Therapy Gecko – “I AM A MUSCLE MOMMY”

Podcast: Therapy Gecko
Host: Lyle (the Gecko)
Episode: “I AM A MUSCLE MOMMY”
Date: October 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Therapy Gecko centers on two main conversations: an in-depth call with Rochelle, a female strongman competitor who self-identifies as a "muscle mommy," and a lighthearted call with Elias about his ever-growing root beer collection. Through both chats, host Lyle blends his signature mix of curiosity, humor, and gentle existentialism, fostering genuine stories and engaging oddities from his callers.

Segment 1: Being a “Muscle Mommy” – Rochelle’s Strongman Life

(02:12 — 43:34)

Introduction & Rochelle’s Background

• Rochelle is a 28-year-old competitive strongwoman and engineer, passionate about strength sports for nearly a decade.
• She began powerlifting in college (2015) before moving into strongman competitions around 2021.

Quote:

“I started lifting, like, doing a powerlifting… squat, bench press, and deadlift… and then I did a lot of powerlifting meets between 2015 and about 2021.” — Rochelle (04:22)

Explaining Strongman: The Events and Culture

• Strongman is described as “bringing a weight that’s as heavy as you can from point A to point B.”
• Events include carrying a 420 lb “yoke,” pulling trucks, lifting “circus dumbbells,” Atlas stones, and “keg” over bar lifts.
• Rochelle’s gym culture is supportive and surprisingly accessible for women (who comprise a minority).

Memorable Moment:

“My profile picture on Instagram is me pulling a truck with like a flag on the back.” — Rochelle (06:12)

Evolution & Community of Strongman

• Strongman competitions have become more standardized (more deadlifts, fewer “crazy” stunts like running through drywall).
• The sport is striving to be more inclusive but has lost some “spectacle.”
• Community is key: athletes help each other out, creating camaraderie and support.

Quote:

“If you could beat the shit out of most average guys… was that important to you to find someone who is… physically, like, above your level?” — Lyle (12:19)

The Topic of Steroids in Strength Sports

• It’s common knowledge that elite level male strongmen use steroids; there are separate federations for “natural” (drug-tested) competitors.
• Rochelle stays natural by personal choice and with support of her boyfriend, another strength athlete.

Quote:

“It would make me have a deeper voice and it would give me more masculine features and probably like, lose my hair and stuff… I probably wouldn’t be happy if he took steroids either.” — Rochelle (11:31)

Navigating Identity, Body Image, and Relationships

• Rochelle talks candidly about being a muscular woman: her changing tastes in romantic partners, challenges in dating, and confidence in her “blocky” and “muscular” build.
• She’s found a niche community—and better self-acceptance—through the sport.

Notable:

“You do kind of get your pick of the litter if you are a girl who does strength sports, because… there’s not a lot of us.” — Rochelle (14:23)

Benefits of Strength Sports

• Improved sleep and mental health; less drinking and overall healthier habits.
• Strength “helps a lot with managing anxiety and emotions.”
• Her nutrition coach teaches balance: “if you’re ever in a diet where you have to cut out food… it’s not sustainable” (21:07).
• Building fitness early offers long-term health advantages, especially for women approaching menopause.

The Strongman Community & Social Life

• Women in the sport support each other; it’s a smaller but tight-knit group.
• While most interaction happens at the gym or events, Rochelle is building friendships (like climbing buddies) through sticking to regular activities, as inspired by Therapy Gecko’s advice.

Quote:

“I stand by it that you have to be regularly at a space for a year to really get comfortable and have community.” — Rochelle (17:13)

Events & Achievements

• Rochelle lifts impressive numbers for her size: deadlift of 380 lbs, squat of 260 lbs, and bench of 165 lbs (25:46–26:12).
• She aspires to compete at the international level: aiming to qualify for Worlds in August 2026 (34:39), and attending the Arnold Fitness Expo in March.

Misconceptions and Gym Advice

• Most big, “intimidating” gym goers are the friendliest and happy to offer help or “give tips.”
• People respect anyone genuinely trying, regardless of ability or appearance.

Quote:

“You never have to worry people are watching you at the gym… most people… they feel the same way.” — Rochelle (36:23)

Community & Support

• Gym friendships can be slow to develop but are rewarding.
• Lifting and being part of a gym community provide both emotional and physical support.

Social Media and Woman’s Lifting Representation

• Rochelle shares her Instagram (@rochambeau915) for those curious or wanting to connect (40:10).
• Lyle enthuses over her online lifting videos and photos, especially pulling a truck:

  “That looks terrifying. Honestly… if I tried to do this shit my back would just go be destroyed.” (41:01)

Segment 2: Elias and the Root Beer Collection

(47:02 — 66:36)

Root Beer as Life’s Hobby

• Elias is a 21-year-old root beer enthusiast who has collected over 25 different root beer bottles from his travels.
• The collection includes classics (Mug, A&W, Dad’s) and regional craft brews (Main Root, Dog n Suds, Stewart’s, Virgil’s, etc).
• He categorizes them according to his own “Mug-A&W-Barks” rating; prefers Mug for the brand mascot and flavor.

Fun Exchange:

“If you have barks and two or one, then you’re—then that’s the worst decision of your life.” — Elias (51:26)

Collector’s Philosophy & Ranking System

• Collecting root beer is more about serendipity:

  “I’m more of a fate type of guy… as soon as I walk to a store, I look in like the soda section just to see if they have one.” — Elias (63:47)

• Some bottles hold fake Lego flowers, signaling top-rated brews in his collection.

Shared Joy and Connection

• Lyle engages with real delight, reminiscing about root beer barrel candies and exploring the backstories of various brands.
• The humor and camaraderie between Lyle and Elias over root beer brands, email lists, and root beer mugs is infectious.

Quote:

“I like that you let fate bring the right root beers to you.” — Lyle (64:48)

Life Advice from a Root Beer Collector

• Encouragement to explore new things at your own pace: try the local soda section, don’t stress if you don’t find something, just “move on.”

Segment 3: Listener Emails and Existential Reflection

(72:14—87:54)

Notable Emails Read (paraphrased):

• Aphantasia: A listener describes being unable to form mental images. Lyle ponders what it means to “see” in one’s head and the quirks of human perception.
• Existential Connection: Another writes about finding kinship in oddity through the podcast.
• Autopsy Experience: A pre-med student reflects on seeing autopsies and feeling the fragility of life—an experience that ultimately reinforces their passion for medicine rather than nihilism.

Quote:

“You could easily open, look at all these dead people and have it drag you into nihilism. But it didn’t. It dragged you, quite the opposite, into being passionate about keeping people alive, you know? That’s awesome. I think that’s great.” — Lyle (76:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:12] — First contact with Rochelle; introduction to her lifting background
• [04:22] — Rochelle explains powerlifting and transition to strongman
• [08:32] — Discussing the “muscle mommy” identity and nutrition
• [10:32] — Steroids, competition levels, and “natural” federations
• [13:09] — Relationships, dating as a muscular woman
• [16:49] — Benefits of gym discipline and forming social connections
• [21:07] — Balanced approach to diet and recovery
• [25:46] — Rochelle’s personal lifting stats
• [34:39] — Plans for Worlds and the Arnold Expo
• [36:35] — Advice: Gym intimidation, misconceptions
• [43:40] — Rochelle’s Instagram & closing thoughts
• [47:02] — Switch to Elias and the root beer collection
• [53:50] — Root beer float debate
• [54:11] — Reviewing different root beer bottles and ranking system
• [65:10] — Advice to future root beer collectors
• [72:14] — Email segment: aphantasia, existentiality, and medicine

Notable Quotes

• Rochelle:
  “To be a female athlete and, like, where my focus isn’t like trying to be small and lose weight, it’s trying to build muscle and take care of myself… it’s cool.” (08:32)
  “If you’re ever in a diet where you have to cut out food, then it’s not sustainable… Moderation.” (21:07)

• Lyle:
  “You do kind of get your pick of the litter if you are a girl who does strength sports, because… there’s not a lot of us.” (14:23)
  “Most people who do fitness to the level that I do, they feel the same way” (36:23)
  “[On doing autopsies]: it didn’t make you go, we’re all bags of flesh and we don’t fucking matter. It took you deeper into your own humanity… That’s what I love about this email.” (76:57)

• Elias:
  “I’m more of a fate type of guy… as soon as I walk to a store, I look in like the soda section just to see if they have one.” (63:47)
  “If you have barks in two or one, then that’s the worst decision of your life.” (51:26)

Closing Reflections

• Lyle’s approach is equal parts affirming and playfully irreverent.
• The episode highlights the value of building community (whether in a gym or around a love of soft drinks), the power of pursuing passions outside the norm, and the emotional strength that comes from embracing one’s identity, no matter how niche.
• Rochelle’s journey as a “muscle mommy” challenges stereotypes about femininity, fitness, and community; Elias’ root beer collection is a reminder of quirky joys and the ways people cultivate meaning in daily life.

Call to Action:

• Rochelle open for DMs about lifting: Instagram @rochambeau915
• Lyle invites listeners to subscribe to his YouTube for upcoming travel content (esp. his trip to Iraq).

Geck Bless.
(See you Wednesday.)