99% Invisible 99% Invisible

Perfectly Leveraged for the Squat

Nov 10, 2026 · 35m

Summary

This episode explores the history of women's strength through the life of Jan Todd, the first woman to lift the legendary Dinny Stones in Scotland. Todd recounts her journey from a 1970s college student to a pioneering powerlifter who helped establish rules for women's competitive lifting. The narrative also delves into the cultural anxieties surrounding female muscle, tracing a shift from Victorian-era pseudoscience to modern acceptance, while highlighting Todd's work preserving the history of physical culture at the Stark Center.

Topics discussed

Lowe's Black Friday Deals Betterment: Automating Smart Investing Jan Todd and the Legendary Dinny Stones The Tradition of Manhood Stones Jan's Frustration and the Whiskey Man Lifting the Stones and Historic Firsts Building Women's Powerlifting Strength as Currency and Status 19th Century Myths About Women's Strength Pseudoscience and Reproductive Anxiety Shift to Fitness for Attractiveness Jack LaLanne and Early Fitness Culture Jan Todd's Childhood and Family Background Meeting Terry Todd at Mercer University The Caber Toss and Early Bonding Crushing Bottle Caps and Marriage Title IX and the Battle of the Sexes Jan's First Gym Experience Breaking the Deadlift World Record Shattering Records and Media Attention Questioning the History of Women's Strength Betterment: Trusting Your Team Angie: Hiring Skilled Home Pros SimpliSafe: AI-Powered Home Security The Otley Coulter Collection Discovering Victorian Strongwomen Majestic Womanhood and Historical Context Jan's Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Creating the Stark Center Archive Current Life and Legacy of Strength Modern Cultural Shift Toward Strength The Importance of Progressive Overload The Unknown Limits of Women's Strength Episode Credits and Production Team LifeLock: Identity Theft Protection Angie and SimpliSafe Promotions
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