My journey in powerlifting spans over a decade, a journey that has not only shaped my physical strength but also my outlook on masculinity.
For those unfamiliar, powerlifting is a strength sport that consists of three movements: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Each competition allows competitors to attempt each lift three times, with the heaviest successful attempt from each forming a competitor’s overall total.
Powerlifting, for me, has transcended the mere act of lifting. It has sparked profound introspection about the essence of strength. The finest lifters are not defined by their volume or aggression; they are the ones who maintain composure in adversity, bolster others in their pursuit of goals, and persist even when the going gets tough. They don’t wield their strength as a tool to undermine others; they employ it to elevate everyone around them.
In a world where figures like Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, Andrew Tate, and Joe Rogan dismiss the concept of being ‘woke’, my fellow male powerlifters and I have consciously chosen to reject this toxic masculinity. We value decency and community over the hollow, performative notion of being an ‘alpha male’.
Our approach can be best described as ‘positive masculinity,’ a form of strength deeply rooted in respect, empathy, and equality.
Positive masculinity, at its core, is about recognising that strength should never come at someone else’s expense. In a society where so many communities still face hostility, cis men have a duty to use their strength, physical, emotional, and moral, to stand beside them. Liberalism is rooted in empathy and fairness; positive masculinity is simply those principles lived out in everyday behaviour.
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