Inspired by LinkedIn’s often meme-able “What a random life event taught me about B2B Sales”, I came up with some fun similarities between lifting and working in web development. I’m currently training for the Big Gay Oly Competition! A Fitness Theatre show supporting Bryony House: Helping those and their children escape intimate partner violence. (Happening September 26th, 2025! Tickets on Eventbrite and more information ) 

Iterative Testing

Dev: Make a small change with the styles, refresh the page. 

Lifting: Try a lift, change the weight, try it again. 

Sometimes you’ll be able to consider all the different variables and execute perfectly the first time, but it’s likely you won’t. Just like every browser is different, every day with our bodies is different. And web browsers might not need warming up like a body does, but our brains certainly do. 

Rest is Important

Dev & Lifting: I came back to my problem after a night’s sleep and got it right away!

There are many devs out there who have a story of struggling on a problem for hours, just to step away for a few hours or a night and fix it within 10 minutes. I’ve definitely had the same happen with different barbell lifts, or when I was training aerial circus. 

External Help is OK

Dev: Ou, a recommended Authentication framework I can use that is made by people who specialize in this? Don’t mind if I do! 

Lifting: Hook grip tape can help my hands during heavy lifting? Yay!

Using existing libraries and existing code snippets is a great way to fill in some gaps if you don’t have the time or skill to build those parts. There are different tools we can use in lifting to help our bodies and assist with the wear and tear – such as lifting belts or hook grip tape. Neither are cheating, but do have to be used intentionally and with care. 

Feedback Loop

Dev: I just took this design or idea and created something from nothing. 

Lifting: Being able to throw this weight overhead is exhilarating!!

It’s been my experience that a surprising amount of developers are drawn towards intense hobbies like Crossfit or aerial circus. My theory is they have a similar feedback loop of “do a thing – get result”. While doing front end web development it’s very quick to see a website come together. With lifting, especially at the beginning it’s fun to see numbers start to increase or have things start to feel easier. 

In a time where domestic abuse is an epidemic in Nova Scotia, and the world is more volatile for our queer and trans friends, it’s important to support these initiative when possible. I spent a good portion of my University years involved in the Dal Women in Tech Society so it feels good to get back to those roots with events like this. 
I’m incredibly proud of my friend Rin for helping bring this event to life and getting so much of the community on board. They’ve also done other fundraising events such as the Roweokeathon for Out of the Cold Halifax. <3