When you look in the mirror, what's the first story you tell yourself about your body? If you're like most midlife women, that internal dialogue is often rooted in criticism, comparison, and the relentless pressure to "fix" an aging body that was never broken in the first place.

In this episode of Pleasure in the Pause, host Gabriella Espinosa sits down with registered dietitian and body image coach Deb Benfield to explore how internalized ageism and diet culture keep us disconnected from our bodies—and what it takes to reclaim body trust, pleasure, and freedom in midlife and beyond.

Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT, is a Registered Dietitian, nutrition therapist, and body image coach with 40 years of experience helping people heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies. Her work sits at the intersection of anti-ageism, body liberation, and trauma-informed care—offering a radically compassionate alternative to diet and wellness culture, especially for those in midlife and beyond. After turning 60, Deb began questioning the dominant narratives around aging, vitality, and beauty, and quickly realized how many resources still centered weight loss and youthful appearance as ultimate goals. In response, she created what she couldn’t find: a framework for nourishing the body that honors inner wisdom, prioritizes vitality, and embraces the full spectrum of aging. She’s the author of Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body, and she offers individual and group coaching to help her clients age unapologetically—on their own terms.

Highlights from our discussion include:

• Understanding Your Body Story
• Your Body Is Your Life Partner, Not Your Life's Project
• Internalized Ageism Keeps You Stuck
• Diet Culture Fuels Hypervigilance, Not Health
• Rebuilding Body Trust Through Embodiment
• Redefining Intimacy and Pleasure in Midlife
• GLP-1 Medications: A Complex Decision
• Permission to Stop Apologizing

What if you stopped treating your body like a problem to solve and started honoring it as the life partner it's always been?

This episode is an invitation home—to your body, your pleasure, and your power. If you're ready to step off the diet culture rollercoaster and into a more compassionate, embodied way of living, Deb Benfield's Unapologetic Aging is the companion you need.

CONNECT WITH DEB BENFIELD:

Website: https://www.debrabenfield.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agingbodyliberation/

Substack: https://substack.com/@debbenfield1

CONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:

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Work with Gabriella!

Full episodes on YouTube.

The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.