UNBOTHERED

Hey, hey! Welcome back to Unbothered. Today, I’m diving into something really close to my heart—why we have to break the cycle of body shame, not just for ourselves but for the next generation.

I’ll be honest with you—my aha moment came when I looked at my daughter as a baby and thought, “If I’m not careful, I’m going to teach her how to hate herself.” That hit me hard. It didn’t matter how many times I told her she was beautiful or perfect—the way I treated myself would be the lesson she actually learned. And that was the moment I knew: I had to do the work.

• The harsh realization that my self-talk could influence my daughter’s self-worth
• How intergenerational body shame and anti-fat culture have plagued women for decades
• The importance of modeling self-love through actions, not just words
• My personal journey with postpartum depression and how it made self-acceptance even harder
• Why deciding to break the cycle is the first and most powerful step
• The impact of social media on beauty standards, especially for young girls
• Practical steps I took—like being discerning about the activities and environments my kids are in
• How stopping negative self-talk out loud can shift your inner voice over time

This isn’t just about me or my kids—it’s about all of us. Whether or not you’re a parent, you likely have young people in your life watching how you treat yourself. And trust me, they’re picking up on it.

I share how I made the decision to stop talking sh*t about my body out loud—even when the thoughts were still there. It wasn’t easy. But over time, my inner dialogue softened too. The words we say to ourselves matter, and they shape the next generation's relationship with their own bodies.

This work is bigger than just us—it’s about creating a healthier, more self-compassionate world for the kids coming up behind us. So, if you’ve been stuck in a cycle of self-criticism, I want to challenge you: Start with your words. Even if you don’t believe them yet, practice speaking kindly about yourself. The kids in your life will notice—and they’ll learn from your example.

Thanks for being here with me today. Let’s keep doing this work, for ourselves and for the ones watching us.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hey, hey! Welcome back to Unbothered season two! Honestly, I can’t believe we’re already here, but I’m so glad you are. Today, I’m diving into something that might be a little uncomfortable at first or it might feel like a breath of fresh air. Either way, we’re going there.

In this episode, I’m talking about decentering weight loss and the pursuit of thinness, especially now in the Ozempic era. It feels like we’re slipping right back into that ‘90s and early 2000s heroin chic obsession, and honestly? I’m not here for it.

For many of us,myself included, pursuing thinness was a lifelong mission. It shaped so much of how we saw ourselves, how we measured our worth, and how we moved through the world. But what happens when you decide you’re done with that? What if you stop making weight the main character of your life? That’s what we’re exploring today.

• Why decentering weight loss is so damn hard (and why it’s worth it)
• The emotional rollercoaster of weight cycling—and how it messes with your self-worth
• Letting go of the scale and why it’s one of the most freeing things you can do
• Shifting your focus from weight loss to actual well-being—strength, mobility, and feeling good in your body
• Why I don’t allow weight loss talk in my spaces—and how it creates freedom for my clients
• Navigating the discomfort of breaking free from diet culture and building true self-compassion

Decentering weight loss doesn’t mean you’ll never have the desire to be smaller again. That’s human. We live in a looks-obsessed world—it’s bound to happen. But the difference is, you don’t have to let that desire run the show. You get to choose where you take action from.

So, if you’re ready to stop letting your weight hold so much power over you, know this: it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And I’m right here with you every step of the way.

Thanks for tuning in. Until next time, stay unbothered.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hello, hello, and welcome back to Unbothered! We’re on episode 12, and this one is extra special because I’m joined by my best friend, my client, my coach, and just an all-around badass—Amanda Towns. She’s a relationship and intimacy coach who specializes in helping people build healthy relationships after trauma.

And today, we’re diving into something that so many of us have struggled with—building a positive relationship with exercise and movement after breaking up with diet culture and body hate.

• How to shift your mindset around exercise from obligation to enjoyment
• The difference between discipline and punishment in fitness
• Finding movement that works for you (and ditching the “all or nothing” approach)
• Ways to stay consistent without burning out
• Overcoming guilt and pressure around workouts
• The toxic messages we internalized from diet culture (like the infamous “nothing tastes as good as being slim feels” sign on the fridge).
• The real reasons we think we want to lose weight—and why those reasons often have nothing to do with the number on the scale.
• How we can shift our goals away from weight loss and toward things like strength, mobility, and feeling good in our bodies.
• The power of movement when it’s rooted in self-care rather than punishment.

This conversation is such a powerful reminder that our bodies are not working against us, even when it feels that way. And when we shift from punishing our bodies to actually listening to them, everything changes.

If you’ve ever felt like you were at war with your own body, this episode is for you. Movement doesn’t have to be about shrinking yourself—it can be about expanding your life. Take what resonates from this conversation, and if you’re in a place where you’re trying to heal your relationship with exercise, know that you’re not alone.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hey, hey! Welcome back to Unbothered! We’re on episode 11, and today, we’re flipping the script on what it means to dress in a way that’s “flattering.” Because let’s be real—flattering has always been code for “what makes you look the smallest.” And I don’t know about you, but I’m done with that.

So, let’s talk about dressing for dopamine—choosing clothes that make you feel good, bring you joy, and actually feel comfortable. Because what’s the point of an outfit that makes you miserable?

• The old belief that “flattering” means “looking smaller” (and why we’re throwing that out)
• How I used to avoid colors and patterns because I thought they weren’t “for me”
• The moment I realized my wardrobe was all black and gray—and what I did about it
• How stepping into color, patterns, and comfort changed my relationship with fashion
• The importance of comfort (spoiler: no more Spanx, no more high heels)
• Why dressing for joy is a form of reclaiming your power
• Small ways to start experimenting with your style (without freaking out)
• The connection between personal style, self-expression, and unlearning beauty standards
• How even something like wearing a crop top can be a radical act of self-acceptance

At the end of the day, you get to decide what feels good on your body. No more rules about what’s “appropriate,” what’s “flattering,” or what’s “for you.” If you love it, wear it. If it brings you joy, keep it. If it makes you feel restricted, miserable, or self-conscious? Let it go.

So, take a peek at your closet. What’s in there that truly sparks joy? And if there’s not much—maybe it’s time to change that.

See you next time, and remember: wear the damn crop top.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hello, hello, and welcome back to Unbothered! We’re diving into a conversation today that I kicked off on social media last week because, honestly, I’m still in the process of forming my own opinion on it. I want to stay open, curious, and critical, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

The topic? AI-generated images in branding.

If you’re in the online business space, you know how important visuals are—branding photos, content images, all of it. I’ve done my fair share of branding shoots over the years, and while I’ve learned to enjoy them, I know many people find them awkward or uncomfortable. Enter AI-generated photo shoots, which are becoming more and more popular. I see them all over my feed, and I have thoughts.

• The mixed reactions I got when I brought this up on social media—some people love AI images, others find them inauthentic.
• Why you’ll probably never see an AI-generated image of me and how that aligns with my brand and values.
• How AI images, like filters, can reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and impact body image.
• The way filters mess with our perception of self and how AI takes that to another level.
• My concerns about the potential for AI images to further amplify perfectionism and body dissatisfaction.
• The real pros of AI-generated branding images—accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and creative flexibility.
• Why transparency is key if you’re using AI images in your branding.
• The ethical considerations of AI in branding and whether we should be calling them “photos” at all.
• The importance of being mindful about how AI-generated images might impact your self-perception and mental health.
• How to approach AI images with self-awareness so they don’t end up making you feel worse about yourself or your life.
• Why diversifying your feed with real, unedited, diverse body representation is more important than ever.

I’m not here to tell you what to do, but I am here to encourage you to check in with yourself before diving into AI-generated images. If you’re using them, be transparent about it. If you’re struggling with body image, be mindful of how these tools might affect you. And most importantly, make sure the content you’re consuming reflects real, diverse bodies so we can all move toward a healthier perception of beauty and self-worth.

Let’s keep the conversation going—DM me or tag me on social media with your thoughts. Are AI images something you’d use in your branding? Where do you stand on this? I’d love to hear from you!

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hey there! Welcome back to Unbothered. We're diving into episode 9 today, and I've got a big topic for you—the F word. No, not that F word (though you know I say it sometimes). I’m talking about the word fat.

Just hearing that word might have made you feel something, right? That’s because it’s been used as a weapon for so long—as a punchline, an insult, and something we’re taught to fear. But here’s the truth: it’s not that serious.

In this episode, I’m unpacking what it means to become unbothered by the word fat—how that shift can transform your relationship with yourself, your body, and even how you see other people’s bodies.

• The Weight of the Word "Fat": How society has turned it into an insult and why it shouldn’t hold that power.
• My Personal Story: The struggle with weight gain during pregnancy and unlearning the fear of being fat.
• Thin Privilege and Body Diversity: Recognizing the privilege I have and understanding the systemic dehumanization of fat people.
• Neutralizing the Word: Why becoming unbothered by the word fat can create change—for yourself and for the collective.
• Teaching Body Neutrality to Kids: How I handle conversations about bodies with my children in a healthy, neutral way.
• Getting Curious About Your Own Beliefs: Practical steps to explore what fat means to you and why it might trigger certain feelings.
• The Danger of Tying Worth to Beauty: How our fear of being fat is often rooted in a fear of rejection and a need to belong.

The goal here isn’t just about changing how you see yourself—it’s about shifting the collective narrative. What if fat was just a descriptor, like tall or short? What if we accepted body diversity as natural and stopped attaching shame to it?

If this conversation resonates with you, or if it challenges you, take a moment to reflect. Grab a journal, ask yourself what you’re making fat mean about you, and start unlearning those beliefs.

And if you want to dig even deeper, I highly recommend the book Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings. It’s a powerful read that really breaks down the historical and systemic roots of anti-fatness and diet culture.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. Stay unbothered, and I’ll see you next time!

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

In this episode of Unbothered, we dive into my personal journey with makeup and why I ultimately chose to stop wearing it. Whether you're someone who loves makeup or feels obligated to wear it, this conversation will help you explore your own relationship with beauty standards. Tune in as we discuss societal pressures, self-confidence, and what it truly means to make makeup a choice rather than a requirement.

• My journey from wearing a full face of makeup daily to choosing not to wear it at all
• The pressure I felt as a hairstylist and makeup artist to always look flawless
• How questioning my reasons for wearing makeup in front of my daughter shifted my perspective
• The societal expectations that reinforce the idea that makeup is necessary, especially in professional settings
• The importance of making beauty choices from a place of joy rather than insecurity
• How I approach makeup with my kids—allowing it to be fun and empowering rather than a requirement

Remember that makeup should be a choice, not an obligation. Whether you love wearing it or prefer to go without, the key is understanding your reasons and feeling empowered in your decision. If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it! See you next time.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Welcome back to Unbothered! Last week’s episode was just the beginning—I had so much more to say, so here we are with part two of why rejecting beauty and body standards is a form of resistance.

In the last episode, I talked about how obsessing over our bodies is a distraction—one that drains our time, energy, money, and mental real estate. But today, we’re zooming out and looking at the bigger picture: how the beauty and body industries thrive on our insecurities and put profit over people.

• The beauty and weight loss industries are multi-billion dollar machines designed to keep us in a cycle of self-loathing and spending.
• The way shame is baked into marketing—whether it’s weight loss ads or anti-aging products—and how it keeps us chasing an unattainable ideal.
• The importance of being intentional about where we spend our money in a capitalistic system that thrives on our dissatisfaction.
• My own wake-up call in 2023 and how financial challenges forced me to re-evaluate my consumption habits.
• The unrealistic, ever-changing standards that keep us feeling like we’re never “good enough” and how opting out is an act of personal and collective power.
• A conversation I had at a recent retreat about how common Botox and fillers have become—and what that says about our distorted self-perception.

At the end of the day, it’s all made up. Capitalism? Made up. Beauty standards? Made up. The idea that wrinkles, cellulite, and aging are problems to be fixed? Also made up. And if we can collectively shift our mindset and stop seeing our bodies as projects in need of constant fixing, we can start reclaiming our time, money, and energy for things that actually matter.

Take what resonates, get curious about your own habits, and remember—you don’t have to buy into any of it.

See you next time, and sending you all so much love!

Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear it!

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hey there! Welcome back to Unbothered. This episode wasn’t originally planned, but with everything happening in the world right now, I knew we needed to have this conversation.

We’re talking about beauty standards—how they’re used as a tool to keep us distracted, ashamed, and disconnected from our power. And more importantly, how rejecting them is an act of resistance.

I know so many of us are feeling overwhelmed, helpless, and wondering, what can I do? The truth is, they want us stuck in fear. They want us preoccupied with our insecurities. But when we free up our mental space and energy, we can show up in bigger, bolder ways for the change we want to see in the world.

• How beauty and body standards keep us distracted and dysregulated
• The mental, emotional, and financial cost of trying to conform
• Why rejecting beauty standards doesn’t mean opting out entirely, but making intentional choices
• My personal journey with makeup, hair dye, and questioning my motivations
• How beauty norms are deeply ingrained in the workplace and beyond
• The power of normalizing our real, unfiltered selves
• Practical ways to start challenging beauty standards in your own life

This is about reclaiming our energy and focus so we can fight for what truly matters. It’s about stepping into our power and refusing to see ourselves as a problem that needs fixing.

So my invitation to you: get curious. Why do you engage in certain beauty practices? Are they bringing you joy, or are they rooted in shame? Start small—skip the makeup for a day, let your hair do its thing, challenge the “rules” you’ve always followed. See how it feels.

Because the more we free ourselves from these distractions, the more we can pour into shaping the world we actually want to live in.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Let’s continue this conversation—DM me your thoughts or experiences. Remember: You are already enough. Right now. As you are.

Until next time, stay unbothered and stay in your power.

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

Hey there! Welcome back to Unbothered. In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s so deeply ingrained in our lives—food morality. You know those moments when you’ve said, “I’m so bad for eating this” or “I’m trying to be good by avoiding that”? Let’s unpack where those beliefs come from and why they’re so harmful.

Here’s what I cover in today’s conversation:

• What is food morality?
• I explain how we’ve been conditioned to tie our worth as humans to what we eat (or don’t eat)—and how damaging that can be.

• Shifting your language and mindset:
• I share actionable steps to move away from labeling food as “good” or “bad” and start embracing food neutrality. Words matter, and this shift can change everything.

• The role of systemic issues in food choices:
• It’s not just about personal responsibility—there’s a bigger system at play. Access to food isn’t equal, and it’s time we stop blaming individuals for systemic failures.

• Breaking the cycle of restriction and shame:

• I talk about the forbidden-fruit effect and why unrestricted permission to eat is key to healing your relationship with food.

• Fed is best:
• Whether it’s a McDonald’s cheeseburger during tough times or the “nutrient-dense” meal you’ve been striving for, the goal is to meet your needs without judgment.

This episode is packed with personal stories, hard truths, and practical advice to help you reclaim your power, let go of shame, and see food for what it really is—just food.

If this episode hit home for you, I’d love to hear your thoughts! DM me on Instagram or leave a review. And remember, becoming unbothered isn’t about perfection—it’s about liberation.

Until next time, stay unbothered and well-fed. 💛

Are you ready to join the movement and become unbothered? Visit https://stan.store/theerikaz and subscribe to Unbothered and follow me on TikTok and on Facebook to stay connected. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message and let’s spread the revolution together.

Thank you for listening!

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