5. "How you want to move and train your body shouldn't be determined based on your gender."

"I'm a classically trained dancer and as a dancer, you're taught that your body is your instrument, it's a means to a variety of expressions, it's sacred. Unfortunately, this mentality, while it's beautiful and necessary to fulfill the artistry that is dance, wasn't fulfilling me anymore. I realized that my body, its muscles, its bones, had a function...to live and support myself no matter the situation. As a dancer, I frequently felt weak, frail, and inflicted with odd injures. The functionality of my anatomy was nonexistent and I was becoming more aware of it.

After weight lifting seriously for close to two years, I now feel like I could conquer any physical challenge put in front of me (...well almost any). My muscles and strength can now support the active person that I always have been and encourage an even healthier lifestyle than ever before.

It has been empowering as a young female being that I now don't feel bound to this singular idea of what a woman's body should look like. Granted, yes, it did take some adjusting as certain muscles developed (gluteus maximus...), but I'm more proud than ever before of what I have crafted my body into with all my efforts. It's taught me that how you want to move and train your body shouldn't be determined based on your gender and the social norms of what men and women are 'supposed to do' and 'supposed to look like.' Your body is yours... express, lift, craft, challenge, and DO whatever it may be you want with it." —Lindsey