So, I’m Lindsey, I live in East London and have been part of the StrongHer community for almost seven months now.

StrongHer have created a supportive, fun environment where women learn the foundations of resistance/weight training, nutrition and creating positive habits.

What made you decide to sign up for the Warrior Project?

I’d been weight training for a couple of years prior to signing up, so I was happy to pick up a barbell. But in that time, I’d only been at the squat rack once or twice though because I didn’t really know what I was doing. And I always felt intimidated by entering the ‘big boys’ weight room because of all the guys in there staring at themselves. Because of that, I didn’t really progress that much.

I’d followed StrongHer for a few months on Instagram and loved what they were doing and eventually I bit the bullet and signed up for the four week Warrior Programme.  That’s all I thought I needed. I wanted someone to check that I’d been lifting weights properly and then leave. I didn’t like training with other people really and I wanted to get back to what I was doing. So yeah, you saw the bit about me being part of the StrongHer community for seven months, right? My plan changed a little bit!

What changed?

I got more than just an opportunity for someone to check my form. I’ve been encouraged and encouraged others, I’ve laughed and I’ve cried (in a good way though, promise). For years, it’s been about aesthetics and the number on the scale. But each month, I’ve set performance goals. And with the support of the entire group, I’ve smashed it. 

In all honesty, I’ve achieved more than I thought I ever could walking through those doors seven months ago. I joined the community the same month I went back to work after taking three months off. I had a mental breakdown. I basically fell off a cliff and was ‘diagnosed’ with severe depression and anxiety. I’d ignored the signs for 18 months and then suddenly I couldn’t anymore. When I signed up to StrongHer I felt fragile. Now even though I have fragile days, I still feel strong. Training with StrongHer is my release, time for myself to forget everything on the outside and push myself. It’s kind of my medication. As well as the other medication that is.

What’s next?

I wanted to find something more to train for. Like a 10K for weightlifting. So, in one of our early morning sessions I managed to convince two of the other warriors to join me in some sort of endurance activity. We found a competition run by GirlsGone RX. It’s kind of a crossfit/weightlifting day of fun. Four tests across lifting, endurance and gymnastics. Three team members. The most exciting bit is that we’ve got matching outfits. We know that we’re not going to win any prizes, but that’s more than okay. It’s not what you do on the day, it’s doing it in the first place. 

Okay. So what advice would you give?

I’d say just do it. It can be scary going into the unknown, but you’ll get so much out of becoming part of the StrongHer community - learning to lift is just the icing on the cake.

Follow Lindsey here at @girlabouteastlondon