You Need More Than Muscles To Be Strong

Written by Raquel Renda, Fitness & Wellness Expert, Mind and Muscle Advocate Dedicated to Helping Women Unleash Their Strength and Embrace Their Potential
Photography by Paul Buceta
Hair & Makeup by Monica Kalra

A series dedicated to helping women design a life of longevity and resilience.

True strength goes deeper than muscles. It’s about the connective tissue that holds you together, the fluid systems that cleanse and refresh your body, and that powerful mind-body connection that keeps you going when life gets tough. So, let’s flip the script on what strength means. It’s not just about lifting heavier weights or running faster miles. Real strength is about moving better, healing faster, and thriving in every part of your life.

Muscles: The Starting Point

Muscles are, obviously, the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about strength—they’re the powerhouse. They get you up the stairs, help you carry your groceries, and let you crush everything from workouts to everyday chores. But here’s the thing: strength isn’t just about how much you can bench.

Real strength is about functional movement—where your muscles, joints, and brain team up to keep you balanced, stable, and unstoppable. It’s what lets you chase after your kids (or your dog), lift that extra bag of groceries, or own the dance floor at a wedding without pulling a muscle. So muscles are important—but they’re just the beginning.

Fascia: Your Body’s Quiet MVP

Okay, let’s talk about fascia. (Wait, what’s fascia? Exactly!) This is your body’s unsung hero—a web of connective tissue that wraps around your muscles, bones, and organs, holding everything together like shrink wrap.

When it’s healthy, fascia lets you move fluidly and freely. But when it’s tight or neglected, you feel stiff, sore, and a little… stuck. Ever sit at your desk too long and feel like you’ve aged 20 years when you stand up? That’s your fascia asking for attention.

I used to blame my muscles when my workouts felt off and I hit plateaus. But it turned out, my fascia was the real problem. Tight fascia was limiting my range of motion and stopping my muscles from working at their best. Once I started foam rolling, stretching, and getting fascia release therapy, I felt like a whole new person. Suddenly, my body moved the way it was meant to. I was moving more fluidly and freely and I felt stronger than ever.

Pro Tip: Treat your fascia with some TLC. Hydrate, stretch, and foam roll like it’s your job. Your body will thank you for it.

Lymphatic Flow: Your Cleanup Crew

Here’s a little secret: your lymphatic system is a big deal. Think of it as the body’s cleanup crew, flushing out waste, toxins, and excess fluid. But here’s the catch—it doesn’t have a pump like your heart. It relies on movement to get the job done.

For years, I felt sluggish and bloated, like I was dragging around an invisible weight. Turns out, my lymphatic system was stagnant. (Who knew that could happen?) Once I learned how to care for it—using techniques like Dr. Perry Nickelston’s BIG 6™ Reset—I finally felt lighter, more energized, and more me.

Getting your lymphatic system moving is surprisingly simple. Walk, bounce on a rebounder, or do some deep breathing. It’s like unclogging a drain for your body, and trust me, it makes a world of difference. Small actions, big impact!

Mind-Body Connection: The Magic-Maker

Let’s be real: you can have killer muscles, perfect fascia, and an A+ lymphatic system, but if your mind isn’t in the game, you’ll feel stuck. The mind-body connection ties it all together, shaping how you respond to stress, adapt to challenges, and amplify your physical efforts. Your body and mind are a team, and when they’re in sync, amazing things happen. 

Ever notice how stress makes your shoulders creep up to your ears or how a workout clears your head? That’s the mind-body connection in action. The more you tune in and listen to your body, the stronger—and freer—you’ll feel.

For me, this was a game-changer. I didn’t even realize how much emotional baggage I was holding onto until I started letting it go—through mindful movement, breathwork, and just paying attention to my body. The clarity and freedom I gained were incredible.

Putting It All Together: Designing Strength That Lasts

Building strength isn’t just about following a workout plan or ticking boxes on a checklist. It’s about creating a system that works for you—one that blends muscle building with fascia care, lymphatic flow, and mental clarity.

Imagine this: you start with resistance training, spend a few minutes foam rolling, and finish with a lymph-focused reset and mindful meditation. Simple, right? But together, these small steps create a powerhouse of strength that energizes your body and clears your mind.

It’s about feeling powerful, resilient, and ready for whatever life throws at you

Your workouts don’t just build muscle—they build you. This kind of strength is about so much more than looking good or hitting a goal. It’s about feeling powerful, resilient, and ready for whatever life throws at you. It’s about designing a wellness plan that makes you come alive.

Next time you step into a workout—or even consider skipping one—remind yourself of this: you’re not just building muscle. You’re nurturing the fascia that supports you, the lymph that cleanses you, and the mind that keeps you moving forward.

True strength isn’t something you do. It’s something you become. And you, my friend, are capable of so much more than you think!