On Tuesday, The Globe and Mail published a story about longtime coxswain of the Canadian women’s rowing team—56-year-old Lesley Thompson-Willie.  The angle of the Globe article was essentially to glorify Thompson because of her age—to emphasize that age is just a number—and to inspire people to realize age doesn’t need to slow you down. 56-year-old Thompson has had a stronghold on the coxswain position in Canada since 1980. “I think it’s redefining to our society that we can keep going, as long as we’re active,” said Thompson in the article. What a lovely message, right? Maybe. But maybe not. When I read the story, I couldn’t help but grow a bit perturbed—angry, even. I couldn’t help but think: 'C’mon woman,...

“Isn’t that why you do CrossFit?” asked the other. “So you don’t need men to carry heavy shit for you?”

It’s true: I like being strong. I enjoy being able to carry 8 bags of groceries up 10 flights of stairs. And I enjoy being a useful human being on moving day.