

Bonnie Tsui
Journalist, New York Times contributor, swimmer, and surfer. Author of American Chinatown, Why We Swim, and On Muscle.
Top 10 podcasts with Bonnie Tsui
Ranked by the Snipd community

161 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 3min
Why We Treat The Body Rigorously | Bonnie Tsui
Bonnie Tsui, a journalist and author known for her works on swimming and muscle, joins the discussion to explore the critical link between physical fitness and mental resilience. They delve into how muscle memory can enhance cognitive function and how Stoic philosophy emphasizes the discipline of the body to enrich the mind. Bonnie shares insights on embracing physical challenges, fostering curiosity, and the holistic benefits of movement, illustrating how a rigorous approach to the body can lead to greater life satisfaction and personal growth.

103 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 11min
On Muscle and Mind: How Strength Training Changes Your Brain, Improves Your Mental Health, and Lengthens Your Life | Bonnie Tsui
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.

60 snips
Nov 2, 2025 • 46min
Sunday Pick: How to use your muscles — or risk losing them | How to Be a Better Human
Join Bonnie Tsui, an author and surfer known for her book "On Muscle and Why We Swim," as she dives into the fascinating world of strength and movement with host Chris Duffy. They discuss the surprising truth that muscle mass can start declining as early as 30. Bonnie shares practical tips on weightlifting and how to maintain mobility, while exploring the cultural significance of muscles and gender norms. Learn how strength can reshape self-perception and the importance of joyful movement in our lives.

26 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 45min
How to use your muscles — or risk losing them (w/ Bonnie Tsui)
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.

7 snips
Mar 3, 2023 • 22min
Finding Freedom in Swimming: Bonnie Tsui
Author Bonnie Tsui discusses her book 'Why We Swim' and the transformative power of swimming. They explore the allure and universal attraction of water, the time machine-like freedom swimming provides, and the profound significance of water in her life as a writer.

Oct 24, 2025 • 35min
The might and magic of human muscles
Bonnie Tsui, an author and journalist, dives into the fascinating world of human muscles, drawing from her personal martial arts background. She explores how even the tiniest muscles can evoke powerful emotions, like those causing goosebumps. Bonnie highlights the Olympic showcase of diverse muscle attributes and considers the psychological and health benefits of strength training. She also discusses the biology of different muscle types, sex differences in muscle mass, and the importance of celebrating varied forms of strength in our society.

Jun 8, 2025 • 1h 20min
Bonnie Tsui: On Muscle + Movement
Bonnie Tsui, an author and New York Times contributor, dives into the significance of muscle and movement in our lives. She discusses her transition from competitive swimming to surfing, redefining strength, especially for women in sports. Bonnie reflects on the powerful connection to the ocean and the importance of strength training for lifelong movement. Additionally, she touches on the inevitability of aging and how experience can enhance surfing skills, creating a beautiful narrative of resilience and mastery in the water.

Apr 14, 2021 • 1h 8min
Author Bonnie Tsui on the Wonders of Water | Pressure, Like Power, Reveals
Bonnie Tsui, author of "Why We Swim" and "American Chinatown," dives into the philosophical benefits of swimming and its historical significance. She discusses how water can serve as a transformative communal space, bonding families and cultures. The conversation also highlights swimming as a meditative practice, providing clarity and joy amidst modern life's chaos. Tsui shares personal anecdotes of overcoming fears and embracing challenges, reflecting on the deep emotional connections that water fosters.

Jan 18, 2021 • 2h 18min
Bonnie Tsui On Why We Swim
In this engaging conversation, Bonnie Tsui, author of "Why We Swim," reflects on her deep connection to water and its dual role as both a source of solace and fear. She delves into the evolution of swimming from survival to recreation, sharing compelling stories, including Olympic champions and diverse swimming cultures. Bonnie emphasizes the importance of representation in swimming while exploring its historical significance in community resilience and civil rights. The episode ultimately celebrates the transformative power of swimming in our lives.

Jul 22, 2020 • 43min
#629: Why We Swim
Bonnie Tsui, author of "Why We Swim," dives into the captivating world of swimming, exploring its cultural significance and historical roots. She discusses how swimming, unlike other activities, must be learned. Bonnie shares fascinating stories of cultures that thrive in water and how swimming fostered community during the Iraq War. The conversation also highlights swimming's dual nature as both a combat skill and a source of mental and physical restoration, revealing how it can spark creativity and flow in our thinking.


