The PUSH Podcast

We make no secret of the fact that we are anti-diet culture. But, does that mean that we are anti-body modification? And what happens when one of our clients comes to us with a desire to change their body? Can you love your body and want to change it?Listen in are we discuss a listener question that address these topics and more.Resources Mentioned In This Podcast:www.thepushfitness.comPUSH Fitness' email address: info@thepushfitness.comwww.portlandfamilydoulas.com

You know those globo gyms like you see in the movie Dodgeball? Many times larger gym spaces like that are filled with toxic masculinity, racism, homophobia, ableism and the like. Matt Turnquist, general manager of Pursue Fitness in Springfield, Oregon sits and talks with us about ways that he is working to change the big gym culture to be a safer and more inclusive space.Resources discussed in this episode:Justice Roe Williams of Fitness 4 All BodiesThe Performative and Toxic Roots of Kettlebell Culture - 6 Hour CourseHealth At Every Size (HAES) PrinciplesPUSH Fitness Instagram Handle: @push.fitness.salemMatt Turnquist's Instagram Handle: @mattturnquist

Wether we've been made aware of it or not, we've all unintentionally harmed someone. We that happens, it's important that we steer away from becoming self defensive, lean into the discomfort and seek to understand how we can both take accountability and do better.In this episode we talk through what this looks like in three areas: individually, interpersonally and systemically.Also, full disclosure, we started the episode with margaritas so, buckle up.Love the PUSH Podcast? Support us on Patreon! ===> www.patreon.com/PUSHFitness

We're back, baby! After a hiatus, we are finally here with season 3 and we are excited! In this episode we talk about how the fitness industry has historically shaped and defined what our society views as “good” and “bad” bodies. Well…..we strongly disagree with their expectations and made up standards!How can we place more focus on the social determinants of health versus just a number on a scale or an effed up BMI assessment? Can we redefine fitness? Listen in on the discussion to hear more on this important topic!Resources Discussed In This Episode:Community workouts with PUSH Fitness & Black Joy OregonJustice Roe Williams from Fitness 4 All Bodies - Abolition of The Fitness Industrial ComplexTrauma Informed CareTrauma Informed OregonHealth At Every SizeBooksAnti-Diet by Christy HarrisonThe Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee TaylorFearing The Black Body by Sabrina StringsPodcastsFood Psych PodcastThe PUSH PodcastStudy Reference: Adipose Tissue Distribution, Inflammation and Its Metabolic Consequences, Including Diabetes and Cardiovascular DiseaseArticle Reference: Do 95% of Dieters Really Fail?Social Determinants of HealthSquats for Social Justice event

Content Warning: This episode tackles the topic of pro-life, pro-choice, abortion and the recently passed 6-week abortion ban in the state of Texas. We will be discussing personal abortion stories, miscarriage and more related to this topic.This episode is heavy. If these topics are triggering to you in any way, we ask that you please protect your mental and emotional health by skipping this episode.We would describe ourselves as being both pro-life and pro-choice. Does it sound like we're straddling the fence? Well…we're not. Listen to this episode to hear more about our thoughts on this very difficult and very important topic.Resources discussed in this episode:The Advocate Activism Podcast with Rayah Dickerson and Amira StanleyThe PUSH Podcast Patreon Page

Ever wonder what sex, purity culture and diet culture have in common? Check out our latest episode to find out! In this episode we sit down with sex educator and sex coach Meaghan Thurston to talk all things sex, body image, pursuit of pleasure and more! Listen to our latest episode now!Resources discussed in this episode:Meaghan Thurston's websiteMeaghan Thurston's social mediaSquats for Social JusticeBecoming a PUSH Patron

We've heard it time and time again. Our pregnant clients who have shared that they are terrified of gaining “too much” weight during pregnancy. But….how much is too much?In this episode as we discuss:Our personal pregnancy experiences and feeling of shame around our bodiesThe illusory effectWhy gestational diabetes doesn't make you a failureResources on continued learning on what having a healthy pregnancy can look like for you.Give our latest episode and listen and let us know what you think!Resources discussed in this episode:Justice Roe Williams“Do Diets Really Fail?” by Regan ChastainThe Trajectory of Truth: A Longitudinal Study of the Illusory Truth EffectThe risk of eating disorder relapse during pregnancy and after delivery and postpartum depression among women recovered from eating disordersHAES Health Sheets: Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis (T2D)

We are so excited and honored to have Justice Roe Williams as a guest on this episode of the PUSH Podcast! If you've been listening for awhile you know that we talk about Justice in pretty much every episode.Justice is a Certified Personal Trainer, head coach at Kettlebell Justice, founder of The Queer Gym Pop Up and BodyImage4Justice, and Executive Director of Fitness4AllBodies. As a trans, body-positive activist Justice is committed to creating safe spaces for everyone and implores others to do the same, particularly those within the fitness industry. Justice's passion, laugh foundation of love is contagious. Believe us when we say that this is an episode that you just don't want to miss!Resources discussed in this episode:Justice's courses through Fitness For All BodiesThe PUSH Podcast Patreon page

“Fitness has no shape, fitness has no size, no gender, no age, nothing. It is for everybody.” - Jen Borruso of Anchor Fit ClubLike many of us in the fitness industry, Jen started her fitness career with a company that claims to be “all about health”, but really isn't. In this episode we talk with Jen Borruso of Anchor Fit Club about her journey from a very unsatisfying experience with a fitness company designed to prey on people's insecurities to where she is today. Jen is raw, honest and an all around good human. Check out our interview with Jen in our latest episode!Resources discussed in this episode:Jen B. Anchor Fit Club websiteJen B. Coaching FaceookJen B. Coaching InstagramMeg Boggs

Your health is about so much more than what your body looks like or the number on the scale. There are so many factors like your background, family life, trauma, how the society that you live in values you and so much more that is at play when it comes to overall health.Julianne Jackson of Black Joy Oregon sits down with us in this episode to give us an authentic look at her life, her past and present struggles and her ability to put joy at the forefront whenever possible.

We are beyond thrilled to share this episode with you where we sit down with Claire Snyder, a local activist and good friend to us here at the PUSH Podcast.In this episode we discuss:Claire's lived experiences as a Black women in different fitness environments and in her community;How mental health is so crucial to overall healthHer evolution toward becoming an activist;Her relationship with her body growing up and how it has changed throughout the years;And more. Such much more!Laugh, cry and learn with us as we talk with Claire during our latest podcast episode.Resources discussed in this episode:Sit in SalemBlack Joy OregonSEKNA Community GardenSalem Keizer Interfaith Network

“What we're creating here is what we never got ourselves.” - Stacy HobsonStacy Hobson from SLH Fitness dives deep with us on this episode of the PUSH Podcast. Listen in as we discuss:Weight stigma in personal training spaces, medical biases & fatphobiaHow fitness doesn't have one a look and neither do personal trainers. We need to keep showing up and pushing back against diet culture and the fitness industrial complexAnd so much more!Resources discussed in this episode:Stacy Hobson - website“The Beauty Myth” by Naomi Wolf“Average American women's clothing size: comparing National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (1988–2010) to ASTM International Misses & Women's Plus Size clothing” by Deborah A. Christel and Susan C. DunnHealth at Every Size

In this episode we are so excited to interview Bee Decker, our first outside guest interviewee on the PUSH Podcast!Bee, owner of Spill the Beans Etc and The Freckled Bee, shares her experiences about her relationship with her body growing up, her journey toward embracing her body and where she is at today. Also, you're going to get the lowdown on the best Cheetos out there. You don't want to miss this episode!TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains descriptions and discussions surrounding physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders and specific body image issues pertaining to weight, clothing sizes, diets and over exercising. We recognize that breaking up with diet culture takes time, grace and patience. We are all constantly learning how to navigate this battle. We here at the PUSH Podcast want to honor where you are at with your physical and emotional health. If listening to discussions on this topic will be triggering for you in any way, we suggest that you take care of yourself and go ahead and skip this episode. Resources discussed in this episode:Spill the Beans EtcThe Freckled BeeBee Baby Instagram accountBlack Joy Oregon + PUSH Fitness Community Workouts

In this episode Jill interviews Cara, co-host of the PUSH Podcast. Hear more about Cara's story of growing up, how she made the transition from trying to conform to the thin ideal to the body liberation that she experiences today and how she can show up as her most authentic self in this world.Trigger warning: Cara has suffered from eating disorders and is a rape survivor which we discuss in this episode. Please take care of your mental health and proceed with caution.Resources discussed in this episode:Keizer Pride FairFitness for All Bodies Swing-a-ThonBecome a PUSH Patron!

A diet unicorn. We can all visualize that person in our life that has lost weight by dieting and has kept it off. Or….so it seems.When we step back and take a look at the bigger picture, what are the things that we don't see? What parts of the story are unknown?In this episode we break down all of the reasons that dieting may look successful for some people and what variables we may not consider when we see those before and after photos on social media. Oh, and we also talk about what kind of dogs we are according to our personality types.Resources discussed in this episode:Black Joy Oregon & PUSH Fitness Community WorkoutsUnexpected Clues Emerge About Why Diets Fail by Daniel EngberLove the PUSH Podcast? Become a PUSH Patron!

In this episode Cara interviews Jill, co-host of the PUSH Podcast. Hear more about Jill's story of growing up, how diet culture stole her life and how she continues to work toward breaking through to the other side.

Being trainers who firmly believe in health at every size we are no strangers to the backlash from folks who are immersed in diet culture and who are tied to the Western “ideal” when it comes to fitness. One of the questions we are asked is, “Are you promoting obesity then?”Short answer: Yes. ;)Long answer: Listen to the episode. It may actually be the other way around!Resources discussed in this episode:Ignaz SemmelweisQRisk CalculatorThe social determinants of healthHealthy lifestyle habits and mortality in overweight and obese individualsBecome a PUSH Patron!

Whether it's a big globo-gym or a tiny boutique training studio, fitness spaces historically have not been welcoming for all people. In this episode we discuss and explore some ways that we can all work toward creating and cultivating fitness spaces that feel safe for everyone.Bonus material: discover that Jill has low standards when it comes to popsicle sanitation. Resources discussed in this episode:Fitness For All Bodies“What It's Like Being a Black, Body-Positive Female Trainer In an Industry That's Predominantly Thin and White” by Chrissy KingCommunity Workouts with Black Joy Oregon & PUSH FitnessBecome a PUSH Patron!

Have you ever bargained with yourself over food?Have you ever binged on a food that you had been trying to limit yourself on?Have you ever used exercise as punishment for what you ate?If you've answered “Yes,” to any of the above you are not alone. We have all been wading in the waters of diet culture and quite frankly, swimming away can be really tough.Listen in as we tackle the topic of dealing with treats and dieting, as well as some strategies for beginning to find peace with your relationship with your body and with food.Resources discussed in this episode:Fitness for All BodiesBlack Joy OregonJoin Black Joy Oregon & PUSH Fitness on Slack Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with Christy HarrisonBecome a PUSH Patron!The Surprising Problem with Calorie Counting (Part 1: Calories In)The Surprising Problem with Calorie Counting (Part 2: Calories Out)Do you love the PUSH Podcast? Consider becoming a PUSH Patron! Becoming a PUSH Patron will give you early access episodes, personalized Q&As, exclusive content, freebies and more! Get more info and become a PUSH Patron here ====> PUSH PATRON

“I don't care how you look, I just care that you're healthy!”Hmmm…..really, though?In this episode we tackle shame and stigma surrounding weight, what determine's a person's ability to be healthy and how society has created a hierarchy surrounding what “good” bodies should look like. Also, Cara gets a little heated about Joe Rogan.Listen in as we dive in to discuss this topic and more!Resources mentioned in this episode:Fitness For All BodiesJustice Roe WilliamsPUSH Fitness Instagram accountThe social determinants of healthRagan ChastainThe long term health effects of playing footballThe 4 pillars of athleticismHistory of the terms “overweight” and “obese.”The history of the BMI

In this episode we turn over our topic to you, our listeners. In this Q&A episode we answer questions about stalls in fitness progress, sugar addiction and more! Listen in as we navigate these topics while honoring yourself, your body and your pleasures in life.EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: We are now on Patreon! Do you love the PUSH Podcast? Consider becoming a PUSH Patron! Becoming a PUSH Patron will give you early access episodes, personalized Q&As, exclusive content, freebies and more! Get more info and become a PUSH Patron here ====> PUSH PATRON

If you've been following us for awhile you probably know where we stand on diet culture and marketed weight loss programs. But, does this mean that we don't think that you should lose weight? Is wanting to change your body bad? Listen in as we dive into this topic to learn more.References made in this episode:Lindo Bacon, PhDJayCee CooperFitness for All Bodies

What do we mean when we say that we have “body privilege?” In this episode we talk about what body privilege is, how we have experienced it personally and why it matters for us to examine our own body privilege in a continued effort to take down diet culture, the patriarchy, racism and more. Bonus content: when will we get to eat the donuts that Cara's husband brought by during the recording of this episode?Resources Discussed in This Episode:The Freckled Bee (The Trendy Bee Boutique is what was accidentally referenced - sorry, Bee!)How to Support NICU Families: A Doula's Guide to Effectively Supporting Clients with Babies in the NICUKimberlé CrenshawJustice Roe Williams: Fitness For All Bodies

We recently made a post on Instagram that ruffled some feathers. (We called it Trouble Maker Tuesday.) Pushing back against diet culture can feel very daunting, but we think it's important. Calling these things out as we see them is one of the ways that we feel like we can inch toward changing the conversation about diets and bodies.In this episode we discuss:The post that sparked a conversation about diet culture;The hierarchy of foods and how that can be problematic; How we can unknowingly participate in systemic and institutionalized racism; andHow the phrase “Keep tugging your tug boats, people!” can simultaneously be a call to action for anti racism work and self pleasure.Resources discussed in this episode:Sabrina Strings, Ph.D.

Whether it's from the diet industry, the gym, your trainer or from within yourself the pressure to eat and look a certain way can be really intense. We're here to tell you that you don't owe anyone your fitness. Not even to us.In this episode we break down where this pressure comes from, the impact that COVID-19 has had on bodies and the history of where it all started.References Made in This Podcast:Rebel Eaters Club podcastChristy HarrisonFood Psych podcastArticle: COVID-19 Does Not Discriminate by Body Weight

It's been an entire year since the world was turned upside down by COVID-19. Among many changes that we've been through, a lot of us have also seen changes in our bodies with some added weight.But…..what if that's okay? Rebellious, we know.Listen in as we start off season 2 of The PUSH Podcast by unpacking how our feelings about our bodies have shifted during the pandemic and how we can continue to fight back against diet culture.References made in this episode:Squats for Social JusticeBlack Joy OregonConsequences of Chronic Dieting to Lose Weight: Effects on Physical and Mental HealthRole of Set-Point Theory in Regulation of Body WeightErin Brown

We were set to record on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Hours before we were going to meet up news broke out that rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. And we just couldn't. We took a pause for a few days and then reconvened.In this episode we talk about our reactions to the riot, how our hearts have been lately, our take on Cosmo's most recent cover release and wether politics really do belong in fitness.Resources discussed in this episode:Three-year follow-up of participants in a commercial weight loss program. Can you keep it off?“The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love” by Sonia Renee Taylor

References made in this episode:Labor of Love: How Fitness Can Deliver an Empowered BirthPUSH Fitness Community Facebook groupOur contact information: email: info@thepushfitness.com/phone: (503) 383-1043Study on the prevalence of diastsis recti

There are some commonly held beliefs about weight and fitness. Some of them, well, actually, most of them are pretty much diet culture propaganda B.S. In this episode we tell the real story of the hows and whys of our journey toward becoming personal trainers, what we've learned over the years and how we view our industry today.

The New Year is upon us, which means that we will soon be seeing a barrage of marketing from the diet industry selling their latest lose weight quick schemes.Where did New Year's resolutions come from? Are they a good thing? A bad thing? Should I make a New Year's resolution this year?In this episode we talk about:Our own experiences with New Year's resolution and dietsThe history of New Year's resolutionsThe lies we've been told about diets and weight lossWays to move toward feeling better in your own skinPondering what would happen if Pepto Bismol had the reverse effect of its marketed intended purposeListen in and let us know what you think!References made in this episode:“The History of New Year's Resolutions” by Sarah Pruitt via www.history.comUnited States Weight & Loss Diet Control Market Report 2019Ragen Chastain International Journal of Eating DisordersThe Weight of the Evidence

Diet culture, fatphobia and internal biases aren't exclusive to the fitness industry. We also see it all of the time within the medical community both within ourselves and with our medical providers.In this episode we discuss:Body image, fatphobia and interactions with medical providersWhat we've been up to during Cara's knee surgery recoveryOregon's second statewide freeze mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemicOur latest project “Ah! PUSH It! 20 Easy to Follow Cardio Workouts”

(Trigger warning: In this episode we discuss the events surrounding the death of Walter Wallace, Jr. who was shot and killed on October 26, 2020 by police officers in response to a call from his family for help regarding his mental health. )According to the CDC mental health disorders are among the most common health conditions in the United States. If that's true, then why is it so hard to talk about our own mental health struggles sometimes? Why do we feel shame surrounding feelings of depression and anxiety? Why are Black people and other people of color treated differently through the lenses of mental health?And why the heck don't we just stick to fitness?Listen to this episode to hear more.

We recently ruffled a few feathers with an Instagram post on how diet culture is rooted in racism. In this episode we dive in on how fat phobia and diet culture are directly linked to racism, how the pursuit of thinness doesn't necessarily lead to health and ways to be open to self examination without getting defensive.

Think of a time that your body did something that you wanted it to do.Now, think of a time that your body didn't do something that you wanted it to do.How did you feel about yourself during each those times? Chances are when your body is or isn't able to do the things that you want it to do that you feel differently about the person that you are.In this episode we talk about the variety of ways that your body can about affect your self belief in ways like strength training, pregnancy, postpartum, injury, weight, body size, aging and more.Listen in to learn how you can begin to love yourself and your body as it is right here, right now.

Did you know that diet culture has a direct tie with the patriarchy? Did you know that it has a direct tie with racism? Listen to this episode to hear more and to learn ways to smash the patriarchy by rejecting society's imposed body and beauty standards.

You've seen it. You've heard it. You may have even said it. #NoExcuses is a rampant part of the fitness and diet culture. But, really….don't we all have excuses? And isn't that okay? Tune in as we unpack out thoughts on why we think #NoExcuses is a dangerous message to be sending to folks trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Also, hear Cara share about her new found love: The WaterPik…..

In this episode we talk about our conscious decision to take a short break from social media, why we decided to do it, how we are doing it and share ways that you can diversify your own feed in order to make social media a healthier place for you to be.(Also included in this episode: a short tangent where we talk about cookies….)

What does racism have to do with the fitness industry? What is our responsibility as white women within this industry and as business owners? We talk about this and more in this episode of The PUSH Podcast.Resources discussed in this episode:When engaging in anti-racism work it is important to keep a few ground rules in mind:Whenever possible, pay anti racist educators for their work. This is what they do for a living, pay them to learn.Whenever possible help fund the cause. Give to organizations that you know are making efforts to dismantle systemic racism.Google! If you're not not sure where to get started type "anti-racism" into your Google search bar and start learning.Don't slide into educators' direct messages asking for clarification, explanations and/or advice.....unless you plan to pay them to do so.People to follow, pay and learn from:Chrissy KingRachel CargleMonique MeltonIbram X. KendiDecolonizing Fitness

What does your pelvic floor have to do with fitness? Listen and find out!

Cara & Jill of PUSH Fitness share where they came from and how PUSH Fitness came to be.