Toxic Masculinity (limerick)…
People have an opinions of people who work out. The assumptions are often the same. They assume vanity, a lack of higher order intelligence, and even some sort of selfish or emotionless sociopathy. Hell, I had the same opinions myself. I assumed that those that call themselves “bodybuilders” were all the same- a bunch of roided up douchebags.
When I was diagnosed as “pre-diabetic” I decided I had to change things. I was already an older dad, I didn’t want to be an old, fat dad, limited in my ability to play and engage with my daughters. I hired a coach, I worked my ass off, I started paying very careful attention to my nutrition, and wouldn’t you know it- I lost a bunch of weight and stacked on some muscle. Only I’m not like the roided up douchebag I imagined- and actually none of the other gym bros I’ve met are either (okay, maybe there are some but not people I know personally).
I’m just what my profile says I am. I’m a Dad and a Husband. And yeah, I’ve had other titles too, all less important. And I guess you could include bodybuilder among them now. But I’m just a guy working hard to be the best version of myself I can be for my kids. If in 2025 it’s considered “Toxic Masculinity” to get in shape, so be it. If you’re the type of person that refers to people getting in shape this way, I think it says a lot more about you than it does about the people you’re judging.
Toxic Masculinity
The weights never tell me a lie
They just patiently invite me to try
Just to show up and lift
Is truly a gift
And the sauna’s a great place to cry