Let's unlearn some BS together...

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of science-backed goodness to help you move better and feel unstoppable.

🧠

What:

I spent my first gym-year avoiding quad exercises because I “didn’t want big thighs.”

A tragic symptom of cultural brainwashing.

Then I accidentally got strong. Suddenly my digestion, energy, mood, and entire life were like:

“Oh. THIS is the upgrade we needed."

Sure, I originally went to the gym to meet cute boys (it worked*) and a juicier peach (also success).

But now I go because strength feels like the world’s healthiest middle finger 🖕 

And I wish I’d started sooner—not just for the muscles, but for the rebellion of refusing to stay small to be palatable.

Why:

Your subconscious is basically a human Roomba—mindlessly circling old programming unless you interrupt it.

It runs most of your decisions, and its #1 priority is sticking to whatever identity you’ve been rewarded for.

So if you were raised on:

  • “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"

  • “Small is feminine”

  • “Muscle makes you less attractive”

…your subconscious treats lifting as a violation of the Rulebook of Being Acceptable™.

This isn’t vanity.

This is identity regulation.

And your nervous system genuinely believes “bulky” = “social danger.”

Which is hilarious, because science is screaming:

Muscle = longer life, happier hormones, sturdier bones, a more efficient brain, and a stronger sense of self.

So, the rebellion is the neuroscience:

You’re literally rewriting the internal code society installed in you.

How:

If you want to go against (any!) stupid societal norms but you can't quite bring yourself to do it, check how you identify. Then reprogram: 

1️⃣ Tiny identity edits

Skip “I am the hulk”

Start with: “I’m someone who strengthens because it feels good."

Sneak it past your subconscious like a Trojan horse.

2️⃣ Collect receipts

Every time you have a moment where you think "damn...these muscles are muscling!"--

E.g. one all-groceries-in-one-trip-while-the-elevator-is-out-of-order success--

Remind your brain that strength = easier life. 

3️⃣ Rebrand strength

It’s not “bulk.”

It’s freedom, mobility, boundaries, independence, and -- if you're into it -- an "F YOU" to the patriarchy.

4️⃣ Change your inputs

Follow women who lift. Unfollow the "visible ribs & invisible opinions" girlies.

Your subconscious copies whatever room it thinks you’re in.

5️⃣ Take up space on purpose

Every rep =

“I am safe being powerful, visible, and not here to be decorative.”

Cheers to these emails get meatier along with my quads,

💋 Adell

*I met my boyfriend at the gym. And he, with his masters degree in Sports Science and Physiotherapy, has been influential in the design of my upcoming ​HANDSTAND CLUB​ -- a science-backed 6-week programme to get your handstand from stagnation station to the progression train 🚂 . (yes we will lift weights as part of this programme 💪)

Want to go way deeper with me? 👀 ​

• Check out my upcoming​ IRL events​ 
• Sign up to ​my next NeuroYoga TTC​ where I teach YOU how to blend yoga + neurology
• Join me on Move With Adell -- I upload 2 new videos a week -- often with brain drills woven in -- ​Click here​ to start your FREE trial.
• Check out the courses from Z-health, where I started my education in brain-based approaches: ​Click here​ for my discount codes on their first 3 courses!
• Get my book ​"Too Flexible to Feel Good: A Practical Roadmap to Managing Hypermobility"​

Adell Bridges