Everyone wants to know if they could do the impossible, but few will try. Alyssa Ages, once the strongest she’d ever been, could flip truck tires and walk with 300 pounds on her back, feeling invincible until her body betrayed her. Rebuilding her strength led her to question whether true strength lies in how we manage life's struggles rather than just physical feats. Now a mother of two, Ages embarks on a journey into the world of strongman competitions, lifting kegs and boulders, attempting to pull a 50-ton truck, and occasionally alarming her neighbors by dragging weights down her street. Along the way, she meets a powerlifter-turned-boxer who reveals how lifting helped her master everyday challenges, and a ten-time World's Strongest Man competitor who shares how the gym aided his survival of an abusive childhood. A pro strongwoman reflects on overcoming setbacks before lifting a baby grand piano. Insights from psychologists, researchers, and coaches highlight how the pursuit of strength can enhance resilience, confidence, and joy in discomfort, teaching us to handle adversity. This narrative blends personal experience with research, uncovering the profound significance of physical strength and our untapped potential.
