Death, Sex & Money The Internet Taught Me to Diet, Then Saved Me With Weightlifting
12 snips
Aug 19, 2025 
Casey Johnston, author of 'Physical Education' and writer of the Substack newsletter, She's a Beast, shares her inspiring journey from restrictive dieting to the empowering world of weightlifting. She discusses her childhood struggles with body image and societal expectations, and how discovering weightlifting transformed her emotional and physical well-being. Johnston highlights the importance of self-acceptance, the joy of community support, and redefined perceptions of fitness, challenging the constraints of diet culture with a newfound appreciation for strength.
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Secret Low-Calorie College Regimen
- Casey began eating 1,200 calories a day in college and layered long runs to accelerate weight loss.
- She kept this private and mentally tracked food and exercise for years.
A Reddit Post Changed Everything
- Casey found a Reddit post of a woman lifting who ate more and trained less but looked tonier.
- That post made Casey realize lifting could change her body without losing weight.
Practicing At Home Before The Gym
- Casey joined a gritty neighborhood gym called Richie's after scouting it online.
- She prepared at home with Starting Strength and practiced movements before stepping into the crowded gym.
