How to Be a Better Human How to use your muscles — or risk losing them (w/ Bonnie Tsui)
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Oct 27, 2025 
Bonnie Tsui, a journalist and author specializing in movement, discusses the surprising fact that muscle mass can decrease from age thirty. She shares insights on strength training, emphasizing its emotional and philosophical aspects, particularly how women's participation is reshaping cultural norms. Bonnie explores the balance between performance and appearance for female athletes, along with the importance of functional mobility as we age. Tying her love of surfing to muscular practice, she highlights the joy and energy transfer involved in movement.
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Muscle As A Life Philosophy
- Muscle is more than appearance; it's a philosophy tying strength, endurance, and flexibility to how we live.
- Bonnie Tsui frames muscle as the tangible stuff that moves us and shapes identity and purpose.
Begin Resistance Training Early
- Start resistance training in your 30s because age-related muscle loss begins then and affects long-term function.
- Lift challenging weights for 8–10 reps, progress when it feels easier, and mix it with joyful movement.
Pair Joyful Movement With Resistance
- Combine any joyful movement with resistance training to support long-term mobility and cognition.
- Use a trainer or friends to get started and choose exercises tied to real life goals (e.g., lift a jar, carry grandchildren).
