From group exercise classes to at-home equipment and the latest trendy athletic apparel... fitness has become a cultural obsession in North America. But as historian Natalia Petrzela explores in her book Fit Nation, the meaning of fitness has changed dramatically over time. She joins Piya Chattopadhyay to walk through its evolution to becoming a lifestyle industry, why – despite its popularity – fitness often remains inaccessible, and how we might make exercise more equitable.

How fitness became a cultural obsession – and who it leaves behind

CBC Radio’s The Sunday Magazine is a lively, wide-ranging mix of topical long-form conversations, engaging ideas and more. Each week, host Piya Chattopadhyay takes time for deep exploration, but also makes space for surprise, delight and fun.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Washington Post's White House Bureau Chief Toluse "Tolu" Olorunnipa about what Donald Trump's guilty verdict could mean in this election year, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network's Bernie Farber reflects on recent attacks at Canadian Jewish institutions, we present Chattopadhyay's on-stage conversation with former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron about his storied career, and we play another round of our monthly brain game That's Puzzling!

Donald Trump's guilty verdict, Global supply chain, Marty Baron, That's Puzzling!

It's been dubbed Canada's coldest city, poorest city and even most racist city. But also: chill, artsy and the best city in our country to raise a family. Most importantly to Niigaan Sinclair, though... Winnipeg is home. The columnist and Indigenous studies professor joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his new essay collection Wînipêk, which marries his personal stories of Winnipeg with reflections on how the city helps tell the story of Canada.

How Winnipeg helps tell the story of Canada

Guest host David Common speaks with political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin about how recent international court developments are playing out in Israeli society amid the war with Hamas, political journalist Stephen Maher charts the turbulent trajectory of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, columnist and Indigenous studies professor Niigaan Sinclair explores how Winnipeg helps tell the story of Canada, and medical historian Beth Linker sets the record straight on posture. 
 Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Pressure on Israel, Justin Trudeau's trajectory, Niigaan Sinclair's Winnipeg, Posture history

In his new book, Small Acts of Courage, MSNBC's chief correspondent Ali Velshi argues that working for social justice and in public service is the most important part of his and his family's history because, as he writes, "democracy isn't democracy unless it's universal." Velshi, whose family came to Canada from India via South Africa and Kenya, joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about the meaning of citizenship, his family's journey, and the role journalism should play in a healthy democracy.

How Canadian journalist Ali Velshi's values propelled him to the top tier of American journalism

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Fort McMurray, Alta. residents new and old about their experiences with with wildfires, Canadian MSNBC correspondent Ali Velshi shares how his family's journey shaped his path in journalism, economist Jeff Rubin makes the case that inflation and sanctions are reshaping the global economic order, and science journalist Bethany Brookshire reflects on why we label some animals "pests." 
 Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

How fitness became a cultural obsession – and who it leaves behind

Download our free app to listen on your phone