"I'm Big and I'm Strong"
Men's Health US|January - February 2024
These guys have dealt with fatphobia, body shaming, and the pressure to lose weight their entire lives. Here's how they developed a mentally healthy approach to the number on the scale.
- By Keith Nelson Jr.
"I'm Big and I'm Strong"

MARK HENRY

POWERLIFTER AND FORMER PRO WRESTLER

FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO, I was in a grocery store, and this little kid said, "Mama, he's fat." I told the kid, "No, I'm big and I'm strong." The embarrassment on the mother's face was undeniable. But my response to the kid was healing, because when I told the kid that, the kid said, "I'm strong, too."

I've been judged about my weight since the first or second grade. But in my childhood photos, I was always flexing and posing like a bodybuilder because I felt strong and I was confident in my strength. I used to tell people, "You can hit me in the stomach." I would flex my stomach and let people punch me as hard as they could, and all they would do was hurt their hand. I was meant to be who I am.

From 1997 to 2002, at 402 pounds, I squatted 1,000 pounds, benchpressed 600 pounds, and deadlifted 900-plus pounds. During that time, I also ran a 5.1 40-yard dash. After 1 retired from wrestling in 2017, I felt like there was no reason to be as big as I was if I wasn't going to compete anymore. Now I'm 330-100 pounds lighter than I was when I was wrestling last. I feel pretty good other than the injuries I've sustained wrestling.

この蚘事は Men's Health US の January - February 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Men's Health US の January - February 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

MEN'S HEALTH USのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
THE NEW CHANGE MUSCLE MAKERS
Men's Health US

THE NEW CHANGE MUSCLE MAKERS

WITH SYSTEMIC ISSUES both inside and outside the health-and-wellness industry, fitness professionals from marginalized backgrounds have long been held back.

time-read
8 分  |
November - December 2024
ROCK BERMUDA
Men's Health US

ROCK BERMUDA

Cliff-jumping! Lunker-landing! Wreck-diving! I've lived on and off the Isle of Devils for 30 years. These are my five favorite adventures.

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2024
AWESOME-IFY YOUR SALMON
Men's Health US

AWESOME-IFY YOUR SALMON

Chef CHARLIE MITCHELL says the key to balanced food and fitness is a little bit of everything.

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2024
BEET THIS!
Men's Health US

BEET THIS!

Supplement makers say beet powders and juices help your heart and your workouts. We got to the root of those promises.

time-read
1 min  |
November - December 2024
THE THROAT
Men's Health US

THE THROAT

Soreness, dryness, coughing-throat stuff can be the worst. Here's how to tell when something's up in there and feel better fast.

time-read
3 分  |
November - December 2024
ARE YOUNG PEOPLE AGING FASTER?
Men's Health US

ARE YOUNG PEOPLE AGING FASTER?

And is that why cancer is striking earlier and earlier?

time-read
6 分  |
November - December 2024
THE BAD DOCTOR
Men's Health US

THE BAD DOCTOR

When patients kept nearly dying at asurgical center in Dallas, nobody thought it might be an inside job. Here’s howateam of medical investigators uncovered the disturbing truth— and how you can protect yourself from quacks, hacks, and downright dangerous docs.

time-read
10+ 分  |
November - December 2024
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH HIM
Men's Health US

HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH HIM

Well, not literally. But in the \"gnawing rat\" theory of productivity, making peace with your metaphorical pests might be the quickest way to stop procrastinating and finally ditch dread.

time-read
4 分  |
November - December 2024
PUT YOUR SAVINGS TO WORK
Men's Health US

PUT YOUR SAVINGS TO WORK

... with big returns, no hassle, and way less financial stress.

time-read
2 分  |
November - December 2024
THE STRESS LESS GUIDE ΀Ο MANAGING MONEY
Men's Health US

THE STRESS LESS GUIDE ΀Ο MANAGING MONEY

Don't worry: Creating a budget has nothing to do with it.

time-read
5 分  |
November - December 2024