What Not To Wellness

Have you ever stopped to consider just how much of your daily energy is spent “subscribing” to diet culture? In this episode, Renée and Maria unpack the metaphorical contract so many of us have unknowingly signed—a mental subscription that quietly drains our time, self-worth, and joy.We dive into the subtle and not-so-subtle ways diet culture shows up in our lives, from the rules we follow around food and movement to the body ideals we feel pressured to chase. We talk about how to question the fine print, audit the auto-renewal, and opt out—for good.✨ Whether you're deep in the work of healing your relationship with food or just starting to notice the hidden costs of dieting, this conversation is your invitation to cancel what's no longer serving you.We want to hear from you! What beliefs or habits are you unsubscribing from? Share with us @whatnottowellness or email whatnottowellness@gmail.com

We're back with Part Two of our collagen deep dive—and we were clearly just getting warmed up last episode!

You've probably seen it everywhere—from powders to peptides, in your morning smoothie or TikTok's new favourite face mask—but how much do you really know about collagen?In this episode, Maria and Renée dive into the science and skin-deep truth about collagen. From its role in skin elasticity to joint support and gut health, we explore both the nutritional and skincare perspectives behind this buzzy protein.What started as a casual convo turned into some real-time "wait, WHAT?!" moments as we uncovered some wild facts while on air. Safe to say, our minds were blown and there was just too much juice to pack into one episode, so stay tuned for part two.✨ If you've ever wondered whether collagen supplements are worth it, what actually helps your body produce more of it, or how to support your skin from the inside out, you're in for a good one.Got questions or any wellness myths you want us to unpack next time? Hit us up on Instagram @whatnottowellness or email us at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week, Maria and Renée dive into the complex world of movement—what it means to move your body for joy, not punishment. From fitness influencers to before-and-after photos, we're unpacking how diet culture has co-opted exercise and turned it into a tool for control instead of celebration.We share our own stories, reflect on what joyful movement actually looks like, and explore how to reconnect with movement that feels good—without shame, guilt, or weight loss pressure.✨ If you've ever struggled to separate exercise from the “shoulds” of diet culture, this episode is for you.Let us know what movement means to you! Connect with us on Instagram @whatnottowellness or send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

In this episode, Maria and Renée sink their teeth into the latest extreme wellness craze: the carnivore diet. We talk about it all. From the connections to paleo and keto lifestyles, to the way evolutionary arguments are used to justify modern diet trends.Is eating like our ancestors really the key to optimal health, or is this just another fad wrapped in pseudo-science? We explore the appeal, the risks, and why these all-meat claims keep making a comeback in the wellness world.✨ If you've ever wondered how diet culture keeps evolving (while insisting it's ancient wisdom), this episode is for you!What are your thoughts on the carnivore diet? Let's chat! Find us on Instagram @whatnottowellness or send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com.

In this episode, Maria and Renée dive into the magical alchemy of travel, the art of romanticizing your everyday life, and the challenge of truly being here now. Whether you're dreaming of your next adventure or looking for ways to find joy in the present moment, we've got thoughts.From the little rituals that make life feel cinematic to the mindset shifts that help you appreciate where you are right now, we explore possible ways to bring more presence and intention into your day to day.✨ If you've ever felt stuck in your routines or geographically nostalgic, this one's for you!

In this episode, Maria and Renée share their ultimate book recommendations, covering everything from fantasy worlds to life-changing self-help reads. Whether you're looking for life advice or a fresh perspective, we've got you covered with our top picks. But that's not all—we also take a critical look at the wellness books that might be better left on the shelf. From outdated advice to overly prescriptive takes, we break down the red flags to watch out for when choosing your next self help read. ✨ Whether you're a bookworm or just curious about which wellness books are worth your time, this episode is your guide to reading smarter! What are your favorite books? Connect with us on Instagram @whatnottowellness or send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Drowning in a sea of wellness advice and wondering what's actually worth your time? In this episode, Maria and Renée give you their biggest industry "shoulds" and call out the BS so you can finally stop stressing. From a magic pill to retinol, we're breaking down the fads that promise transformation but don't always deliver. ✨ This episode is perfect for anyone who's ever thought, “Do I really need to do all the things?” Spoiler alert: Probably not!

We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Alexandra Arraiz Matute, Assistant Professor in Childhood & Youth Studies at Carleton University onto the podcast this week! We continue to unpack the Sephora Kids trend and uncover an enlightening conversation on the many ways in which youth, gender and media intersect. Dr. Arraiz Matute brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, drawing from her extensive background in Curriculum Studies & Teacher Development at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. With a passion for community education and organizing, she sheds light on the complexities of youth culture and its portrayal in modern media landscapes. ✨ Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion that pushes boundaries and invites us to critically examine the ways in which media influences the lives of young people (and how it's influenced us).

In this episode, Renée and Maria dive deep into the age-old dilemma: is it Survival or Self-Care? Join us as we unpack the intricacies of balancing the demands of everyday life with the essential need for self-nurturing and care. From the pressures of modern society to the internalized expectations we place on ourselves, we explore the ways we often prioritize survival mode over our own well-being. We're here to shine a light on the importance of the best self-care practices for YOU and strategies for reclaiming our time, energy, and mental health. Tune in as we share our own stories and insights, and maybe a few actionable tips, as well! Connect with us on social media or drop us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Have you caught wind of the buzz around trending preteen skincare? Or maybe you've been the frustrated shopper who finds your fave skincare staples sold out by a new wave of internet-savvy shoppers at Sephora. In this must-listen sequel, Maria returns to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Sephora Kids. Renée and Maria embark on a journey to uncover the impact of this tween phenomenon, shedding light on how Sephora Kids are not only redefining beauty norms but also influencing the beauty perceptions of the younger generation. ✨ If you're a parent navigating the challenging landscape of Sephora Kids, a dedicated Sephora enthusiast waiting for stock to return, or simply intrigued by this ever-evolving skincare culture, then this episode is for you! We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Connect with us on Instagram @whatnottowellness or drop us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com. Let's keep the conversation flowing!

If you've been scrolling through TikTok and stumbled upon the latest preteen skincare trend, you're not alone. Or maybe you've been shopping at Sephora, only to see your favourite skincare product has been sold out by people who've never even lived without the internet. In this episode, Maria tells all about the new phenomenon: Sephora Kids. Together, we'll unpack how Sephora Kids are reshaping beauty standards for tweens and what that means for the skincare industry and the younger generation. ✨ Whether you're a parent navigating the world of Sephora Kids, a Sephora enthusiast or just curious about the evolving beauty landscape, this episode is a must-listen! What are your thoughts on this new skincare trend? We want to hear from you! Connect with us on Instagram @whatnottowellness or send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com.

This week in part two, Maria and Renée revisit the topic of aesthetic enhancements and unpack the differences and similarities between each intervention when deciding to change your face or your body. This episode is for you, if you've ever felt pressured by North American beauty standards or wanted to explore what it means to "be the best version" of you in the face of the beauty industry.   If you'd like to connect and/or suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Renée and Maria invite their very first guest, Sabina Singwell, onto the air to talk about all things anti-diet, trusting your body and most fascinating of all, the radical concept of body righteousness. This amazing and deeply memorable conversation is a must listen! Period.    Sabina is a coach, writer, speaker, indie author, and cultural critic. Here to help kickass babes stop obsessing about food, access supreme self-confidence and find ease in their own bodies—all while working to make the world safer for people living in fat and other marginalized bodies.   If you'd like to connect and/or suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com   Links: schoolofbitchcraft.com/WNTW schoolofbitchcraft.com/love-letters-from-your-body

This week, Maria and Renée want to show you all the ways that diet culture impacts our lives. They chat about how much of our time and energy is spent buying into this super subscription designed to keep us from all of the joy waiting on the other side of diets. If you've ever felt like you need to control your body or what you eat, then this episode is a must listen!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Join Maria and Renée for a jam-packed unpacking of the desire to change the way we look. Whether it's Botox, plastic surgery, or even getting highlights or doing your nails, we wonder (with you) in real time, WHY we feel the need to do all of these things. When does the desire to cosmetically change our appearance help us and when does it hurt us? If you've ever felt like you wanted to change something about your looks, then this episode is for you! If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Gwyneth Paltrow does it again: nonchalantly triggers all of us in the blink of an eye! If you want to listen in on why Renée and Maria think the viral content of "What I Eat In A Day" can be so problematic, and how to avoid getting tangled in it's sticky web of triggers, then this episode is for you! If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Have you ever beat yourself up for not following through with your wellness goals? Join the club! This week, Maria and Renée unpack James Clear's eye-opening book, Atomic Habits. They discuss how these practical concepts have helped them both be more consistent and finally stick to their habits and how you can quickly flip your own script when it comes to showing up for yourself. Hint: it's not your fault that it's been hard.   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Join Renée and Maria as they continue their conversation around the pros and cons of social media, how you can maintain a balance with your phone and how to change your perspective on the FOMO that comes with scrolling through your feed. If you've ever felt addicted to your phone, then this episode is for you! If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Join Renée and Maria on this week's episode as they talk about the pressures of Valentine's day, their self love practices and how you can prioritize your relationship with YOU this February 14th. If you struggle to celebrate the season of love, then this episode is for you! If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week, Renée and Maria chat about what they love and hate about social media. In part one of this two part episode, we dive into the joys and benefits of staying connected on social as well as the pitfalls. If you feel addicted to social media and want healthier boundaries, then this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week, Renée and Maria break down this trend of using tools for your face. There's so much out there now: different shapes and stones that seemingly "everyone" knows how to use. If you've ever looked at a shelf lined with everything from jade face rollers to rose quartz gua sha stones and wondered, "Where does a skincare lover start?" then listen in as Maria walks us through it all! If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week, Renée and Maria continue the conversation around boundaries. When is it too far to talk about someones weight, their body, or their food choices. If you've been on the receiving end of some of these unwanted comments, then tune into this episode! You're not going to want to miss it. If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Check out this week's episode to listen in on Renee and Maria's experiences with learning how to set good boundaries. In Part One, we touch on some of our stories, and how we could have changed those outcomes. If you're triggered by others talking about your body, diet or skin (positive or negative), then this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

As we close out 2022, Renée and Maria reflect on what new year's traditions can bring (both good and bad). They share their favourite rituals and how to enter into 2023 with a little more compassion. If you've ever felt the pressure of diet culture's "new year, new you" marketing, then this is the episode for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Can we eve remember a time before celery juice? It seems like everyone jumped on this trend. Listen in as Renée and Maria weigh in on the good, the bad and the green of juicing celery for your health. If you've every tried to scarf down a head of celery in liquid form, then this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Was there ever a time where we didn't see someone with a green juice in hand? This week, Renée and Maria talk about the juicing trend that can leave a lot of us feeling the detox FOMO. If you've every tried to choke down your greens or wondered what all the hype was about, then this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

How do you know what hurting your skin and what's helping? Maria breaks down the confusing world of clean beauty and explains to Renée how to avoid worrying about every single ingredient. If you've every been totally lost in Sephora, this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Many of us have stressed over the pressure to eat clean. This week, Renée and Maria unpack how this healthful pursuit can cause more harm than good. They share their personal journeys with food and how they've cultivated more peace around food. If you've every tried a diet that vilifies food, this episode is for you!   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Maria and Renée are back! After a much enjoyed summer break, we've returned to our regularly scheduled programming starting with the concept of "back to school" and the pressure that comes along with it. This episode is for you if you feel the reset energy of fall, because it's a slippery slope when diet culture gets involved.   If you'd like to connect with us (we'd love to hear your thoughts) you can reach us at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week we pick Maria's expert skincare brain and talk all things sunscreen for the summer. Should you go bare skin or slathered in product? Mineral or chemical? Base tan or SPF100? If you've ever wondered about seasonal skincare, then tune in for this hot girl summer must-listen episode!   If you'd like to suggest a topic for an upcoming episode, let's connect at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week, Renée and Maria unpack what it means to fear larger bodies, how health is connected (or isn't) when it comes to weight and what we can do to be better allies for marginalized bodies. This one's a conversation that will open your mind up to seeing all bodies as valid, and how you can learn to better accept others as well as yourself.   If you'd like to suggest a topic for the show, be sure to connect with us at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

If you've been struggling to keep up with everything you need to do be healthy, then you're going to want to listen in. Renée and Maria go back to basics and break down what 'toxic' wellness really means: from the word itself to how the culture of wellness can cause more harm than good.    If you'd like to suggest a topic for the show or simply connect with us, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

This week Maria and Renée take on slugging: the Vaseline skincare trend that blew up on TikTok. Maria shares her facialist expertise as she walks us through what slugging does (and doesn't do) for your skin. She also gets into her own personal recommendations and alternatives. This episode is full of practical skincare advice that you won't want to miss!   Have a suggestion for a topic? Reach out at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

Have you tried intermittent fasting? Are you a die hard fan or cautious convert? This week, Renée gives you a crash course on the pros and cons of intermittent fasting. We discuss the benefits of IF, the not-so-helpful parts, and whether it's worth sticking to such strict food rules. We also share our personal experiences with trying intermittent fasting.   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com

In our very first episode, we break down how wellness culture can get toxic, when to pivot away from your healthy habits and why we decided to start a podcast. Plus we'll answer your biggest questions: what does true wellness really mean and how can we achieve it?   If you'd like to connect and suggest future topics, send us an email at whatnottowellness@gmail.com