From the moment we wake until our heads hit the pillow at night, women often shoulder invisible burdens. We carry the emotional labor of families, the pressure of careers, the weight of societal expectations, and the constant juggle of competing responsibilities. Sometimes, these metaphorical weights feel heavier than any physical burden we could bear.
As mothers, we carry the hopes and fears for our children. As professionals, we shoulder the drive to prove ourselves in workplaces that don't always recognize our worth. As caregivers, we bear the responsibility of looking after aging parents or sick family members. As we age, we face unique physical challenges - from bone density loss to hormonal changes that affect our strength and energy levels. If you’re younger, we face significantly higher rates of loneliness compared to our male peers, often struggling to build meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world. As students, we balance academic pressures with the quest for identity and belonging. These invisible loads, both emotional and physical, can leave us feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
But here's where rucking offers a powerful metaphor and solution: When we deliberately choose to carry weight on our backs in the company of others, something transformative happens. The physical weight in our packs becomes a tangible representation of our daily burdens, but unlike our usual struggles, we carry this weight by choice, with purpose, and most importantly – together.
In rucking communities, we find women who understand without explanation, who offer support without judgment, and who celebrate our strength while acknowledging our vulnerabilities. With every step, we build not just physical resilience, but emotional fortitude. The conversations shared during these weighted walks become a form of collective therapy, where stories are exchanged, advice is offered, and bonds are forged.
Perhaps the most beautiful paradox of rucking is this: by deliberately adding weight to our bodies, we often find our daily burdens feeling lighter. The strength we build – both physical and emotional – carries over into every aspect of our lives. And the community we find reminds us that while life's weights may be inevitable, we never have to carry them alone.
Jennifer Pishko, MSNE, is a leader in integrative health and community wellness. She is the Co-founder of McCoy Medical, which blends primary care with a robust education program focused on health, wellness, and fitness. Jennifer also serves as Chief Operating Officer of the CrossFit Medical Society. She holds a master’s degree in Nutrition Education with a specialization in Public Health, and certifications in adaptive training, athlete-centered trauma, and precision nutrition.
