“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, “Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner.” I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.”
― Carl R. Rogers

Don’t talk to Sheila S. about toned arms and flat abs. Sheila S. is about 5’7″ and she weighs about 185 pounds. She’s able to do a full split and pull 300 lbs. from the floor.  Heads turn – male and female – when she’s wearing a summer dress. The looks are admiring and respectful.  She doesn’t need help with her groceries or luggage and the guys who are fixtures on her corner know not to go too far with their comments. Her 11 year-old doesn’t understand why he still can’t beat Mom in their impromptu races in the park – but he brags about it to his classmates.

Give ‘Em What They Want?
You won’t find women like Sheila S. in an ad for any major gym or fitness program.  That’s one of the reasons I’m getting ready to resign from the “flat abs” and “toned arms” army.  Crazy, right? Isn’t that how personal trainers and gym owners make a living?

Do we have to be a part of that twisted cultural dream machine to succeed? After all, it’s the dream that people in the fitness profession are supposed to push.  We need to give the market what they want.  What if this isn’t what the larger market wants?

One business model signs people to gym memberships they’ll never use and promises you that Photoshop look.  We can help you get that limited cultural aesthetic but it will be a byproduct of our efforts to make you strong and mobile first.

You may have already gotten a hint of our values  if you read our manifesto (we’ve been nice enough to provide a copy below).

Please understand, I’m as vain as the next person.  I understand vanity. One of the reasons I work out is to look good.  As I’ve gotten older and wiser, my reasons have evolved.  I’m betting that there are other people who, secretly or not, train for more important reasons than looking good.  Are you one of them?

Does Size Matter?
It’s encouraging to see the increasing number of women who come to us to improve their running, or to get out of pain, or who just want to get stronger.

You’ve been told that “plus size” is bad. They tell you that you have to be as thin as possible to be healthy and attractive.  The research and experience say otherwise.  There can be problems that go along with being obese.  These problems are trumpeted by all the major media. You might be surprised at the health and longevity difference between overweight (vs. obese) and very thin people. It’s not what most of us think.

But have you also heard about the Female Athlete Triad? It combines eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis.  It’s a growing problem for female athletes who want to achieve extreme leanness – the same kind of leanness that’s held up as the feminine ideal in this country. You don’t have to be an athlete to suffer from these life-shortening conditions.

Do your own survey of the fashion and fitness role models held up as paragons of beauty and health.  Bigger than size 4?  Your supposed to drive a truck instead of walk a runway.

The Other Way
Let’s be contrarians.  We want you to help us fight back against the lords of fashion, fitness, and diet.  There’s a larger fight (no pun intended) and a more important message.  It has to do with potency and sovereignty – please don’t say “empowerment.” Let’s demand more inclusive definitions of “sexy,”shapely,” and “fit.”

We welcome women of any size.  If you know someone who wants to be like Sheila S., send her our way. If you want to get stronger and move better, you’ve come to the right place.  When toned arms and flat abs are at the top of someone’s list, we can do that. But we’re gonna do our best to get you to drink from the cup of strength and movement first.

Who loves ya, baby?