On the verge of turning forty, mom of two Alyssa Ages has one item left on her fitness bucket list: to pull an eighteen-wheeler with her bare hands. To understand why she's so compelled by this goal and what it might mean to finally achieve it, Ages goes on an immersive journey into the world of strongman. She hoists kegs and lifts boulders alongside these superhuman athletes, and meets with sports psychologists, coaches, and scientists to understand how the pursuit and possession of strength can permeate every aspect of our lives, from building resilience and confidence, to finding joy in pain, to teaching us to handle adversity. Everyone wants to know they can do the impossible; few of us will ever try. Part personal narrative, part research mission, part chronicle of a midlife crisis, Secrets of Giants uncovers why physical strength matters, and how it teaches us that we're capable of more than we think.
