As women, no matter what stage of life we are in, and no matter what shape or size we are, our bodies are constantly being scrutinized by society. And through the media, companies are profiting from making us feel insecure. Celebrity diet endorsements are a very dangerous phenomenon that is tricking women and girls into believing that by drinking thin tea or wearing a corset they will look like Kim Kardashian, for example. In today’s episode, Kelly and Megan explain why this is not only far from the truth, but how the things that are being endorsed are actually often harmful to our bodies. That being said, there is also a major body positivity/body neutrality movement which is something that the hosts are passionate advocates for. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where all bodies are celebrated, nobody (except your doctor) has a right to comment on your weight, and your authentic self is the most beautiful thing you can be?

Key Points From This Episode:

• The pervasiveness of the topics that are going to be covered in today’s episode.
• Generational differences in views on weight and women's bodies. 
• Dishonesty that plagues the celebrity diet endorsement space.
• Harm that is being caused by celebrity diet endorsements.
• Examples of edibles being promoted by celebrities which can contribute to disordered eating.
• I Weigh; the online community founded by Jameela Jamil and why Kelly is such a big fan.
• Corsets are endorsed by the Kardashian’s but there are very serious reasons not to use them.
• Dangers of the way that the media praises women who get back to their pre-pregnancy body very soon after birth. 
• Why those of us who aren’t celebrities should not be comparing out postpartum journeys to those who are.
• Double standards that are applied to men and women’s bodies.
• Kelly and Megan share personal stories about times when people have commented on their weight inappropriately. 
• Examples of what you should and shouldn’t say when you notice a change in someone’s weight. 
• The rise in advertisements that showcase different body types, colors, abilities and so on. 
• How Megan and Kelly helped their children maintain a neutral body image. 
• Vote with your dollars for the brands that align with your values. 
• Performative allyship; what it means and why it’s important to do research to figure out if the brands you support are hiding behind this.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Castillo

She's A Full On Monet

She's A Full On Monet on Twitter

Jameela Jamil

I Weigh

Due in part to May officially being Mental Health Month, we will be using this episode to talk about two related articles that have recently been published on the website and delve into the always important subjects of self-care, relationships, rest, therapy, and everything else that influences our mental health. The two articles in question are specifically focused on resilience and imposter syndrome, and we get into the importance of these two areas of the conversation. This episode also ties beautifully into last week's chat focusing on self-care more directly, and of course, these are topics that we will continue to explore and unpack in future conversations too! Though there is still a lot of room for improvement and progress it is worth noting just how far we have come as a collective in the way to recognize and address issues of mental health, and the societal conversations on the subject are noticeably further along than they have ever been, even just a few years ago. The pandemic and the isolation that so many people have experienced to varying degrees in the last year or so is also an important aspect of this discussion and we get into the major impacts, both positive and negative that we have seen in our lives. We also talk about some simple coping strategies for replenishing your energy, managing relationships, and engaging with inspiring content, so make sure to join us for this essential episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Increasing your own resilience and building better coping mechanisms.
• How the pandemic and isolation have impacted our health, wellness, and connection. 
• Making the time for self-care and allowing space for recovering and recharging.
• The benefits of reconnecting with loved ones in real life, instead of just on video calls.
• Reassessing the value of relationships and interactions with the people in our lives. 
• The therapeutic potential of creating lists and writing out goals that you want to achieve. 
• Picturing the worst-case scenario as a way to make things less daunting.
• Finding activities that give you purpose and focusing on those!
• Across the board benefits of therapy and the variety of approaches that are now widely available.
• The rise of podcasts and how helpful they can be learning new tools and awareness. 
• Women and imposter syndrome; the array of ways these thoughts can creep in. 
• Acceptance of the imperfections and continual learning cycle that we are all on!  
• Asking for help and connecting with common struggles that are often overlooked. 
• The prominent figures who are helping the world make progress in the mental health conversation.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Castillo

Charlotte's Web

'Here Are 6 Ways To Build Resilience So You Can Face Adversity Head-On'

Asana

Michelle Obama

Demi Lovato

She's A Full On Monet

She's A Full On Monet on Twitter

When you have chosen to put yourself in the spotlight, and people look up to you, there are standards you are expected to meet. While more celebrities and influencers have gained followers through being real and authentic, there is no doubt a line that you cannot cross. Where is this balance between being an idealized version of yourself and being authentic? This is not an easy question to answer, and it is one we try to tackle in today’s episode. Rachel Hollis is an author, speaker, and blogger who built a brand off a no-nonsense, straight-shooting take on life. Two of her recent TikToks faced backlash, and the way she handled it did not bode well for her brand. While we are not here to judge or shame her, we believe that she missed an opportunity to show those who look up to her how to handle tough situations with grace. We are human, which means that we will make mistakes, but it’s how we handle these slip-ups and the lessons we choose to learn from them that define our character. We talk about the value of apologizing properly, the importance of normalizing learning, being aware of how your words impact others, and taking responsibility for your actions.   

Key Points From This Episode:

• What's going on with Megan and her children’s school schedule.
• Why Kelly never identified with Rachel Hollis’s work.
• Two of the controversial TikToks Rachel made and the backlash she faced.
• How Megan came to find Rachel during the pandemic and what she learned from her.
• The obligations you have when you choose to put yourself out there.
• Why Rachel’s response to the backlash she received contradicts her whole brand.
• As a role model, people are listening to what you are saying.
• This was a great opportunity for Rachel to show her followers how to handle challenges with grace.
• If celebrities want to benefit from their privileges, they have to accept being held accountable.
• We should work towards a culture of openness and learning.
• One of the difficulties around divorce is struggling with other people’s perceptions.
• When someone in the spotlight makes a mistake, everything in their life is under a microscope.
• How Khloe Kardashian handled her leaked photo situation.
• You never know how your words will be received, so be careful about what you say.
• What a sincere apology entails: actionable steps of how you will fix what you have done.
• Being defensive is a natural response, so slow down before you respond properly.
• The disappointment Megan felt as a fan of Rachel’s.
• Cancel culture isn’t going to create the spirit of learning our society needs.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Castillo

'Rachel Hollis Profits Off Of Being “Unrelatable” And The Internet Is Calling Her Out'

Girl, Wash Your Face

Girl, Stop Apologizing

‎Rise Together Podcast

Will Smith

Chrissy Teigen

Khloé Kardashian

Karen Carpenter

She's A Full On Monet

She's A Full On Monet on Twitter

Welcome to the first episode of She’s a Full On Monet, a digital lifestyle magazine for women. Every week, our editor, Kelly Castillo, and contributor, Megan B, do a deep dive into articles and topics covered on the site. In today’s episode, we discuss seven tips to become a healthier version of yourself. With the added stress and pressure of pandemic, many of us fell into some less-than-ideal habits. It is fine to get off track because life happens, but getting back in the saddle does not have to be overwhelming. In fact, we believe that it is better to start small, and by letting the changes compound, you will see big cumulative effects over time. Some of the tips we share in this show include drinking more water and how to trick yourself into being hydrated, the value of intentional deep sleep, how to ensure you are eating balanced meals, and the value of moving your body in whatever way you can. As women and mothers, we often tend to put our self-care on the backburner, but we have to change this way of thinking. When we show up for ourselves by meeting our needs, we can be better for everyone in our lives. We look forward to having you on this journey with us!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Get to know Kelly and what She’s a Full On Monet is all about.
• You can start out small when making the transition to a healthier life.
• Megan’s personal experience in making lifestyle changes and how her life has shifted.
• It is important to be gracious with yourself when you embark on a new journey.
• Drink more water; add fruit if you need to make it taste better
• Some of the benefits that come with drinking more water.
• How Kelly weaned herself off of sugary drinks.
• Be sure to get enough, good quality sleep.
• Establish a healthy sleep hygiene routine; put the phone away.
• The benefits of tracking your sleep and what Kelly has noticed by tracking hers.
• Avoid things that stimulate you before you go to bed.
• FFPP eating: have fat, fiber, plants, and protein on all your plates to ensure balance.
• You can still eat yummy treats when you go out or order in!
• Move your body, and be creative when you can’t go to the gym.
• The way you feel after you move your body is unmatched by anything else.
• The importance of getting outside as often as you can.
• Being in nature helps you be more present and in tune with your surroundings.
• How you can help your kids release pent-up energy.
• Learn to check in with yourself and self-soothe in healthy ways.
• No matter how hard it is as a mom, you have to take time for yourself.
• We should take care of ourselves as well as we take care of those in our lives.
• The important question to ask yourself if you feel like you might be overindulging.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Castillo

She's A Full On Monet

She's A Full On Monet on Twitter

Tempur-Pedic

SugarBear Sleep

Kelly LeVeque

Body Love

GoNoodle