Shoulders Down

📺 The Biggest Loser Documentary— What They Got Right (and What They Got Wrong)


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When The Biggest Loser hit TV in the early 2000s, it  was a cultural force that shaped how we think about weight, health, and discipline. Now, the new documentary Fit for TV revisits the show’s legacy.

In this episode, I share my reflections on the documentary through the lens of a non-diet dietitian who grew up watching The Biggest Loser.I break down what the documentary actually got right — and where it fell short.

We’ll cover:

  • The moments that  exposed the physical and psychological harms of the show.
  • Where the doc reinforced fatphobia instead of unpacking weight stigma.
  • The unsustainable and dangerous practices contestants endured 
  • How The Biggest Loser dehumanized people in larger bodies for entertainment and profit.
  • The deeper truth about diet culture, capitalism, and who really benefits when you feel your body isn’t good enough.

Resources mentioned: 

  • Download your free research guide PDF: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz18
  • 5 Reasons Why Your Weight Doesn't Determine Your Health episode: https://leahkernrd.com/%F0%9F%91%89-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/

More From Leah:

  • 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack
  • Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program
  • Join my self-paced course, The Return
  • Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel
  • Subscribe to my personal Substack
  • Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd
  • Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings
  • Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.
  • Send me a voice message on Speakpipe
  • Email me: [email protected]

🥂 What if 2026 was the year you stopped starting over with food? Join a low-cost anti-diet workshop with Leah Kern, RD to feel normal around eating. (Use code PODCAST at checkout to get 10% off)

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Shoulders DownBy Leah Kern

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