What if this is the summer of your life—and you’re missing it?

 

If you’ve ever said no to the pool, the beach, the boat, or the group photo because of how you think you look, this episode is your wake-up call. It’s time to get in the bathing suit. Get in the picture. Get in the moment. This summer is happening right now, and your body, just as it is, is already invited.

 

Ashley Moser joins us for a powerful conversation about what it really means to feel good in your body. Together, we unpack where our body shame comes from, how to challenge automatic critical thoughts, and why shrinking your body won’t expand your life—but showing up will.

 

Ashley Moser is a licensed therapist with The Renfrew Center and owner of Next Steps Counseling & Consulting, where she helps people heal their relationship with food, body, and self.

 

Resources mentioned:

• The Renfrew Center

• Next Steps Counseling & Consulting

 

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

• Your body is already a summer body. It exists. That’s enough. The idea that you need to shrink or smooth or hide to be worthy of summer fun is a lie—mostly sold to you by diet culture and the beauty industry.

• If you’re not ready to wear the suit, start with the story in your head. Catch the automatic thoughts (“I look gross,” “I can’t wear this”) and practice replacing them with neutral truths like, “I have a body. It’s here. It lets me live.” That’s a powerful shift.

• Confidence doesn’t show up before the moment, it grows in the moment. Say yes to the invite. Put on the suit. Jump in the water. Show up. You’ll live to make the memory—and maybe even love it.

• Get in that damn photo. These pictures aren’t about your thighs. They’re about your life. Stop cropping yourself out of your own memories.

• Why are we even still talking about what our bodies look like? Your size and shape say nothing about your worth, your wisdom, or your capacity to love and be loved. 

 

Wake Up to Your Life is an award-winning podcast hosted by Colleen Odegaard. On this show, you’ll hear from experts (and learn from my own hilarious stories) on how to rediscover yourself in a new season of life, no matter what that looks like for you. 

 

Connect with Colleen: 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• YouTube