sports sociology

Why Do You Lift — Meaning, Identity, Hope and Passion (part 1 – EliteFTS series)

This is a series written for EliteFTS: Why Do You Lift — Meaning, Identity, Hope and Passion (part 1 – EliteFTS series) Peter heard his name and the bar was loaded for his first snatch. Up to one or two years ago, the minutes before he hook-gripped the bar were full of a deafening silence …

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The Shaming thing: eight points for thought

(elaborated version) Shaming is something serious: it means causing someone to feel inadequate or ashamed because of their behavior or even identity. Inadequacy and shame are among the most powerful causes of mental suffering. Both are deeply associated with trauma and abuse. Shame, for example, is one of the reasons for the huge gap in …

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About witch hunts: lynching athletes for failing a drug test

1. It amazes me how so many people echoed through social media the crucifixion of Russian lifters for failing drug tests reported on mainstream press. To anyone who’s been in the game long enough, it is obvious that some political agreement went sour or some “negative test fees” were not paid. That is all. There …

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Powerlifting branching meanings 2: the Spider Boys

Each person has their own reasons to dedicate increasing time, effort, money and other important resources to something that renders no financial benefit. Sport is defined as institutionalized game and game is an autotelic activity, which means it is an end unto itself. Amateur, marginal sports are that plus more: you don’t get external resources …

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The Instagram toilet thoughts #3: about mental toughness

* The lists of “how to achieve mental toughness” and pictures supposedly associated with some idea of mental toughness seem to be increasing on social media. I wonder if they are a development of the “no pain, no gain” bodybuilder motto, that became a bit old and faded * Some people offer courses on mental …

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The Instagram Toilet thoughts #2: Be careful with anthopocentric biological metaphors: they are usually wrong

* the number of lion pictures associated with the values of aggressiveness, leadership, hunting behavior, taking action leading a group, moral superiority, etc., is amazing. I’d say everyday, in three toilet sessions (you know what I mean), there are at least three lion picture in a five minute scroll * take a moment to read …

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Questions I receive – an example of users’ entitlement and abuse

Questions I receive – an example worth sharing for many (bad) reasons   (I have corrected punctuation and grammar errors and translated in readable form: it was originally in bad Portuguese) Question: “Hello Marilia, I would first like to congratulate you because I think you are one of the best female Brazilian powerlifters. You have …

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Laissez-fair athleticism

Sunday was an interesting day: as in many international meets, we had the chance of comparing local institutional components for sports development in different countries. As one of us described in detail the conditions in which corruption and/or outright organized crime ruled the strength sports, the fights and other sports in South America, our friend …

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Seven wrong reasons to get a new gym membership

I will conquer the perfect body That is listed among the main reasons for losing members at gyms. He or she will enroll after digesting gigabytes of advertisement (and indoctrination) about some ideal shape. That is what I call “formolatry” – the idolatry of an unhuman shape. It doesn’t exist, it has never existed and …

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How to react to bad lifting videos

This is the article in which I will make the most extensive use of anonymity and pseudonyms. No federation will be named. I wish to offer a set of conceptual items for thought and discussion. Peter wrote to me and said he expected an article from me about the disgusting issues from this weekend. Charley …

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