I have been working on this piece for close to five months. Each time I sat down to revisit, write, and revise, I tried to come up with a title, but nothing fit. It was not until Friday, June 27^th, when I walked into a Metallica concert with my sons and dad, that I figured it out. The show was held at what was previously called the Mile High Stadium in Denver. It has since been renamed to EMPOWER Field. As soon as I saw it, there was no question. Keep that in mind as you read.

Ladies, please don’t fear the dumbbells; they’re not green, they’re gold. Toning up doesn’t mean ‘bulking up’—it means building lean muscle, torching fat, and owning your strength, physically, mentally, and emotionally. No accidental Hulks here—just strong, confident queens making progress. This is straight-up motivation with a twist of realism, and I love addressing a very real fear with both science and humor. That Hulk reference is spot on, and it cuts through a deeply rooted misconception.

The Myth: Women who lift will get bulky, but here are the FACTS:

Females tend to have smaller and lower concentrations of muscle fibers, as well as lower serum levels of testosterone than males. This allows men to have more muscle hypotrophy (muscle growth). While they may experience hypotrophy, it is unlikely that they will become “bulky.”

Why women should lift:

1. Improve self-confidence.

2. Develop good movement/pain reduction.

3. Increase resting metabolic rate.

4. Decreased risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease.

5. Improve and protect bone mineral density.

While each of the five reasons previously mentioned is significant, I have ranked self-confidence as the most important. In March 2025, I published an article addressing men’s emotional acceptance and expectations. I examined societal pressures imposed on men, shared personal experiences, and highlighted how my father encouraged me to challenge traditional norms. I was raised on a farm and played football—environments typically associated with emotional restraint; my father provided a different perspective. He taught me that it is acceptable to experience and express emotions, to be passionate, and to let these feelings inform one’s actions. This guidance enabled me to redefine conventional concepts of masculinity. I am sincerely grateful to my father for his inspiration.

Over the last six months, I have decided to delve deeply into the real issues women face every day. I sat down with several of my female clients, as well as my own two daughters, to gain a better perspective of why this hits women so hard. The cultural pressure was constant for all of them. Media and social standards often promote unrealistic beauty ideals, particularly for women. Other factors included hormonal and developmental factors, which begin in adolescence. Obviously, there is a major physical and emotional change. Menopause can also be largely responsible. We may not even recognize that this is something we have, but the more we discuss, we realize that it can intersect with anxiety, depression, or even eating disorders. 

Body dysmorphia—more formally known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)—is a serious and often misunderstood mental health condition that affects many women and men alike, but is often silent. Two years ago, I was asked to be interviewed for a national podcast on this topic. It ended up being very popular with the listeners, and the host was asked for an encore. In the second part, I delved even deeper into myself. I deal with this disorder and make it known worldwide and am open with my clients about it. It’s not just about disliking a feature or wanting to look better, it’s a deep, obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws that others may not even notice.

What It Feels Like

• Constant self-criticism: Women (or men) with BDD may fixate on areas like their skin, weight, nose, or other features, believing they’re ugly or deformed despite reassurance.
• Mirror checking or avoidance: Some may spend hours trying to fix the flaw, while others avoid mirrors altogether. This is a key part of my training, where every client, regardless, must face themselves.
• Social withdrawal: Fear of judgment can lead to isolation, skipping events, or even missing work or school.
• Compulsive behaviors, such as excessive grooming, comparing oneself with others, or seeking cosmetic procedures, are common coping mechanisms.

Self-awareness is like a superpower, especially for women, as they navigate a world full of expectations, roles, and distractions. When women cultivate self-awareness, they unlock clarity, confidence, and control over their lives in ways that ripple into every relationship, goal, and decision.

Why Self-Awareness Matters for Women

• Empowerment through clarity: Knowing your values, triggers, and desires helps you make choices that align with your authentic self—not just what’s expected of you.
• Stronger boundaries: Self-aware women are better at saying “no” to what drains them and “yes” to what fuels them.
• Confidence boost: Understanding your strengths and owning your story builds unshakable self-worth.
• Better communication: When you understand your emotions and their underlying causes, you can express yourself with greater impact and less conflict.
• Resilience: Self-awareness helps women recognize patterns, break cycles, and bounce back stronger.

 How to Nurture It

• Daily reflection: Journaling or even a few mindful minutes can help you check in with your thoughts and emotions.
• Feedback from trusted voices: Sometimes others can help us see blind spots we miss on our own.
• Self-assessment tools: Worksheets, personality tests, or coaching can offer structured ways to explore your inner world.
• Mindfulness practices: Meditation, breathwork, or simply being present in your body can deepen awareness.

Self-awareness isn’t about fixing yourself; it’s about finally seeing yourself. And when you do, you stop shrinking to fit and start expanding to thrive. 

If you’re thinking of weaving this into your life, your body is not the problem. The problem is the lens through which you’ve been taught to see it. I can help you build a foundation and move forward with the confidence you deserve. We are more than just fitness; we are 2B IMPERIUM.

By Cody Rininger