Poorna Bell on powerlifting, grief, and finding inner strength

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and grief.

Poorna Bell is an author and journalist who is actively challenging our ingrained beliefs about mental health, loss, and strength. Bell is also a powerlifter and writes about the stereotypes and cultural barriers faced by South Asian women when it comes to sport. In this episode of History Becomes Her, Bell talks about how lifting weights helped her find inner strength after the death of her husband in 2015. Bell also discusses how she moved forward with her grief, how she came to terms with societal stigmas and stereotypes surrounding grief and being widowed, and how she feels about the term 'moving on'.

Bell's new book In Search of Silence (Simon & Schuster) tells the story of how she rebuilt her life and moved forward with her grief.

If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the Samaritans (UK) on 116 123. If you're in the U.S., text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For international resources, this list is a good place to start.

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Special thanks to Poorna Bell, Simon & Schuster, and Siren Talent Management.

Credits:

Creator and host: Rachel Thompson

Producers: Maria Dermentzi and Nikolay Nikolov

Editor: Shannon Connellan

Music: Christianne Straker

Illustration: Vicky Leta

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