Factually! with Adam Conover Why Strength Training Kicks Dieting’s Ass with Casey Johnston
Sep 3, 2025
Casey Johnston, author of *A Physical Education* and creator of the *She’s a Beast* newsletter, dives into the empowerment of strength training over diet culture. She shares her transformative journey from skepticism to embracing weightlifting, challenging societal misconceptions, especially for women. Casey discusses redefining relationships with food, moving from restriction to enrichment, and emphasizes building muscle as a path to health. The conversation encourages a balanced, joyful approach to fitness, advocating for personal agency in health choices.
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From Running And Dieting To Lifting
- Casey Johnston switched from running and chronic dieting to lifting after seeing one inspiring online post.
- She found lifting promised the opposite of punishment and resonated with what she actually wanted.
Pay Attention To Your Body's Signals
- Lifting trains you to pay attention to bodily feedback rather than ignore pain.
- That feedback becomes useful information for rest, nutrition, and progress.
The Cat Litter Test
- Casey describes lugging a 40-pound box of cat litter and later realizing she could lift that weight after a few weeks of training.
- That practical gain surprised her and felt transformative.
