Category Archives: Trauma

Is Emotional Eating a Myth?

This is the first time I’ve been triggered by an episode of the Maintenance Phase Podcast. But, after several over-generalizations, including about PTSD research ironically, or maybe pointedly, I found myself so upset, I turned it off. It’s disappointing, because I think they are usually pretty mindful of their words and how they might impactContinue reading “Is Emotional Eating a Myth?”

Lifting with Tigers in the Room

I have PTSD and lifting weights can trigger me. I love lifting weights, and I’ve spent the last half year or so trying to figure out how I can keep lifting in my life. What I have learned is that lifting, for me, for now, requires that I practice radical self-acceptance–listening to all the subtleContinue reading “Lifting with Tigers in the Room”

The Value of Resilience and Lazy Metaphors

What do you do when life throws you a curveball?(1) Do your systems collapse? Do you rigidly adhere to what you think is best or most optimal and hope you can hold it all together until things settle down? Or do you practice flexibility and self-compassion, allow things to change as they need to butContinue reading “The Value of Resilience and Lazy Metaphors”

Sexism and the Right to Autonomy

Despair and overwhelm. As symptoms of my PTSD, I experience these emotions frequently. Despair connects with the part of myself that wants to fall into the collapse defense; overwhelm is a symptom of my primal desire for flight or to freeze. With known triggers and sometimes seemingly randomly, I am flooded with a sense toContinue reading “Sexism and the Right to Autonomy”

Privilege and the “hard work and consistency” narrative

“24 years and I’ve only missed 4 workouts,” stated someone on one of the lifting forums I frequent, alongside some transformation photos showing him going from a small kid to a beefy, veiny specimen of humanity. Honestly, he looked great. And I kept thinking, “wow, imagine a life that allowed me to only skip 4Continue reading “Privilege and the “hard work and consistency” narrative”

#TBT–Iron Culture Ep. 128, Book Bodybuilding and the Dog, Ft. Ryan Doris

Today I’m highlighting an older post, a conversation about balancing the desire to push hard versus feeling in control while lifting. There’s not much appeal for me to “get a little stupid” in the gym. For me, it’s impossible to isolate getting hyped up for a big lifting session from the impacts of trauma. LoveContinue reading “#TBT–Iron Culture Ep. 128, Book Bodybuilding and the Dog, Ft. Ryan Doris”

Does childhood trauma make us more likely to become bodybuilders?

As a part of my treatment for PTSD, my therapist recommended that I read Pete Walker’s Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. I’ve only made it through the first few chapters, but I can see why it was recommended reading. I can see myself in many of the characteristics he describes. Walker begins by identifyingContinue reading “Does childhood trauma make us more likely to become bodybuilders?”

Are You “Just Making Excuses,” or Are You Honestly Recognizing Barriers to Success?

Around this time of year, it’s common for my friends to want to talk to me about their exercise and nutrition plans for the year ahead. They want to be successful, they want to feel like they’re on a good trajectory, and they respect the changes I’ve made in my life over the years toContinue reading “Are You “Just Making Excuses,” or Are You Honestly Recognizing Barriers to Success?”

What does a habits-based approach to physique change look like?

CW: Talk of fat loss and weight loss The most recent episode of Stronger by Science was all about evidence-based practices to create goals and to establish new, healthy habits. I thought it might be worthwhile and interesting to provide my own examples of these, not from a place of expertise but from a placeContinue reading “What does a habits-based approach to physique change look like?”