In this episode, I am joined by Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS, and a person on the other side of her own decades-long struggle with food battles and body dislike. Alli created #ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance! - a series of public events sparking conversations about body, soul, and self-acceptance through fun, inspiration, and flash mob dance. She is also the author of MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image. Throughout the years, Alli has witnessed firsthand that stories of humanness, joy, inspiration, and hope increase people’s receptivity to both considering change and opening up to education. That motivated her to write "MeaningFULL."

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Going “within” to find the barriers to self-acceptance.

• How self-acceptance can be taught through fun.

• The struggles and triumphs that connect us.

• The difference between “not fitting in” and holding different values.

• Recovery is not linear, can take a long time (or not), and relies on consistency.

• The notion that people crave to be heard, seen, and connected.

• How anger can be a catalyst for healing.