Happiness, Heavy Lifting, and a Little Bit of Psychology

I listened to a podcast yesterday. I enjoy them, little bite-sized nuggets of knowledge that make me feel more informed, slightly clever, and just worldly enough to drop fun facts into conversation. They’re also fantastic tools for distracting clients between sets, while I subtly increase their load without them noticing. (Oops… was that a trade secret?)

The podcast in question explored the science of happiness. Now, I’ll admit, until recently, I dismissed happiness as a bit of a Western marketing construct. You know, something designed to keep us buying face creams, yoga mats, and expensive water bottles. But apparently, there’s more to it. (That cynical blog is still percolating for another day.)

Here’s the golden nugget I took away:

happiness is fleeting. What brings you joy today won’t necessarily satisfy you tomorrow, because we’re wired to normalize our pleasures. We adapt. We become numb to the same things over time.

But then it hit me -

if that’s true, then strength training might just be the ultimate happiness hack. Why? Because in the gym, especially as a menopausal woman, you’re never standing still. There’s always something new to chase: another kilo on the bar, an extra rep, a cleaner lift. Each little victory gives you a buzz. Sure, there are days when your energy is flat, your hormones are wild, and your squat feels like a slow collapse, but even that has its own kind of satisfaction.

So, this morning I tested out my new “expertise” (thank you, 45-minute podcast) on a long-time client duo,two incredible women I train regularly. As we warmed up, they chatted about their friends’ latest sun-drenched yacht holiday, sipping spritzes somewhere in Europe. (You know the kind of photos that scream, “Wish you were here, but not really.”)

Trying to inject a bit of perspective (and maybe some philosophical flair), I suggested they take a moment to appreciate the fact that they were doing something powerful for their health at 6 a.m., while others were probably battling bloating from too much Aperol. They gave me a look. I mentally noted that I might need a refresher episode on tactful delivery.

But as we moved through the warm-up: glute activations, shoulder mobility, core engagement… something shifted. They started to laugh, encourage each other, and show up for the moment.

Then came the big lift of the day: the barbell bench press. Heavy. Intimidating. Glorious.

And something beautiful happened. Their initial reluctance - the lingering envy, the dreary early-morning mood, transformed into something light, even joyful. They lifted more than they expected. Their posture changed. Their faces lit up. Suddenly, the podcast theory made sense in real time: those small, personal victories can bring far more happiness than curated social media moments or shiny purchases ever could.

There is something about this work. The endorphins, yes, but also the satisfaction of showing up for yourself. Of choosing to build strength when your body is in flux. Of feeling empowered when so much else feels uncertain.

No yacht required.