Powerlifting for Gleeks

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 Yes, I am talking about the show Glee.

I was a bit of a Gleek from the start, but I will be the first to admit that it has mostly gone downhill since the first season. The one redeeming factor this season, though, is the addition of Coach Beiste. The character herself has been both funny and multi-dimensional. But, beyond that, the actress is quickly becoming my hero.

Before fully embracing an acting career, Dot-Marie Jones was a completely badass athlete. She was a five-time All-American at Fresno State in the shot put and discus. She finished 7th and 11th at the ‘88 and ‘92 Olympic Trials in the shot. She also won 15 world titles as a professional arm-wrestler. When she was 19, she dead-lifted 518lbs.

Dot is 6’3” and not particularly feminine looking. In fact, a friend of mine was solidly convinced up until we started doing our research this weekend that the character was played by a man. Dot, however, is clearly very comfortable in her skin. When asked how she feels about Coach Bieste’s physical appearance being used as comedy, she said “You know what? I think that’s hilarious. It serves a purpose for the message. I wasn’t offended at all. I thought it was hysterical. Maybe it will make people think outside of the show.”

In a world where there is much debate about the sexualization of female athletes, it is refreshing when a completely badass female athlete not only embraces her identity as a power athlete, but also embraces her niche as a character actress, and loves every minute of it.

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