So there I was—about three-quarters of the way up a 100-foot rock formation in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. I was tired. But more than that, I was pissed off that this one section, which I dubbed “the Crack,” was giving me so much trouble. Below, my crew of strong women was cheering me on. Above me, Savannah Cummins, an adventure photographer and expert climber, was balancing on a rope like a ninja. She was offering me tips while capturing my every move, but with fatigue and frustration setting in, it sounded more like Charlie Brown’s teacher—“whaa-whaa-whaa.”

This particular rock face was nothing like the indoor climbing walls I had practiced on back in New York; it was infinitely harder. You see, in the gym, there were defined routes marked by colors, which represent degrees of difficulty, as well as pronounced nubs you use to grab or step on. But in the outdoors, I was unable to map out a clear path. So each chalky-hand move or toe placement felt like trying to fit a piece into a challenging puzzle—and my guess was often wrong.

Knowing that I needed to make a move, I gripped a section of rock, and it peeled away like a pistachio shell. I fell a bit before feeling my rope tighten. It was then I was reminded of my mortality. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against the rock. “You can do this,” I said to myself. More important, I told myself to trust my belayer (the person on the ground charged with securing me).

Fundamentally, the art of rock climbing is about two things: overcoming physical obstacles and trusting in people. For me, the first part was no big deal. I’m not saying that using every muscle in my body to grip tiny crevices and sliding my frame along rock surfaces is easy, but I’ve run several marathons and even trekked through the Alps. Translation: I’m comfortable with physical discomfort and have taught myself how to persevere. But trusting others is tough for me. So the fact that the rope I am attached to is literally tied to the waist of another person and that is the only thing keeping me from smashing into this mountain, or worse, freefalling 100 feet? Yup, it’s my worst nightmare.

Knowing that, you may wonder what possessed me to try a sport that consists of putting my life in the hands of another person. Well, “sport climbing” is making its Olympic debut in 2020. For the most part, it’s male-dominated, and the North Face wants to change that, so it invited a group of female editors on a trip to explore the activity. Honestly, it seemed like a good idea while sitting at my cushy desk in New York City. I love athletic challenges and was into the whole female-empowerment angle. I didn’t even think about the trust aspect.

So on that rock—torn between giving up and fighting like hell to finish—I gave myself a moment to regroup…

I’m not your average exerciser. I grew up playing varsity sports (soccer, swimming, more soccer). I played on a nationally ranked rugby team in college. And I now CrossFit six days week. I have shapely arms and a strong core–yet, I hate my tush. (And I hated it even when my parents still called it my "patootie”.)

It’s the butt my relatives used as an excuse to kick me off their laps. “It’s too bony!” they'd say. The butt whose absence became even more apparent when I started strength training, the butt that’s the reason I wear long cardigans whenever I shimmy into a pair of jeans.

The truth is, the appearance of my butt is partially out of my control. “Genetics is a major component of where we store our fat and how we develop muscle, so genetics is a huge determinator of the size and shape of your butt,” physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist Grayson Wickham, founder of Movement Vault, told me when he overheard me complaining of my flat rear.

Still, I thought there must be something I could do to make my bum a little more JLo and a little less JFlat. Besides, in addition to filling out pants, there are a ton of benefits of having stronger, bigger glutes: increased metabolism, improved posture, faster running, and lifting heavier weights during my CrossFit workouts.

So when I found out my CrossFit box was starting a nine-week squat challenge with CrossFit coach Ian Berger, founder of Altrufuel and the Endure Podcast, I was in. Could my peach really be just a couple months away? I decided I would squat (and squat hard) to find out.

RELATED: 11 Celeb-Approved Workouts for a Toned, Sculpted Butt

The plan in full is below, courtesy of Berger. The TL;DR version? On Mondays we front squat, and on Wednesdays we back squat, for eight weeks. On the ninth week, we test ourselves. 

9-Week Squat Cycle

Monday

Wednesday

Front Squat

Back Squat

Week 1

5 rep max (5RM)

5 rep max (5RM)

Week 2

4 sets of 9 reps at 75% of 5RM

4 sets of 9 reps at 75% of 5RM

Week 3

5 sets of 7 reps at 80% of 5RM

5 sets of 7 reps at 80% of 5RM

Week 4

7 sets of 5 reps at 90% of 5RM

7 sets of 5 reps at 90% of 5RM

Week 5

10 sets of 3 reps at 100% of 5RM

10 sets of 3 reps at 100% of 5RM

Week 6

3 sets of 10 reps at 65% of 5RM for speed

3 sets of 10 reps at 65% of 5RM for speed

Week 7

1 set of 5 reps of 90% of 5RM

2 sets of 4 reps at 92…

Monday just got a whole lot better. American tennis star Venus Williams is launching the newest EleVen activewear collection today, and it is so good. The best part? You don't have to be even the slightest bit good at tennis to appreciate it. 

The EleVen line may have kicked off in 2012, but we are super excited for the new Starlet collection, which is being released just in time for fall. Blue hues melt into crisp winter white, mimicking the night sky as it transitions from light to dark. Romantic, right?

"When designing this collection, I was inspired by one of my favorite parts of day, right after dusk when the stars and moon first become visible, and the hues of blue settle into the dark night sky," Williams told Health. As a result, her newest fitness capsule is romance, sophistication, playfulness, and edge rolled up into one spandex look.

Shop the collection: elevenbyvenuswilliams.com

In the latest drop, you'll find everything from comfy tanks and long-sleeve tees to fierce leggings and anything-but-basic jackets. Of course, it wouldn't be a Williams line without a few nods to the sport she's most passionate about: Adorable tennis skirts and dresses? Check and check.

The pieces in the Starlet collection also have eye-catching details such as back cutouts and sexy mesh panels, and were designed for layering—so transitioning from summer to winter is easier than ever. Sport these versatile, gym-to-street pieces all day long, whether you're heading into a fitness class, grinding it out on the courts, or running errands on the weekend.

Not only is the collection fashion-forward, but it's also functional. The brand uses technology that helps you perform at the best of your ability. EleVen Ozone provides protection from UVA and UVB rays, EleVen Pro-Dri offers breathability and quick-dry performance, and UPF 50 blocks 98% of harmful ultraviolet rays. All you have to concern yourself with is unleashing your inner athlete and crushing your sweat session.

Venus Williams's EleVen Starlet collection is available to shop today at at 1p.m. EST. Don't mind us: We'll be very, very busy adding our most coveted looks into our shopping carts.