– There were lots of machines, but the only thing I knew how to do were biceps curls, she says, laughing.
The laughter is loud and often spills out.
– So I sat there, it’s just up and down. You can’t do much wrong. Maybe that’s why my arms have developed a bit more than anything else.
Melinda Lindmark’s arms have helped her reach an audience of millions on social media. In the self-designed tank top, she shows off her biceps.
– People come forward who want to break their arm, ask “can I feel?”.
The first time she stepped into a gym, she was a teenager (“an insecure 14-year-old”).
Strength training became her thing. She decided to compete in bodybuilding and finished second in her first competition.
– But it is difficult in Sweden. You compete, but it’s not like you can live on it. It’s more for the fun challenge.
Melinda finished second in her first competition in bodybuilding.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
She started working out as a teenager.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
The fun challenge had to be put aside when she became a mother.
At the same time, her Instagram grew.
– When I got 100,000 followers on Instagram, I felt that “no, I’ll invest in this and see where it goes”. If I hire a photographer for two hours a week, maybe you can get better pictures, people want to see when you exercise. It was appreciated, it started to grow and when there are more people watching one, you are tagged to continue.
Audience of millions: “It’s fun when people are supported”
A year and a half later, she has a million followers.
What happened?
– I’m that strong girl who maybe doesn’t look like everyone else, maybe it’s a bit refreshing that people think “God what is this?”. I guess that’s a lot, it’s not something people see every day.
At the gym in Västerås, she presses the weights up in the air and beads of sweat begin to form on her upper lip.
On a normal day, she leaves her son at preschool and then goes here.
– The feeling when you lift heavy afterwards is really awesome.
Comments on social media don’t bother Melinda.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
However, she admits that she has become more self-aware with her profession.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
Many also comment and say that her muscles are not “real”.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
The photographer who works for the 27-year-old constantly follows her movements.
– It’s a very superficial industry, unfortunately that’s how it is. People judge you for how you look, that’s all, she notes.
How does it affect you psychologically?
– Sometimes I can get stressed about little things that, if I had had another job, I wouldn’t have cared about in the same way. Like I have a pimple on my forehead, no damn I wouldn’t care if I was working on something else.
– You become a little more self-aware.
But comments on social media don’t bother her.
– Those who dare to say something you notice are very supportive, “what is that girl doing? That is not right”. But I think it’s a bit funny that they are also supported, they are welcome to be, she says.
– My God, it’s great fun and awesome that more and more girls dare to take on and lift heavy at the gym.
Accused of using anabolic steroids
Another comment is recurring: that her muscles are not natural, that she has taken anabolic steroids.
– On social media it is every day. Even if I answer one person, there will still be 20 others in an hour, that’s a lot. You can’t convince people, they will believe what they believe anyway. Therefore, I try not to focus on it.
Melinda Lindmark says she has never taken anything that is not allowed. That many years of training are behind her physical.
Can you understand that people suspect that you doped?
– Yes, yes. It’s so common for people to take something and people may not know my story either. But I’m trying to say that it goes without, if you practice any sport for so many years, it’s clear that something happens. Starting early also helps. And then I’ve always been involved in sports, my parents have a bit more muscle, I think some people have it easier genetically. Even if it sounds like a really boring answer.
Is it a difficult accusation to receive?
– Yes, I can think so sometimes. When people diminish it, “look at her, ugh. It’s just because she takes a lot of steroids”.
– But I shake it off. I would have found it difficult if there were people close to me, if it was family or friends who would start to doubt.
Acquired Onlyfans: “Lots of prejudice”
Today, Lindmark has resigned from his job at an optician, has two employees and is in the starting pits with his own clothing brand.
The next project is to invest more in Youtube.
Photo: VERONICA KINDBLAD / VERONICA KINDBLAD
She notes that she can make a good living on her platforms.
One of the platforms is Onlyfans. There, subscribers pay to take part in exclusive content.
Onlyfans is a controversial platform used in the porn industry.
– It is clear that you encounter a lot of prejudice. But if someone close to you is wondering, I can show you, it’s just a supplement to my other social media for those who want to see more. If I post a clip on Instagram that’s ten seconds, I’ll post the one that’s three minutes there.
Melinda Lindmark says she chose between getting Onlyfans and the subscription service Patreon to be able to charge for content she would otherwise have posted for free on Instagram.
And as the followers on Instagram grew, so did her Onlyfans.
– If you are afraid that people will believe otherwise, then maybe you should not get it.
“Insecure men who think it’s terrible”
The short clips from the gym feed the algorithm on Tiktok and the followers come from all over the world.
But few know that the fit girl who lifts heavy is also planning her son’s fourth birthday party.
– This has helped me immensely. It was started when I separated from my son’s father, it helped me get a loan and be able to live here. I never thought I could live on this, I’m so grateful.
Melinda Lindmark lets out another loud laugh.
– When I started working out, I ran into the toilet and drank my protein shakes because I was ashamed. It wasn’t cool to be in fitness, now you have to go there with your Nocco.
– Back then it wasn’t a trend. Now only insecure men think it’s terrible, that’s it.
