From the very beginning, I found myself reacting out loud while reading — thinking oh no, don’t do that or this is going to end in tears. I could see the mistakes coming, almost predict what might go wrong. And that, actually, is one of the great joys of reading adventure books. Mistakes happen. Errors are made. Plans unravel. The real story lies in how those challenges are faced and overcome.

The book features in-depth conversations with researchers across biology, physiology, and sports science, alongside powerful stories from athletes, firefighters, and even wood choppers. Together, they systematically dismantle outdated ideas about women’s bodies. Ideas that should be outdated — but often aren’t.