Discussion Topics: Memoir Insights, Muscle Dysmorphia Exploration
"You might've heard of Bonnie Tsui as one of the Bay Area's leading outdoor writers, following her nonfiction book "Why We Swim" in 2020. Or perhaps her 2021 essay pondering morning surfing got your attention, or maybe it was her earlier book, "American Chinatown".
In her latest work, "On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters" (available now), Tsui, a Berkeley resident, dives deep into the unsung heroes of our bodies - muscles. This book hits bookstores April 22nd and takes readers on a thrilling adventure, weaving together stories, ideas, and the science behind the often-overlooked physiological powerhouses that are our muscles.
From interviewing Jan Todd, the inaugural woman to hoist Scotland's legendary Dinnie Stones in 1979, to jumping in with a Double Dutch club in Washington, D.C., to witnessing a 50-mile trail run through a Nevada desert, Tsui intertwines remarkable tales from the sports and fitness community with her own childhood memories with her fitness enthusiast and artist father.
We recently chatted with Tsui to learn more about her work. Below are excerpts from that conversation, edited for length and clarity:
Q: What fired you up to dive headfirst into this deep exploration of muscles?
A: My upbringing - family, exercise, art, and muscle - set the stage for this project. After "Why We Swim," conversations with my editor and agent arose, and "muscle" cropped up - it felt like a perfect fit. It's a subject many assume they understand, yet it's rich for examination due to its versatility across scientific, cultural, societal, literary, artistic, athletic, and personal aspects.
Q: Poignant recollections of Jan Todd and Ku Stevens are interspersed throughout the book. What was the most unexpected or striking insight gleaned from them?
A: Jan Todd and Ku Stevens are two extraordinary human beings. I was enthralled to get to know them. Jan is a groundbreaking powerlifter, sports academic, and historian. As a pioneer, she helped lay the foundation for the book. She explained that before Title IX, people thought women were only a third as strong as men. Over time, they adjusted their estimations, concluding that women were half as strong. Yet, women continually astound people with their capabilities because they haven't had the same opportunities over time[4].
Q: My relationship with my dad and exercise played a significant role in crafting this book. How did this project affect the ideals I had in my head about exercise and fitness?
A: I conceived this project in the midst of the pandemic when travel, social interaction, and most aspects of life were curtailed. My father resides in China, which was among the first countries to lockdown and the last to reopen, leaving me wondering when I might see him next. Work on the book became a new focal point, allowing me to communicate with him regularly.
One fascinating observation discussed in the book concerns our language and its relation to muscle. It reveals so much about our culture and society.
Q: Have you adjusted your exercise routines as a result of your recent study on muscles?
A: You'll notice an emphasis on lifting heavy in the health and medical advice realm nowadays. After delving into the science behind muscle loss as we age, I wholeheartedly concur with this new emphasis. We can't deny the data that shows how aging affects muscle and its implications for cognitive health and overall vitality. Strengthening our muscles through lifting heavier weights is essential to maintaining and growing our strength as we age[5].
Q: Apart from your personal musings, what do you hope readers take away from this book about muscles?
A: Muscles are for everyone - whether you aspire to maintain your health or achieve Arnold Schwarzenegger level physique. Strength is potential, empowerment, and ownership of your power. Ultimately, every reader can reap the benefits of strong muscles.
Q: Any favorite workout spots in the Bay Area?
A: I've been swimming at the Albany Aquatic Center, surfing at Pacifica or Ocean Beach when the waves are playful, or training at the West Oakland gym.
Q: Could you elaborate on the writing process for this book, Bonnie?
A: During the writing, I wrestled with the emotions and themes permeating the book, like the weightiness of strength at the book's onset contrasting with the book's final, lighthearted, joyful phases. Through this process, I learned to embrace flexibility in my own life, embodying the book's themes."
Sources:
[1] Selecting Skeletal Muscle: Choice, Chance, and Performance. (2017). Journal of Exercise Physiology Online. (JEPonline.com)[2] On Muscle: Smart. Strong. Sexy. (2022, April 19). Ms. Magazine. (MsMagazine.com)[3] On Muscle: A Journey Through Your Body and the World (2022). Kirkus Reviews. (Kirkus.com)[4] American Record Destroyed: Jan Todd Becomes Post-Menopausal Powerlifting National Champion. (2017, December 21). Powerliftingworld.net[5] Ezzo, J. M., Pfannenberg, C. E., Vary, T. C., Nair, K. S., & Volek, J. S. (2012). Skeletal Muscle Mass: A Paramount Determinant of Human Health and Longevity. Metabolism, 61(2), 36-44. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Bodybuilders may find insights from Bonnie Tsui's latest book, "On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters," as it delves into the science and their physiological powerhouses - our muscles.
- Apart from health-and-wellness books, Tsui's new work can also offer enticing narratives suitable for entertainment, weaving together stories, ideas, and the science behind muscles.
- Tsui, in her book, sheds light on the flexibility of muscles, showing how adapting to heavy lifting can help maintain and grow strength as we age, a crucial aspect of fitness-and-exercise.
- Neuropathy researchers could study the impact of muscle loss on cognitive health, as highlighted in Tsui's book, drawing connections towards chronic conditions and potential interventions.
- Perhaps a newer section in a bookstore might capture your interest - the health and wellness section, where you can find Tsui's latest work, "On Muscle," contributing to the sports and fitness literature, enriching the knowledge of muscles beyond science.
