How Muscle Shapes Who We Are: Bonnie Tsui on Strength, Resilience, and Her Newest Book On Muscle

What if strength isn’t just physical, but emotional and cultural too?

Award-winning journalist Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim and On Muscle, explores how our muscles tell the story of who we are — our adaptability, creativity, and joy in motion.

On this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Juliet and Kelly Starrett sit down with Bonnie to unpack how muscle links the brain and body and reshapes how we think about strength, beauty, and being alive.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why muscle is more than physical strength — it’s an endocrine organ that communicates with the brain.
How Bonnie’s unconventional childhood shaped her lifelong fascination with the body.
The cultural myths that still shape how we view women’s bodies and power.
Why play and access to movement are essential across every stage of life.
How muscle’s adaptability makes it a symbol of hope and renewal.
The one simple practice Bonnie recommends for everyone: “Lift something heavy for you”

For more info follow Bonnie on Instagram and definitely check out her newest book, On Muscle.

Key Highlights: 

00:00 – Intro
01:25 – Importance of Muscle
03:52 – Parental Influence on Fitness
07:56 – Debunking Muscle Myths
12:35 – Understanding Muscle Physiology
15:52 – Surprising Facts About Muscle
18:50 – Women and Muscle Development
23:15 – Trends in Women’s Fitness
27:38 – Access and Inclusion in Fitness
30:11 – Resilience of Muscle Tissue
31:13 – Muscle Regeneration Process
32:44 – Interview with Matthew Sanford
37:10 – Curiosity in Muscle Science
43:28 – Daily Muscle Care Tips
45:47 – Closing Remarks
47:14 – Recommended Reading
48:00 – Connecting with Bonnie

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