This is probably the most interesting podcast episode & conversation I've recorded to date. I originally met Kate through Body Positive Fitness Alliance, and I remember being impressed not only by her speaking skills, but also how well researched she was when it came to talking about all things related to diet culture. I was sold on her story once I listened to her TED Talk about the connections between fitspo and the freak show. Yes. The freak show as in the side shows that you'd often find at the circus back in the day. 

Kate Browne teaches people and organizations how to tell stories that change the world for good. She is a professor of digital rhetorics and gender studies and the author of the first academic book on The Golden Girls. Kate's writing on storytelling as a wellness habit has appeared in Runner's World, Refinery29, and SELF magazine. 

On this episode we talk about:

CW: mention of weight/numbers. 

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So many personal trainers (and people who think they are) act like this fitness thing is SO easy. That anyone who doesn’t meet their definition of “in good shape” is lazy or undisciplined.

They lead us to believe that if we all just work out like they do and eat like they do that we’ll all have 6 pack abs and perfect butts and a thigh gap? I don’t even know what body parts are trendy anymore. I don’t care. All I know is that I need to shine a light on some of the bullshit.

Most personal trainers won’t share this stuff, but today I’m going to. I can only speak for myself, but I know a lot of people in the fitness industry and am 100% certain that many of these confessions are also true for others.

On this episode we talk about:

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Read the blog post that inspired this episode

This week we're talking to one of my very best friends, Dr. Paula Freedman. If you ever hear me talking about the conversations I have with "my one friend who is a HAES aligned therapist", this is her! I'm SO pumped to let you into our world, because this convo basically a recorded version of what it's like to be eavesdropping on our conversation during a night out. Our convos can go all over the place, but this one really ties together ACT (a tool she uses in therapy) and many of the mindset tools I use to help my personal training clients develop consistency with strength training without letting diet culture creep back in. I always feel like she gives me space to be my most authentic self and also challenges my thinking too! She's such a great person to have in my corner of the world and I know you're gonna love talking with her too! 

Dr. Paula Freedman is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and writer in Chicago, IL. In her private practice, HumanKind Psychological Services, she provides treatment for individuals who struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, and eating disorders. She enjoys helping people connect to their inner wisdom and live authentic and meaningful lives. She is the author of “The Addiction Recovery Workbook” and regularly writes about all things anti-Diet Culture for Psychology Today. She also trains and mentors psychology graduate students and provides online trainings for mental health clinicians. Dr. Paula loves a good metaphor, a witty comeback, and being in nature.

On this episode we talk about:

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It seems like a lot of people I know (myself included) have had to take a break from working out recently. I know I'm not alone right? Maybe you’ve been sick? Or you're just dealing with the weight of the damn WORLD? Chances are you’re also concerned about how this whole situation has affected your body and your fitness?

Whether you’ve gained weight, lost muscle & strength, or just feel out of practice with your usual activities (all totally normal and ok!), it’s important to set yourself up for success as you begin to return to “normal” workouts. 

On this episode we talk about:

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Read the blog post that inspired this episode

This week I have a very important and very timely guest on the podcast! Simone Samuels is here to share all her knowledge about cultivating anti-racism in your fitness community and why this matters. I originally met Simone through Body Positive Fitness Alliance, and now she's on their board of directors and has created an online course for them as well! 

Simone Samuels is multi-passionate fitness professional, writer, and vlogger based in Toronto. In addition to being a group and aqua fitness instructor and personal trainer, she is also offers consulting and education around anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She believes in creating a warm and welcoming non-judgmental environment for all participants and actively tries to make fitness spaces less intimidating. Her fitness philosophy includes a focus on Health at Every Size (HAES), using increased functionality and strength as indicators of success. Simone teaches at fitness centres in Toronto and also offers online group fitness and online personal training. 

On this episode we talk about: 

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How can I talk about fitness after Roe v. Wade being overturned? I can't. Not today. But being that diet culture and what just happened here are two different flavors of the same shit sandwich, I do wanna take the time to talk about some parallels. Before we get into any of this, I need to make one thing perfectly clear. I don't actually know WTF I'm doing here. I'm learning right along with you. I have always used my platform as a way to make sense of things that I’m working through in my own life and it helps to speak in a language I already know--strength training.

Silence does not=neutrality. As fitness professionals, it’s important to consider people’s mental and emotional well-being, as well as safety in the spaces we hold. Silence is not the answer here. When we, as fitness professionals, fail to take action or take a stance at times like this, it says a lot about who we actually care to help. So no, I will NOT stop talking about this anytime soon.

On this episode we talk about:

Google doc for abortion rights activism 

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On today's episode I have a very special guest! Jenn Radke whose podcast I was actually on last year! If you aren't already aware, there was a bit of a situation that went down a few months ago that led me to reconsider some of the books I was recommending to my clients and followers. And so when I was searching for new books related to concepts like Health At Every Size, I knew that Jenn was the person to bring on to talk about it. Her podcast is LITERALLY about reading all the books! 

Jennifer Radke is the host of the podcast, Fat Girl Book Club which is a book club discussion in a podcast format, all about body acceptance books. She is also a body image coach and a podcast coach. She started her own journey of disordered eating at the age of eight when she used to sneak into the basement deep freezer and eat pre-made cookie dough that her mother had put here for guests. After her long, heart-wrenching break up with diet culture, Jennifer began to focus on other aspects of fat liberation and helping others get off the diet rollercoaster. She now lives in British Columbia Canada with her incredible accepting dog, Yoda.

On this episode we talk about: 

Articles & resources mentioned in the episode: 

Mikey Mercedes' article

Lindley Ashline's article

ASDAH's article 

Vinny Wellsby's podcast episode 

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Additional book recommendations/Jenn's Patreon 

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This episode is meant to serve as a bit of a primer for an upcoming guest episode that I recorded about books I'm recommending other than Health At Every Size. More on that in a bit. While this might feel like a no-brainer for some of my listeners, I know plenty of you are newer to some of the concepts I talk about around her. So let's lay the groundwork for why I'm reconsidering my use of the words "body positive". 

On this episode we talk about:

Check out the blog post that inspired this episode!

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This week I'm talking to none other than Holly Myers! If you're on Instagram, you might know her as the barbell pistol squatting queen, and half of the strength coaching duo @liftwithhollyandarryn. I originally met her through having done the same kettlebell certification (more on that in the episode) and later became a part of her online barbell program Funfetti Squat Club.

Holly is an ambitious, creative, multifaceted lady. Aside from heavy kettlebell ballistics, she enjoys writing, photographing on film, and being a genuinely curious person. She is notably obsessed with pastries, and used to make ice cream for a living (for real). The practice of becoming stronger has empowered her to keep questioning her own limits, and in turn the narrow societal limitations imposed upon us all. Building strength helps her show up more authentically herself every day. Each time someone she is coaching breaks through a perceived limitation, she is deeply moved.

On this episode we talk about:

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Hot 'N Fresh Pizza Themed Programming Handbook

Holly & Arryn's Store

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This short but sweet episode was inspired by a question a friend asked me at dinner the other night. She was telling me about how she had started doing some group fitness classes with weights, and wanted to know if I thought it would be a good way to help her get stronger. Sometimes I give the impression that I think don't like group fitness classes, and that's absolutely NOT the case. And also, they might not be the best way to build strength when used alone. 

On this episode we talk about:

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