Embodiment and Justice with Lisa Pearl

Lisa Pearl on deeply and critically examining the ways in which we consider body image and embodiment.

In this episode, Lisa shares her well-established career trajectory and motive for staying in this work for over 30 years, she discusses how body image, embodiment and ED / body image treatment has changed over time, why social justice for body liberation is essential – now more than ever, she shares a different way we can comprehend embodiment, the challenges and barriers to experiencing our authentic self / obtaining authentic spaces; especially for those in minority groups, why we need diversity in dietetics and how we can make it happen, why we must amplify voices and people of colour today and consistently, and the direction she would like to see the future of dietetics head.    

Here Fi and Lisa speak about:

First meeting at Fi & Marci’s body image workshop almost 3 years ago and Fi’s initial shock of seeing Lisa’s name on the attendance list as an esteemed colleague! 

Lisa’s long-standing career as an eating disorder specialist; Lisa shares her core motive for staying in this work for so long.

Lisa’s observations of how body image and body embodiment has evolved and matured over time, to include her experience;

Fighting against the goliaths of the 80’s diet industry. 

First hearing about and connecting with NAAFA: the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, who introduced her to the embodiment work of HAES. 

And the great opportunities and positive impact brought about from a presentation she gave during her master’s education.

ED and body image treatment; the advancements, declines and regressions.

Social justice and body liberation; 

Embodiment; Lisa provides us with a new way in which we can truly understand embodiment.

The challenges and barriers of experiencing our authentic selves and spaces, particularly for those in minority groups. 

The importance of acknowledging our privilege and the essential skills that providers in this field need.

Why we must have more diversity to foster safe spaces for minority groups and how we can start making it happen.

Amplifying people and voices of colour – why we must do it NOW and consistently.

Lisa’s vision for the future of dietetics, particularly the structure and content of dietetic education and her wish for all dietitians.

As mentioned in the podcast:

Fat Is A Feminist Issue, the book by Susie Orbach 

NAAFA: the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.

Diversify Dietetics

#amplifymelanatedvoices on Instagram by Jessica Wilson, MS. RD @jessicawilson.msrd & Alishia McCullough, @blackandembodied

New grad program at Simmons

Counselling and Nutrition Centre 360; the team and supervision opportunities.

About Lisa:

Lisa Pearl is a licensed clinical nutritionist and eating disorder specialist.  She is the founder of the Counseling and Nutrition Center 360, LLC. She is also the co-founder of the first graduate certificate and internship program at Simmons University for the study of eating disorders. In addition to teaching at Simmons, Lisa maintains her clinical practice, provides group and individual supervision for other clinicians, and teaches a mindful movement practice. 

Find out more:

Website