The Fierce Life and Sudden Death of America’s Strongest Woman


The Fierce Life and Sudden Death of America’s Strongest Woman
.....For many, the pain and discipline function as emotional therapy. “We talk about being the misfits,” said Jackie Zagrans, a competitive strongwoman and friend of Ms. Lorch who works as a family therapist specializing in trauma. “We’re not the sleek, wealthy CrossFitters; we’re not the technique-savvy Olympic lifters. We’ve got tattoos head to toe. We’re a bunch of misfit toys. And the strongman community has always liked it that way. “But what does that draw? That draws people who have troubles. That draws people who have experienced trauma. That draws people who have never felt like they fit in. They finally find this sport and they’re like, ‘Oh, this is what I’ve been looking for.’”.... .....Coaches, like teachers and psychotherapists, enjoy an unequal power relationship with the athletes in their care. They instill self-worth and motivation and grant approval. But they can also withhold these to serve their own ends. This imbalance “really makes any sort of romance between the two unacceptable,” said Lee H. Igel, a clinical professor in the N.Y.U. Tisch Institute for Global Sport and associate in medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center..... ...more Bethany`s Notes: It is essential to discuss and acknowledge power differential control in sports. This story has a sad ending and one that probably could have been avoided.
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.....For many, the pain and discipline function as emotional therapy.

“We talk about being the misfits,” said Jackie Zagrans, a competitive strongwoman and friend of Ms. Lorch who works as a family therapist specializing in trauma. “We’re not the sleek, wealthy CrossFitters; we’re not the technique-savvy Olympic lifters. We’ve got tattoos head to toe. We’re a bunch of misfit toys. And the strongman community has always liked it that way.

“But what does that draw? That draws people who have troubles. That draws people who have experienced trauma. That draws people who have never felt like they fit in. They finally find this sport and they’re like, ‘Oh, this is what I’ve been looking for.’”....

.....Coaches, like teachers and psychotherapists, enjoy an unequal power relationship with the athletes in their care. They instill self-worth and motivation and grant approval. But they can also withhold these to serve their own ends. This imbalance “really makes any sort of romance between the two unacceptable,” said Lee H. Igel, a clinical professor in the N.Y.U. Tisch Institute for Global Sport and associate in medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center.....

...more

The Fierce Life and Sudden Death of America’s Strongest Woman

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