild/
Check out my Women's Group Trips at
https://trovatrip.com/host/profiles/mary-5cma2
Substack: https://substack.com/@dothefknthing