Bonnie Tsui, a New York Times contributor and bestselling author of "Why We Swim," explores the powerful connection between muscle strength and mental health. She discusses how strength training can enhance emotional well-being and longevity, breaking societal beauty standards along the way. Bonnie shares personal stories, the science behind muscle impact on the brain, and practical tips for starting a strength training journey. She emphasizes that it's never too late to recognize your physical potential and cultivate resilience through movement.
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insights INSIGHT
Mind-Muscle Continuous Dialogue
Muscles and the brain communicate constantly through electrochemical signals.
Muscle health and movement are crucial for long-term brain health, especially as we age.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Martial Arts Childhood Roots
Bonnie grew up with a unique blend of art and martial arts thanks to her father.
This upbringing shaped her lifelong connection to muscles in form and function.
insights INSIGHT
Muscle-to-Brain Chemical Signals
Muscles are not just for movement; they secrete myokines that influence the brain.
Exercise stimulates brain plasticity and cognition by this muscle-to-brain signaling.
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Kevin Barry's "Night Boat to Tangier" is a darkly humorous and poignant novel that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the backdrop of a bustling port city in Morocco, the story centers on two aging Irish criminals who find themselves caught in a web of deceit and betrayal. Barry's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and evocative prose, creating a sense of atmosphere and immediacy. The novel's exploration of themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life resonates deeply with readers. The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more human and relatable. The novel's ending is both surprising and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Hungry Beautiful Animals
The Joyful Case for Going Vegan
Matthew Halteman
Age of Vice
Deepti Kapoor
Age of Vice is a sprawling epic that delves into the lives of three characters—Ajay, a servant; Sunny, a wealthy heir; and Neda, a journalist—whose paths intertwine amidst the backdrop of lavish estates, corruption, and violence in New Delhi. The novel explores themes of greed, revenge, and the consequences of corruption.
On Muscle
Bonnie Tsui
In 'On Muscle', Bonnie Tsui explores the significance of muscle in human life, delving into its role in physical and mental health, cultural perceptions of beauty, and personal narratives of strength and endurance. The book combines science, culture, and immersive reporting to redefine our understanding of muscle and its impact on our lives. Tsui shares stories from her childhood and encounters with remarkable individuals, such as the first female weightlifter to lift the Scottish Dinnie Stones.
Ageless Fitness
Darvis Simms
Why We Swim
Bonnie Tsui
In 'Why We Swim,' Bonnie Tsui examines the multifaceted relationship humans have with water. The book is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and an Icelandic fisherman who survived a six-hour swim after a shipwreck. Tsui, a swimmer herself, investigates what it is about water that seduces us and why we return to it repeatedly. She explores the therapeutic, communal, and transformative aspects of swimming, drawing from personal experiences, historical contexts, and scientific insights. The book is a cultural history of humankind’s relationship with bodies of water, highlighting the benefits and dangers of swimming and its impact on human behavior and well-being.
What muscles are for, how to get them, and why it’s never too late to start building them.
Bonnie Tsui is a longtime contributor to The New York Times and the bestselling author of Why We Swim, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and a Time magazine and NPR Best Book of the Year. Her work has been recognized and supported by Harvard University, the National Press Foundation, the Mesa Refuge, and the Best American Essays series. Her newest book is called On Muscle.
This episode is part of our ongoing Get Fit Sanely series.
In this episode we talk about:
The connection between our muscles and mental health
The many benefits of strength training
How society, culture, and history have shaped the way we think about beauty standards and strength
Misconceptions about the six-pack
Running as a tool for healing
The psychological impact of realizing your own physical potential
The symbolism and science of the push-up
The connection between our muscles and our longevity
Practical advice for beginning strength training
And food habits that supports muscle growth
Paid subscribers of DanHarris.com will have exclusive access to a set of all-new guided meditations, led by friend of the show Cara Lai, customized to accompany each episode of the Get Fit Sanely series. We're super excited to offer a way to help you put the ideas from the episodes into practice. Learn all about it here.
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