I wish I could succinctly put into words what I felt after binge watching the second season of Netflix’s original comedy GLOW. In lieu of more elegant “descriptive” words, beyond “I loved it!”, I’ll just tell you that when the credits rolled on the season finale I got myself up off the couch, got changed, channeled my inner Zoya, and went out into the summer heat to workout. And damn, did it feel good.
A bit of backstory before I go on… A little over two years ago I joined Weight Watchers. I’ve since lost about 115lbs. And as cliche as it sounds, the experience has been completely life changing. Besides figuring out how to eat healthier, I also found a fitness routine that I didn’t totally hate and have been working out regularly ever since. Perhaps unsurprisingly, as a result of finally doing all the “right things” for my health and wellness, I now feel stronger than I ever have. And you know what, I love it! It’s a good feeling.
Before I started on this “journey,” I honestly felt trapped in my own body. Like there were things I didn’t think I’d be able to physically do anymore. I was scared to try new things or hesitant to participate in activities I used to love, fearing that I could no longer keep up. I was afraid of being embarrassed. I was ashamed every time I had to inquire about weight limits or larger sizes. That’s NOT how I wanted to live my life. (Thankfully those are not fears I live with anymore, or at least not because of my weight. I’m just antisocial and awkward enough to embarrass myself or bow out of activities for plenty of other reasons.)
Yeah. I don’t know, it’s like I’m back… in my body… and it doesn’t belong to Randy… or Mark. And I… I don’t know, I’m, like, using it for me, and… I feel like a goddamn superhero. – Debbie Eagan (“The Liberal Chokehold” 1×9)
And while I’d love to say some TV show was the motivating factor or inspiration for the change, it wasn’t. I mean that would be an easier blog to write. In reality it was all that rock bottom, do it for yourself stuff you always hear about. I just had to reach that turning point on my own. But TV shows like GLOW are what keep me inspired along this journey. To see women of all shapes and sizes perform these incredible wrestling moves and general feats of fitness is really, really cool. And ultimately both entertaining and empowering.
But then, I found wrestling… and it saved me. Coming to the gym every day, seeing… these women struggle… to use their bodies and… learn something new, and we did! And it’s a better feeling than drugs. Crack, specifically. – Ruth Wilder (“The Liberal Chokehold” 1×9)
That’s not to say I want to become a professional wrestler now, because I don’t. My athletic goals aren’t that lofty. (I don’t need to get a one-handed pull-up, I’d be satisfied with the standard two-handed kind.) But even though the show is fictional, all these women, on screen and off, had to put the time, sweat, and energy into learning how to perform their own stunts. And that’s what I admire. GLOW is a great show, but the behind the scenes stories of their training and personal transformations are just as captivating. Read some of them here, here, and here.
It’s different from watching professional athletes, people who are naturally gifted and / or have trained their entire lives to be able to get their bodies to do amazing things. Instead, these are people who were on a non-sports career trajectory, much like my desk sitting self, who had to get into “fighting” shape for the show. With the exception of Kia Stevens who plays Tammé Dawson aka Welfare Queen, none of the other actresses had done anything like it before. And that’s what has really resonated with me. How women at any age can discover, or rediscover, their physical strength and power. I relate to that, and I want that to be my story too.
The fact that the show is also led by women, features a phenomenal ensemble, and manages to be simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking just makes it that much more rad. With all that being said, I highly recommend that you give GLOW a chance. You can stream every episode on Netflix.
What are you waiting for? Do the right thing, make Liberty Belle proud and hit play already.
