Nope, That's Not Normal

In this episode, Jessica and Melanie explore the concept of body neutrality, including personal experiences with body image, the impact of diet culture, and the challenges of navigating public perception in the age of social media. Melanie shares her journey towards body neutrality, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and the emotional toolkit needed to handle criticism.

They also dig into misconceptions about body neutrality and intuitive eating, highlighting that choosing neutrality does not equate to neglecting health or well-being.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Melanie

Melanie Knights, she/they, is the host of The Culture Of It All, a podcast that explores what it really means to ditch diet culture whilst living life in a larger body. As someone who has spent their entire life somewhere on the fat spectrum, and too many years to count participating in harmful and disordered behaviour, she looks at the ways diet culture affects every part of our lives. Melanie – a fashion enthusiast – is also a fierce advocate for size-inclusive fashion, and challenges the politics and current erasure of plus sizes across the fashion industry through her TikTok content.

https://tiktok.com/melanieknights

https://uk.pinterest.com/cultureofitallpod/

https://instagram.com/cultureofitallpod

In this episode, Jessica introduces us to the season 4 theme of Living Between Extremes and why she feels finding body neutrality in a world stuck between thin obsession and body love is more important now than ever before. She also talks through a few of the conversations you can expect to hear in the next few weeks! Bonus: find out what our question of the season is so you can start thinking about it for yourself as a tool for deeper healing.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Host, Jessica

Jessica is the founder and CEO of Echeveria Organic, host of Nope, That’s Not Normal, and a published author. After going through her own disordered eating and trauma-healing journey—and spending more than 13 years working in content marketing—she now helps mental health and eating disorder recovery organizations amplify their message with authentic and intentional content marketing. Find her on:

Instagram: @JessicaThiefels

Instagram: @NopeThatsNotNormal.

In this episode, Jessica and Megan chat about body image, inner child work, and the emotional complexities surrounding food and relationships. Megan shares her postpartum body image struggles and emphasizes the importance of reparenting and self-compassion in healing. Throughout the conversation, they explore how inner child wounds can manifest in adult relationships and eating behaviors and offer practical tools for listeners to navigate their own emotional landscapes.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Megan

Megan is a licensed psychotherapist and coach who specializes in helping individuals heal childhood trauma, regulate their nervous system, and create deep, meaningful relationships. She we all deserve compassion and have the capacity for growth, connection, and empathy.

* http://instagram.com/connectwithmegan

* connect-with-megan.com

In this episode, Jessica and Beatriz dig into the intricate relationship between the nervous system, emotional health, and disordered eating. Béa shares her journey as a holistic nurse practitioner and how she discovered the importance of understanding the nervous system in relation to food and body image. They discuss the pervasive influence of diet culture, the significance of self-awareness, and practical tools for healing and mindfulness. Together, they reiterate the need for a compassionate approach and the importance of listening to the body's signals.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Beatriz

Beatriz (Béa) Victoria Albina, NP, MPH, SEP (she/her) is a UCSF-trained Family Nurse Practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Master Certified Somatic Life Coach, author of the forthcoming "End Emotional Outsourcing: a Guide to Overcoming Codependent, Perfectionist and People Pleasing Habits" (expected Sept 30, Hachette Balance) and Breathwork Meditation Guide with a passion for helping humans socialized as women to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems and rewire their minds, so they can break free from codependency, perfectionism and people pleasing and reclaim their joy.

She is the host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast, holds a Masters degree in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and a BA in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Béa grew up in the great state of Rhode Island. She has been working in health & wellness for over 20 years and lives with her wife, Billey Albina.

* Website

* Instagram: @beatrizvictoriaalbinanp

* Podcast: Feminist Wellness

* Facebook

* LinkedIn

In this episode, Jessica and Dr. Lisa Folden explore personal experiences with disordered eating, the importance of awareness in movement, and how to let go of the need to control body size by understanding the deeper emotional connections tied to body image. They talk a lot about trust, surrender, and doing that deeper work!

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Lisa

Dr. Lisa N. Folden is a North Carolina licensed physical therapist, NASM certified behavior change specialist and Anti-diet Health & Body Image Coach. She owns Healthy Phit Physical Therapy & Wellness Consultants in Charlotte, NC where she provides trauma-informed and weight-inclusive care to clients in diverse bodies and those in eating disorder recovery.

As a health at every size (HAES®️) ambassador and movement expert, Dr. Folden assists clients seeking healthier lifestyles. Her weight-neutral approach encourages intuitive eating, joyful movement, body acceptance and breaking up with toxic diet culture.

Dr. Lisa is a mom of three, published author and speaker whose goal is to see as many people as possible living their best lives without worrying about their weight!

A regular contributor to articles on topics related to physical therapy, health, wellness, self-care, motherhood, body image and fat-friendly healthcare, Dr. Folden has had the distinct honor of being featured in Oprah Magazine, Shape Magazine, New York Times and several other publications and was selected as one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Dynamic Women.

She is the co-host of the Feeling Lighter Podcast by WeShape, and a member of the National Association of Black Physical Therapists, the Association of Size Diversity & Health and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

* https://www.healthyphit.com

* https://www.instagram.com/HealthyPhit

* https://www.facebook.com/HealthyPhit

In this episode, Jessica and Dr. Jenna DiLossi discuss the complexities of body image and the critical role of self-talk in shaping our perceptions and behaviors. They delve into how societal pressures and personal experiences shape our self-image, as well as the importance of self-compassion. They get into the science behind self-talk, the impact of repetition on our beliefs, and practical strategies for building awareness of our thoughts. Becase this IS a skill that can be learned!

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Jenna

Dr. Jenna DiLossi is the co-founder and clinical director of the Center for Hope & Health, LLC., an outpatient treatment center located in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral treatment models for eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, phobias, and other anxiety-related concerns.

Dr. DiLossi is licensed as both a clinical psychologist and professional counselor in Pennsylvania with additional credentialing as a board certified specialist in Behavioral & Cognitive Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology, a Diplomate CBT-Certified Therapist and Trainer/Consultant through the Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies, and a certified Prolonged Exposure Therapist and Supervisor through the University of Pennsylvania.

* https://www.centerforhopeandhealth.com/our-team/jenna-dilossi/

* https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jenna-dilossi-ardmore-pa/183953

* https://mindingyourmind.org/clinician/jenna-dilossi-psy-d-lpc/

* https://cbicenterforeducation.com/instructors/jenna-dilossi-psyd-abpp

* https://www.cbte.co/therapist/dilossi-jenna/

* https://iocdf.org/providers/dilossi-jenna/

* https://www.instagram.com/evidencebasedbesties

* https://www.amazon.com/Comorbid-Eating-Disorders-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder/dp/1009186876

In this episode, Jessica and Jeanette, chat about the complexities of body image, fashion, and self-acceptance. Jeannette shares her personal journey, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of navigating body positivity in a society that often imposes unrealistic standards. They explore the importance of dressing for yourself, breaking fashion norms, and the therapeutic aspects of fashion. The conversation also touches on the need for more accessible fashion options for all body types and the significance of community in fostering self-love and acceptance including Jeanette’s list of plus-size brands creating the best option right now!

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Jeanette

Jeannette is a local creative, mover & shaker, community organizer, and advocate on building up community, and sharing the richness and diversity of the arts in our local communities. Jeannette is a co-founder of Fat Babes club of Columbus, (a social group that hosts body positive and body neutrality events, She is also a social media collaborator and host Of Opera-isms Podcast at Opera Columbus. In 2023 Jeannette was nominated and awarded Influencer of the year by The Columbus Fashion Council and serves on the board of directors for 934 Gallery.

* https://www.instagram.com/jeannetteyconfettii

* https://www.tiktok.com/@jeannettyconfetti

In this episode, Jessica and Jenna Doak share their experiences with exercise addiction, the impact of diet culture, and their transformation towards a more joyful and intuitive approach to fitness. They dig into the societal pressures surrounding body image, the significance of holistic health, and the need for joy in movement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the social determinants of health and how they affect our well-being—zooming out from movement as the only way to take care of your body, as diet culture could have us believe.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Meet Our Guest, Jenna

Jenna Doak is a body-positive personal trainer and the founder of Body Positive Fitness, a judgment-free fitness studio and online coaching community. With over 20 years in the industry, Jenna is on a mission to dismantle toxic fitness and diet culture, creating spaces where people of all sizes, abilities, and backgrounds can move their bodies with joy, without the pressure of weight loss. Through their in-person and virtual training programs, social media presence, and educational content, she’s redefining what it means to be strong, capable, and confident.

* www.bodypositivefitness.ca

* https://www.instagram.com/bodypositivefitness_/

* TikTok: @bodypositivefitness

* YouTube: Body Positive Fitness

* www.bodypositivefitness.ca/newsletter

In this episode, Jessica and Chrissy dig into the complexities of body image, diet culture, and the concept of body liberation. They share about personal experiences with diet culture, the societal pressures surrounding body image, and the importance of understanding health beyond individual control. Chrissy emphasizes the need for collective liberation and the systemic issues that affect marginalized bodies, while also addressing the significance of body autonomy and the challenges of navigating societal expectations regarding body size and health.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guest, Chrissy

Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, educator, and former strength coach with a passion for creating a diverse and inclusive wellness industry. She is also the author of The Body Liberation Project. Through her work, Chrissy empowers individuals to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world. She also writes for a variety of platforms including Shape, Health, SELF, and PopSugar, among others. With degrees in social justice and sociology from Marquette University, Chrissy merges her passion for social just

ice with her passion for wellness to inspire people to create spaces that allow individuals from all backgrounds to feel seen, welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.

* https://chrissyking.com/book/

* Chrissyking.com

* https://www.instagram.com/iamchrissyking/

* https://www.tiktok.com/@iamchrissyking

As our first mini-series, we’re making this available to all subscribers. However, all future mini-series (2-3 each year) are available to paid subscribers only! If you want to get more special content like this, make sure you upgrade as a paying Substack subscriber for $5/month or $50/year.

In our final mini-series episode, Jessica, Becca, and Kayla discuss the complexities of hunger, eating, and food rules during pregnancy and postpartum. They emphasize the importance of nourishing oneself, the normalization of cravings, and the need for support in managing nutrition.

The conversation also touches on the impact of diet culture on food choices and the significance of satisfaction in eating (because food is more than fuel). Bottom line: you need to eat, friend—and you’ll leave with some practical strategies for combatting the little voice in your mind that says otherwise.

* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/

* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/

Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

Meet Our Guests: Becca

Forward movement requires modern ways of thinking.

Which is why Becca, combined her clinical training in psychotherapy models with holistic tools and spiritual practices to create her Forward Model of Change. With a commitment to show up in her humanness so you can too, Becca offers you permission to shift your patterns and propel yourself forward.

Becca is a Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Therapist and Coach for wholeness seekers, trapped achievers, karmic breakers, family shakers, and emotional feelers, and the founder of Forward Healing, where we offer modern tools + personalized models for Therapy and After-Therapy.

* https://www.instagram.com/_beccapost/

* https://www.instagram.com/fh_therapy/

* https://www.instagram.com/fh_aftertherapy/

* https://forwardhealing.co/

Meet Our Guests: Kayla

Kayla Jessop is an Anti-Diet registered dietitian, eating disorder specialist, and approved supervisor. With extensive experience working in various levels of care including PHP, IOP and outpatient groups, she specializes in helping individuals of all ages regain peace with food and body. She will never tell you to deprive yourself or ban certain foods from your life. Instead, her mission is to help you recognize diet culture and help you rediscover your body's inner wisdom about how to truly nourish yourself.

Kayla is passionate about utilizing the latest research to help her clients’ recovery and additionally teaching more clinicians the same. Kayla co-facilitated NYC’s first RO-DBT (Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy) class and is continuing that work in Utah. In June 2023, Kayla was invited to present at the first annual RO DBT Conference in Chicago on the success of utilizing this modality in eating disorder recovery.

She has had the opportunity to curate an amazing team of dietitians who are continuing to develop and use RO DBT in practice as well. Each member of the team brings a unique skillset to the practice and to their clients.

* https://www.kaylajessopnutrition.com/

* https://www.instagram.com/kaylajessopnutrition/

* https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083365267617 https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylajnutrition

* https://www.youtube.com/@Kaylajessopnutrition

* https://www.ro4rd.com/