What does it mean to chase your dreams when the odds are stacked against you? Swolemates delves into this question with wit, vulnerability, and a touch of heartwarming humor. The webtoon’s blend of emotional storytelling and gym-centric camaraderie has been a captivating journey. Swolemates Chapter 11-20 elevate the stakes, bringing emotional revelations and moments of growth for Alex, Braydin, and their budding connection. Let’s dive into these chapters, where self-doubt clashes with resilience and characters evolve in unexpected ways.
Swolemates Chapter 11: Nervous Beginnings
In Swolemates Chapter 11, Alex is filled with nervous anticipation as her gaming trials approach, leaving only one hour to prepare. Overwhelmed, she tries to calm herself when a knock on the door reveals Danny, who has come to support her. Danny brings food to ease Alex’s nerves and reassure her. Alex explains that the trials are for Team Ssolid, one of the top 30 gaming teams in the world. Every year, the team holds an 8-month circuit, and she is vying for one of the five spots on the final roster, competing against nine other hopefuls. Tonight, they’ll play games under the supervision of Chris, the team manager, who will decide the final roster.
Danny, showing her determination to help, offers Alex performance-enhancing drugs, which she firmly declines. She receives a text from Chris stating that the game invites will be sent soon, signaling her to get ready. She dives into her game, her focus shifting entirely.
The scene transitions to Danny leaving Alex’s building and running into Braydin. She explains that she came to wish Alex luck in her trials and asks Braydin how their project went. He admits he did most of the work and mentions that he upset Alex at the end. He recalls making a dismissive comment about the gym, which Alex didn’t take well, giving him a harsh look. While He often teases Alex, this interaction feels different and bothers him. Danny responds, explaining that the gym holds deep significance for Alex. It was a lifeline during tough times. Swolemates Chapter 11 concludes on this reflective note.
Chapter 12: Self-Doubt Takes Center Stage
Swolemates Chapter 12 begins with Alex nervously starting her tryout for the team. She’s introduced to her fellow players and takes her position in the game, determined to make a strong impression. However, as the game progresses, Alex begins to falter. Her confidence dwindles with each mistake, and self-doubt clouds her mind. Her inner monologue reveals a swirl of negative thoughts, overwhelming her ability to focus.
Unable to regain her composure, Alex abruptly leaves the game, her frustration and anxiety getting the better of her. She retreats to her room, but the suffocating thoughts follow her. She finds herself at the gym—a familiar and comforting place—seeking solace in the quiet atmosphere. Alex moves to a secluded corner, overwhelmed, and sits there in silence, trying to process her feelings.
While she’s lost in thought, Braydin unexpectedly enters the gym, looking for his bag. His cheerful demeanor contrasts with Alex’s somber mood. Scanning the gym, he notices Alex sitting in the corner, clearly distressed. The Swolemates Chapter 12 ends with Braydin catching sight of her, setting the stage for a heartfelt moment of connection in the next installment.
Swolemates Chapter 13: Vulnerability and Connection
The Swolemates Chapter 13 begins with Braydin confronting Alex about why she’s at the gym instead of attending her tryouts. Braydin quickly notices Alex is crying, and she reveals her feelings of despair. Alex confesses that she feels she deserves the negativity she experiences, as all her hard work in the gym feels futile. She laments that no matter how much effort she puts in, nothing seems to change—she still feels weak and pathetic. Despite her attempts to shed her self-perceived loser identity, everything feels pointless, leaving her overwhelmed and defeated.
Braydin starts recalling what Danny once told him about Alex’s past. In high school, Alex was shy, overweight, and often bullied. She struggled with a difficult home life and spent much of her time at Danny’s house. As high school progressed, things worsened for Alex. Around this time, the new game League of Legends became immensely popular, even among non-gamers. Alex discovered she had an incredible natural talent for the game.
Danny used to watch Alex dominate matches, finding joy in her newfound skill. Gaming helped Alex make friends, gain popularity, and even join the high school gaming club. She became one of the best players in the country, a shining accomplishment that led to an invitation from a professional e-sports team for tryouts three years ago. However, when news of her e-sports achievements spread in high school, things took a dark turn. The Swolemates Chapter 13 ends on this note, leaving Braydin to reflect on Alex’s past struggles.
Chapter 14: A Glimpse Into the Past
The Swolemates Chapter 14 begins with Danny recounting Alex’s struggles during high school, starting with how her esports prospects initially brought excitement but quickly turned sour. Word of her success spread, leading to jealousy and bullying from her peers. As the bullying worsened, Alex withdrew into gaming, skipping classes and letting her grades and appearance slip.
Despite her dedication to earning her a spot on a professional team, she remained unhappy. Danny recalls how Alex was nervous and self-doubting even on the day of her first professional match. The harassment from the crowd during the game proved too much, and Alex abandoned her team mid-match, causing them to lose.
Danny tried to console Alex, encouraging her to ignore the haters and be confident, but Alex lashed out, saying it was easy for Danny to say as she was popular and well-liked—something Alex didn’t feel. Afterward, Alex spiraled into a dark place, skipping school, staying in bed, and becoming an internet meme.
Months later, Alex apologized to Danny for her outburst, admitting she felt ashamed for letting others’ words affect her. She confessed to using gaming as an escape and feeling unhappy with herself. Alex expressed a desire to improve, saying she wanted to study, make friends, get healthy, and even try dating.
The flashback ends with Danny telling Braydin that Alex eventually graduated high school, applied for college, and worked hard to meet her fitness goals. While Alex made significant progress, Danny admits Alex still struggles with self-doubt and loneliness. The scene shifts back to the gym, where Alex tells Braydin she feels like she hasn’t changed and is still weak. Braydin surprises her by saying “weak” is the last word he would use to describe her, ending Swolemates Chapter 14 on a heartwarming note.
Swolemates Chapter 15: Strength Redefined
The Swolemates Chapter 15 begins with Braydin confronting Alex, admitting that he misjudged her when they first met. He confesses that he initially saw her as weak, scared, and lacking confidence. However, the Alex he has come to know is nothing like that. He describes her as brash, outspoken, tough, prideful—borderline obnoxious—someone who confidently holds her ground and even stands up to someone like him. Braydin expresses his surprise that someone with her strength could let a few haters affect her. He concludes by saying he doesn’t feel like being at the gym anymore and leaves, leaving Alex deep in thought.
As Braydin walks away, Alex reflects on a flashback of the hate comments Braydin often receives on his videos. Despite the negativity, he handles them effortlessly, banning and blocking the haters without letting them get to him. She wonders how Braydin manages to stay so mentally strong, never letting anything bring him down, and questions whether he’s truly that much stronger than her. Inspired by his resilience, Alex realizes that she cannot allow negativity to derail her dreams.
Determined, Alex resolves to stop running from her challenges. She acknowledges that she has changed, even if only slightly, and refuses to lose her dream over a few worthless opinions. She heads back home to rejoin her team, making a humorous excuse about having explosive diarrhea to explain her absence. The team is thrilled to see her return, reassuring her that she isn’t too late. The Swolemates Chapter 15 ends on a triumphant note as Alex embraces her determination and camaraderie, setting the stage for the next steps in her journey.
Chapter 16: A New Resolve
The Swolemates Chapter 16 begins with Alex working out in the game, reflecting on her recent achievements. She’s thrilled with her progress—her bench max has increased to 195, her squat to 295, and her deadlift to 315. For the first time, Alex feels like she has truly achieved her dream body: toned arms, thick muscular thighs, and even a six-pack when she flexes.
She feels stronger and prouder than ever, but her thoughts take a turn. She questions why she needed Braydin to motivate her. Did she misinterpret his words, or was he genuinely trying to help her believe in herself? Alex wonders if Braydin has faced similar struggles despite his confident and popular demeanor.
Determined to rely on her confidence moving forward, Alex resolves to maintain a positive self-image and face any future challenges head-on. If she makes the team, she’ll have to deal with fans, haters, and even her old team’s reactions. Still, Alex feels like a stronger, new version of herself—“Double Ascended Alex.” Yet, she remains curious about Braydin. Why did he choose to encourage her instead of putting her down? Could she learn from his apparent confidence?
As Alex walks home, she spots Braydin leaving a building and hides, unsure of what to say. When he notices her, he jokingly asks if she left sweat on the gym machines again, and they exchange playful banter. Gathering her courage, Alex thanks him for his words the other day. Braydin brushes it off, denying any intention to help. Frustrated but intrigued, Alex concludes there are two sides to Braydin: the cocky jerk and a deeper, real person. The Swolemates Chapter 16 ends with Alex set on unraveling the mystery of his true self.
Chapter 17: Progress and Reflection
Swolemates Chapter 17 begins with Danny and Alex chatting about Alex’s attempt to try out for something in college. Their conversation is interrupted when Shaye, Danny’s dormmate, arrives. Shaye humorously scolds Danny, pointing out that leaving her alone for just five minutes led her to start convincing people to buy lottery tickets. Alex, curious, asks who Shaye is, prompting Shaye to introduce herself as Danny’s dormmate. Danny admits she had planned to introduce Alex and Shaye but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. The three head to their classes. On the way, Shaye and Alex bond over teasing Danny about her shopaholic tendencies.
As they walk, Alex spots Braydin, a handsome guy she secretly has a crush on. Danny immediately tells Shaye about Alex’s crush, much to Alex’s embarrassment, though Alex denies it. Despite her protests, Shaye and Danny remain unconvinced, especially as they notice all the girls swooning over Braydin.
Suddenly, Lucas, a rising influencer, appears and instantly causes a commotion among the girls. However, Alex, Danny, and Shaye seem unimpressed by his presence. To everyone’s surprise, Lucas walks past the crowd and approaches Alex directly. He reveals that he has been searching everywhere for her, leaving Alex stunned as Swolemates Chapter 17 ends on this intriguing note.
Chapter 18: Overcoming Hurdles
The Swolemates Chapter 18 begins with Lucas approaching Alex, confessing that he’s been searching for her for a week. He recalls three specific instances that caught his attention: first, he saw her helping a teacher lift heavy boxes into a cabinet and was mesmerized by her strength. Second, he witnessed her helping a crying student by effortlessly lifting her off the floor and guiding her to class. Lastly, just that morning, he saw her muscles as she reached for free cake, and his admiration reached its peak.
Lucas then confronts Alex, claiming she might fool others, but he knows she’s secretly jacked underneath her clothes. Alex admits it and even shows off her abs, leaving Lucas mesmerized again. Without hesitation, Lucas asks Alex out, declaring that if the date doesn’t work out, he’ll be her servant. He even offers to let her use him as she sees fit, shocking the other girls around them. Alex, however, thinks Lucas is nuts.
Lucas continues with his over-the-top proposal, requesting Alex to crush his head with her thighs as her servant. This prompts Danny and Shaye to step in, kicking and berating him for being a creep. Alex tells Lucas that she wouldn’t date someone just because they like her muscles. However, she admits she doesn’t mind if someone thinks muscles are cool, which encourages Lucas.
Danny steps in again, pointing out that Alex wouldn’t date someone skinny, implying Lucas isn’t her type. Lucas boldly challenges Alex to prove his strength, promising to win her over. Alex, visibly annoyed, compares him to another poser, Braydin, and accepts the challenge. The Swolemates Chapter 18 ends with tension building between the two, setting the stage for a showdown.
Swolemates Chapter 19: Bonds Strengthened
Swolemates Chapter 19 kicks off with Alex being unexpectedly challenged by Lucas to an arm-wrestling match. To avoid the bustling crowd, they find a quiet spot, and the three girls—Alex, Danny, and Sam—are visibly thrilled about the showdown. As Lucas rolls up his sleeves, revealing his muscular physique, Alex starts feeling nervous. Danny, however, cheers her on, pushing Alex to accept the challenge.
The match begins, and despite Alex giving her best effort, Lucas easily wins, showcasing his strength. With a confident but playful demeanor, Lucas declares that Alex now owes him a date. However, before leaving, he quickly reassures her, saying she shouldn’t feel pressured into doing anything she doesn’t want to.
Lucas emphasizes that he’s simply happy to meet another gym enthusiast like her. Still, he leaves the door open, mentioning that the date offer stands if she’s interested. Alternatively, he suggests they could work out together at the gym sometime, as he’d love to have her as a lifting partner.
Alex, still processing the encounter, replies with curiosity, wondering what’s so special about dating a “gym girl” anyway. Lucas enthusiastically explains that as someone who lives and breathes fitness, he values the supportive, uplifting community that comes with it. He even shares that he has a ClickClock channel where he spreads the joy of lifting and motivates others to achieve their health and fitness goals. Impressed by his passion, Alex admits that his work sounds cool and promises to check out his channel.
Lucas then reveals the most important reason he wants to date a fellow gym enthusiast: he’s searching for his “swolemate.” The Swolemates Chapter 19 concludes on this lighthearted yet meaningful note, leaving readers excited for what’s next.
Chapter 20: A Triumphant Note
Swolemates Chapter 20 begins with Alex confronting Lucas, asking him what he meant by “swolemate.” Lucas passionately explains that a swolemate is the ultimate gym partner—someone to build strong, healthy lives together, support each other through tough workouts, create high-protein meals, and look amazing together in social media pictures. Alex, slightly charmed, admits it doesn’t sound so bad. Lucas casually replies that she knows how to reach him and departs, leaving Alex reflecting on how every guy she meets seems to run away.
The scene shifts to Alex and Danny walking home. Their conversation takes a positive turn when Alex receives a call from Chris, who excitedly informs her that she has been officially signed to the team for six months. Her first match is just a month away. Danny teases her, asking if this means she’s about to get rich.
Alex clarifies that it’s not guaranteed, but she’s thrilled to keep her scholarship and is eager to play. However, her excitement wanes as Chris mentions an upcoming team interview and photoshoot. Nervous about facing the people she previously embarrassed herself in front of, Alex worries aloud. Danny reassures her, saying the future can wait—this weekend, they’ll celebrate instead.
Alex hesitantly asks Danny to help her shop for better clothes, which delights Danny. Overjoyed that Alex is recognizing her fashion sense, Danny promises to make Alex’s new look part of the celebration.
As Alex heads to her room, she encounters Braydin, who reveals he saw her with Lucas earlier. Before she can respond, Braydin nervously tells her there’s something important he needs to confess. The Swolemates Chapter 20 ends on this suspenseful note, leaving readers eager to know what Braydin’s confession might be.
Personal Reflection
Swolemates continues to shine with its heartfelt storytelling and well-rounded characters. Swolemates Chapter 11-20 offer a perfect blend of emotional depth, character development, and moments of triumph that leave readers eager for more. If you haven’t started reading Swolemates yet, now is the perfect time to dive in and join Alex on her journey of self-discovery and resilience. What were your favorite moments from these chapters? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more reviews and insights into this captivating webtoon!