In the 2nd episode of my conversation with Mikala Jamison, author of the substack Body Type and upcoming book, The Forever Project (out next summer!). We pick up where we left off discussing the the importance of curiosity over criticism, and how societal trends impact our self-perception and our ever ongoing journey towards embracing our bodies without judgment. Such a great convo, look out for more when Mikala’s book comes out this spring!

To get updates on Mikala's book publication and read her work disentangling of fads from fitness, subscribe to her substack and follow her on socials HERE

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your friends and leave us a review! Your support helps us continue these important conversations. If you enjoy this podcast and my essays please consider subscribing. The podcast costs money to produce and a lot of time to create. Your support makes it possible for these episodes to exist.

I’ve written about my own experience of learning to run here

I was recently published by Business Insider. I wrote about a moment of semi-spiral around my aging face. Read it here. p.s. the title is their edit(!)

I’ve also written about the upsides of poor mental health here-enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

For more info from my virtual fitness and wellness studio, Brooklyn Strength click ⬇️

I teach beginner strength and stability via The Self Paced Series as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness.

Want to deep dive with me on YOUR unique issues? Get the accountability that private coaching creates? Join me for virtual one-to-one sessions, we’ll move together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

If you liked this conversation please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts AND heart comment or share on this substack post! It helps spread the word and get this podcast and these wonderful conversations heard and seen.

Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks.Podcast produced by Brad at Trains Sound Studio.Illustrations by me

In this episode of Busy Body Podcast I speak with Mikala Jamison, author of the substack Body Type and upcoming book, The Forever Project (out next summer!). We discuss the both-and of caring for one's body with exercise while also being aware of the societal norms and pressures of living in a body that is policed by society to have a certain appearance or ability. What is body image? How do we engage with fitness without falling into a spiral of metrics and calorie counting? We dive deep in this conversation! Stay tuned for part 2!

To get updates on Mikala's book publication and read her work disentangling of fads from fitness, subscribe to her substack and follow her on socials HERE

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your friends and leave us a review! Your support helps us continue these important conversations. If you enjoy this podcast and my essays please consider subscribing. The podcast costs money to produce and a lot of time to create. Your support makes it possible for these episodes to exist.

I’ve written about my own experience of learning to run here

I was recently published by Business Insider. I wrote about a moment of semi-spiral around my aging face. Read it here. p.s. the title is their edit(!)

I’ve also written about the upsides of poor mental health here-enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

I teach beginner strength and stability via The Self Paced Series as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness.

Want to deep dive with me on YOUR unique issues? Get the accountability that private coaching creates? Join me for virtual one-to-one sessions, we’ll move together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

If you liked this conversation please rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts AND heart comment or share on this substack post! It helps spread the word and get this podcast and these wonderful conversations heard and seen.

Music by Rob Byrne, performed by the Wild Yaks.Podcast produced by Brad at Trains Sound Studio.Illustrations by me

I was first introduced to Cecile Simmons from her essay on being an expert on wellness misinformation and yet falling down a rabbit hole of social media fueled wellness trends even as she knew she was being duped. After that I was hooked (relatable!). We talk about the upsetting relationship between wellness, misinformation/disinformation and politics. In a world filled with conflicting information and the political agendas that shape wellness, the need for a balanced approach to health that prioritizes genuine well-being over societal pressures is even more needed.Cecile's book Ctrl Delete Hate is out now - get it HEREFind Cecile Simmons work HERE and HERE

I’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

You can still jump into the Summer Series ! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you moving together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wellness and Misinformation

02:50 The Intersection of Wellness and Political Ideologies

05:44 Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation

08:45 The Impact of Social Media on Wellness Trends

11:55 The Dangers of Tracking and Optimization

14:54 The Role of Community in Wellness

17:46 Monetization in the Wellness Industry

20:40 The Crisis of Dietary Confusion

23:35 The Influence of the Pandemic on Health Trends

26:41 The Rise of Extreme Diets

29:38 The Political Nature of Dietary Choices

32:45 The Backlash Against Contraceptive Pills

35:37 The Need for Equitable Health Solutions

37:56 The Impact of Hormonal Birth Control on Women's Health

40:48 Navigating Misinformation in Health and Wellness

42:36 Cultural Perspectives on Food and Health

46:01 The Influence of Misinformation on Dietary Choices

50:37 The Role of Community in Wellness

56:52 Men's Health and the Manosphere

01:06:11 Political Agendas in Wellness Trends

On this episode I got a real STAR! Insert name-in-lights! Sarah shares her journey from a shy kid in a small town to a contestant on America's Next Top Model (whaaat!) which launches her plus-size modeling career AND exposes her to the outrageously disturbing manipulative nature of reality TV. We discuss the impact of objectification on self-perception and the pressure of being a plus-size model despite the seemingly built-in body positive message. Plus lots of juicy - they did whaaat? from her time on ANTM.Sarah's book, You Wanna Be On Top? a memoir of makeovers, manipulation and not becoming America's Next Top Model is out July 8th!!Order her book HEREFind Sarah HERE

I’ve written about the positives of ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

You can still jump into the Summer Series BOGO 50% off is still going on!

Grab it and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist, fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you moving together, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.my offerings

02:58 From Small Town to Reality TV

05:59 Understanding Plus-Size Modeling

08:53 The Reality of Modeling and Body Image

12:00 Cultural Differences in Body Perception

15:10 Navigating Attention and Performance

17:56 The Transformation Through Comedy

21:00 The Surreal Experience of Reality TV

24:11 Manipulation in Reality TV

27:01 The Psychological Tactics of Competition

29:45 The Aftermath of Reality TV

32:56 The Journey Beyond the Show

39:09 The Early Days of Plus Size Modeling

42:00 Objectification and Body Image

46:00 The Struggle for Self-Identity

51:02 The Impact of Objectification on Self-Perception

55:47 Navigating Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

01:01:02 The Journey Towards Body Neutrality

01:10:04 Reflections on Diet Culture and Self-Worth

I read Emmeline Clein's book 'Dead Weight' last fall in a flurry of non-fiction, memoir and journalism I was reading around eating disorder and body image. Dead Weight manages to bridge all three. Our conversation explores the cultural perceptions of anorexia and bulimia, the impact of diagnosis on identity, and the importance of pleasure and vitality in context of our perception of what disordered eating is. Dead Weight is a call for solidarity among those affected by eating disorders, which is all of us, no matter our relationship to food.

Find Emmeline Clein here

and order her book, Dead Weight, here

I’ve written about ‘eating a lot’ here Guacamole Fulfillment

And how not all poor mental health is ‘bad’ - enjoy!

Curious about exercise? HATE exercise? Please check out my offerings…

The last day to get Early Bird pricing on my Summer Series is today! Grab it now and get consistent, safe, fun (!) movement on YOUR schedule all summer long.

I also teach beginner strength and stability via Kettlebells and Pilates as well as several restorative classes and workshops including Anti-Anxiety Cardio and Fascia Release™ all of which are designed to gently shift our bodies into balance without the ableist fat shaming ‘sweat is fat crying’ mentality that infects so much of mainstream fitness. I also do virtual one-to-one sessions, just me and you working out, relieving your pain, or talking about your needs and goals.

I hope you can find something here that supports you.

01:25 Introduction to Emeline Klein and 'Dead Weight'

02:52 Reframing Eating Disorders: Societal vs. Individual Pathologies

09:07 The Ghost Choir: Speaking for the Unheard

24:33 The Binary of Anorexia and Bulimia

35:18 The Impact of Labels and Diagnoses

40:30 Understanding Eating Disorders as Coping Mechanisms

45:18 The Role of Medical Professionals in Eating Disorder Awareness

49:01 The Impact of Societal Norms on Women's Eating Habits

53:49 The Dangers of Diet Culture and Weight Loss Drugs

01:00:21 Rethinking Eating Disorder Treatment Approaches

01:06:39 The Importance of Open Conversations about Eating Disorders