In this episode of The Body Grievers Club, Bri sits down with Registered Dietitian and Certified Body Trust® Specialist Aaron Flores, RDN. They dig into how grief shows up in men’s body image work, why “optimization culture” keeps so many dudes stuck, and what it really means to move from control to trust without the shame-fix-rush.

Bri and Aaron unpack the lifelong messages men receive about “fixing” their bodies, the pressure to perform masculinity, and the quiet grief of losing the hope of thinness, rippedness, or former abilities. They talk about straddling two ships, diet culture and body liberation, and why permission to be in the in-between is often the bridge to values-aligned change.

They also explore community as an antidote to isolation, how empathy (not fixing) rewires the story, and why acceptance = “the willingness to receive my body as it is.” From Big Mouth’s “shame wizard” to Yoda’s wisdom, this convo uses metaphor to make the work doable. If you’ve ever felt like you should just “hack” your way to a better body, this episode offers a different path: zoom out, name the grief, and build trust - slowly, gently, on purpose.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:10 Aaron’s story: from running a VA weight-loss program to Body Trust


06:05 Men, diagnosis, and why eating disorders are under-recognized


09:30 The two ships: straddling diet culture and body liberation


13:20 Masculinity, “optimization,” and the illusion of control


17:45 Grief themes: anger, fear, urgency, shame—and moving without a rush


22:15 Community + witnessing: why healing must be seen to be felt


25:40 Body Trust basics: zooming out, C-level work, and self-compassion
2

9:20 Partners & attraction: unlearning beauty standards + holding your ground


33:10 Parenting & modeling: the relationship you want your kids to have with their bodies


36:00 Big Mouth’s “shame wizard,” parts work, and building new neural grooves


39:20 Star Wars metaphors: fear, the dark side, and choosing values over control


42:10 Final takeaways for dudes: your body isn’t a project; find your people

RESOURCES:

Mentioned in this episode:

* Center for Body Trust® (rupture → reckoning → reclamation)

* Big Mouth (Netflix): The “shame wizard” metaphor

* Star Wars quotes & metaphors (Yoda, fear → suffering)

* Book: Manhood: The Bare Reality by Laura Dodsworth (photo essays + narratives)

* Aaron’s 5-module body image course for dudes (via his website)

WANT MORE OF AARON FLORES, RDN?

* Instagram: @aaronfloresrdn

* Website: www.aaronfloresrdn.com

* Substack: The Unscripted Journey

* Podcast: Men Unscripted

WANT MORE OF BRI?

*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri


*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

*7 Steps Guide from Body Grief to Body Acceptance

In this episode of The Body Grievers Club, Bri sits down with Registered Dietitian and Intuitive Eating Counselor Jenna Talleda. They talk about what it really looks like to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office. Together, they unpack the realities of weight stigma in healthcare, the pressure to shrink as a provider in a larger body, and the emotional labor of holding boundaries when your care is on the line.

Bri and Jenna name the hidden agendas behind routine weigh-ins, the harm of ignoring eating disorder histories, and the frustration of being gaslit by providers who reduce complex health concerns to a number on the scale. This conversation isn’t just about weight. It’s about agency, self-advocacy, and refusing to co-sign harmful narratives about your body.

They also explore the people-pleasing tendencies that make “no” so hard to say, why fawning is a trauma response, and how anger can sometimes be the most protective force in recovery. If you’ve ever left a doctor’s office feeling dismissed, shamed, or unheard, this episode will remind you: you’re not alone, and your boundaries matter.

TIMESTAMPS:

02:05 What weight stigma looks like in healthcare

05:20 Correlation vs. causation in weight + health

08:40 The pressure of being a provider in a larger body

12:10 Imposter syndrome + perfectionism in the work

15:45 Saying no at the doctor’s office: Jenna’s story

20:25 People-pleasing, fawning, and boundary holding

24:10 Anger as protection + why your boundaries matter

27:00 Advice for advocating for yourself at appointments

RESOURCES:

Other episodes mentioned:

Ep 29: Healing the Medical Narrative

Ep 36: Advocating For Yourself at the Doctor

Bri’s Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance

Get in Touch with Jenna HERE!

WANT MORE OF BRI?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault

Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase.

In this solo episode of The Body Grievers Club, Bri gets real about the question she hears constantly: “Can I be fat and healthy?” She unpacks why “health” is not a moral scorecard, why definitions matter, and how fear and shame sneak into our health journeys. Drawing from her clinical background and lived experience, Bri reframes health as amoral, explores correlation vs. causation in weight research, and offers practical ways to pursue care without handing your humanity to a BMI chart.

TIME STAMPS:

02:10 Why your personal definition of health matters

06:00 How medical fatphobia shows up and why health ≠ morality

13:20 What the research really says

16:00 Why food/movement is only 30% of the picture

20:45 Why “doing everything right” doesn’t guarantee health

27:10 Practical tips for navigating doctors

29:40 Exploring what it means to choose health behaviors (or not) without shame

RESOURCES:

• Health Without Weight Loss (with Mackenzie Woolwich)
• Medical Fatphobia (with Ragen Chastain)
• Diagnosed With Diabetes: Coaching Through Shame
• Healing the Medical Narrative
• Advocating For Yourself at the Doctor

• Concepts: Social Determinants of Health, Patient Bill of Rights, Stacey Bias’s “Fat Archetypes”
• Bri's 7 Steps from Body Grief to Body Acceptance

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault

Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase.

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri is joined by Toni Davis, an LPC and registered play therapist supervisor from Texas. Together, they discuss how play therapy can help children process emotions and develop a healthy body image. Toni emphasizes how important it is to involve parents in the therapeutic process and offers insights into talking about body image issues. They suggest various books and strategies for parents to teach body positivity and self-acceptance in children. The episode also covers the challenges clinicians face, including dealing with parents resistant to anti-fatness and how to address children's comments on body size.

TIMESTAMPS

01:19 Body Image and Play Therapy

05:00 Addressing Food Rules and Fat Phobia

07:24 The Impact of Body Image on Children

16:28 Parental Influence on Body Image

20:32 Attachment Styles and Eating Disorders

24:12 Body Positive Books for Kids

26:25 Books for Parents on Body Positivity

32:13 Addressing Anti-Fatness in Parenting

37:35 Developing a Child's Sense of Self

44:51 Handling Comments on Body Size

Books Referenced:

• Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings
• The Body Image Sourcebook by Carolyn Koston

Want more of Bri?

• Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri
• Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
• Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault
• Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase.

Want more of Toni?

Website: https://www.sapphirecovecounseling.com/

In this episode of The Body Grievers Club, Bri jumps into the complex emotions surrounding body image struggles and moving from body grief into radical body acceptance. She outlines her consistent, reliable method for navigating body image experiences and emphasizes the importance of gathering information, separating the story from the emotional distress, and building self-trust. Bri also discusses the role of grief as well as self-compassion in this process and offers advice on coping mechanisms, highlighting the power of community support in the journey towards body acceptance.

TIMESTAMPS

02:02 Defining Body Grief and Radical Acceptance

03:09 Navigating Stressful Body Image

06:02 Medical Neglect and Vulnerability

10:01 Exploring Safety and Connection

19:16 Impactful Reframes

26:18 The Importance of Self-Esteem

28:49 Understanding Trauma Responses

30:50 The Seven-Step Framework

39:31 The Role of Grief in Healing

43:13 The Journey to Radical Body Acceptance

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault

Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase.

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri is joined by Dr. Lisa Folden, a licensed physical therapist based in Charlotte, North Carolina, who specializes in trauma and eating disorder-informed care. Their discussion dives into the concept of 'grieving movement,' how people can find joy in movement, and break free from toxic diet culture. Dr. Folden also shares her insight on embracing weight neutral practices, intuitive movement, and the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of body healing.

TIME STAMPS:

02:11 Personal Experiences with Body Grief

06:35 Debunking Myths About Movement

09:51 Intuitive Movement and Flexibility

17:24 Movement Snacks and Practical Tips

22:40 Finding Joy in Movement

24:08 The Importance of Consistency

27:04 Grieving Movement and Abilities

31:48 Acceptance and Compassion

PODCAST RESOURCES:

Dr. Lisa Folden on Instagram: @healthyphit

Dr. Lisa Folden website: https://www.healthyphit.com/

Podcast with PT Danny Shapiro: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LPXeNoMEOZoh2BLWVh4Zl

Body Scapegoating podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gGWTgTLYoPNMP9YClp09s

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri shares a personal story about the struggles of finding plus-size clothing, per her very own "Bathing Suit Gate". This story explores the emotional toll of fatphobia, systemic retail issues, and societal biases against larger bodies. Bri also identifies the need for radical body acceptance, encourages self-exploration, and shares strategies for coping with body image issues. The importance of reframing harmful thoughts, building healthier self-perceptions, and seeking community support to challenge and unlearn anti-fatness are highlighted throughout this episode as well.

TIME STAMPS:

01:53 Bathing Suit Gate: The Story Begins

04:21 The Search for a Plus Size Bathing Suit

08:20 The Reality of Anti-Fatness

19:51 Books and Resources for Body Liberation

22:14 The Ladder of Beauty Standards

28:06 Navigating Body Image in Relationships and Coping Strategies

Books Referenced:

Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings

The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana welcome Margaret Doherty, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss her experiences with pregnancy as a person in a larger body. Margaret shares her journey toward body acceptance, the challenges she faced with medical professionals, and the lack of representation and support for plus-size pregnant women. They also discuss the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings and the societal pressure on pregnancy. Despite the hardships, Margaret expresses the joy and fulfillment she feels as a new mother and emphasizes that every pregnancy experience is valid, regardless of body size.

TIME STAMPS:

01:41 Margaret's Journey to Body Acceptance

03:42 Pregnancy Fears and Realities

04:43 Navigating Doctor's Appointments

10:49 The Fear of Gestational Diabetes

20:20 Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy Concerns

21:10 The Changing Relationship of Body Image and Pregnancy

23:21 Grief and Expectations of the Body During Pregnancy

26:18 Challenges with Plus-Size Maternity Clothing

28:38 Hospital Experiences and Systemic Issues

35:38 Advocating for Yourself in Healthcare

Want more of Margaret?

Instagram: @margaretd_lmft

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri and Jana invite Nicola Salmon, a fat-positive fertility coach and advocate, to discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals in larger bodies who seek to grow their families. Nicola shares her personal journey with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy, and body advocacy. The conversation covers common myths about fertility and body size, ways to find supportive healthcare providers, and strategies to navigate medical appointments. Nicola emphasizes the importance of self-worth and community support while challenging diet culture's impact on health and fertility. Practical advice is given on advocating for oneself and nurturing physical and emotional health during the fertility journey.

TIME STAMPS:

01:22 Nicola's Journey into Fat Positive Fertility

05:06 Challenges and Myths in Fat Fertility

10:48 Navigating Healthcare and Advocacy

26:16 Anti-Diet Approaches to Fertility

39:20 Final Thoughts and Resources

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

Want more of Nicola?

Instagram: @fatpositivefertility

Website : www.nicolasalmon.co.uk

Book: Fat and Fertile (available on Amazon)

In episode 71 of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana are joined by Hannah (they/them), a neurodiverse and gender-queer fitness professional.

The group chats about Hannah's experiences with ADHD and potential autism, the challenges of body image, navigating diet culture, and how movement plays a vital role in managing stress and mental health.

Additionally, Hannah highlights their community, the Body Liberation Playground, which fosters an inclusive and non-judgmental space for diverse abilities. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a trauma-informed approach to movement as well as to prioritize mental and emotional well-being over societal expectations when integrating exercise/movement into their lives.

01:39 Hannah's Journey Through Struggles with Diet Culture and Fitness

14:01 Reclaiming Body Autonomy through movement and self-compassion

18:35 Empowering Movement and Self-Compassion **reword

23:00 Practical Steps for Body Liberation

26:27 Movement as a Self-Awareness Tool

27:40 Trauma-Informed and Enjoyable Movement

32:39 Fitness Myths and Realities

37:03 Reclaiming Movement and Enoughness

41:17 Ways to Integrate Movement with Accomodations

Want more of Hannah?

Instagram: @hannahhusband

Get a special discount for the Body Liberation Playground HERE: https://www.hannahhusband.com/bodyliberationplayground-bri

Want more of Bri?

Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/