What Lifting Taught Me About Writing

Ever wonder what squats have to do with sentences? Or deadlifts with drafts? Turns out the gym and the keyboard have more in common than you'd think. Let me share what barbells taught me about writing better content.

Progressive Overload

In the gym: Progressive overload is the backbone of strength training. Each week, you add a bit more weight or squeeze out an extra rep. It's not about making massive leaps—it's about consistent, measurable progress over time.

In writing: The same applies. Instead of trying to be a jack of all trades and master of none, become a master at one thing first. Maybe this week you work on stronger headlines, next week on tighter transitions, and the following week on more compelling calls to action.

Small, consistent improvements → significant growth over time.

Mind Muscle Connection

In the gym: Any experienced lifter will tell you that mindlessly moving weight isn't all that effective. Sure you pick up heavy things and put them down, but the elite focus on the fundamentals; proper form and technique. The magic happens when you establish that mind-muscle connection—really feeling the target muscle working through each part of the movement.

In writing: Effective writing requires a connection with your audience's pain points. When you truly understand and play to their challenges, your writing resonates on a different level. It's the difference between writing that simply informs vs writing that transforms.

Recovery

In the gym: Contrary to popular belief, muscles don't grow during workouts—they grow during rest. Recovery isn't just important; it's literally where the progress happens. When you train you break down those biceps you're trying so hard to build. When you rest they grow. No rest = Noodles for arms.

In writing: The same counterintuitive truth applies to creativity. Often, our best ideas and insights come when we step away. That walk, shower, or good night's sleep is often when the perfect solution to a problem appears. What unexpected connections have you found between different areas of your life?

“Your mind will quit a thousand times before your body will. Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Andy Frisella