writing & online coaching blog

What do bodyweight scales know about going on holiday?

Don’t let your scales define you or dictate what you do or don’t do on holiday. Last week, for the first time in a while, I was able to...

When you know you need help, who should you talk to?

Who should you go to when you need help? Generally, if you’re struggling with something, I recommend talking to someone you can trust,...

I've been gaining weight for 20 weeks. I'm having a break for four. Here's why

Ass getting bigger. Traps getting bigger. This is peak gaining season, and, after months of hating how I felt and looked, I’m finally...

Client check-in: Laura, week six

I’m super proud of everyone I’ve worked with as an online coach so far this year, from improved gym numbers across the board to finding...

Training to failure

In weeks four and nine of the X-frame gaining phase, we deliberately train to failure. Here I describe what failure is.

X-frame gaining phase

The x-frame gaining phase is a 10-week weightlifting programme that follows a five day push/pull/full-body split over seven days.

Pop punk enjambment; or, poetry everywhere

Falling in love is chaotic, discombobulating and exciting; falling out of love for me has also been the first two with inverse pain.

Staying sane while gaining weight; or, learning to love and trust the process

Eating in a calorie surplus has been mentally challenging. Here I discuss the – admittedly privileged – difficulties of "bulking up".

Avoiding avoidance; or learning to turn into the skid

I avoid starting things. I sometimes avoid finishing things. I've been putting this article off for a while...

A hot take on mini-cutting

This is not an exhaustive guide; this is my hot take on why I decided to run a mini-cut phase this year alongside how it went.

What's in a word? Are we what we do?

This is an account of a recovering depressive weightlifter; or, someone who lifts weights and gets down sometimes. What's in a word?

Do you only get what you give?

January-March, I was the most productive and least anxious I've ever been; April through May, I was the least productive and most anxious.