The Midlife Core Crisis

Why Everything You Know About Abs is Wrong

We need to talk about the lies we've been sold about our cores—especially those of us navigating the beautiful chaos of our 30s, 40s, and beyond.

I'm listening to a friend tell me about her daily ab crunch routine. All I can imagine is her neck straining with her breath held like she's underwater. She's been doing this same routine for months, frustrated that her "core strength" isn't translating to picking up her toddler without back pain or carrying groceries without that familiar ache.

This is what I call the Midlife Core Crisis—the moment when we realize that the fitness industry has been selling us a fantasy wrapped in a six-pack promise.