Many of us feel uncomfortable in our bodies and skin. A negative body image can cause us to struggle in many ways such as; with depressive and anxiety symptoms, increased risk of suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, Interpersonal problems, alcohol and drug use and abuse, reduced physical activity, loss of sex drive, stress, social isolation, decreased motivation to seek help, perfectionistic tendencies and repetitive negative thoughts. 

Body Liberation is freedom from all outside expectations of how your body should look. It is is the independence from social and political systems of oppression that determine certain bodies as more worthy, healthy and desirable than others. And whilst body liberation is the belief that all bodies are worthy and deserve to exist just as they are; its main mantra is, you are more than your body.

Michelle Hopewell is a body empowerment and menstrual wellness content creator and actress, who has done the work to reconnect with her body and come to a place of body neutrality. Eager to see as many people reconnected and in tune with their own bodies, Michelle shares her own experiences as well as information and tips on period health on her Instagram page and blog. 

Chatting to host Gabby, Michelle shares her journey from having a disassociated relationship with her body, to coming to a place of neutrality and accepting her body as it is.  Michelle and Gabby discuss the 'beauty standard' that puts immense pressure to look a certain way, and the lengths people will go to to try and achieve it. Michelle reveals how her journey into acting opened her eyes to how just how much body bias there is, and why she pushed back. Gabby and Michelle also look at how some women may still be, without realizing, conforming to the patriarchal 'male gaze'. 

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

To follow Michelle Hopewell on Instagram: @mybodyliberation

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast