I definitely would have questioned the notion of soon graduating to the 450-pound tire.
But thats indeed what my future would hold.
I wanted to work out, but not somewhere packed to the gills with other people.
He suggested I was there to get stronger and that weightlifting doesnt inherently make you biggerunless thats your goal.
My reflexes got faster, I twisted my ankles less.
I just felt so much more capable.
…
But my relationship with powerlifting hasnt been perfect since 2018; it doesnt follow a linear path of continuity.
However, just a few weeks in, I deadlifted 50 pounds shy of my highest personal record.
To me, this felt like coming home.
…
My relationship to fitness has been inextricably tied to my physicality and appearance.
The very neutral truth is that I am fat.
I am fat now and if I lost a significant amount of weight, I would still be fat.
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And, I dont believe weight loss should be a prerequisite from that access.
These repeated messages are hard, if not impossible, to ignore.
I needed a sense of community to feel good in my skin.
…
They were a sign that I was doing different things,moving in different ways, changing shape.
Theyre morally neutral regardless of their cause.)
In fact, I’m often stronger naturally because of my weight.
It’s a form of movement where my body has an inherent advantage."
“My strongest stroke for the competition was the most complicated: I swam butterfly.
I am naturally strong, and am inclined to pick up heavy things.
Thats not my strong suit, but my strongman liftingisand that feels awesome.
The health and well-beingbenefits of strength-trainingare far-reaching and sprawling, like tree roots you cant necessarily see.
The roots of my hard work dig deep beneath the surface, too.
It instills a sense of competence in me: that I am capable of doing hard things.
I see gaggles of teens in the weightlifting section of gyms giving each other form tips.
…
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