The BodPod

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have a special episode as Lindsay Johnson and Shane Smoore take over the podcast! Shane Smoore, also known as Plus Size Trans Guy, is a chubby, queer, trans man who calls the mid-west home. As a model, speaker, and influencer, he is making space for body liberation within the LGBTQIA community. He strives to spread positivity and hopes to empower others to live and wear themselves proudly and to be their authentic selves.Lindsay Johnson is a queer, non-binary, plus size entrepreneur who believes in radical self-acceptance, so much so that they named their company The Radical Connector. They believe in doing deep, healing work to release yourself from harmful systemic beliefs and connect to the radical self-acceptance and self-love waiting for you on the other side.  In this episode, Shane will talk about building an online community through his platform, Plus Size Trans Guy, examples from the media that resonated with him as a trans man, and, of course, how there weren't a lot of examples in the media while he was growing up. Besides this, Shane and Lindsay will discuss the way in which trans and queer people are expected to be brave because of the way they are often treated, whether they would have come out earlier than they did, and the way in which certain words are often used to bully trans and queer people. Last but not least, they'll chat about having to limit certain things about themselves to fit into labels, why it's important not to think of gender as linear, and the intersectionality between body image and being a trans person. Plus, they'll discuss how fashion has kept individuals in larger bodies from expressing themselves. Keep listening to hear how Shane and Lindsay are inspiring others to be true to themselves.Lindsay's Instagram: @radicallindsLindsay's TikTok: @radicallindsShane's Instagram: @plussizetransguyShane's TikTok: @plussizetransguy

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are joined by the one and only Carly Compton! Carly is an eating disorder survivor, self-love and confidence educator, podcast host, and soon-to-be eating disorder therapist. She will be graduating with her MSW in May with the hopes of working as a licensed clinical social worker and starting her own private practice. Her platform, Paradise Fitness with Carly, is built on breaking up with toxic diet culture and learning how to heal your relationship with food, movement, and your body through a health at every size framework and intuitive eating. Carly hopes to inspire individuals to wear the damn bikini no matter their size and lives by the motto, “My weight does not define my worth.”In this episode, Carly will share how and why she kickstarted Paradise Fitness with Carly including her struggles with an eating disorder and her recovery process, how she turned to humour as a coping mechanism, and how the media plays into stereotypes surrounding people in larger bodies. Besides this, we'll also chat about Carly's fitness account and how it has evolved over the years, how she came to the realization that she did not want disordered eating and diet culture to control her life, and how she deals with negative thoughts about her body. Last but not least, we'll discuss the importance of unfollowing people who make you think twice about your body. Keep listening to hear how Carly is helping others realize that their weight does not define their worth. Instagram: @paradisefitnesswithcarlyWebsite: https://www.paradisefitnesswithcarly.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Coach Carey take over the podcast with special guest Smash + Tess' Ashley Freeborn. Raia (a.k.a Coach Carey) is a three-time certified life coach and motivational speaker. She's passionate about encouraging others to tap into the confidence they never knew they had. After overcoming various hardships, she transformed her mindset and began a career that empowers others to do the same. Ashley Freeborn is the CEO and founder of Smash + Tess, a brand that's dedicated to creating “everywear” to take you from the sheets to the streets and disrupt the fashion industry with chic, cozy clothing. After finding a void in the lounge wear market, Ashely attended the summer fashion program at Condé Nast, and the rest is history. Having recently collaborated on the One For All romper, a genderless romper, we are so excited to have these pals together on our show. In this episode, Ashley will talk about the origin story of Smash + Tess, what it's like working with her mom, and how she brings a community aspect to her business. Besides this, Ashley will also share her advice for moving from an idea to an action when it comes to starting a business while opening up about a time in her life when she wasn't as confident in herself. Last but not least, Ashley and Raia will discuss their romper collaboration and how it came to be. Keep listening to hear how Raia and Ashley are working to make everyone feel seen and valued. Raia's Instagram: @coach.carey Smash + Tess' Instagram: @smashtess Ashley's Instagram: @ashleyfreebornFor more information about BodCon 2022 and to purchase tickets, click here!

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we have an extra special episode for you as our cofounders Jess Hunichen and Emily Ward sit down with Sarah Nicole Landry of The Birds Papaya to chat all things BodCon! Sarah Nicole Landry is a mom of four who loves cultivating powerful social media conversations around life and our experiences in it. She is a body confidence activist, speaker, writer, three times cover girl, and weekly host of the Papaya Podcast. After witnessing the incredible conversations taking place in the social space around body confidence, founders of Shine Talent Group Jess and Emily wanted to build a platform that would help amplify these voices and allow this community to share in an experience that would bring people together and help further the impact of this movement.In this episode, Sarah, Jess, and Emily will talk about how the BodCon came to be, what the goal and purpose of the BodCon really is, and the people who have inspired and participated in the BodCon along the way. Besides this, they'll also chat about confidence, shame, and the way in which the BodCon is creating a space for conversations about these topics and so many more to take place, whether they are difficult or not. Last but not least, Jess and Emily will share the feedback they've received about the BodCon from the community and how that has shaped the conference going forward. Keep listening to hear how we at the BodCon and Sarah are working to raise the community up by fostering those difficult but necessary conversations.  For more information about BodCon 2022 and to purchase tickets, click here!BodCon Website: www.thebodcon.comBodCon Instagram: @thebodconSarah's Website: www.thebirdspapaya.comSarah's Instagram: @thebirdspapaya 

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Ali Stroker on the show! Ali is a New York-based actor, singer, and author who won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Ado Annie in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma. She has also appeared in a number of series including The Glee Project, Ozark, Only Murders in the Building, Ten Days in the Valley, and will be appearing as a series regular in Netflix's upcoming limited series Echoes. Ali made history as the first actor who uses a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in the 2015 revival of Spring Awakening and continues to delight audiences through her soloing and theatrical performances. She recently co-wrote a novel, The Chance to Fly, and is gearing up to release her debut picture book, Ali and the Sea Stars, later this spring. In this episode, Ali will share with us her back story, her experience growing up, and how she discovered her passion for theatre. Ali will also discuss her body confidence journey including her relationship with her body, clothes and food, as well as being in a body that you can't feel. Besides this, we'll chat about being othered, looking in the mirror for fun versus to be critical, and how our feelings about our bodies change when we want to be desired. Last but not least, Ali will talk about how external messages have shaped how she thought about her body and what being the first actor to use a wheelchair to appear on Broadway has taught her. Keep listening to hear how Ali is working to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not. Instagram: @alistrokerWebsite: https://www.alistroker.com/Book: The Chance to Fly

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, I am joined by the one and only Nikki Garza! Nikki is a queer, Latina, plus size actor, content creator, and model known for her roles on Dynasty and Monarch. Her goal is to create diverse media that she herself did not see while growing up. Sharing her message of personal empowerment and loving yourself with her community, she hopes to be the representation that was lacking in her upbringing. Nikki will also be joining us as part of our Hollywood and Body Diversity panel at this year's BodCon!In this episode, Nikki will share what her career path has looked like so far and how she had been pigeonholed into certain roles while working in theatre. We'll also chat about how Nikki was the first plus size character on Dynasty, representation in movies and television shows, and the fear and emotional work that comes with wardrobe as a plus size actor, model, and/or performer. Last but not least, Nikki will talk to us about her body confidence journey, the role that social media has played in this, and the advice she has for other plus size people when it comes to feeling confident in their clothes. Keep listening to hear how Nikki is working to help others love their bodies.TikTok: @itsnikki.gInstagram: @itsnikki.gTwitter: @itsnikkigarza

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Greg Carruthers on the show! Greg is a Toronto-based choreographer, actor, body positive activist, and the founder/artistic producer of EveryBody on Stage, an initiative that aims to break down stigma and fat-phobia in the arts. As a choreographer, Greg's work has toured to Dubai and won awards for the long-running Toronto production of Disney's Mary Poppins. He has served as the resident director/choreographer for Canada's Wonderland and co-wrote and directed the Patron's Pick of the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival's KidsFest. As a performer, Greg was most recently seen on the U.S. tour of Trey Parker's Cannibal! The Musical. His organization, EveryBody on Stage was the recipient of our inaugural Impact grant and he will be joining us as part of the Body Diversity and Entertainment Industry panel at this year's BodCon.In this episode, Greg will share with us his performing origin story including how he began dancing and his time going to school for musical theatre. Besides this, we'll discuss body shaming, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating in the theatre/performance industry and the need for audience support. We'll also share our experiences with body shaming and dieting including the roles we didn't receive because of our bodies. Last but not least, Greg will talk about how and why EveryBody on Stage came to be and what they are up to now. Keep listening to hear how Greg is fighting for representation by giving marginalized performers the opportunity to showcase their talents.  Greg's Instagram: @gregcarruthersEveryBody on Stage's Instagram: @everybodyonstageEveryBody on Stage's YouTube can be found here

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are joined by actress, writer, and singer Melanie Field! Melanie is known for starring in Heathers, season two of You, Florida Girls, Shrill, The Alienist, and the upcoming Amazon Prime series A League of Their Own. A graduate of NYU and the Yale School of Drama, Melanie started her career on Broadway in shows including The Phantom of the Opera and Evita as well as the first national tour of Wicked. Melanie is passionate about representation and changing the narrative in Hollywood and as result, debuted her music video for Now I Know which chronicles her own body struggles and journey to acceptance. In this episode, Melanie will open up about how she got into performing, why she decided to leave New York to attend the Yale School of Drama, and how she navigated the audition process as a curvy woman. Besides this, Melanie will also talk about her struggle with her body, the continued marginalization of curvy women in the acting industry, and how she came to address her body image journey in her Now I Know music video. Last but not least, we'll discuss diversity and media representation. Keep listening to hear how Melanie is working to make plus size women feel seen and heard. Instagram: @melanie__fieldYou can watch Melanie's music video for Now I Know here.

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to be chatting with Lauren Chan, a size inclusion advocate, model, fashion writer, and the CEO/founder of Henning, an ethical brand of luxury, plus-size clothing. Her writing has been published in outlets like Vogue, Interview, the New York Times, Glamour - where she served as the fashion features editor and the voice of the plus-size fashion beat - and more. Most recently, Lauren founded her clothing line, Henning, which offers luxury women's wear available in sizes 12 to 26. In this episode, Lauren will talk about how she got her start in the fashion world as a curve model, how she went from modelling to becoming the voice of plus-size fashion at Glamour to designing a fashion line, and her experience pitching stories within the plus-size fashion space. Besides this, we'll discuss how Lauren built Henning, the learning process she went through, and why it was important for her to create a plus-size line that is luxury. Last but not least, Lauren and I will dive into the complexities of fast fashion, how brands can become more size inclusive, and the body confidence and body positivity movement. Keep listening to hear how Lauren is working to make an impact in the fashion world. Instagram: @lcchan & @henning

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Emme on the show. Emme is a model, brand spokesperson, television personality, Revlon's first full-figured spokeswoman, and was crowned the godmother of the full-figured industry by Oprah Magazine. Often considered to be the first plus-sized supermodel, Emme made history as the first plus-sized model to land on People's 50 Most Beautiful list, the first plus-sized model to appear on a billboard in Times Square, and the first plus-sized model to land her own contract with a major beauty company. Emme continues to make waves as an advocate and was the first celebrity body image and self-esteem champion invited to speak before a congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. to increase awareness of the dangers of eating disorders and poor body image. Through her work as a plus model and designer, she saw the gap in the education system for designers which led to her developing Fashion Without Limits, a global initiative established at her alma mater, Syracuse University, where young designers are taught an inclusive fashion education. Emme also made her New York Fashion Week debut for Chromat in 2017. In this episode, Emme will tell us how she fell into modelling, how she felt being the first plus-sized model in the 90s, and how she left her comfort zone to embrace this career path. Besides this, Emme will also talk about how she maintained her confidence in the face of criticism, how she continues to take care of her body today, and when she became aware of her relationship with her body. Last but not least, we will discuss diet culture including diet products, body perception, and more. Keep listening to hear how Emme is working to spread kindness, empathy, and inclusivity through her work and initiatives. Instagram: @theofficialemmaTwitter: @SupermodelEmmeWebsite: https://www.emmestyle.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are joined by BodCon alum Meaghan Wray to chat about the best and the worst of 2021 with regards to body confidence. Meaghan is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor with a passion for body liberation and fat positivity. She creates body positive content on Instagram as a side hobby and is currently working on her first book about fatness and desirability. Her work can be found in Chatelaine, Best Health Magazine, Flare.com, and much more!In this episode, Meaghan will share a bit about herself and her passion for writing about experiencing life in a bigger body. Besides this, we will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the past year when it comes to our bodies, including the media's role in how we perceive weight, society's obsession with bodies, and the hypersexualization of young women. We'll also touch on fashion including companies that are branded as size-inclusive but who's sizes don't necessarily match up to the marketing. Of course, we'll also talk about those new Hooters shorts, Victoria's Secret's rebrand, and the racist costume Dollarama stores in Ontario offered this past Halloween. But don't worry, because we will also chat about the positives we saw this year such as representation in movies and television shows and more. Keep listening to hear our body confidence takeaways from 2021!Instagram: @mggghnWebsite: https://meaghanwray.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are chatting with Dalina Soto, a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian nutritionist. She works as one of the few Spanish speaking RDs in the Philadelphia area and virtually across the country, teaching her clients how to ditch the diet mentality and keep their culture alive. Through her online platform as Your Latina Nutritionist and through her signature Chula method courses, she aims to help clients drop the weight – the weight of body shame and chronic dieting that is! In this episode, Dalina will talk a bit about her journey to becoming a nutritionist and dietitian, why it was important for her to intersect her cultural identity with her work, and her experience going to dietetic school. We'll also discuss the impact she has had on the Latinx community as a Latina nutritionist and dietitian, the way some foods are marketed as health and unhealthy, and Dalina's Chula method. Last but not least, Dalina will share her advice for those who struggle with food, their bodies, and criticism from family members during the holidays, including how to set New Year's intentions without getting sucked into diet culture. Keep listening to hear how Dalina is helping others feel good about their bodies just the way they are. Instagram: @your.latina.nutritionistTikTok: @yourlatinanutritionist

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Stephanie Chinn on the show. Stephanie is an illustrator, best-selling author, speaker, and body confidence advocate whose work focuses on illustrating the different ways we can remind ourselves that we are enough the way we are while unpacking the ways we've been led to believe we are not. She began sharing her work on Instagram in 2019 and grew her audience to over 50,000 followers within the year. Recently, she released her debut book Here Sister, Let Me Help You Up which is a collection of original, body-positive feminist artwork. In this episode, Stephanie will tell us how she shifted gears from journalism to art, how art became a form of therapy for her while recovering from addiction, and her relationship with her body throughout her addiction and recovery. Besides this, we'll also discuss how Stephanie went from using art as therapy for herself to using it as a form of advocacy on social media, how her art ebbs and flows based on what she's going through, and imposter syndrome. Keep listening to hear how Stephanie is inspiring others to live in the moment, try new things, and let go of their shame. Instagram: @stephaniechinnartWebsite: https://www.stephaniechinn.com/ 

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are chatting with Nikki Blonsky, an American actress best known for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 musical film, Hairspray. The role earned her several prestigious award nominations including a Golden Globe nomination. She's also starred in other movies such as the Lifetime original movie Queen Sized, ABC Family original series Huge, and Geography Club. Most recently, Nikki launched her own podcast called Nikki Nights where she talks with celebrities and industry professionals about current issues, quarantine, pop culture, and anything else on their minds. In this episode, Nikki will give us some insight into her background including how she landed her role in Hairspray while working at a Cold Stone Creamery, her relationship with co-star John Travolta, and the support she received from her family. Besides this, we'll also discuss Nikki's body confidence journey, the advice her grandmother gave her that changed her view of the human body, and her role models in the industry. Last but not least, we'll talk about the way plus-sized characters are often portrayed as the victim in media, how she was often put in a box when auditioning for new roles, and her journey in coming out as a gay woman. Keep listening to hear how Nikki is inspiring others to believe in themselves and live their truths.Nikki's Instagram: @nikkiblonsky

Welcome back to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are pleased to have Leah V, a Hijabi social media influencer, award-winning author, model, motivational speaker, educator, and content creator on the show. Leah's content has garnered millions of views and she has been featured in hundreds of media platforms including The New York Times, Refinery29, Vogue Italia, and Buzzfeed. As a plus-sized model, body positivity activist, and Muslim feminist, Leah is paving the way for people who don't fit in to normalized beauty standards while sharing her experiences with her community to empower them to live boldly.In this episode, Leah V will share with us how she came to be a model and a social media activist, how her family adopted a new faith when she was a child, and how that affected her body image. In addition, we'll chat about Leah's fashion, her journey to becoming more comfortable with wearing different kinds of clothing, and the way in which Muslim women are often portrayed in the media. Last but not certainly not least, Leah will open up about the criticism she's faced from both Muslim and non-Muslim individuals. Keep listening to hear how Leah V went from avoiding mirrors to landing a modelling deal with Old Navy.Leah's book: http://www.leahvernon.com/unashamedleahvernonbookLeah' Instagram: @lvernon3000

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to be chatting with The Power of Plus's cofounders Gianluca Russo and Shammara Lawrence! The Power of Plus is a size inclusive community centred on open and honest conversations around body positivity self-love, fat politics, and size inclusivity in fashion, beauty, and beyond. Diversity and inclusion are the core principles of the platform which promotes respect, love, and style for every body.Gianluca Russo is the CEO and cofounder of The Power of Plus as well as a fashion and culture writer who specializes in body diversity. His work has appeared in GQ, Glamour, InStyle, Teen Vogue and more and his debut book, The Power of Plus, will be released in the summer of 2022. Shammara Lawrence is also the cofounder of The Power of Plus and is a New York-based multimedia writer who specializes in beauty, plus-sized fashion, body positivity, and social justice. Her words have been published in Teen Vogue, Allure, InStyle, and more. In this episode, Gianluca and Shammara will tell us how The Power of Plus came to be, how they launched the online platform, and how they are working to fill a void in conversations about plus-sized fashion. Besides this, we'll dive right into the details of plus-sized fashion including the continued struggle to see plus-sized clothing being made, the myth that the plus-sized community doesn't care about fashion, and the way in which brands don't see the business value in creating for this community. Last but not certainly not least, we'll discuss the racism that exists in the fashion industry. Keep listening to hear how Gianluca and Shammara are working to broach sensitive and difficult conversations when it comes to plus-sized fashion and inclusivity. The Power of Plus's Instagram: @thepowerofplus Gianluca's Instagram: @g_russo1 Shammara's Instagram: @itsshammara

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are pleased to have Gigi Robinson, a digital artist, podcaster, creative producer, and social media advocate for mental health, chronic illness, and body image on the show! Living with chronic illnesses herself, Gigi strives to create positive and impactful messages to share with her diverse audience by opening up about her journey and the effects it's had on her mental health and body confidence. A creative on many platforms, she recently launched her Spotify Greenroom show, Everything You Need is Within, which she describes as a Gen Z show that tells it like it is. Gigi continues to give back by working with organizations like the Trevor Project, the Jed Foundation, World Food Programme USA, and more. In this episode, Gigi will talk about her body confidence after getting diagnosed with chronic illness at a young age, how she stopped herself from falling in to old habits including binge eating during the pandemic, and how that led her to the body confidence space. Besides this, we will talk about the negative pressures of social media, being mindful of what you're posting online especially for younger generations, and the importance of curating your feed in order to protect your mental health. Last but not least, Gigi will share with us how her Spotify Greenroom show came to be and why she defines it a Gen Z show that tells it like it is. Keep listening to hear how Gigi is educating others on critical wellness topics while championing diversity and equality for all. Instagram: @itsgigirobinsonWebsite: https://www.gigirobinson.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/gigirobinson 

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, it is a pleasure to have Dr. Lindo Bacon, a nutritionist, researcher, and author on the show! Dr. Bacon is on a mission to foster a global shift towards a world where all bodies are valued, respected, and supported in compassionate self-care. They have a doctorate in physiology, master's degrees in exercise science and psychotherapy, and currently serve as an associate nutritionist as the University of California, Davis. Lindo has worked extensively in the health at every size field including writing the Health at Every Size book in 2008 and serving as co-author on Body Respect. Known for their signature blend of science and storytelling, they recently released their third book, Radical Belonging: How To Survive and Thrive in an Unjust World (While Transforming it for the Better). Lindo continues to push for a culture of empathy, equity, and true belonging while sharing their own struggle as a marginalized individual.In this episode, Dr. Lindo Bacon will share the details of their body confidence journey, how important it is for them to present their vulnerability, and how difficult it is not to buy into the diet culture myths. We'll also discuss radical belonging, recognizing your journey as being constant rather than a set point, and the catalyst that promoted Lindo to write their latest book. Last but not least, we'll touch on fatphobia in healthcare and how to start teaching younger generations about body confidence including normalizing difference. Keep listening to hear how Dr. Lindo Bacon is advocating for body respect. Instagram: @lindobaconWebsite: https://lindobacon.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are excited to have Bridget Shannon, a certified health coach and cofounder of Wellness Lately, on the show! After spending 10 years working in the health industry and healing her own history with disordered eating, Bridget switched gears and is now passionate about helping women all over the world ditch the dieting, heal their relationships with their bodies, and embrace a version of wellness that actually feels good for them. Through Wellness Lately, Bridget and her cofounder Dana Barron are dedicated to spreading the messages of intuitive eating, health at every size, and body liberation. In this episode, Bridget will share the origin story of Wellness Lately including her own body journey, her relationship with food, and her exit from health coaching. We'll also delve deep into the diet industry and the way it capitalizes on our desire to be thin, the vicious cycle that is dieting, and how the wellness industry also plays into all of this. Last not least, Bridget will discuss the way in which certain diet companies have rebranded themselves as lifestyle companies, yet still sell the same thing. Keep listening to hear Bridget's advice for breaking up with diets and how she is helping women feel equipped with their bodies.Instagram: @wellness_latelyWebsite: https://www.wellnesslately.com/

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we chatting with the incredible Carlen Costa, a clinical sexologist, psychotherapist, cannabis educator, orgasm activist, and author of the Amazon number one best-seller Love: The Women's Guide to Not F*cking Settling. Carlen's work is largely focused in the field of sexology as she teaches people of all genders how to love with confidence through radical self-love and how to create healthy, happy, and consensual relationships in intimate settings. She has been featured in Fashion, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, Refinery29 and many other publications and media outlets. In this episode, Carlen will share how she got into body work including her own body confidence journey and her life design community called The Everyday Goddess, how limiting labels can be, and how important it is to own your body and yourself. We'll also discuss weight loss and how diet culture tells us we'll be happier if we're a certain size and the relationship between sex and body confidence. Last but not least, we'll talk about how we typically allow others to validate our experiences of pleasure and how we can and should change that. Keep listening to hear how Carlen is working to help people get to know their bodies and bring pleasure back into themselves. Carlen's Instagram: @carlen.costa Carlen's website: https://www.carlencosta.com/Love: The Women's Guide to Not Fucking Settling: Amazon

Welcome to the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Jessamyn Stanley, an internationally acclaimed voice in wellness, a yoga teacher, advocate, podcaster, and published author, on the show! She launched The Underbelly, a wellness platform that includes on-demand streaming yoga classes – taught by Jessamyn – for everyone, especially those who may feel displaced, discouraged, or overlooked in the health and fitness community. Her most recent book, Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance, explores issues of self-love, body positivity, race, sex, sexuality, and so much more all through the lens of an authentic yoga practice. Jessamyn's advocacy work includes a variety of cultural issues including the modern Black experience, LGBTQIA+ representation, and equity in the health industry among so many others. She is a regular contributor for Self Magazine and has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Good Morning America, Vogue, InStyle, BET, Cosmopolitan, and many other publications.In this episode, Jessamyn will share with us how her yoga journey began, why it was important for her to share her practice, and how this led to her wellness community called The Underbelly as well as her advocacy work. We will also discuss Jessamyn's book including cultural appropriation and the reason she uses the word “yoke”, her experience with yoga teacher training, and why it's important for her to reach everyone who has asked her to teach yoga. Last but not least, we'll talk about the overwhelming whiteness that has become the hallmark of yoga, the importance of sitting in discomfort, and Jessamyn's personal body confidence. Keep listening to hear how Jessamyn is taking care of her body and letting it be, while encouraging others to do the same. Jessamyn's Instagram: @mynameisjessamynJessamyn's podcast: https://dearjessamyn.comThe Underbelly: theunderbelly.com

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Dr. Joshua Wolrich, an NHS doctor living in the U.K. with a passion for helping people improve their relationship with food, on the show! After his own weight loss journey, he delved deep into the complexities of weight science and the health-at-every-size approach and realized that he had to make a public and deliberate shift away from promoting weight loss online. As a result, you will find him regularly addressing weight stigma and diet culture to his audience of over 400,000 while also fighting nutribollocks. He also recently completed his master's in nutrition and released his debut book, Food Isn't Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Joshua will share a bit about how he started using his Instagram as a platform for weight loss, the point at which he realized this was problematic, and the origins of his book. In addition, we'll talk about the importance of willing to be wrong and how Dr. Joshua came to this realization, how healthcare must change to become accessible to everyone, and how stereotypes can and often do play a role in healthcare. Last but not least, Dr. Joshua will discuss the way in which healthcare is weight-centric, how this leads to exclusive healthcare, and how this isn't really challenged by many doctors. Keep listening to hear how Dr. Joshua is working to rid healthcare of weight stigma and diet culture.Listen to Dr. Joshua Wolrich's podcast, Willing To Be Wrong, here.Instagram: @drjoshuawolrich

Welcome back to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Tiffany Yu, a social impact entrepreneur, podcaster, disability advocate, three-time Tedx speaker, and the CEO and founder of Diversability, on the show! At the age of nine, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father. Since then, Tiffany has dedicated her life to elevate disability pride through her award-winning social enterprise, Diversability, by working as a part of the San Francisco mayor's disability council, and by founding the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded over $50,000 to 53 disability projects in eight countries. In this episode, Tiffany will open up about how she acquired her disabilities including the ones you can't see, how she came to be an advocate for others with disabilities, and how shame held her back from being her true self. She will also talk about her journey to accepting her body, how the media influences our beauty ideals, and ableism including internalized ableism. Last but not least, we'll discuss the way in which society frames disability as a hindrance rather than something to celebrate, the misconceptions surrounding disabled people, and the importance of eliminating these misconceptions. Keep listening to hear how Tiffany is working to help other people feel as unapologetically themselves as possible. Tiffany's Instagram:@imtiffanyyu @diversabilityTiffany's websites:https://mydiversability.com/ https://www.tiffanyyu.com/ 

Welcome back to the BodPod! We have an extra special episode for you today as one of our BodCon alums, Julia Parzyck, takes over the podcast with her bestie, Jayne Mattingly.Julia Parzyck is an eating disorder recovery coach and body acceptance influencer who has fully recovered from her own eating disorder. She helps women develop a healthy relationship with their bodies, food, and fitness and truly learn to appreciate and accept themselves. Jane Mattingly is a master's level eating disorder recovery therapist turned coach as well as CEO and owner of the global virtual coaching group practice, Recovery Love & Care. Having fully recovered from her own eating disorder as well, Jane lives with chronic illnesses and proudly identifies as disabled which has inspired her to help others within their own healing journeys with their bodies.In this episode, Jayne will talk about her recovery coaching business which Julia is a part of, her chronic illnesses, and the way in which she copes with her physical disabilities. The pair will also share the details of their eating disorders, their struggles with anxiety, and their recovery journeys. Last but not least, they will speak about the education or lack thereof surrounding eating disorders, the skepticism that recovery coaches often face, and the way social media impacts our mental health but also the way it can be beneficial. Keep listening to hear how Julia and Jayne are helping their clients navigate their healing journeys overall and during a global pandemic.Julia's Instagram: @fitfatandallthatJulia's website: https://www.fitfatandallthat.com/Jayne's Instagram: @recoveryloveandcareJayne's website: https://recoveryloveandcare.com/

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are thrilled to have Reena Ruparelia, a mindfulness junkie, empowerment speaker, skin positivity advocate, and the voice behind the Psoriasis Thoughts Instagram community, on the show! Reena aims to empower, educate, and connect those living with psoriasis in an authentic and meaningful way. As someone who has been living with psoriasis for over 25 years, she began advocating for the condition in 2016 when she launched her online community of Psoriasis Warriors who come together to share inspiration and connect through live chats. In this episode, Reena will explain what exactly psoriasis is, what her journey to diagnosis entailed, and her relationship with her skin. She will also discuss why she launched her online platform and how that helped her come to terms with her condition. Last but not least, Reena will talk about how she deals with the negative thoughts surrounding her psoriasis including mindfulness and meditation practice, how she got to know herself better, and how this led to her respecting her body more. Keep listening to hear how Reena is encouraging others to never give up and to listen to their bodies too. Instagram: @psoriasis_thoughtsWebsite: https://reenarup.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to be chatting with Katrina Nichole, a plus-sized model, content creator, and fitness enthusiast whose platform is focused on body positivity, fitness for everybody, and the newest fashion trends that she hopes will inspire women of all sizes to learn to love themselves exactly as they are. Katrina's confidence is evident in her content and her honest reviews make her feel like she is the BFF you can trust. We are thrilled to be Katrina's first ever podcast interview!In this episode, Katrina will discuss the origins of her fashion and fitness platform, how she grew up in an environment that encouraged her to be her true self, and her approach to fitness. She will also open up about her anxiety going back to the gym, the importance of trying new things in order to find what works for you, and her own body image journey including her experience with restrictive diets and disordered eating. Last but not least, we'll talk about the way in which media and clothing brands shape our thoughts about larger bodies, how this has inspired Katrina to post real and genuine content, and how Katrina navigates diet culture while also wearing the kinds of clothes she wants. Keep listening to hear how Katrina is working to encourage women to live their most authentic lives!Instagram: @thekatrinanichole

Welcome back to a very special episode of the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Danielle Catton, a Canadian mental health, self-love, and body confidence advocate, take over the podcast. Danielle uses her platform to shine light on the daily struggles of anxiety that many suffer from and she hopes to normalize mental health as well as start inclusive conversations to further education on the topic. Danielle will be sitting down with body confidence trailblazer Virgie Tovar who is one of the nation's leading experts and lecturers on fat discrimination and body image. She holds a master's degree in sexuality studies with a focus on the intersections of body, race, and gender. She is also creator of the campaign #LoseHateNotWeight and is an accomplished writer having authored multiple books as well as being a frequent contributor for Forbes and Bedsider. Recently, Virgie was named one of the top 50 most influential feminists by Bitch magazine and is a recipient of the Poynter Fellowship in Journalism at Yale University. In this episode, Virgie will discuss how she became an advocate for fighting against weight discrimination, her book titled The Self-Love Revolution: Radical Body Positivity for Girls of Colour, and her personal journey with body confidence and acceptance. In addition, Virgie will share how she was taught to believe that all of her mental health issues were connected to her weight, how she worked to unlearn this, and how she came to the realization that she was at her best mental health when she was at her highest weight. Last but not least, Virgie will touch on the way we've been taught to believe that love, acceptance, and happiness are equated with a certain body weight and how this is actually a lesson in rape culture. Keep listening to hear how Virgie is working to combat fat phobia and teaching others to do the same. Plus, she will give some sneak peaks into her new book coming out next year!Danielle's Instagram: @danielle catton Danielle's website can be found here.Virgie's Instagram: @virgietovarVirgie's website can be found here.

Today, we are pleased to welcome Darius McKiver a.k.a Neon MUA to the BodPod! Darius is a makeup artist enthusiast and content creator whose style focuses on the combination of avant-garde concepts with everyday wearable beauty. His mission is to help bring awareness to the way beauty is represented for black creators, especially black beauty boys and other queer bodies, and he has done this by co-creating the hashtag #ColourPopMeBlack and developing the Dusk To Dawn face palettes with Midas Cosmetics'. Darius' goal in this industry is to pave the way for black creators and to ensure that any black body that loves makeup can truly feel beautiful. In this episode, Darius will share how his journey with makeup and makeup artistry began, how he himself became a social media mogul, and what his platform is all about. We will also discuss the lack of foundation options for people of colour, how that inspired the variety of shades in Darius' palette collaboration with Midas Cosmetics', and how the #ColourPopMeBlack hashtag came about including the change it spurred with one specific makeup brand. Last but not least, Darius will talk about the intersection of beauty and body confidence and his own body confidence journey. Keep listening to hear how Darius is working to make the beauty industry more inclusive for people of all skin complexions.Twitter: @neonmMUAInstagram: @neonmua   YouTube: Neon MUADarius' collaboration with Midas Cosmetics' can be found here.

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are pleased to welcome Brandi Leifso, founder and CEO of Canadian clean beauty company Evio Beauty, to the show. At the age of 21, Brandi was living in a women's shelter where she created the concept for a cosmetics brand and lets just say, the rest is history! Not only has she secured a spot as an alumni member of the esteemed Sephora Accelerate program in 2018, but she was also selected as one of Chatelaine Magazine's 2018 women of the year. Brandi believes change can happen through small, conscious, and consistent actions and Evio continues to show their dedication to this through their numerous charitable initiatives and actions, including the Break Things podcast and the “Did I Make Myself Clear” campaign. Brandi was also recognized as one of 2020's top 25 women of influence.In this episode, Brandi will open up about living in a shelter, the origins of Evio, and how she found herself in a male-dominated beauty industry almost a decade ago. Brandi will also talk about the shift she sees in an industry that is not necessarily geared toward men in power and women consuming anymore, especially given the multitude of men's products and genderless products coming out nowadays. She will also discuss the challenges of trauma, PTSD, and stress, including the importance of exercising your mind just as much as your body. Last but not least, Brandi will reflect on the harmful ways in which we define people, often based on physical appearance. Keep listening to hear how Brandi is using her beauty company and podcast to break stigmas, provide “kind luxury,” and to start the conversation of reallocating funds from domestic violence police units to support organizations keeping our communities safe.EVIO WebsiteInstagram:@eviobeauty @brandileifso

Today on the BodPod, we are pleased to welcome Brenda C. James, a management consultant turned model. After an unexpected photoshoot led to the start of a budding modelling career in her 70s, Brenda was signed by an agent and learned to embrace this brand new world. In February of 2020, she was one of 13 models chosen by Knix to appear in their “Age Doesn't Matter” campaign and she continues to model and act for print and video content around the world.  In this episode, Brenda will share how she moved from a human resources role to modelling and acting, including landing that unforgettable Knix campaign, five television commercials, and more. She will also open up about the importance of not putting limits on herself and not caring what others think, all while learning the ins and outs of the modelling industry. Last but not least, Brenda will discuss how life-changing it was to model in a campaign that celebrates women of all ages, shapes, and colours, her own body confidence, and the importance of changing society's views on aging. Keep listening to hear how Brenda is encouraging others - including her children and grandchildren - to feel confident in themselves rather than listening to external influences like social media.Instagram: @bcj_gg

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Scott Stuart, a best-selling children's book author from Melbourne, Australia. Scott is on a mission to create content that empowers young kids to be their unique selves and encourage parents to accept their children. His books have appeared on many best-seller lists and have garnered numerous nominations including Children's Book of the Year and Picture Book of the Year for My Shadow is Pink. After a video of Scott and his son Collin both dressed as Queen Elsa from the Frozen films went viral, he began posting about Collin's adventures with fashion and about breaking down the stigmas with parenting, gender, and much more. In this episode, Scott will discuss his new book called The Very First You and the importance of representation in children's books. He will also talk about the way in which his son inspired the diversity in his books, helped him realize his own biases, and how dressing up as Queen Elsa together turned into one of the most beautiful experiences. Last but not least, Scott will open up about how uncomfortable he was with his body while growing up, how that changed when he became a parent, and the advice he offers his son about remaining true to himself. Keep listening to hear how Scott is inspiring others to work through their own discomfort and challenge their own biases.Instagram: @scottcreatesTikTok: @scott.creates Website: https://scottstuart.co/

Welcome back to another very special episode of the BodPod! This week, we are so pleased to have the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness take over the podcast.Mimi Cole is the founder of The Lovely Becoming blog and podcast, is currently pursuing her master's degree to become a therapist in North Carolina, and is passionate about disordered eating and obsessive compulsive disorder. As a patient assistant for individuals with eating disorders, Mimi has experience working in a residential and out-patient level of care and hopes to practice from a health-at-every-size, trauma-informed lens.Johanna Kandel is the founder and CEO of the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness and the author of Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder. After a decade-long battle with various eating disorders, Johanna founded the Alliance in October 2000 to bring information and awareness about eating disorders to hundreds of thousands of individuals. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and eating disorders legislation and has spent a lot of time meeting with various members of congress. Johanna was also part of the first-ever eating disorder roundtable at the White House and is a proud member of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee meeting under the Department of Health and Human Services, a member of the board of directors for the Eating Disorders Coalition, and a member of the Eating Disorders Leadership Summit. In this episode, Johanna will share her personal experience with eating disorders and how that has motivated the work she does today. Johanna and Mimi will also discuss eating disorder recovery, the myths surrounding eating disorders, and prevention efforts. Last but not least, Mimi will share the origins of her online platform including her experience with eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Keep listening to hear how Johanna and Mimi are using their voices to shift the conversation around eating disorders. Connect on Instagram at:@alianceforeda @the.lovelybecoming

Today on the BodPod, we are excited to be chatting with Katie Sturino, an entrepreneur, body acceptance advocate, and influencer. Katie uses her voice and personal style to empower women of all shapes and to raise awareness for size inclusivity. She is also the founder of Megababe, an innovative body care brand offering problem-solving products to help women feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin. Not only has she dedicated her life to learning and unlearning all the beauty standard BS, but she also uses her blog, Instagram, Boob Sweat podcast, and solution-oriented beauty products to share the message that changed her life: your body is not the problem! This past Spring, Katie released her book, Body Talk: How to Embrace Your Body and Start Living Your Best Life, which serves as an illustrated guide-meets-workbook that encourages you to spend less time thinking about how you look and what you eat and more time discovering your inner fierceness.In this episode, Katie will discuss how her blog, The 12ish Style, came to be, the hashtag campaigns she ignited on social media, and the origins of Megababe. She'll also share what inspired her book and how she hopes to help others rather than herself with this project. Last but not least, Katie and I will talk about the importance of carefully selecting who you follow on social media, learning not to apologize for your body, and the generational cycle of body image. Keep listening to hear how Katie is helping others expand their horizons and learn more about themselves. Katie's Instagram: @katiesturinoKatie's book: https://linktr.ee/KatieSturinoBookMegababe website: https://megababebeauty.com/

Welcome back to the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Kimmie Singh, a registered dietician based in N.Y.C., an active member of the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dieticians, and co-host of the PCOS and Food Peace podcast with Julie Duffy Dillion. As an associate at LK Nutrition, Kimmie supports her clients with a fat-positive, anti-oppressive framework and has a special passion for working with people that have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), something she has personal experience with. Kimmie has also presented at various national and regional conferences on the harmful effects of weight stigma in healthcare, eating disorder treatment, food insecurity, and weight inclusivity in dietetics training.In this episode, Kimmie will share how she eventually ended up calling herself “the fat N.Y.C. dietician and nutritionist,” her experience going to school to become a nutritionist, and her personal journey with eating disorders. She will also explain the Health at Every Size approach that LK Nutrition participates in, the role that media and reality television play in our body images, and the gender and racial gap within the medicine and nutrition communities. Last but not least, Kimmie will open up about her experience with PCOS. Keep listening to hear how Kimmie is turning down the volume on diet culture to help others get to know their bodies. Instagram: @bodypositive_dietitianWebsite: https://www.bodypositivedietitian.com/Association for Diversity and Health: https://asdah.org/

Welcome to another episode of the BodPod! Today, we are excited to be chatting with Cathleen Meredith, a writer, influencer, public speaker, and positivity igniter originating from Sacramento, California. In August of 2016, Cathleen launched Fat Girls Dance, a worldwide movement focused on trashing body image stereotypes through the universal language of dance. The online body positivity movement unsurprisingly went viral and this led to an impressive short film with Dove Real Beauty productions and Shonda Rhimes. Cathleen has been featured in many publications and productions including Essence, HealthLine, Hello Giggles, and countless others and is currently working on a Fat Girls Dance book.In this episode, Cathleen will explain the origins of Fat Girls Dance and how it came to be such a sensation. She'll also touch on the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding being fat, how this inspired her to create her platform, and how a previous generation's stance on body image shapes how we feel about our bodies today. Last but not least, Cathleen will share her thoughts on using the word “fat” in her platform, plus sized bodies in the modelling and fashion industry, and the importance of loving ourselves rather than hating our bodies. Keep listening to hear how Cathleen is changing the world's idea of what fat bodies can and can't do!  Instagram: @fatgirlsdancemovementTwitter: @Fat_Girls_DanceYouTube: FATGIRLS DANCEWebsite: fatgirlsdance.com

Today on the BodPod, we are chatting with Marnie Rabinovitch Consky, the founder, CEO, and chief anti-chafing champion of Thigh Society, a specialty underwear brand offering moisture-wicking, breathable, and discreet slip shorts that prevent inner-thigh rash. Thigh Society was born from Marnie's desire to dispel the notion surrounding “chub rub” and to produce undergarments with high quality fabric, fit, and an inclusive size range. The brand is a champion of the body confidence movement and recently sponsored the BodCon Social Club at our Beach Bodies event.  In this episode, we'll talk about Marnie's background and what led her to creating such an incredible product and brand. Marnie will also break down the misconception around thigh chafing, the difference between men's and women's undergarments, and the wide range of sizes that Thigh Society offers. Last but not least, Marnie and I will discuss the way in which social media has evolved to allow us to be more open about these taboo subjects, the way in which diet culture has infiltrated our lives, and the slippery slope that is shape wear. Keep listening to hear how Marnie is working to destigmatize chafing. Instagram: @marnieconsky & @thighsociety Website: www.thighsociety.com

Welcome back to the BodPod! In today's episode, we are chatting with Sarah Nicole Landry, a mom of four who loves cultivating powerful conversations around life and our experiences in it. Sarah openly shares her story of divorce, self-worth, living beyond your body, and love and is not scared to be vulnerable. As a body confidence activist, speaker, writer, three-time cover girl, and weekly podcast host of The Papaya Podcast, she inspires her followers toward radical self-acceptance of their own. Sarah was the keynote speaker at our inaugural event and her interview has come up time and time again as one of the most unforgettable parts of the day. As a result, we are so excited to announce that Sarah will be joining us at the 2022 conference as M.C. and host.  Today, Sarah will share her journey to becoming a mom of four, her pregnancy complications, and the toll this took on her mental health. We'll also discuss the importance of embracing your emotions and feelings while pregnant and the way in which social media can connect people with similar experiences. Last but not least, Sarah will talk about the origins of her Papaya blog and the pressure she felt to lose weight to be accepted. Her latest platform, however, is all about her journey to self-love and Sarah is working to help others, including her kids, love their own bodies. Keep listening to hear how Sarah is showing up for herself and others. Instagram: @thebirdspapayaWebsite: https://thebirdspapaya.com/

Welcome back to a very special episode of the BodPod! Today, we are so excited to have Sydney Bell and Ella Halikas, two beloved members of the BodCon family, take over the podcast! Sydney is a signed plus size model, an influencer, and a professionally trained dancer living in Houston, Texas. She has modelled for large, nation-wide campaigns and her goal in content creation is to share body positive content and dance routines that inspire her followers to live life to the fullest.                         Ella is a signed curve model and content creator based in Los Angeles who graduated from the University of Hawaii with a journalism degree. She moved to L.A. unemployed and in the middle of a global pandemic to pursue modelling full time. Ella recently became a top 13 finalist for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and her goal in life is to help others find their confidence and prove that you can feel beautiful regardless of your size. In today's episode, Sydney and Ella will be chatting about all things body confidence and giving you a bit of preview of what's to come on Sunday June 27th at The BodCon TALKS: BEACH BODIES. They'll also share a bit about how they got into modelling as well as their content creation processes. Visit our website for more details about The BodCon TALKS: BEACH BODIES  and don't forget to grab your tickets!  Ella's Instagram: @ellahalikasElla's TikTok: @ellahalikasSydney's Instagram: @sydneylbellSydney's TikTok: @sydneylbell

Today on the BodPod, we are chatting with Jeff Jenkins, an award-winning content creator and the founder of Chubby Diaries, an Instagram account and growing online community he started in 2018. Jeff, who has been featured in many notable publications including Forbes, New York Times, and Travel and Leisure, helps people travel the world, no matter their size, through community, branded content, and motivational talks. With contagious positivity, Jeff uses his platform to advocate for plus-size travellers and to help bigger body people and people of colour navigate challenges that arise while travelling. In today's episode, Jeff will share the origins of Chubby Diaries as well as how he came to discover his niche, his love of travelling, and his experience with micro-aggressions while travelling. We will also discuss accessibility for plus size people, branding and marketing for plus size people, fat phobia, and so much more. Keep listening to hear how Jeff is inspiring people to live their best lives right now as opposed to waiting for when they lose weight and visit his website for more information on his upcoming group trips.  Instagram: @chubbydiaries_YouTube: Chubby Diaries

Today, the BodPod is excited to be chatting with Kortney Olson! Kortney is a certified personal trainer, an accredited Olympic lifting coach, the original Australian women's arm-wrestling champion, a Jujitsu champion, a three-time international body-building competitor, an author, and a T.V. personality who was crowned the woman with the world's deadliest thighs by Stan Lee for her ability to crush watermelons using only her thighs. After seeing the need for clothes that fit athletes, Kortney launched Grrrl Clothing in 2015, which is based on a variety of body shapes and types that reflect girls living in the 21st century. Earlier this year, she also published her autobiography called Crushing It: How I Crushed Diet Culture, Addiction, and the Patriarchy. In today's episode, Kortney will touch on her addictions, eating disorders, what it was like being raised by an alcoholic, and how she came to be at the centre of an unexpected porn scandal, all of which inspired the work she is doing today. We will also discuss the limiting beliefs about weight and bodies that we internalize at an early age, how women have been taught to view each other as competition rather than a community, and much more. Keep listening to hear how Kortney is working to help other women overcome their body image issues with her inclusive clothing line and training program.Visit Kortney's website for more information on her book and her 8-week, at-home watermelon training program, find her on Instagram at @kortney_olson and check out GRRRL Clothing for Kortney's clothing line for unstoppable women. 

Today, it is a pleasure to be chatting with Allison E. Lang on the BodPod! Allison holds many titles including educator, athlete, model, solo female traveller, and last but certainly not least, advocate for body inclusivity. Allison is a congenital amputee who was unexpectedly born without the lower half of her left leg, however, she has never allowed this to hold her back. Not only has Allison backpacked the world, but she also plays a variety of sports including being a member of Team Canada's sitting volleyball team, and most recently, she was signed by a modelling agency. After overcoming severe mental and physical bullying, body image insecurities, and a handful of surgeries, Allison is a fierce advocate for self-acceptance and inclusion for all and she wants you to know, that she probably has more legs than you do.  In today's episode, Allison will share how being ostracized for her physical differences during her formative years eventually led her to wanting to be a teacher and advocate for diverse body types and how her multiple surgeries led to her trauma. She will also discuss how disabled bodies are represented in the media and how she is working to change the narrative with her new modelling contract. Keep listening to hear how Allison is learning to accept her authentic self and how she is overcoming her insecurities.  Instagram: @allisonelang Twitter: @allisonelangAllison's website: http://www.allisonelang.com/The War Amps: https://www.waramps.ca/home/

Today, the BodPod is very excited to welcome Michelle Elman to the podcast! Michelle is a five board-accredited life coach and an award-winning body positive activist who's 2017 TED Talk, Have You Hated Your Body Enough Today, has been viewed over 50,000 times. Not only has she written for a number of publications including the Huffington Post, MTV, and more, but she has also written two books, 2018's Am I Ugly? and 2021's The Joy of Being Selfish. Besides all of this, she also launched a podcast in 2020 called In All Honesty, which coincided with her being named as one of The Sun's 50 most inspirational women in the U.K.In today's episode, we will discuss Michelle's experiences with life-threatening health problems (including 15 complex surgeries before the age of 20), how this shaped her childhood and early adulthood, and how it led to her PTSD. While her medical trauma left her mentally and physically scarred, it was the inspiration behind her Scarred Not Scared campaign and ultimately led her story to going viral. Michelle will also share her experience in boarding school and how she eventually changed her perception of her body. Keep listening to hear how Michelle worked to shape her body image and self-confidence. Instagram: @scarrednotscaredTwitter: @scarredntscraedTikTok: @scarrednotscared

Today, it is a pleasure to welcome Peppermint to the BodPod! Peppermint is a trailblazing actress, singer, reality star, and activist from New York City who made history as the first runner-up on season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race, where she was the first out, trans contestant on the show! Her time on reality television was just the beginning, though, as her talent led her to become the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway in the musical, Head Over Heels. During the pandemic, Peppermint also started her own Twitch series called Pepp Talks, where she and her friends review classic Black movies each week as well as on OUTtvGo's new show, Translation. An established entertainer and recording artist, Peppermint was recently nominated for a 2021 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist for her latest album, A Girl Like Me: Letters to My Lovers. In today's episode, Peppermint is sharing the inspiration behind her new music, which she says is a love letter to those in the trans community to let them know they are worthy of being loved and being loved publicly. We'll also dive into Peppermint's performing background and how she fell into drag while touching on her time on RuPaul's Drag Race. Last but certainly not least, we'll discuss Black, queer, and trans representation, the “adultifying” of young Black boys and girls, and how this connects to trans rights.  Instagram: @peppermint247Twitter: @Peppermint247Twitch: Peppermint247A Girl Like Me: Letters to My Lovers

Today, the BodPod is pleased to welcome Kat Inokai to the show! Kat is a writer, content creator, advocate, and disabled mom of two who lives with multiple autoimmune diseases. She started her first blog, Thebumpandhustle.com, in 2010 where she chronicled pregnancy, motherhood, and her entrepreneurial lifestyle. However, in 2018, Kat had a life-changing health experience in which she ended up in the hospital and rehab and this led her to shifting her platform. Now, Kat is an advocate for accessibility, body image, and acceptance through the lens of disability. In today's episode, Kat is sharing her journey to diagnosis, which began when she was about 16 years old and eventually led to Crohn's disease and many other diagnoses. Kat will also discuss how identifying as disabled later in life forced her to recognize her own internalized ableism, the pressure to be able-bodied, and the many ableist mico-aggressions we all must unlearn. Keep listening to hear how Kat is working to shift the narrative surrounding disabled bodies. Instagram: @bumpandhustle

In today's episode, we welcome Alex Light, a body confidence and self-acceptance influencer and journalist from London, England to the show! After struggling with various eating disorders, Alex made the decision to shift her virtual platform from beauty and fashion content to a safe space for anyone in the grips of an eating disorder or bad body image. As someone who is anti-diet, Alex discusses the harms of diet culture on her platform and in her own podcast, The Light Show. Besides this, she has appeared in numerous publications for her criticism of the way media portrays bodies.Today, Alex will share her journey with dieting at a young age - which is something she continued to do until a few years ago - including what led her to dieting, how normalized this was while she was growing up, and how she made a change to confront diet culture. Alex's self-deprecating humour, thought-provoking questions, and vulnerability to share her story are all things that make her an inspiring guest on the BodPod.TW: This episode contains content related to Eating Disorders  and Diet Culture that may be alarming to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.Instagram: @alexlight_ldnHow to Improve Your Body Image E-book

Today the BodPod is excited to welcome Brynta Ponn to the show! Brynta is a body confidence influencer and social media powerhouse from Toronto who is encouraging people to live unapologetically and embrace their bodies through honest conversation and comedic content. After getting engaged, Brynta began sharing her journey to losing weight on social media. As with many of us though, when the pandemic hit, she started gaining that weight back and decided to shift the focus of her content. With a hefty following on Instagram and TikTok, Brynta is hoping to inspire others to laugh, grow, and find their way to self-acceptance through her own journey with body image. In today's episode, Brynta will share how growing up in a certain environment shaped what she thought of her body and how that contributed to her disordered eating. Join us as we discuss representation, watching older media with a more critical lens, and holding clothing brands accountable. Instagram: @bryntstagramTikTok: @brynta27TikTok: @brynta_ponn

Today we are chatting with the inspiring Hunter McGrady. Growing up in Los Angeles as an aspiring model, Hunter has made history as the first plus-size woman to appear on the cover of a bridal magazine, as the curviest model to appear in Sports Illustrated - as their 2018 Rookie of the Year, and one of the first curve models to walk the New York Fashion Week Runways in December of 2017. Now she is on a mission to change the world and inspire others on her journey of self-love - recently launching her own clothing line, All Worthy, that is fully size-inclusive. In today's episode, Hunter will share the challenges of being an aspiring model as a child, how she honors her body through pregnancy, and her journey of self-love.All Worthy on QVCModel Citizen Podcast

Today we are speaking with Kelvin Davis and we couldn't be more excited! Kelvin Davis is the creator of the body-positive men's fashion blog Notoriously Dapper. He is a father of two, a model, an activist, and an award-nominated author. After a challenging shopping experience a few years ago that left a bad taste in his mouth, he vowed to never feel so insecure or ashamed of his body again. He launched a blog and Instagram page, showcasing outfits to inspire men of ALL sizes to find confidence in their appearance. This led to his debut book, Notoriously Dapper: How to Be a Modern Gentleman with Manners, Style, and Body Confidence. In today's episode, Kevin will share his 30-year journey to find love for himself and his body. He shares his experience with mental health, stereotyping, and how he disrupted men's fashion. If you are ready to take a big step towards feeling more confident, keep on listening. Instagram: @kelvindavisNotoriously Dapper Blog: https://notoriouslydapper.com/Notoriously Dapper Book: https://www.amazon.com/Notoriously-Dapper-Gentleman-Manners-Confidence/dp/1633536211?ref_=ast_sto_dpWelcome to the BodPod - the podcast for everybody. I am your host, Brianna Morgan, and this is the podcast to listen to for all things related to body image, self-love, and confidence. Each week, we will welcome old and new friends, hear their stories, chat about our bodies, laugh, cry, and most importantly - get more people feeling confident in their bodies. BodCon: @thebodcon

Today we are joined by the one and only, Mina Gerges. Mina is an Egyptian plus-size model and actor based in Toronto and New York City. He's redefining traditional male beauty standards through bold self-expression, gender fluidity, and body positivity. In today's episode, Mina will share his journey on how growing up in the middle east shaped a lot of what he does now and gave him the purpose to make things better, how he is fighting to show you that your normal body is attractive, and what we can do as a society to become more inclusive. Instagram: @itsminagerges  Welcome to the BodPod - the podcast for everyBODY.  I'm your host, Brianna Morgan, and this is the podcast to listen to for all things related to body image, self-love, and confidence. Each week, we will welcome old and new friends, hear their stories, chat about our bodies, laugh, cry, and most importantly - get more people feeling confident in their bodies. The BodCon: @thebodcon

Today we are talking with the wonderful Alicia McCarvell. Alicia lost her job a year before the pandemic, she used that time to find herself and discover what she wanted to do with her life. Letting her creativity lead the way, she decided to give TikTok a shot, which quickly blew up and opened the door to using this platform to inspire others. She shares her authentic self, her relationship, and is always reminding people to see and value themselves. In today's episode, Alicia will share insight on her self-love journey and how she stopped allowing her body to dictate the things she did with her life.Instagram and TikTok: @aliciamccarvell  Welcome to the BodPod - the podcast for everybody. I am your host, Brianna Morgan, and this is the podcast to listen to for all things related to body image, self-love, and confidence. Each week, we will welcome old and new friends, hear their stories, chat about our bodies, laugh, cry, and most importantly - get more people feeling confident in their bodies. BodCon: @thebodcon

Welcome to the Bod Pod - the podcast for everybody. I'm your host, Brianna Morgan, and this is the podcast to listen to for all things related to body image, self-love, and confidence. Each week, we will welcome old and new friends, hear their stories, chat about our bodies, laugh, cry, and most importantly - get more people feeling confident in their bodies. @TheBodCon