Jan Todd: The Iron Pioneer That Changed Strength Forever

Ever wonder who REALLY broke the mold in women's strength training?

While everyone's talking about today's female lifters, there's one name you need to know...

Jan Todd - the woman who literally rewrote what was possible when everyone said "NO."

In 1975, when women were still being told lifting would make them "bulky" and "unfeminine," Jan Todd didn't just enter a powerlifting competition...

She DOMINATED it.

This wasn't just any achievement.

This was a woman deadlifting 545 pounds when most gyms wouldn't even let women NEAR the free weights section!

But here's what most people don't know...

Jan was also a brilliant academic.

While crushing records, she was simultaneously earning her PhD, researching the history of women's exercise, and basically creating an entire academic field from scratch.

Talk about multitasking!

And get this - her husband Terry was her coach.

The same guy who held the title of "Strongest Man in the World."

They were the ultimate power couple!

But it wasn't easy.

Jan faced ridicule, sexism, and outright hostility.

Magazines refused to publish her achievements.

Competition organisers tried to exclude her.

Sound familiar?

How many times have YOU been told your approach is "wrong"?

How often have you heard that you "don't belong" in your space?

Let's get REAL for a second.

Every coach who's trying to do something different faces resistance.

The industry has its comfortable patterns, and breaking them takes the same kind of courage Jan showed.

Here's what we can learn from her journey:

Your critics are not your judges

When Jan was told women shouldn't lift, she didn't argue - she just lifted MORE.

Your results will always speak louder than your critics.

Documentation creates legitimacy

Jan didn't just lift - she studied, wrote, and created academic backing for women's strength.

Her PhD research gave credibility to what she was physically proving in the gym.

What are YOU documenting in your coaching journey?

Today, at 70+ years old, Jan is STILL teaching at the University of Texas, still involved in strength sports, and still breaking barriers.

She didn't wait for permission to change the world.

And neither should you.

Next time you feel like you're pushing against the entire industry, remember Jan Todd. Remember that the most meaningful changes always face the most resistance.

You don't need to fit into the existing coaching mold.

You need to create your OWN.

What's one small way you can challenge the status quo in your coaching THIS WEEK?

You got this!

Cheers!

Paul