I can't seem to let go of the need to talk about the current social and political climate, the rise of fascism and authoritarianism, and how it relates to fitness, wellness, diet culture, and everything I do here. I wanted to approach this topic from a historical lens, so I knew that Jen Borruso was the person I needed to talk to. We've known each other for years professionally, but as a friend she has always be my go-to person when I want to learn more about the historical context behind something. I'm so excited for you to learn from her today!

Jen Borruso is a personal trainer and nutrition coach who helps people build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their bodies. Before entering the fitness world, Jen studied history and literature at the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History (with a focus on post-Civil War U.S. history) and a minor in English, with an emphasis on American Literature. Originally planning to become a high school teacher and possibly pursue law school, Jen developed a strong foundation in critical thinking, analysis, and understanding how historical and cultural forces shape the present. Reading Fearing the Black Body by Dr. Sabrina Strings was a pivotal moment in Jen’s learning journey, deepening her understanding of how diet culture is rooted in systems of control and oppression, including racism and the policing of bodies.Today, Jen works at the intersection of fitness and social justice, exploring how we can resist harmful narratives about health, worth, and perfection; and build a more inclusive, body-positive world.

On this episode we talk about:

• Jen's origin story as a history major turned fitness professional.
• Ways that diet culture and fascism are two flavors of the same shit sandwich.
• What fascism is, why we need to be concerned, and whether or not we're being too dramatic.
• Historical examples of fascist regimes as a cautionary tale for what we're slipping into today.
• How purity culture, whiteness and national identity play into this and how it's showing up right now.
• The dangers of seemingly innocent things like hyperfemininity, tradwife content, and skinnytok.
• How things like fat liberation, body neutrality, and feminism, are a way to reject both diet culture and fascist ideals and participate in political resistance.
• How capitalism plays into all of this.
• Attempts to whitewash history and demonize intellectualism, and books we can read to further our knowledge.
• So many other important things!

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