The 404 Media Podcast The Life Changing Power of Lifting (feat. Casey Johnston)
45 snips
Jul 2, 2025 
In this chat with Casey Johnston, an independent journalist and founder of She's a Beast, they explore the transformative journey of weightlifting and its benefits beyond physical strength. Casey discusses her memoir, sharing how she escaped diet culture and embraced lifting. They delve into the intersections of fitness, technology, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of accessible weight training for all. With insights on authenticity in fitness journalism, they advocate for genuine connections in the community and the power of weightlifting to foster personal growth.
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Turning Readers into Lifters
- Jason started weightlifting immediately after reading Casey's book and has been lifting three times a week since.
- Casey often sees readers take years before starting to lift, then quickly find it transformative.
Weightlifting's Cultural Gap
- Weightlifting feels unfamiliar because it lacks cultural literacy common to cardio or running.
- Increased awareness of the practice makes it seem more normal and more people are willing to try it.
Weightlifting vs. Diet Culture
- Diet culture harms both mind and body, often making people dull mentally through chronic caloric deprivation.
- Weightlifting counters this by improving mental and physical strength, changing one’s relationship with self and world.
