This is Heather Connor
This past weekend was probably the biggest weekend in strength
sports of the year. The Arnold Classic sports festival took place in
Columbus Ohio.
I’m not going to elaborate too much on this event and bore those of
you that don’t follow sport too closely.
What I do want to focus on however is the misconception of what
strength looks like.
Strength is big
Strength is muscle
Strength is brawn
Strength is the mountain from GOT
This is an age old story and a subject I fight on daily with men and
women. Despite the work that I do, the results that I’ve achieved
with women and the actual science behind strength it still seems
that the message is not being received entirely or clearly.
with women and the actual science behind strength it still seems that the message is not being received entirely or clearly.
In fact just the other day the lady behind the counter at Vet Smart offered to carry my 8kg bag of dog food to the car for me. I gladly accepted. I admit that I enjoy being unassumming. Also I’m very
lazy and if you want to carry my shit for me I will pay you hansomly to do it.
Anyways…
This here is Heather Connor, shes one of the strongest powerlifters on the planet right now, unfortunately she is not recognized enough within her sport because shes a fly weight.
If you walked past Heather in the mall, or stood behind her in a que at woolies or saw her on the spinning bike at the gym would you assume that she was strong at all? Would you look at Heather and fear ever venturing into the weight section of the gym? Would you use Heather as an example as to why you choose not to lift heavy.
Yes, I know. Your genetics mean you are very different, you are that special snowflake that picks up muslce at an incredible rate despite what science tells you. Ok
Aside from the fact that lifting heavy makes you so massive, would you look at Heather and know that she is the epitome of strength?
This past weekend Heather outlifted every other women on the platfrom at the Arnold Classic.
Heather is 44kgs
Heather squatted 142.5kgs, with this squat she still does not look like she could kick start a boeing
Heather bench pressed 72.5kgs, with this bench she still does not have pecs, biceps and triceps that most men dream of.
Heather deadlifted 182.5kgs, with this deadlift she still does not have the back, core and legs that make her look like a man.
When I look at Heather I see petite girl who probably loves puppies, rainbows and getting her nails done.
There is no box that strength belongs in, because of this you need not fear it, you need not fear what strength will make you look like.
Strength is a skill, strong is a quality.
Why be weak if you can be strong. Stop using bulk, brawn and muscle as an excuse to not get strong, strong is a feeling, a state, an ability. Having strength makes you better at life, it helps you achieve your goals, it makes you harder to kill.
That last one should motivate you more than anything else.
Side note, I’m hosting a seminar on the 21st March with David Cross here in Durban where I will teach you my methods and philosophies on how to harness your strengths, get strong and live better.
David is going to give us some really helpful tips and guidelines on nutrition, how to eat better for your goals, educate you on the basics of nutrition. It would be an absolute sin to miss it if you in the area. Drop me a mail and I’ll give you some details.
