Why You Don’t Need to Look a Certain Way to Be Strong
What does it mean to be strong or “fit”?
If the first image that comes to mind is someone with a six-pack or sculpted arms, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing—this idea is built on a myth. Strength and being “fit” don’t have a specific “look,” and believing they do can create unnecessary pressure, exclusion, and frustration.
The truth is that strength is about what your body can do, not how it looks. It’s easy to get caught up in the visual side of things because we’re constantly bombarded with images of what the “ideal” body is supposed to look like. But real strength? It’s in the small, powerful moments—carrying groceries, getting up after a tough fall, or simply showing up for yourself during hard days.
Take sumo wrestlers, for example. These athletes are some of the strongest people on the planet, but their bodies look very different from the “traditional” athletic ideal. Their strength isn’t defined by their appearance but by their ability to move massive amounts of weight and engage in high-intensity physical combat. Similarly, heavyweight lifters may carry a larger frame, yet their power is unmatched in the gym and competition.
Even within the Olympics, we see athletes in various sports with different body types. A weightlifter, a sprinter, and a swimmer all possess different physiques, yet they are all incredibly strong and “fit” in their own way. These athletes show us that strength and “fitness” don’t need to come in a specific shape—they come from the ability to perform, adapt, and push limits.
And not all of us strive to run marathons or lift the heaviest weights, and that's okay. So why chase that ideal? Find out what strength means to you. It could be lifting the groceries after a long day, hiking with friends, or feeling the joy of movement during a yoga session. These are all examples of strength, and they matter just as much as running a marathon or deadlifting hundreds of pounds.
The myth that strength and “fitness” have a specific “look” creates a disconnect for so many people. It makes you feel like you’re not enough unless you fit a specific mould. But here’s a reality check: you don’t need a six-pack or a gym-perfect body to be strong, resilient, or “fit.” Strength comes in all shapes and sizes, and it’s defined by your journey—not someone else’s expectations.
Let’s rethink what it means to be strong and “fit.” Start noticing what your body can do. Maybe it’s holding a plank for ten seconds longer than last time. Maybe it’s standing tall after a tough day or making it to the mat for a stretch session when you didn’t feel like it. These moments matter.
You don’t have to look a certain way to claim the label of “strong” or “fit.” You just have to show up for yourself—whatever that looks like today. And that, in itself, is an incredible strength.