Not Your Cup of Tea...

I just read an article titled "Why are We Afraid of Muscular Women?" (http://birdeemag.com/afraid-muscular-women/) and was impressed with Jamilla Rosdahl's breaking of the stereotype that we are "gross" or "unnatural". Well-stated, she brings the argument that women operate on a "restricted space out of fear of social consequences for not conforming to the norm."

Rosdahl brings to light that many women don't allow full physical capacity and train their bodies to be inefficient. She states women become disconnected from their bodies, losing power and strength which can result in distrust of their bodies, and an overall sense of insecurity. Is that doing us a service to our women, young ladies, and the empowerment of our future?

She gracefully ends her article with the statement "Ideas such as real women are thin and weak, are a bit like smoking: eventually, people will catch on that it just isn't good for you."

Born with the last name Pecoraro, meaning sheep herder, I feel as I was destined to lead the crowd rather than following along quietly, with my head in the clouds. I've personally forced myself to break the mold that society has thought to be beautiful and feminine in every aspect of my life. As a child, I played little league baseball instead of softball. I drag raced cars at the age of 17. Why? Because I was the only girl on that track every Tuesday night. And now as a heavyweight bodybuilder, I laugh at the stares and the not-so-subtle double-takes. I embrace them, just as I do the compliments or words of encouragement I get from women, and men alike.

I flaunt my muscle as a badge of pride, a sense of accomplishment, a testament of hard work, since so few women have the passion to live the lifestyle to be an "outcast." At the end of the day, I may not be everyone's physical cup of tea, and that's ok...I prefer whiskey anyway!

(By no means am I an anti-feminist, but I don't believe society and other people's opinions should play a role in my personal life choices, just as someone else's opinion shouldn't prevent you from pursuing a goal, whether it be fitness-related or not. Embrace who you are, love your body, be proud of what you challenge yourself with. Because at the end of the day, you don't need anyone else's approval to embrace your body and love your shape.)