Casey Johnston’s life took a turn in 2013 thanks to a Reddit post. Before that, she relied on advice from magazines, radio, and other media sources for her workouts and diet. The post she stumbled upon challenged everything she thought she knew about staying fit and looking good. It featured a woman who achieved a smaller, more muscular physique through weightlifting, contradicting the idea that more cardio and fewer calories were the way to go. This discovery led Johnston to a community of women embracing weightlifting as a new exercise trend, ultimately inspiring her to create the “She’s a Beast” newsletter and write a book about her journey.
Johnston’s book, “A Physical Education: How I Escaped Diet Culture and Gained the Power of Lifting,” delves into her transformation through weightlifting, highlighting the impact of gender on body image and the importance of reclaiming strength. In an interview with The Times, Johnston discusses her initial fears of weightlifting as a beginner, her misconceptions about caloric intake, and the mental shift that accompanied her physical changes. She emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, mind, and personal background in the realm of health, challenging the oversimplified narratives often perpetuated in mainstream conversations about food and exercise.
One of the key takeaways from Johnston’s book is the value of functional fitness and compound movements over machine lifting. She explains that free weights allow for a more comprehensive workout, engaging multiple muscles and teaching the body to stabilize against resistance. Johnston also reflects on her journey from fighting against her body to trusting it, noting the shift from pushing through pain to listening to her body’s signals. By embracing weightlifting, she not only transformed her physical strength but also gained a deeper awareness of her emotions and responses in other areas of life. Through her experiences, Johnston highlights the importance of tuning into the body’s feedback and understanding the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.
