What if movement felt more like solving puzzles than burning calories? Today, we talk with Hayden Thomas from North Mass Boulder to explore why indoor climbing has become one of the fastest-growing forms of movement, and why it's about so much more than strength.

We talk about how bouldering encourages curiosity, resilience, confidence, and connection. Whether you've never stepped foot in a climbing gym or you're looking for a new way to reconnect with movement, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to move your body.

Connect with Hayden and North Mass Boulder: 

• https://northmassboulder.com
• IG: @northmassboulder 

• Grab your Summer Movement Series Bingo Card: https://stopcollaboratelistenpod.substack.com/p/summer-movement-series-2026-kickoff

Things we chat about:

• Why climbing is really about problem-solving, not perfection
• The surprising mental health benefits of indoor climbing
• How climbing builds self-trust and confidence
• Why climbing is accessible to people of all body types and experience levels
• The importance of community in movement and recovery
• How North Mass Boulder is creating an inclusive climbing culture
• Beginner tips for anyone interested in trying bouldering

Resources & Mentions:
• North Massive Competition: https://northmassboulder.com/events
• Youth America Grand Prix: https://yagp.org
• Prana: https://prana.com
• Impact Climbing: https://impactclimbing.com

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The problem isn't Ariana Grande. In this episode, unpack the online conversation surrounding Ariana Grande to explore the bigger issues of body image, eating disorders, celebrity culture, and systemic oppression. We discuss why public commentary about women's bodies is so normalized, how social media fuels unrealistic beauty standards, and why eating disorders cannot be identified by appearance alone. From the harmful myth of being "not sick enough" to the historical roots of fatphobia and weight stigma, this conversation challenges the narratives that shape how we think about health, recovery, and whose bodies are considered worthy of care.

Content Note: This episode explores eating disorders, body image, weight stigma, BMI, and includes brief discussion of eating disorder behaviors in the context of education and recovery. We know these conversations can bring up a lot—take what serves you, skip what doesn't, and come back when you're ready.

Takeaways

• Eating disorders affect people of every body size and cannot be diagnosed by appearance.
• Social media and celebrity culture reinforce unrealistic body standards and harmful comparisons.
• Weight stigma and fatphobia have systemic roots that continue to influence healthcare and treatment.
• Waiting until someone "looks sick enough" can delay life-saving care.
• Recovery begins when we challenge harmful cultural narratives—not just individual behaviors.

Resources & Mentions

• How Malnourishment Impacts Brain Functioning
• Ashantis Jones Reel
• What If We're Not Actually Worried About Ariana Grande by Liz Plank

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Episode Summary: Is pilates really just for thin women in matching sets? Vanessa Hutchins, founder of MVMT House, joins us today to explore what it means to build a joyful, inclusive relationship with movement. We discuss the evolution of Pilates, common misconceptions, and why movement should be accessible to all bodies, ages, and experience levels. Vanessa shares how MVMT House prioritizes community, connection, and fun, while creating a space where people can move in ways that feel supportive and sustainable. Whether you're Pilates-curious or looking to reconnect with movement, this conversation offers a refreshing alternative to traditional fitness culture.

Take advantage of MVMT House intro offer: 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $45.

Connect with Vanessa and MVMT House: 

• https://www.mvmthouseindy.com/ 
• IG:@mvmthouse 

Grab your Summer Movement Series Bingo Card: https://stopcollaboratelistenpod.substack.com/p/summer-movement-series-2026-kickoff

Takeaways:

• Movement is more sustainable when it feels enjoyable, supportive, and accessible
• Pilates is for all bodies, not just experienced athletes or fitness enthusiasts
• Community and connection can be powerful motivators for movement
• Variety and flexibility help create a long-term relationship with exercise
• Movement doesn't need to focus on changing your body to improve your well-being

Resources & Mentions:

• Daisy Bar: https://www.daisybarindy.com/ 
• Amelia’s: https://ameliasbread.com/ 
• North Mass Boulder: https://www.northmassboulder.com/ 

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IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod

✨ Episode Summary: Friendship doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we choose to show up. Our Summer Movement Series continues with FrancesMary Loughead, founder of BFF Indy, a community helping women build authentic friendships that feel more connected to where they live. This conversation expands the idea of movement beyond exercise and into community, connection, and belonging.  We talk about why making friends as an adult can feel so challenging, how social anxiety and vulnerability can get in the way, and why belonging is essential for mental and physical health. 

Join your first BFF Indy event by attending a weekly walk! Happening every Monday, April - October, in 9 cities across central Indianapolis!

Connect with BFF Indy: 

• BFF Indy Website
• BFF Indy Community Chats
• BFF Indy Events & Weekly Walks
• @bff.indy

🧰 Takeaways:

• Adult friendship takes intention, vulnerability, and showing up
• Movement and shared experiences can create meaningful connection
• Community and belonging are essential parts of well-being
• Low-pressure spaces can make building friendships feel more accessible
• It’s never too late to find your people

📚 Resources & Mentions:

Grab your Summer Movement Series Bingo Card: BINGO CARD

🎧 Rate & Review:

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review — it really helps us reach more folks!

🔗 Connect With Us:

• JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER: https://stopcollaboratelistenpod.substack.com/
• IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 

✨ Episode Summary: What if movement was about joy—not punishment? We are joined by Abbey Griffith, owner and founder of Clarity Fitness, to explore what eating disorder-informed fitness can look like in practice. We discuss how movement can support recovery, mental health, and body autonomy when it's rooted in joy rather than punishment. Abbey shares the philosophy behind Clarity Fitness, including how thoughtful studio design, inclusive coaching, and collaboration with healthcare providers help create a safer and more supportive fitness experience. This conversation challenges common fitness narratives and offers a vision of movement that is sustainable, accessible, and grounded in long-term well-being.

Take advantage of Clarity Fitness’s On-demand Joyful Movement Studio: Use COLLAB15 for 15% off lifetime access to Clarity Online 

Connect with Abbey & Clarity Fitness: 

• https://www.clarityfitness.com/
• IG:@claritydecatur 

Grab your Summer Movement Series Bingo Card: https://stopcollaboratelistenpod.substack.com/p/summer-movement-series-2026-kickoff

🧰 Takeaways:

• Movement can support recovery when it is rooted in joy, choice, and autonomy
• Eating disorder-informed fitness prioritizes safety, flexibility, and sustainability
• Fitness spaces can play an important role in supporting mental health and recovery
• Collaboration between fitness professionals and healthcare providers improves care
• A healthy relationship with movement is built over time, not through punishment or perfection

🎧 Rate & Review:

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review — it really helps us reach more folks!

🔗 Connect With Us:

• JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER: https://stopcollaboratelistenpod.substack.com/
• IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod

✨ Episode Summary: Who decided adults had to stop dancing? Kicking off our Summer Movement Series, we are joined by Gabby McLemore, owner of DanceWorks Indy, to explore the power of dance in adulthood. We talk about how movement can support confidence, emotional expression, self-trust, and connection! Gabby shares how inclusive dance spaces can challenge perfectionism, reduce barriers to participation, and help people reconnect with joy and their bodies. Whether you haven’t danced in years or never considered yourself a dancer, this episode is an invitation to take up space and move in ways that feel good.

Take advantage of DanceWorks Indy’s intro offer: 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $29.

Connect with Gabby & DanceWorks Indy: 

• danceworksindy.com 

• IG: @danceworksindy

Grab your Summer Movement Series Bingo Card

🧰 Takeaways:

• Dance can support confidence, emotional expression, and connection
• Movement doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful
• Inclusive spaces help reduce barriers and make dance more accessible
• Joy, play, and self-expression are valuable parts of well-being
• Adults are allowed to move, explore, and take up space

📚 Resources & Mentions:

Circle City Cypher w/King Koi Roi:

• YouTube
• IG: @king.koi.roi

🎧 Rate & Review:

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IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 

✨ Episode Summary: Does recovery coaching really add much to eating disorder recovery? In this episode, Jen and Allison are joined by Taylor Griebe to discuss the role of recovery coaching in eating disorder treatment. If you’ve ever wondered how recovery coaches support clients outside of the traditional therapy and dietitian sessions, this episode is for you. We talk about the value of lived experience in recovery work and how coaching can help bridge the gap between treatment and everyday life by sharing insight into collaboration within treatment teams and building trust with clients.

Connect with Taylor:

Greibe Recovery Coaching: Tayvia Institute: taylorgreibe.com

Insta: @taylor.greibe

🧰 Takeaways:

• What recovery coaches do in eating disorder treatment
• How lived experience can support connection and recovery
• The difference between therapy and recovery coaching
• Building practical support systems outside the therapy room
• Collaboration between recovery coaches and treatment teams
• Why individualized support improves long-term recovery outcomes

🎧 Rate & Review:

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🔗 Connect With Us:

JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/StopCollaborateListenPod

Website: https://www.collab-counseling.com/

IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 

IG: @collab.counseling

✨ Episode Summary: In this episode, Allison and Jen are joined by Mary Margaret-Sweeney, LCSW, CST,  to explore the intersection of eating disorders, sexual health, trauma, and body image. We discuss how disembodiment, control, medications, stress, and cultural messaging can impact sexual functioning and overall well-being. Clinicians will learn how to better support clients by normalizing conversations about sex, prioritizing informed consent, and understanding the physiological stress cycle. We highlight the importance of trauma-informed care, compassion, and reclaiming connection to the body as part of recovery.

🧰 Takeaways:

• Eating disorders can significantly impact sexual health and intimacy
• Trauma, stress, and control patterns influence sexual response
• Disembodiment is common in eating disorder recovery
• Informed consent is essential in sexual health conversations
• Clinicians can better support clients by normalizing discussions about sex
• Reclaiming connection to the body is part of holistic recovery

📚 Resources & Mentions:

Come As You Are: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Come-As-You-Are-Revised-and-Updated/Emily-Nagoski/9781982165314

What Happened To You?

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Website: https://www.collab-counseling.com/

IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 

IG: @collab.counseling

✨ Episode Summary: Engaging with food in eating disorder recovery can be a challenge! In this episode, we are joined by Megan Rothschild, dietitian turned kitchen coach, to explore how kitchen coaching can support eating disorder recovery and mental health. We cover why cooking often feels overwhelming in recovery, how to approach the kitchen with more safety and flexibility, and what it looks like to build skills without shame. Meagan highlights how cooking can become a more mindful, embodied practice, along with practical ways to make food preparation more accessible—especially for neurodivergent individuals or those navigating food-related stress. 

Connect with Meagan:

• ⁠Common Kitchen Substack⁠
• ⁠Common Kitchen IG⁠

🧰 Takeaways:

• Kitchen coaching supports eating disorder recovery by building safety, skills, and structure
• Cooking can become a more mindful, embodied practice—not a source of stress
• There’s no “right way” to cook—flexibility and personalization matter
• Neurodivergence, chronic illness, and sensory needs should be considered in the kitchen
• Support, structure, and practical tools make cooking more accessible
• Struggling in the kitchen isn’t a personal failure—it’s a skills and support gap

📚 Resources & Mentions:

Our Common Kitchen Website

Common Kitchen Substack

Common Kitchen IG

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JOIN OUR PATREON for FREE!

Website: https://www.collab-counseling.com/

IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 

IG: @collab.counseling

✨ Episode Summary: The emotional complexity of living in the gray zone in eating disorder recovery can be challenging, to say the least! In this episode, Allison and Jen are joined by 3 clients who share the realities of their unique recovery journeys. Join us as we unpack common misconceptions, relapse prevention, how to manage urges, and why recovery is an ongoing process—not a final destination.

🥳 JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/StopCollaborateListenPod

🧰 Takeaways:

• Eating disorder recovery is nonlinear and rarely looks perfect
• Healing often happens in the “gray zone,” where joy and grief can coexist
• Relapse prevention starts with honesty, awareness, and support
• Recovery is not the absence of hard thoughts—it’s learning how to respond to them
• Support systems and compassionate care make long-term healing possible

📚 Resources & Mentions:

ANAD Recovery Mentorship Program

🎧 Rate & Review:

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review — it really helps us reach more folks!

🔗 Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.collab-counseling.com/
• IG: @stop.collaborateandlistenpod 
• IG: @collab.counseling