Episode 110

On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters with Bonnie Tsui

Published on: 22nd April, 2025

Episode 110. In this conversation, Kate sits down with author Bonnie Tsui to talk about her new book On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters. This episode explores themes of strength, resilience, and the interplay between the physical and the philosophical. Kate and Bonnie have a wide ranging discussion that spans the metaphor and biology of muscle, how death brings us into the present, and the joy found in movement and play. They touch on how strength is also about what moves us, not just physically, but socially, touching on the importance of collective movement and community resilience. It’s an exploration into how physical activities can foster connection and healing. They also delve into the science behind movement, the significance of finding connection in everyday life, and the power of incremental change in personal strength. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted discussion about whales, joy, and the connections we share with nature.

Find Bonnie: 

Instagram: @bonnietsui8

Website

On Muscle: The Stuff that Moves Us and Why It Matters

Sarah and the Big Wave

Why We Swim

American Chinatown

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Best of Movement Focused Episodes:

Episode 94: An Ecology of Movement with Katy Bowman 

Episode 109: We Can Pick Up and Carry Heavy Loads: Exploring Movement in Context with Kate Kavanaugh

Episode 64: One Foot in Front of the Other with Kate Kavanaugh

Episode 77: Our Relationship to Resources with Kate Kavanaugh

Episode 54: Staying Human is the Greatest Skill with Daniel Vitalis

Episode 22: Building Strength from the Inside Out with Ashleigh VanHouten

Episode 2: The Strenuous Life with Ed Roberson

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About the Podcast

Mind, Body, and Soil
Where the health of land and the health of bodies and communities meet.
Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I'm digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!

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Kate Kavanaugh