The Most Common Misconception about Muscle

After Putting on About 22kg of Muscle Mass, People Treat Me Differently.

I started lifting about six years ago. I had been a distance runner for about a decade, and wanted to try something new. No other motivation. Not girls. Not the respect of others. Not because I saw some guy on TV. Just an experiment.

So, little me got a gym membership and started lifting not-so-heavy things.

All 68kg of me.

Over the years, I grew, and grew, and grew, from 68kg up to a heaviest weight of 96kg, before cutting back down to the 85–90kg range.

My experience lifting, learning and growing has mostly been overwhelmingly positive, but there is one negative that I notice time and time again.

People are often surprised that I am smart.

I’m naturally very observant of people when conversing — maybe it’s the former teacher or current coach in me — and I’ve seen people raise their eyebrows at me after I say something smart, time and time again.