Instagram story viewer> @studious_and_swole> Posts

Chase

@studious_and_swole

1872

posts

10.6K

followers

7447

following

📚 The Ivy League Gymbro ▶️ Become an academic and athletic weapon with me
🤝 Mental Health and ED Recovery
🏳️‍⚧️, visible for those who can’t be

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Moment of realness: the past few weeks have been some of the hardest I’ve been through in a while both mentally and physically. I get more “you dead?” texts from friends than ones to make plans, my to-do list is never ending, I haven’t slept more than 8 hours in I don’t know how long, and it seems my body and mind will beat themselves up if nothing external does. I’m blessed with opportunities and gifts I used to pray for. I’m on my knees thanking G-d for every day, but also praying for strength to carry all the weight I need to so I may earn more blessings. The struggle and the gratitude can coexist, as can high discipline and low motivation or hard work and imperfection. What gets us to tomorrow is showing up today and giving our best, even if that may be less than we wish it was or than it is other days. That’s not weakness, that’s being human, and it is worth doing even when it’s hard 🤝❤️ —> “I’ll show up” button💾 —> “I’ll KEEP showing up button #mensmentalhealthawareness #ftmfitness #ftm #mensmentalhealth #gymtherapy by @studious_and_swole

210

81

9 months ago

I’ll take any excuse to post about Hank, but seeing him get comfortable in the gym with me was a reminder that every human deserves to feel this way - regardless of their size, experience level, gender identity and expression or sexuality. Inclusion isn’t something we should only talk about during pride month or around the new year, either.If we preach to clients, followers, ourselves that every day has potential and that showing up is key, we’re the ones with low discipline if we don’t do what we can so it’s SAFE for all to show up.Oftentimes, it’s as simple as live and let live. Someone’s identifiers, body size, what healthy habits they start with don’t dictate their worth, nor make them a threat to you. Treat them with the same respect you’d treat any neighbor, brother, sister or friend.Tap the ❤️ to give Hank a treat 🦴 Tap 💾 for more realistic fitness motivation for EVERYONE QOTD: Would you rather…..#ftmfitness #lgbtfitness #ftmtransition #ftmtrans #bodypositivity by @studious_and_swole

57

43

4 days ago

Same body, same value as a man, just different posing (or lack of posing) and lighting.It’s ok and frankly HEALTHY not to always look like you do in highlight reels and even MORE realistic that you won’t look like others’ highlight reels. A combo of digestive and mental factors led me to lose a few lbs the past few months. I was sitting at 13-15% BF by dexa and the strongest I’d ever been; now, I’m 5 lbs down, coming in at 11-13% bf and still bringing lifts up. That said, it’s not fully a flex because my energy and recovery are tanking while stress and food noise occupy my mind almost 24/7. Health and performance - especially when you consider life in AND out of the gym - are not pure aesthetics. Balance is something that looks different for everyone, that I’m still working on for me, but something we all deserve. ❤️ for more back gains - airline prices getting too high, gotta grow your own wings 🪽 💾 for a reminder to do the best YOU can.QOTD: One energy must be banished from this world. Which one can you live w/out?#ftmfitness #mensmentalhealth #naturalbodybuilding #ftmtransition #lgbtfitness by @studious_and_swole

129

58

10 days ago

The 2025 vid is actually must better quality and lighting, but the point still stands here 😂Take the picture, no matter how far you are from your goals. Don’t delete it, don’t feel ashamed. Keep pushing yourself hard, balancing your habits, recovering well and moving forward. Having multiple ways to track your progress can be a real game changer, too. Especially for those recovering from EDs or with body dysmorphia, having numbers on the scale AND numbers in the gym, pictures and videos, even how clothes fit are great ways to track progress.For example, I’m only about 10 lbs heavier than I was in that video but my 5 rep squat is up 60 lbs, I look bigger/leaner and my quads have grown by ~1.5 inches. No one number defines you, just as no “bad” or “good” meal or workout does!❤️ to avoid the post leg day pains (bc we don’t avoid leg day, but being able to walk after is nice 🤣)💾 For a reminder that WHAT YOURE DOING MATTERS! It will pay off!#ftmfitness #ftm #leanbulk #gymmotivation #ftmtransition by @studious_and_swole

77

33

16 days ago

I love my country and value my home - that’s what drives me to do what I can to protect the Constitution, which grants liberty and justice for all.There are so many causes I’d like to highlight, but here are a select few articles I found that felt urgent to share. Happy 4th, enjoy your holiday and even if you don’t understand those who differ from you, please respect them. #usa250 #civilrights #ftmtrans #protecttranskids #foodstamps by @studious_and_swole

129

22

21 days ago

The world is heavy right now for LGBTQ people. At least for me, though, appreciating how far I’ve come and seeing others enjoying that same experience helps to lighten the load.I wish with my entire being that I could do more to defend the rights of trans children, their families and their doctors, as well as do more for all trans folks with less access to gender affirming care and safety. If nothing else though, here are some moments of gender euphoria as PROOF that things do get better. When and how is less in our control than would be ideal, but possibility and love are out there. Drop a ❤️ and 💾 for the month of ❤️ for ALL ✊ #pridemonth #genderaffirming #ftmfitness #transgender #ftm by @studious_and_swole

355

46

a month ago

First off, credit to @open_barbell for this idea. He made a slides post that caught my eye last week and is such a down to earth dude, go check him out!On that note, one of the groups I’m most proud of is trans (and other LGB+) people who came before me. That pride is not for their being LGBTQ+ in itself, but for their BRAVERY in being visible, in putting their lives on the line in fighting for our rights and humanizing our stories. I’m also proud to celebrate allies to the community. So many have gone beyond recognizing how our shared humanity outweighs the importance of single identifiers, and chosen to stand up for that even though it wasn’t their liberty on the line. This week’s attacks on the WPATH guidelines for gender affirming care and attempts by the DOJ to access private medical records of transgender patients are some reminders - sadly, out of many - that the work of those before us is something we must CONTINUE. Pride month is not one to sit on laurels that are being pulled out from under us and our neighbors. Read the news (from multiple sources!), watch who you vote for and guard your neighbors 🙏🫶❤️ and 💾 to find some gold under the rainbow 🌈 #ftmfitness #pride🌈 #ftmtransgender #transman #ftmtransition by @studious_and_swole

288

58

a month ago

June is LGBTQ+ pride month. June is also men’s mental health month. Both are true, both are important.The main importance of each is the same: people should not be oppressed, nor judged in any way, for aspects of themselves that they did not choose and which don’t determine their contribution to society. No man consciously chooses to suffer from chronic depression, nor anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, nor an eating disorder. They can only choose the steps they take to manage their wellbeing - something each deserves support in doing so that they may enable themselves to realize their potential independent of their condition.The same is true for LGBTQ+ people. Nobody chooses to be gay, bi, or trans. It’s simply a fact of how one was created. A LGBTQ identifier is nothing that makes anyone good, bad, more or less capable of success and progress; rather, it’s just a reality that exists independently of one’s character and will to contribute to their communities. When choice is involved is when WE CHOOSE to stigmatize men’s mental health or restrict the access LGBT people have to life, love and their own bodily autonomy. This is what we need to stand up against ✊ ❤️ and 💾 to support and help us reach more allies!QOTD: How are you celebrating this month? Let’s get a some hype going 🤝 #transgender #ftmtransgender #pridemonth #mensmentalhealth #ftmfitness by @studious_and_swole

303

42

a month ago

I’m late to pride month. Why? Not because I think it’s unimportant or that trans people shouldn’t share their stories. If it wasn’t for Jazz Jennings sharing hers on YouTube, I wouldn’t have made it to 13 years old.Because of that, I know that if I’m going to be posting at all, I have to make time and space to share my full story and pay it forward. The reason I started this page, even though I didn’t come out until 4 years into posting, is to make ‘underdogs’ in the fitness world and in academia feel less alone; even when it’s scary to be visible, it’s something I’m committed to doing.So why am I late to pride month? A bit of genuine fear for myself and my family with the current climate, but even more so, I’ve just had a lot going on.I’ve had friends going through life changes and wanted to make extra time for them, I’m starting a new clinical research position that I’m beyond excited for, and I’m also studying for the MCAT as well as for my medical interpreter licensing exam.That all said, while being trans is FAR from the only part of my identity, the fact that I was able to transition and live as myself has made everything else possible. I never chose to be trans, but I choose to stand up and fight for others who just so happen to be LGBTQ+ to be safe despite that identifier so they can be who they are - so much more than just one label. That’s important pride month and every month, and much love to all who join me 🙏Drop a ❤️ and 💾 to support!QOTD: Are you celebrating pride month? How do you celebrate? #ftm #ftmfitness #transgender #ftmtransition #transman by @studious_and_swole

185

46

2 months ago

If your boulder starts rolling down the mountain, remember:1 - You rolled it up the mountain once, so you know you can do it as many times as it takes. 2 - Even if you’re the only one taking your path up (and down, and up again), you’re far from the only one climbing. You needn’t compare yourself; rather, be kinder to yourself, and to others in solidarity for the boulders they push.3 - The views from the mountain are nice. Take each one in, appreciate what it shows you, take a breath when you need to and move on better than you started. 4 - You’re not Sisyphus. Your routine and the work to reach your goals should be challenging; at the same time, it should not feel like a punishment for sins or inadequacy and maintaining some balance and self care (at the very least, sleeping and eating enough) is part of staying disciplined. To be transparent, this was a tough year for me. There were two unexpected trips to the hospital and 70+ hours/week in the library, many rejections. I took “failures” out on myself and pushed too hard, ending up in a fight or flight state 24/7; its done damaneg to my body, and I’m still working to reverse out of it to allow myself time for rest and fun interests.The year was far from perfect, I’m far from perfect, but I’m learning. With grades coming out, landing a data analysis internship, making a few new core memories with friends, I’m also finally starting to see the benefits of my persistence. If nothing else, keep going. If I can do it, you can too. ❤️ and 💾 for more realistic motivation to be your best in AND out of the gym 💪 QOTD: Have you been skydiving (see pic 3)? Would you go again (take me with you 🙏) ✈️ #ivyleague #universityofpennsylvania #growthmindset #ftmtransgender #ftmfitness by @studious_and_swole

175

36

2 months ago

Crazy to think year 3 at Penn is over. Better recap coming soon, but until then, we made it 🥳 Big congrats to all those who’ve graduated this year, good luck w moving, and here’s to moving towards the greater things which we’ve worked for ✊ Drop a ❤️ and 💾 for more relatebl fitness content AND tips so you can pack on gains to your life 💪 QOTD: You have to move out tomorrow, what’s the first thing you pack to take w you? #ftmfitness #gymmotivation #gymmemes #ivyleague #collegefitness by @studious_and_swole

110

26

2 months ago

Some balanced Saturday reminders with a side of serotonin:1. There are many things that can help you with your fitness, career and other goals, hut the one ESSENTIAL is your own consistency 2. Don’t sleep on getting your steps in as a form of cardio. It’s accessible, easy on the joints for my homies with autoimmune or other inflammation, and a great way to incorporate fitness and social time.3. Hank does have the right idea. Even if you’re under a time crunch with your schedule, prioritize your sleep if nothing else. 4. Dogs, are amazing. With summer and their annual DogFest coming up, make sure to check out my friends at @canineorg for more cute puppy pics and to help them train service dogs to change lives 🙌 QOTD: Do you walk with your pets?#puppylove #gymmotıvatıon #ftmfitness #eatingdisorderawareness #leanbulk by @studious_and_swole

119

51

2 months ago