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Send a textMedicine has built an entire mythology around weight as the root cause of disease, including diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis. In this episode, I introduce you to three fictional patients whose stories expose the fatal flaws in this narrative. Through Madison's diabetes diagnosis, Mason's struggle with sleep apnea struggle, and Morgan's joint pain dismissal, I dismantle the logical fallacies that confuse association with causation. The truth is simple. Your weight didn't make you sick - but being blamed for it, denied treatment, and forced into weight cycling absolutely will. I challenge you to ask: if weight causes these conditions, why doesn't weight loss cure them? And more importantly, who profits when doctors prescribe weight loss instead of evidence-based care? Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: Community with a neurodivergent flavour. **BOOK CLUB** exclusive to Weighting Room members. CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journey MASTERCLASS LIBRARY: Become an expert in your condition and the weight inclusive ways to manage it FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
A new study in this vein has come out that looks at the link between weight stigma and inflammation. The study is called The Acute Inflammatory Effects of Weight Stigma: An Experimental Pilot Study and it was published in August, 2025. In part 1 we'll look at the study authors and the methodology, and in part 2 we'll look at the results. Get full access to Weight and Healthcare at weightandhealthcare.substack.com/subscribe
Send a textWellness culture didn't start with Instagram. From George Cheyne's 1724 bestseller to Dr. Lulu Hunt Peters redefining fat bodies as "the enemy within," the methods and ideology haven't changed in four centuries—even as the evidence proves they've never worked. In this episode, I trace wellness influencers back to the 17th century, exposing how former fat people turned their weight cycling into moral crusades, transforming fat bodies from "friendly jokes" into threats deserving punishment. These aren't just historical curiosities—they're the architects of today's war on ob*sity, and understanding their playbook helps us see modern wellness influencers for what they really are: unoriginal copycats parroting 400-year-old nonsense. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: Community with a neurodivergent flavour. **BOOK CLUB** exclusive to Weighting Room members. CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journey MASTERCLASS LIBRARY: Become an expert in your condition and the weight inclusive ways to manage it FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send a textThe weight loss industry has convinced us that being fat is a personal failure—a consequence of eating too much and moving too little. But the truth is far more complex and liberating. Your weight is controlled by genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, trauma, chronic stress, and systems of oppression that were intentionally designed to control marginalized bodies. In this episode, I break down the scientific evidence showing why the "calories in, calories out" narrative is a lie, explore how everything from urbanization to discrimination drives weight gain through cortisol, and reveal how this cycle of blame was always rooted in anti-Black racism, capitalism, and misogyny. It's time to shift responsibility from individuals to the systems and institutions whose literal job it is to address these conditions—because you didn't break this, and you shouldn't have to fix it.Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Every Saturday, my husband and I listen to a podcast that reads Reddit stories. For a long time, I have wanted to do something similar but with a focus on food and body image behaviors. I even set up a whole form for people to send in questions, but I got very few responses. So I decided to move forward on this anyway and find my own Reddit stories to read and share my thoughts on how I might support that person in their situation. In this week's Satiated Podcast episode: I read 3 different body image situations I discuss from a trauma, somatic, and nervous system perspective how I might respond to these indivdualsI get into topics such as weight stigma, past trauma, capitalism, and dieting generational traumaI share the wisdom in body image concerns and how to start to see them as protection Because this was a new kind of episode I'm testing out, there is no transcript to this week's episode. If you loved this format, let me know and I will be sure to have transcripts to future episodes like this one.I would love to hear your thoughts on this new format and I hope you enjoy it! With Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxSupport the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportAll affiliate links: https://www.stephaniemara.com/resourcesReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPl Special thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. www.benso...
Send us a textIn 1992, a room full of weight loss experts admitted diets don't work and that weight regain is almost inevitable within five years. Then they recommended diets anyway. Fast forward to 2025, and the UK's NICE guidelines acknowledge weight cycling causes harm, that the evidence is overwhelmingly poor quality, and that people will likely regain the weight. Yet they still recommend 800-calorie diets, even for people with eating disorders. In this episode, I expose how medical guidelines have become a masterclass in institutional lying—where committees acknowledge the evidence shows diets fail, cause harm, and offer no long-term benefit, yet recommend them regardless. Because the industry's already doing it, the government's already funding it, and admitting the truth would be too expensive. This isn't medicine. This is willful harm dressed up in clinical language, and the people writing these guidelines need to be held accountable. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textWe explore how weight bias harms health, from early childhood to exam rooms, and why care must center respect, context, and evidence over assumptions. Practical steps show how to shift language, policies, and environments for safer, more effective support at any size.• clear definition of weight bias and stigma• difference between health promotion and shaming• early onset in children and gendered patterns• impact in healthcare and delayed diagnoses• patient rights around weigh-ins and boundaries• personal story on thin shaming and celiac disease• media representation and campus attitudes• internalized bias, anxiety, and low self-esteem• weight as a number vs whole-person health• practical clinic changes and zero-tolerance policies• implicit bias tests and language shifts• celebrating non-scale wins and finding safe careIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it, especially, you know, someone that uh is struggling with that or has said, or you see that they have weight bias, or a friend navigating, you know, their own relationship with food and body imageImplicit Association Test (IAT) Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to this podcast and share with a friend. If you would like to know more about my services, please message at fueledbyleo@gmail.comMy YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0SqBP44jMNYSzlcJjOKJdg
Send us a textIn 1995, the WHO published a report stating clearly: "There are no clearly established cutoff points for fat mass or fat percentage that can be translated into cut-offs for BMI." Just three short years later, they published a completely different report calling ob*sity a "disease". Not just a disease, but a "rapidly growing threat" and a "global epidemic" that needed managing. What changed? Professor Philip James established the International Ob*sity Task Force—funded by the pharmaceutical industry—specifically to persuade the WHO to create ob*sity policy. When asked how he determined BMI cut-offs of 25, 30, and 40, Professor James admitted it "just seemed to fit"—a "reasonable, pragmatic cut-off." In this episode, I prove that being fat doesn't meet the definition of a disease: there's no impaired function, no characteristic symptoms, no causative agent. But calling it a disease created a market worth billions for weight loss companies, drug manufacturers, and bariatric surgeons. You're not the one who benefits from being diagnosed with ob*sity—they are. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textWe've been told our entire lives that there's such a thing as a "healthy weight" - but the foundations of this belief are built on quicksand. In this episode, I trace the shocking history of how weight categories were created, exposing the corrupt origins of BMI and "ideal weight" tables invented by life insurance companies to maximize profits. I reveal how Louis Dublin, an employee of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company who literally wrote a book called "The Money Value of a Man," created arbitrary weight standards that had no basis in reality - and how these numbers kept dropping with no scientific justification.What would life be like if Dublin had got decided that "abnormally tall" people needed to shrink to be healthy? I use this thought experiment to demonstrate the absurdity of medicalizing body size, especially since we've no evidence that “excess weight” causes illness or that intentional weight loss improves health outcomes.Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textAfter years of research and three false starts, I've finally finished the first draft of my book, No Weigh. This season, I'm pulling back the curtain on what I discovered during years of research—how medical weight science is built on claims rather than evidence, how weight stigma and weight cycling cause the very health problems blamed on fat bodies, and how this entire system was designed intentionally to profit from our shame. In this episode, I share the four-part structure of the book and invite you into the messy, honest process of writing something that challenges everything we've been told about weight and health. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
In this episode of Let’s Talk we’re diving into the mind-blowing world of weight stigma with two very authentic and vocal fat activists. You may also laugh out loud and decide you want these women as your new best friends. Demi Lynch is a researcher and journalist from Kaleidoscope News. April Helene-Horton, aka The Bodzilla, is a body diversity advocate and well-known content creator. They’ll be sharing their no-holds-barred views on stigma and stereotyping, dating and relationships, the disconnect between health and health care, and what it really means for a person to take up space. It may be tough to hear, but if you don’t know what it’s like to live in a larger body, this conversation will help you to get it. If you do live in a larger body, Demi and April are here to let you know you’re not alone in your experience — and with them in your corner, there are things you can do to keep going with hope. Resources: Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) Chat online The Butterfly referral database can be found Information on the Weight Stigma Conference can be found You can find Demi on Instagram here and April on Instagram Follow Yvie Jones on Instagram here Follow Butterfly Foundation on Instagram here Production Team: Produced by Yvie Jones and Sam Blacker from The Podcast Butler Executive Producer: Camilla Becket Supported by the Waratah Education Foundation For more information about this episode, visit www.butterfly.org.au/podcast and click through to this episode. If you're concerned about an eating disorder for yourself or someone you care about, please reach out to the Butterfly National Helpline or chat online with one of their specialist counsellors. Recovery is possible with the right support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Dr. Marianne-Land, I speak with fat activist, TEDx speaker, author, DEI expert, and podcast host Vinny Welsby (they/them) about anti-fat bias in healthcare, weight stigma in medicine, and the real-world harm fat patients experience when seeking medical care. Vinny, who shares extensively about fat liberation, weight-inclusive care, and dismantling diet culture on Instagram at @fierce.fatty, brings both lived experience and data into this conversation. This episode centers on Vinny's survey of 270 fat people, in which 99.25% reported experiencing weight-based discrimination in healthcare. These findings expose how common medical weight stigma, anti-fatness, and provider bias truly are, and why so many fat people delay or avoid healthcare altogether. Weight Stigma in Healthcare: Survey Data and Lived Experience We break down what those survey results actually mean for patients. Vinny shares stories of medical dismissal, misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and humiliation in healthcare settings, including being told to lose weight instead of receiving appropriate medical evaluation. We discuss how weight stigma shows up through provider assumptions, lack of size-inclusive equipment, routine weighing without consent, and dismissive or dehumanizing language. This section highlights how anti-fat bias in healthcare leads to worse physical health outcomes, increased medical trauma, and deep mistrust of medical systems. Medical Trauma, Nervous System Effects, and Avoiding Care We explore how repeated experiences of weight stigma activate the nervous system and create medical trauma. Even scheduling an appointment can trigger fear, shame, and exhaustion. Vinny and I talk about how this chronic stress contributes to people avoiding preventive care, delaying diagnosis, and experiencing worsening health conditions as a result. This conversation connects anti-fat bias, mental health, eating disorders, and healthcare avoidance, naming how the system often blames fat bodies for the very harm it causes. Intersectionality: Fatness, Gender, Queerness, and Neurodivergence A major focus of this episode is intersectionality. Vinny shares how anti-fatness intersected with being trans, nonbinary, queer, neurodivergent, and disabled, and how shame around body size limited access to identity exploration and self-expression. We talk about how weight stigma compounds oppression, especially for people with multiple marginalized identities. We also discuss how white privilege can reduce some harms while never eliminating weight-based discrimination, and why weight-inclusive healthcare must address racism, transphobia, ableism, and fatphobia together. What Weight-Inclusive Healthcare Actually Requires We challenge the idea that good intentions equal good care. This section explores what weight-inclusive healthcare truly requires, including provider education, consent-based weighing, size-inclusive furniture and equipment, respectful language, and accountability when harm occurs. We discuss why many providers believe they are weight-inclusive while continuing to practice weight-centered and stigmatizing care. Unlearning Anti-Fatness, Shame, and Diet Culture We close with guidance for beginning the process of unlearning anti-fatness. Vinny shares how shame thrives in isolation and how bringing it into the light reduces its power. We discuss diet culture, binary thinking, and how critical thinking helps people question harmful beliefs about weight, health, morality, and worth. This episode invites listeners to ask who benefits when people are taught to hate their bodies, and how compassion, curiosity, and community support healing. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for fat people, eating disorder survivors, clinicians, healthcare providers, and anyone who wants to understand how weight stigma in healthcare causes harm and what needs to change. About My Guest: Vinny Welsby (They/Them) Vinny Welsby is a fat activist, DEI leader, TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Fierce Fatty, and host of the Fierce Fatty Podcast. They work with individuals through Fierce Fatty and with organizations through Weight Inclusive Consulting, providing education and training on dismantling anti-fat bias in healthcare and beyond. You can find Vinny at fiercefatty.com and on Instagram at @fierce.fatty. Related Episodes When Doctors Harm: Medical Weight Stigma & Eating Disorders on Apple & Spotify. Having Anorexia in a Larger Body: Navigating Medical Anti-Fat Bias & Lack of Care with Sharon Maxwell @heysharonmaxwell on Apple & Spotify. Content Caution This episode includes discussion of medical trauma, weight stigma, eating disorders, healthcare discrimination, and systemic oppression. The harm described in this episode is real, widespread, and systemic.
In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, we dive deep into the complex and often unspoken corners of mental health recovery. We explore the psychology behind why some individuals experience persistent suicidal thoughts without the intent to act and discuss strategies for navigating friendships that inadvertently trigger eating disorder relapses or competition. I also open up about the ethics of plastic surgery when dealing with body dysmorphia , the "push-pull" dynamic in therapy often associated with BPD and attachment wounds , and share my professional perspective on gender-affirming care and the importance of therapeutic support. Finally, we analyze a shocking listener story about a therapist allowing a date in their office, breaking down the major red flags of blurred boundaries. My new book is in stores now! Why Do I Keep Doing This? → https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Get Yours For The Holiday - If you've ever felt stuck, this book is for you. I'd be so grateful for your support. 00:00 – Intro 00:19 – Why do I have suicidal thoughts but can't act on them? 06:00 – When a friend's passion triggers your Eating Disorder relapse 12:21 – Navigating Anorexia recovery when treatment is denied (NHS & Weight Stigma) 20:06 – CrowdHealth message 21:53 – Plastic Surgery: Confidence booster or Body Dysmorphia? 27:35 – Envisioning suicidal scenarios & struggles with Lithium medication 33:02 – Why do I push my therapist away? (Fear of Abandonment & BPD) 36:36 – OneSkin message 38:13 – AuraFrames message 43:44 – My honest opinion on Gender Affirming Care & the "Affirm First" approach 52:37 – Red Flags: My therapist let me have a date in her office?! Shopping with our sponsors helps support the show and allows us to continue bringing you these important conversations about mental health. Please check out this week's special offers: • CrowdHealth: get started today for $99 for your first three months using code ASKKATI at https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ • OneSkin: For a limited time, try OneSkin for 15% off using code KATI at https://www.oneskin.co/Kati • Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/KATI Promo Code KATI Ask Kati Anything ep. 292 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT MAIN YOUTUBE CHANNEL www.youtube.com/@Katimorton #podcast #psychology #katimorton MY BOOKS Why Do I Keep Doing This? https://geni.us/XoyLSQ Traumatized https://geni.us/Bfak0j Are u ok? https://geni.us/sva4iUY ONLINE THERAPY (enjoy 10% off your first month) While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/kati PARTNERSHIPS Nick Freeman | nick@biglittlemedia.co Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textAfter a year of exploring wellness culture and its discriminatory foundations, I've identified 10 arguments people use to justify discrimination against fat people—and I'm dismantling every single one. From the "health concern" disguise to the false claim that being fat is a choice, from economic justifications to the burden of proof fallacy, these arguments collapse under scrutiny. The truth is simpler and darker: discrimination against fat people isn't justified by evidence or ethics—it's justified because it makes people feel morally superior, saves institutions money, and allows society to continue a comfortable prejudice. When people are dying in real-time because doctors deny them care, calling it "medical reality" doesn't make it less harmful—it makes it systemic violence dressed up as medicine.Download your copy of Fat, Festive and Fierce hereGot a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textThis holiday season, you'll hear countless claims about weight and health dressed up as concern or common sense. But beneath every "everybody knows" and "the experts say" lies a logical fallacy waiting to be dismantled. In this episode, I arm you with the tools to recognize and challenge the flawed reasoning behind anti-fat rhetoric from ad hominem attacks to deliberately vague language designed to make illogical arguments sound scientific." Whether you're facing concern trolling from relatives or rage-watching haters online, understanding these patterns of illogic reveals what's really happening: weak arguments from people who have nothing substantive to offer, desperately trying to justify discrimination while you're armed with evidence, reason, and the power to walk away.Download your copy of Fat, Festive and Fierce here.Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
In this episode of the RCP Medicine Podcast, Dr Sagen Zac-Varghese, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, East and North Herts Teaching NHS Trust is joined by Dr Samantha Scholtz , Consultant Psychiatrist, Imperial Weight Centre, St Mary's Hospital to explore the complex relationship between obesity and mental health. Drawing on clinical experience and recent research, they discuss the stigma surrounding obesity, its psychological impact, and how healthcare professionals can better support patients. The conversation covers the physiological drivers of weight regain, and the evolving role of bariatric surgery and GLP-1 agonists in treatment. Dr Scholtz also shares practical advice on screening for mental health disorders, managing eating behaviours, and navigating sensitive conversations in clinical settings.ResourcesRCP elearning - ObesityBinge eating disorder: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/binge-eating-disorderhttps://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/feast-resources/Weight stigma:https://www.worldobesity.org/what-we-do/our-policy-priorities/weight-stigmaRCP Links Education Events Membership Improving care Policy and campaigns RCP Social Media Instagram LinkedIn Facebook X Bluesky Music: Episode 50 onward - Bensound.com Episodes 1 - 49 'Impressive Deals' - Nicolai Heidlas
Today I'm taking a break from talking about weight and healthcare to write about navigating so much of the nonsense that happens during the holiday season. Get full access to Weight and Healthcare at weightandhealthcare.substack.com/subscribe
In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Dr. Erin Harrop (they/them) — a licensed medical social worker, assistant professor at the University of Denver, and leading researcher on eating disorders, weight stigma, and inclusive healthcare.Dr. Harrop brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to the discussion, shedding light on how systemic biases and cultural myths about body size shape who receives care — and who gets ignored.Together, they explore the harmful message that some people are “not sick enough” for treatment and the devastating effects of weight stigma in the medical system. Through compelling real-life examples and research insights, Dr. Harrop helps listeners understand how eating disorders present across diverse bodies, why atypical anorexia remains misunderstood, and what needs to change in healthcare.SHOW NOTES: Click hereFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_bite Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Dr. Erin Harrop (they/them) — a licensed medical social worker, assistant professor at the University of Denver, and leading researcher on eating disorders, weight stigma, and inclusive healthcare.Dr. Harrop brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to the discussion, shedding light on how systemic biases and cultural myths about body size shape who receives care — and who gets ignored.Together, they explore the harmful message that some people are “not sick enough” for treatment and the devastating effects of weight stigma in the medical system. Through compelling real-life examples and research insights, Dr. Harrop helps listeners understand how eating disorders present across diverse bodies, why atypical anorexia remains misunderstood, and what needs to change in healthcare.SHOW NOTES: Click hereFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_bite Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
”Telling someone to lose weight is a really quick way to get through that eight minute visit, and not ask about what people actually eat before you say ‘eat less'."Walking into a doctor's office shouldn't leave anyone feeling ashamed, dismissed, or anxious about their body size. In this episode, Dr. Vicky Borgia breaks down how weight stigma actually shows up in medical care and what you can do about it. She shares an inside look at the biases and systemic pressures driving weight-centered decisions, along with her own experiences navigating diet culture as both a provider and person recovering from an eating disorder. You'll hear what weight stigma really is, how it affects the care patients receive, and simple strategies to advocate for yourself and build a more weight-inclusive healthcare team.✅ What You'll Learn:Why weight stigma in healthcare is NOT “just in your head” (and how it actually shows up in real appointments)How physician bias, billing pressures, and convenience often drive weight-centered care, not evidence-based medicinePractical strategies to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office, even if it means declining to be weighedHow to start building a weight-inclusive care team (or set boundaries with the team you already have)What happens when medical advice differs wildly based on body size
Send us a textHealthcare's approach to diabetes has become less about treating a disease and more about fixing the person. In this episode, I walk through Cosmo's fictional-but-familiar journey from diagnosis through multiple medications to a specialist referral that came with a homework assignment. When we receive forms asking us to set goals, rate our confidence, and think about what our blood sugar levels "mean to us" before we've even met a clinician, we're being set up to fail. I examine how medical professionals have shifted responsibility for treatment outcomes onto patients, turning a manageable chronic condition into a moral failure requiring correction—and why this approach drives people away from the care they desperately need. If you're dreading your next diabetic review, my online course gives you everything the diabetes clinic should have given you: understanding, empowerment, and practical tools—without the shame. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a text When doctors recommend weight loss, they describe the supposed benefits but remain silent about the harms—reduced metabolism, increased appetite, hormonal disruption, eating disorders, and profound mental health impacts. This ethical failure extends beyond outdated diet advice to newer interventions like GLP-1 medications, where we celebrate short-term metabolic improvements while ignoring gastrointestinal distress, financial burden, social isolation, and unknown long-term consequences. In this episode, Asher challenges the dangerous assumption that fat people should suffer to become thinner, exposing how this narrative serves the weight loss industry's profits while treating fat bodies as unworthy of basic ethical consideration in healthcare. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a text We've been taught to hate and fear fat bodies in equal measure—for social reasons, moral reasons, and medicalized health reasons that justify the first two. Society tells us fat people don't belong, that we're unacceptable, abnormal, and undesirable. We're judged as lazy, undisciplined moral failures who are stealing resources from those who deserve them. And when these prejudices become too uncomfortable to defend, health concern provides the perfect cover. In this episode, I break down exactly why it's so hard to accept that it's okay to be fat, even for rational, critical-thinking people who should know better. Because when you understand why society has framed fat bodies as a problem, you can begin to resist internalizing that message. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
In this solo episode of Dr. Marianne-Land: An Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast, fat-positive therapist and eating disorder specialist Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT explains why she no longer uses the label “Atypical Anorexia.” She discusses how anti-fat bias, weight stigma, and systemic discrimination in eating disorder treatment have shaped the diagnostic criteria for anorexia and harmed people in larger bodies. Listeners will learn how the term “atypical” upholds thinness as the standard for illness, why that belief leads to delayed diagnoses, and how shifting our language can expand access to inclusive, weight-neutral, and neurodivergent-affirming eating disorder care. Through clinical insight, real-world examples, and liberation-focused analysis, Dr. Marianne reframes what anorexia recovery truly means: healing one's relationship with food, body, and self without hierarchy, shame, or size bias. Key SEO Topics Covered What Is “Atypical Anorexia”? Understanding the origins of the term and how it reinforces weight stigma and anti-fat bias. Why Thinness Shouldn't Define Anorexia: How body diversity challenges outdated diagnostic models. The Role of Weight Stigma in Anorexia Recovery: How medical bias limits access to eating disorder therapyand treatment coverage. Cultural and Systemic Bias in Eating Disorder Diagnosis: How fatphobia, whiteness, and ableism distort who gets diagnosed. Intersectionality and Neurodivergence: How autism, ADHD, race, and gender identity affect the experience and recognition of anorexia. What Inclusive Eating Disorder Treatment Looks Like: How clinicians can provide weight-inclusive, trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming care. Body Liberation and Recovery: Why reclaiming the word “anorexia” for all bodies fosters belonging and healing. Who This Episode Is For This episode is for anyone interested in inclusive anorexia recovery and liberation-centered eating disorder treatment. It's especially for: People in larger bodies who have experienced restriction or medical dismissal. Clinicians seeking to decolonize their approach to eating disorder therapy. Neurodivergent listeners navigating food restriction or sensory challenges. Individuals recovering from anorexia who were told they are “not sick enough.” Advocates, parents, and students learning about anti-fat bias and weight-inclusive recovery models. Why This Conversation Matters The label “Atypical Anorexia” perpetuates harmful myths about body size, illness, and worthiness. It tells people in larger bodies that their pain is less valid and their recovery less urgent. In reality, anorexia occurs in every body size, race, gender, and neurotype. By challenging the term “atypical,” Dr. Marianne advocates for body-liberation-aligned, anti-bias eating disorder therapy that validates all lived experiences. This conversation helps listeners unlearn weight stigma and invites the eating disorder field to adopt inclusive, evidence-based, fat-positive practices that honor every body's right to care and nourishment. Other Episodes on "Atypical Anorexia" Atypical Anorexia Explained: Why Restriction Happens at Every Body Size on Apple or Spotify. Atypical Anorexia with Amy Ornelas, RD on Apple or Spotify. Atypical Anorexia: Mental & Physical Health Risks, Plus How the Term is Controversial on Apple or Spotify. What Is Atypical Anorexia? Challenging Weight Bias in Eating Disorder Treatment with Emma Townsin, RD @food.life.freedom on Apple or Spotify. Learn More and Get Support Visit drmariannemiller.com to learn more about Dr. Marianne Miller's eating disorder therapy, coaching, and educational resources. Her website offers blog posts, podcast transcripts, and tools for people seeking anorexia recovery support, ARFID education, and neurodivergent-affirming treatment.
Send us a textTaylor was diagnosed with sleep apnea six months ago and told the only real solution was weight loss. Like so many fat people, they've tried every diet imaginable—keto, Weight Watchers, calorie counting—and watched their weight cycle up and down for years. When a friend introduced them to intuitive eating and the anti-diet movement, it felt revolutionary. But the what-ifs started creeping in. What if I just keep eating and never stop? What if this damages my health? What if everyone saying "just lose weight" is actually right, and I'm the one who's wrong? In this episode, I walk through Taylor's very real, very valid fears about ditching diets for good—because when you're fat, choosing to stop pursuing weight loss isn't just giving up dieting. It's accepting you may never access the privileges thin people get automatically, from medical care to airplane seats to basic dignity. I talk about why these fears are legitimate, what the evidence actually says, and why fat people need other fat people—not thin allies—to navigate this journey. Don't forget to order your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit here.Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a text We've been told our entire lives that losing weight will prevent health problems. But where did this belief come from? In this episode, I trace the shocking history of how insurance companies, pharmaceutical funding, and arbitrary statistical cut-offs created the mythical illness we now know as "ob*sity" crisis. From Quetelet's obsession with the "average man" to the International Ob*sity Task Force's pharmaceutical funding, I expose how we've been working off logical fallacies for over a century. There's no evidence that being fat causes health conditions, no evidence of a "healthy weight for height," and no evidence that weight loss improves health outcomes. It's time we stopped treating statistical artifacts as medical truth. Don't forget to order your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit.Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textIn a healthcare system that routinely dismisses, blames, and denies treatment to fat patients, it's easy to doubt whether choosing to stay fat is the right decision. But here's the truth: you deserve a doctor who listens, believes, and validates you—regardless of your size. You have the absolute right to refuse to be weighed, to refuse weight loss, and to demand treatment without prerequisites. The ethics are clear, even when the reality feels impossible. This episode is your reminder that you're making the right choice, and that the fight for dignified healthcare is both justified and winnable. Make sure to get your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Courtney Crisp (@drcourtneycrisp) joins Dr. Marianne to talk about eating disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. We discuss how body changes, medical weight stigma, breastfeeding pressure, and sensory sensitivities can trigger old patterns or spark new struggles. Dr. Courtney shares insights from her work with athletes and perinatal clients, along with lived experience of pregnancy nausea, food aversions, and postpartum adjustment. We also explore how neurodiversity, ADHD, and autistic sensory needs shape care, and why weight-inclusive, consent-based support matters for parents. What You'll Learn How pregnancy, medical monitoring, and rapid body changes can activate perfectionism, control seeking, and body dissatisfaction The effects of weight stigma in prenatal and postpartum care, and what weight-inclusive providers do differently Why severe nausea and food aversions can persist after birth, and how to support flexible, adequate nourishment Breastfeeding, pumping, and formula choices through a nonjudgmental, mental health first lens Sensory overload in pregnancy and the fourth trimester, including smell sensitivity and tactile overwhelm Athletes, performance culture, and disordered eating patterns that can resurface in the perinatal period How to protect recovery when social media pushes “bounce back” messages Building a trusted, affirming care team that honors intersectionality and neurodiversity Key Takeaways Your body will change during pregnancy and after birth, and that reality deserves compassion, not comparison. Weight-inclusive prenatal and postpartum care improves outcomes by removing shame and centering consent. Feeding decisions work best when they support the caregiver's mental health and the baby's needs, not a rigid ideal. Sensory supports reduce distress. Use smell blockers, quieter environments, comfortable fabrics, and predictable routines. Curate your feeds. Unfollow “get your body back” influencers and follow licensed, values-aligned clinicians. Recovery helps you show up for your baby and for yourself. Nourishment and rest are part of caring for your family. Timestamp Guide 00:00 Meet Dr. Courtney Crisp and her background in athletics and psychology 06:40 Why sports culture can model both body awareness and perfectionism 10:45 Pregnancy triggers, medical encounters, and weight stigma 14:40 Severe nausea, limited safe foods, and lingering food aversions 18:55 Postpartum body image, grief, and the pressure to snap back 21:40 Breastfeeding, pumping, formula, and mental health first choices 24:30 Sensory sensitivities in pregnancy and postpartum 26:45 Building a trusted, affirming care team for your unique family 28:20 Neurodiversity, ADHD, and autistic masking in assessment and care 29:30 Where to find Dr. Crisp online Resources Mentioned Guest site: drcourtneycrisp.com Instagram: @drcourtneycrisp Substack: The Pop Culture Psychologist at drcourtneycrisp.substack.com For Listeners in Recovery Create a simple postpartum nourishment plan with two or three easy options per meal, low lift snacks you tolerate, and a backup shelf-stable choice. Add sensory aids you find regulating. Ask your care team to avoid blind weighing and to discuss numbers only with consent. Invite a partner or friend to support meals, hydration, and rest. Work With Dr. Marianne If you want weight-inclusive, neurodivergent-affirming therapy for eating disorders, OCD, and body image concerns in California, Texas, or Washington, D.C., learn more and connect through my website. I also offer specialized support for ARFID, binge-type patterns, and long-term recovery. Suggested Episodes To Queue Next Eating Disorders & Athletes: The Pressure to Perform on Apple & Spotify. Pregnancy, Postpartum, & Eating Disorder Recovery with Jaren Soloff, RD on Apple & Spotify. Overexercising, ADHD, and Eating Disorders with @askjenup Jenny Tomei on Apple & Spotify.
Send us a text Casey is a passionate, well-meaning therapist who believes in weight-inclusive care but freezes when clients bring up medical concerns. They've learned about anti-diet principles through Instagram and podcasts, but lack the medical knowledge to counter doctors' weight-focused advice. When a client receives a devastating diabetes diagnosis with the usual "lose weight" lecture, Casey wants to help but secretly wonders if the doctor might be right. Add in family pressure about their own weight, hostile colleagues questioning their approach, and the constant fear of professional consequences - and you have a dedicated professional caught between their values and their limitations. In this episode, I explore why therapists like Casey deserve support, not judgment, and how we can bridge the gap between good intentions and confident, evidence-based practice in the fight for weight-inclusive healthcare. For anti-diet and healthcare professionals, it's time to stop second-guessing your weight-inclusive approach, and get the research, tools, and professional certification to confidently counter medical weight bias:✓ Complete 12-module professional certification program✓ Lifetime access to expanding evidence library✓ Professional Directory listing for client referralsGot a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Full Plate: Ditch diet culture, respect your body, and set boundaries.
Ilya Parker, founder of Decolonizing Fitness, joins Abbie to share how gender transition, weight stigma, and ableism shaped their path into fitness and ultimately inspired a new vision for movement. They unpack the toxic culture of mainstream fitness and imagine a world where wellness means compassion, accessibility, and bodily autonomy.This episode is for anyone who's felt alienated by gyms, group classes, or wellness spaces—and anyone who's curious about how fitness can transform when it's rooted in care, inclusion, and liberation.Because every minute of this conversation felt sacred, we're airing it in two parts. This is the first half, and next week we'll release the second half.About Ilya: Ilya (he/they) is a Black, non-binary, fat, movement practitioner and founder of Decolonizing Fitness. They are also a Physical Therapist Assistant and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist. Ilya is deeply invested in creating more access for queer, trans and gender expansive people to engage in intentional movement. While drawing wisdom from community-led solutions that are rooted in body liberation and involve the revitalization of Black and Indigenous ancestral approaches.Support Ilya on Patreon here.Find Ilya's bookshop here. Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie's Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Send us a textWeight loss doesn't improve your health—and I'm tired of having to prove it. While doctors continue pushing weight loss as a cure-all, the evidence tells a different story. The Look AHEAD Study followed 5,000 diabetics for 10 years and found that weight loss didn't prevent heart attacks or strokes. Similar studies show no long-term benefits for diabetes, arthritis, blood pressure, or fatty liver disease. Yet fat patients are still forced to advocate for basic medical care while being blamed for conditions that have nothing to do with their weight. It's time for healthcare professionals to stop putting the burden on patients and start practicing evidence-based, weight-inclusive care.For anti-diet and healthcare professionals, it's time to stop second-guessing your weight-inclusive approach, and get the research, tools, and professional certification to confidently counter medical weight bias:✓ Complete 12-module professional certification program✓ Lifetime access to expanding evidence library✓ Professional Directory listing for client referralsGot a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a textSome healthcare professionals are nice. Some would go so far as to call themselves “body positive" or “HAES aligned”. But being pleasant doesn't make you safe for fat patients. There's a crucial difference between practitioners who are steadfastly kind while perpetuating harm, and those who actively work to counter medical weight bias. In this episode, I expose why often times anti-diet isn't enough, how well-meaning professionals can cause more damage than obvious bigots, and why fat people are trapped in an endless cycle of seeking help, getting weight loss advice, and avoiding care until they're desperate. I challenge anti-diet practitioners to move beyond good intentions and actually do the work to become weight-inclusive. Plus, I debunk the dangerous myths about anaesthesia safety that are used to deny fat people surgery. Want to learn more about anaesthesia? Then check out my masterclass today!Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Can a student's body size affect their grades? Research says yes. In this episode of The Scenic Route, Jen explores how fat bias and socioeconomic bias shape grades, opportunities, and self-worth.You'll hear:A personal story of how weight stigma shows up in healthcare.A German study of 14,000 students showed that overweight and lower-income kids receive lower grades than equally capable peers.Why grades often reflect compliance, neatness, and bias more than actual learning.How to judge whether a study is credible using reliability, objectivity, and validity and why validity is the trickiest.Practical steps for parents, teachers, and students to challenge fatbias in schools and beyond.Grades don't just decide report cards. They decide futures. When body size and class bias affect grades, kids are taught that some people matter less.This episode is a call to question those systems and to push for a world where all kids can thrive.
Send us a textSociety has conditioned us to believe that our weight reveals everything about our character, intelligence, willpower, and worth as human beings. From childhood, we're taught that fat bodies represent moral failure, laziness, and unworthiness of love or respect.In this raw and powerful episode, I dismantle the extensive list of harmful stereotypes we've internalized about ourselves and call out healthcare professionals who perpetuate discrimination. I explore how these beliefs shape our relationships, our sense of self-worth, and our right to exist fully in the world—and why it's time to reject these lies completely.Find out more about the weighting room and become part of a one-of-a-kind communityGot a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Joe Spector is a retired firefighter and an expert on emotional fitness and resilience.He joins the podcast today to discuss how to set up and hold boundaries with your loved ones around food and exercise choices, and how to deal with weight stigma or skinny shaming.If you struggle with people pleasing or don't have the confidence to tackle these challenging topics, this interview is perfect for you.Links and resources:Connect with Joe on Instagram @thejoespector: https://www.instagram.com/thejoespector/ Sign up for one on one coaching with me: https://www.fittotransformtraining.com/coaching.htmlFollow me on Instagram @nikias_fittotransform: http://instagram.com/nikias_fittotransform/Visit my website: https://www.fittotransformtraining.comSign up for my free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/157389602fb0/mailinglistSign up for the No Quit Kit email series on retraining your mindset for long-term fat loss success: https://mailchi.mp/4b368c26baa8/noquitkitsignupTake my free “Should You Cut or Bulk First?” quiz: https://nikias-dddr9p81.scoreapp.com/
This week, we have one of our incredible clients, Steph, on the podcast! Steph shares her honest thoughts and feelings of her experience working with the Find Food Freedom® team. She also shares her personal story of experiencing medical weight stigma and how it has impacted her. She shares what it looks like to work with our Find Food Freedom team for over 1 year of 1:1 virtual counseling support! ALL things Find Food Freedom®: Get your Insurance Benefits Checked: https://bit.ly/FFFinsurance Instagram: @find.food.freedom TikTok: @findfoodfreedom Website:https://find-foodfreedom.com/ Join the FFF Monthly Membership here: https://findfoodfreedommembership.com and use the code 'IWANTFOODFREEDOM' for 3 months completely FREE!
Send us a textMedical autonomy is supposedly a fundamental pillar of healthcare - the right to make informed decisions about your own body without coercion. But as I discovered in a conversation with my husband Junior, a fat dentist, this principle simply doesn't apply when you're fat. In this episode, I expose how the medical profession systematically denies autonomy to fat patients, exploring the difference between theoretical rights and practical agency, and why doctors can get away with withholding treatment until you lose weight. I also introduce The Weigh Forward - my new service to help fat patients fight back against medical discrimination through formal complaints and advocacy. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Get a free script when you sign up THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters The CONSULTING ROOM: Get answers to all your medical questions via DM or Voice Note PLUS access to my entire library of paid resources CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe THE WEIGH FORWARD: For people who are being denied surgery because of their weight FREE GUIDES:Evidence-based, not diet nonsense Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Happy Satiated Saturday! Something I've noticed in any body image healing exploration is how private body image concerns are. About 84% of women struggle with body image, yet something so prevalent is often kept hidden. I wonder what could change if how hard it is to live in a body could be openly discussed and supported, where conversations could look like: Person 1: How are you today?Person 2: I'm actually having a really hard time with my body image today.Person 1: Thanks for letting me know. I struggle a lot too. Is there anything you need in this experience today? I want to normalize body image struggles because I sense this might be the first step toward changing the conversations around living in a body. Rather than beginning with body acceptance or body love, sometimes you first just need to be with that, sometimes, because of a million different reasons, it is hard to be in your body and to like the way your body looks. In this week's Satiated Podcast episode, I chat with Anna Sweeney, Nutrition Therapist and Registered Dietitian, about: The complexities of body image healingThe impact of societal messaging and social mediaChallenging body image normsThe GLP-1 craze we're in right nowMedical stigmaFinding safety in the bodyYou can also read the transcript to this week's episode here: https://www.stephaniemara.com/blog/navigating-the-complexities-of-body-imageI hope you can join me Wednesday, August 27th at 5:00 pm ET for my upcoming Befriending Your Body Image Challenges with Somatic Eating® Practices Workshop. You can learn more and sign up HERE: https://satiated.mykajabi.com/offers/EkFBjX2Q/checkoutWith Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxKeep in touch with Anna: Website: www.wholeliferds.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiananna/Support the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportMy favorite water filter: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/#a_aid=somaticeatingReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPl Special thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. ...
Iron Radio: The Evolution of Weight Loss and Strength SportsJoin Coach Phil Stevens, Dr. Mike Nelson, and Dr. Lonnie Lowery in this engaging episode of Iron Radio as they dive into the latest news and trends in strength sports and nutrition. The hosts discuss the anticipated FDA approval of the oral semaglutide weight loss pill, the implications of weight stigma on physical and psychological health, and the ever-changing landscape of dietary information. Also, they reflect on the recent passing of Hulk Hogan and share insights into the influences that drive people in strength sports. Tune in for expert commentary and thought-provoking discussion!01:37 Listener Email: New Weight Loss Pill02:47 Discussion on Weight Loss Medications11:00 Hulk Hogan's Death and Impact12:53 General Health and Fitness Insights14:37 The Information Bubble and Nutrition Misconceptions15:21 Understanding Food Labels and Misleading Marketing17:13 Weight Stigma and Social Identity20:50 The Struggles of Weight Management21:50 The Importance of Growth Mindset in Fitness24:12 Challenges of Being a Large Athlete28:20 Concluding Thoughts on Social Identity and Fitness Donate to the show via PayPal HERE.You can also join Dr Mike's Insider Newsletter for more info on how to add muscle, improve your performance and body comp - all without destroying your health, go to www.ironradiodrmike.com Thank you!Phil, Jerrell, Mike T, and Lonnie
Episode 68 is a very special and tender episode. Listen in to hear my colleague and friend share her vulnerable and important story of navigating infertility in a fat body. Sarah shares not only her experience but also her wisdom, ways of coping and resources for anyone else navigating this difficult journey. Infertility is hard enough, but navigating the weight stigma in the medical field when you just want your child, is brutal. As always, you can find me on my website: www.eatingdisorderocdtherapy.com or on IG @bodyjustice.therapist.About Sarah:Sarah Jane Thomas (she/her) is a licensed therapist who works virtually with folks navigating body image, trauma, and recovery from diet culture. Her California-based practice centers fat liberation, body autonomy, and the kind of therapy that actually honors your whole messy, beautiful self.Sarah identifies as fat, queer, neurodivergent—and also happens to be in the middle of a solo fertility journey. So when it comes to talking about weight stigma in the infertility world, she brings both personal and professional truth. She's passionate about calling out the harm in “weight loss before care” policies and advocating for inclusive reproductive support that doesn't shame people for their bodies.She's also working on something new: Body Rebel Club, a coaching space and community for folks reclaiming body trust on their own terms—open to people anywhere in the world. It's launching soon, so head to bodyrebelclub.com and follow @bodyrebelclub on Instagram to be the first to know.If you're in California and looking for therapy that honors lived experience and liberation, visit sarahjanethomas.org or follow@embodiedself_therapy on Instagram to connect.**This epsiode is for educational purposes only. It is not individual medical or therapeutic advice.
Send us a textRiley's doctor recommended bariatric surgery as the solution to their health concerns, but when Riley came to me for advice, I realized they hadn't been told about the real risks. From anastomosis leaks with 15% mortality rates to spontaneous bowel perforations years later, the complications of weight loss surgery extend far beyond what most patients are counseled about. In this episode, I walk through the evidence-based risks that every patient deserves to know before making this life-altering decision, because informed consent requires the whole truth. If you or someone you know is considering weight loss surgery, then be sure to send them a link to this episode!References:Lim, Robert et al. “Early and late complications of bariatric operation.” Trauma surgery & acute care open vol. 3,1 e000219. 9 Oct. 2018Silva, Ana Flávia da et al. “Risk factors for the development of surgical site infection in bariatric surgery: an integrative review of literature.” Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 31 (2023)Complications of bariatric surgery: presentation and emergency management--a review.” Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England vol. 91,4 (2009): 280-6.Benotti, Peter et al. “Risk factors associated with mortality after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.” Annals of surgery vol. 259,1 (2014): 123-30. Coupaye, Muriel et al. “Evaluation of incidence of cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery in subjects treated or not treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.” Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery vol. 13,4 (2017): 681-685 Husain, Syed et al. “Small-bowel obstruction after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: etiology, diagnosis, and management.” Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) vol. 142,10 (2007): 988-93 Seeras K, Acho RJ, Lopez PP. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Chronic Complications. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519489/Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me FREE GUIDES: evidence-based, not diet nonsense NEWSLETTER: Life-changing insights straight to your inbox UNSHRINKABLE: Find out why your body is not designed to shrink MASTERCLASSES: All the evidence doctors should give you NO WEIGH PROGRAM: Join the revolution against weight-loss lies THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Happy Satiated Saturday! At twenty-one, when traveling abroad, I was so nervous about what to eat and eating around others that I did not nourish myself well. I flew home on an 8 hour flight with a fever of 103. Talking about regulating your nervous system and eating to support your body during travel and vacations is now one of my favorite things to share. So, I knew in this body image series that I wanted to bring someone on to chat about navigating food and body image during vacation.In this week's episode, I chat with Dr. Rachel Evans, Psychologist, Hypnotherapist, and Bulimia Recovery Specialist, about: Food anxiety on vacationsBody image concerns and social judgments while on a vacationNavigating diet culture and post holiday transitionPractical tips to try out on your next vacationYou can also read the transcript to this week's episode here: www.stephaniemara.com/blog/vacations-and-overcoming-body-image-anxietyAs a reminder, my Befriending Your Body Image Challenges Workshop is on Wednesday, August 27th at 5:00 pm ET. You can sign up HERE. With Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxKeep in touch with Rachel: Website: https://eatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.evans.phd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.evans.phdLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-evans-85504498/Support the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportMy favorite water filter: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/#a_aid=somaticeatingReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPl Special thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. ...
Send us a text Health and weight are two completely separate things that we've been taught to view as synonymous. While society insists that being fat is inherently unhealthy, the evidence tells a different story. In this episode, I break down why genetics, not lifestyle choices, primarily determine our weight, how weight stigma actually causes poor health outcomes, and why fat people often have better medical outcomes than thin people. I challenge the fundamental assumption that body size equals health status and explain why perpetuating this myth isn't just wrong—it's literally killing people. Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me FREE GUIDES: evidence-based, not diet nonsense NEWSLETTER: Life-changing insights straight to your inbox UNSHRINKABLE: Find out why your body is not designed to shrink MASTERCLASSES: All the evidence doctors should give you NO WEIGH PROGRAM: Join the revolution against weight-loss lies THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Happy Satiated Saturday! I'm excited to tell you that today marks a month long focus on the podcast on body image healing. Every summer, I have noticed an uptick in body image conversation on social media and in my sessions and programs. So last summer, I started a little podcast tradition of offering a whole series focused and dedicated to supporting you in navigating body image during the months where more of your body is being seen, more vacation pictures are being taken, and you're potentially feeling some discomfort being in your body. To kick off this month, I wanted to share my somatic perspective on body image recovery.In this week's Satiated Podcast episode, I chat about: What body image healing isThe difference between body schema and body image The body image and nervous system connection What body image healing actually looks likeYou can also read the transcript to this week's episode here: https://www.stephaniemara.com/blog/nervous-system-and-body-image-strugglesAt the end of this month-long body image focus, I will be teaching my Befriending Your Body Image Challenges with Somatic Eating® Practices Workshop, which I only teach once a year. This will be a live two hour workshop, where you will learn the somatic wisdom behind your body image concerns, discover a nervous system and trauma lens to body image challenges, and somatic practices to navigate difficult body image days, the scale, comparing yourself to past body expressions, and seeing pictures of yourself.If you can't attend live, the call will be recorded to watch the replay later. To sign up, click below and if you have any questions, respond to this email anytime.Sign Up For the Workshop here: https://satiated.mykajabi.com/offers/EkFBjX2Q/checkoutWith Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxSupport the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportMy favorite water filter: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/#a_aid=somaticeatingReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPl Special thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. ...
Send us a textDuring my supposed break, I wrote a 45-page booklet called "Jenny Needs a New Knee, But She's Too Fat to Get One"—complete with 29 clinical references proving that denying joint replacements based on weight is medically unjustified and harmful. Coz that's what people do during their time off, right?Instead of moving on to the next project like I always do, I'm trying something different and terrifying: staying put. In this vulnerable episode, I explore my lifelong pattern of pivoting when things get uncomfortable, the childhood trauma that drives my need to run, and why I'm fighting every instinct to abandon this work when fat patients desperately need advocates willing to stick around for the long haul. Check out the eBook Jenny Needs a New Knee, But She's Too Fat to Get OneGot a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me FREE GUIDES: evidence-based, not diet nonsense NEWSLETTER: Life-changing insights straight to your inbox UNSHRINKABLE: Find out why your body is not designed to shrink MASTERCLASSES: All the evidence doctors should give you NO WEIGH PROGRAM: Join the revolution against weight-loss lies THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Send us a text A third of NHS areas are denying hip and knee replacements based on BMI alone—not for medical reasons, but purely to save money. In this episode, I expose how the medical establishment openly admits these discriminatory policies lack evidence while pushing profitable weight loss interventions instead. Meanwhile, actual surgeons and researchers confirm what we've known all along: this is financial discrimination masquerading as healthcare. Have you been denied a knee replacement because of your BMI? Get your free, customizable template here. The Newspaper article by Rebecca Thomas is "Obese patients denied knee and hip replacements to slash NHS costs"The Journal Article is: Pavlovic, Natalie et al. “The effect of body mass index and preoperative weight loss in people with obesity on postoperative outcomes to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study.” Arthroplasty (London, England) vol. 5,1 48. 1 Oct. 2023 Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know! Connect With Me FREE GUIDES: evidence-based, not diet nonsense NEWSLETTER: Life-changing insights straight to your inbox UNSHRINKABLE: Find out why your body is not designed to shrink MASTERCLASSES: All the evidence doctors should give you NO WEIGH PROGRAM: Join the revolution against weight-loss lies THE WEIGHTING ROOM: A community where authenticity thrives and every voice matters CONSULTATION: For the ultimate transformation in your healthcare journe Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Happy Satiated Saturday! A common theme I've seen over the years working with women 1:1 is that for many (myself included), body image concerns started during teenage years. Ugh, a shifting and changing body is so difficult to be with, to trust, and to come home to. Your body is going to change again and again throughout your life. That can feel terrifying. When you've experienced past trauma where everything felt unknown and unstable, a body that changes and has different daily needs can be triggering. It can remind you of all that you've gone through, where you felt out of control. When you're in a time of transition with your body, there can be fear of the unknown. The anxiety is often less about what your body will look like, but about losing safety, acceptance, love, and respect. Your body will need your compassion, curiosity, and care as you navigate these scary changes.In this week's Satiated Podcast episode, I chat with Natalie Rose, Eating Disorder Therapist and Coach, about: How Natalie has navigated the bodily changes she has been going through in her pregnancyHow she's kept her own food recovery intact along the wayThe journey of building trust in your bodyNavigating bodily discomfortEmbracing an internal rebelEbbing and flowing with body image challengesYou can also read the transcript to this week's episode here: https://www.stephaniemara.com/blog/how-to-trust-your-body-through-every-life-phaseWith Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxKeep in touch with Natalie Rose here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakeupandsmelltherosay/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wakeupandsmelltherosayWebsite: www.wakeupandsmelltherosay.comYouTube: youtube.com/@wakeupandsmelltherosaySupport the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportMy favorite water filter: https://www.pureeffectfilters.com/#a_aid=somaticeatingReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPl Special thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. ...
In this episode, the hosts introduce their guest Nicola Salmon, a fertility coach with a medical science background who advocates for fat-positive fertility. Nicola shares strategies for navigating the biases in fertility healthcare systems, especially for those in bigger bodies. She discusses her journey, the myths around fertility in fat bodies, and the challenges posed by current medical practices, including BMI restrictions and the implications of GLP-1 medications. Nicola also offers insights on advocating for oneself in medical settings and emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and safe environment. The conversation covers practical advice, highlights the emotional aspects of the journey, and aims to provide both hope and actionable steps for those struggling with fertility and fat bias. MEET Nicola Salmon Fat Positive Fertility Membership on KOFI Join our support community. This community is for you if you want a safe space to work through your daily struggles with food and body image. Community membership includes livestream episode recordings (online), monthly Zoom support meetings, a private Facebook group and member-only Q&A episodes. For more information go to: https://www.patreon.com/lifeafterdiets Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterdietspodcast Email – hello@lifeafterdietspod.com Connect with Stefanie Michele, Binge Eating Coach & Somatic Therapist IT Website – www.iamstefaniemichele.com Instagram – www.instagram.com/iamstefaniemichele Connect with Sarah Dosanjh, Author & Psychotherapist Website – www.thebingeeatingtherapist.com Instagram – www.instagram.com/the_binge_eating_therapist YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBingeEatingTherapist Sarah's book I Can't Stop Eating is available on Amazon
Coach Tyler and Dr. Lisa Folden sit down with Ragen Chastain and unapck the damaging use of BMI, the importance of shame-free, inclusive care, and the critical need for informed consent in medical settings. Ragen highlights how stigma impacts healthcare access and outcomes, especially for larger-bodied patients, and offers practical tools for self-advocacy. She also reflects on positive shifts in the medical field and ends with a powerful call to challenge weight-based discrimination and build community-driven change.Mentioned in this episode:Try WeShape for FreeHave WeShape build you a better workout
In this episode of Fitness & Sushi, I'm breaking down the 10 most common signs that your relationship with your body has been shaped by shame, fear, and diet culture—not by truth or self-compassion. If you think your body image struggles are just a personal flaw, this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode – “Top 10 Signs You Have a Poor Relationship With Your Body (That Diet Culture Doesn't Want You to Notice)” – you'll learn…