Closet Philosophy

Ep.. 14: You can’t hate yourself into a body you love: Reclaiming health and power with Oonagh Duncan


Listen Later

What if your fitness journey wasn’t about chasing a smaller body—but about feeling strong, energized, and alive? In this empowering episode, we talk to Oonagh Duncan, multi-award-winning fitness expert, bestselling author of Healthy As Fck* (aka Ditch the Diet), and founder of the Feel Good Movement.

We dive deep into what it really means to feel good in your body—at any size, at any age—and how fitness can help us reconnect with our power. Oonagh shares her journey from fat activist and actor to fitness leader, and how she’s redefining health for Gen X women and beyond. She breaks down why habits—not willpower—create change, how movement is a form of self-respect, and why no one ever achieved lasting transformation through shame.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, struggling with body image, or just ready to feel good again, this episode is for you.

Topics We Cover:

  • Why self-hate doesn’t lead to body love

  • Oonagh’s surprising path from fat activism to fitness

  • The myth of willpower—and what actually works

  • Why consistency beats intensity

  • How strength training builds more than muscle—it builds identity

  • Moving through menopause, burnout, and the “I’ve lost myself” feeling

  • The truth about HIIT, cortisol, and over-40 fitness fears

  • How fashion and fitness intersect as tools of empowerment

Resources Mentioned:

  • Oonagh’s Free Fitness Resources

  • Follow Oonagh on Instagram

  • Oonagh’s podcast: Goals, Grit & Some Woo Woo Sh*t

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Closet PhilosophyBy Jennine Jacob and Kristen Philipkoski

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

9 ratings


More shows like Closet Philosophy

View all
On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

On Being with Krista Tippett

10,416 Listeners

Edit Your Life | Simplify + Declutter Your Home, Time, and Mental Space by Christine Koh

Edit Your Life | Simplify + Declutter Your Home, Time, and Mental Space

519 Listeners

The goop Podcast by Goop, Inc. and Audacy

The goop Podcast

6,701 Listeners

The Liz Moody Podcast by Liz Moody

The Liz Moody Podcast

3,049 Listeners

EXPANDED Podcast by To Be Magnetic™ by To Be Magnetic™

EXPANDED Podcast by To Be Magnetic™

3,281 Listeners

Let's Get Dressed by Liv Perez

Let's Get Dressed

272 Listeners

The Everyday Style School by Jennifer Mackey Mary

The Everyday Style School

509 Listeners

The Who What Wear Podcast by Who What Wear

The Who What Wear Podcast

93 Listeners

Lipstick on the Rim by Sony Music Entertainment

Lipstick on the Rim

999 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

We Can Do Hard Things

41,498 Listeners

Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen by Elise Loehnen

Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

1,045 Listeners

HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing by Heather Riggs - Stylist, Image Consultant & Color Analyst for Women

HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing

151 Listeners

Sustain This! by Alyssa Beltempo, Signe Hansen & Christina Mychas

Sustain This!

198 Listeners

Culture Study Podcast by Anne Helen Petersen

Culture Study Podcast

656 Listeners

Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan by Lemonada Media

Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan

3,024 Listeners