The BodyLove Project with Jessi Haggerty

Show Notes: In this episode, I talk with Dr. Colleen Reichmann, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders. She works in her private practice (Wildflower Therapy) in Philadelphia, PA, and has also worked at various treatment facilities including University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Center for Eating Disorder Care, and The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. Colleen herself is recovered from an eating disorder, and this experience sparked her passion for spreading knowledge and awareness that recovery is possible. She is deeply committed to Health at Every Size and body liberation, and considers herself a fat-positive clinician. Colleen speaks at national and regional eating disorder conferences, and writes about body image and eating disorders for Project HEAL, The Mighty, Recovery Warriors, and more. In this episode, Colleen briefly shares how and why she became an eating disorders clinician. Then, she dives deep into the subject of self-disclosure as a clinician. Colleen discusses why she decided to disclose her own recovery from an eating disorder, and the specific boundaries that she believes are important to set when sharing personal information during sessions or online. In the episode we talk about: Colleen’s eating disorder recovery Colleen’s experience disclosing her recovery with clients and patients The “boundaries” Colleen sets when disclosing her recovery journey Resources: Jessi’s Newsletter The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Colleen’s Instagram Colleen’s Website

In this episode I talk Shira Rosenbluth, a social worker/therapist by day and a style blogger by night, known for her blog “A Sequin Love Affair.”  Her blog encourages having fun and dressing in a way that reflects who you are, regardless of budget or body size. The blog also chronicles Shira’s recovery from an eating disorder; this is something that she wasn’t always open about. In this interview, Shira shares why it was important for her, as a therapist, to disclose that she is still in recovery. She also discusses the nuances of being both a fashion blogger, who shares photos of her body, and a health-at-every-size advocate, who believes everyone is more than their body. Further, she shares the many barriers she has faced with access to treatment, and describes that obstacles that many individuals face while trying to pursue recovery.   In the episode we talk about: Why Shira felt encouraged to disclose her struggle with an eating disorder on her blog. Barriers to eating disorder treatment (insurance, weight stigma, and more). The nuances of being a body positive fashion blogger. Resources: Jessi’s Newsletter The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Shira’s Instagram Shira’s Website Shira’s Recovery Journey Shira’s Go Fund Me

In this episode I talk to Simi Botic, health coach and Author of Letting Go of Leo: How I Broke Up with Perfection. We talk about Simi’s relationship with perfectionism and how that bled into her relationship with food and her body. What I love so much about this episode is that we talk so much about what breaking up with perfection (especially around food) can do for your whole life, not just how you feel about your food and your body. Simi talks about how she ultimately changed her whole career trajectory and how we both felt like we were both able to be present for the highs and the lows without the burden of food worry. In the episode we talk about: How Simi’s relationship with food and her body had evolved Simi’s transition from lawyer to health coach Perfectionism and it’s downfall Our experiences of losing our dads Grief and how intuitive eating has helped us through this process Resources: Jessi’s Newsletter The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Simi’s Website Letting Go of Leo

In this episode I talk to RD to be Kimmie Singh about her dietetic internship experience, weight stigma in the healthcare field, how medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and Health at Every Size (HAES) are aligned, and how Intuitive Eating is still possible, even if you have PCOS with insulin resistance! This episode is definitely geared towards RDs, but if you’re not an RD or healthcare provider don’t turn away too quickly - I think everyone can benefit from listening to this conversation. In the episode we talk about: Kimmie’s Dietetic Internship Experience. Weight stigma in the healthcare field. How MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) and HAES are aligned! PCOS and Intuitive Eating. Honoring your humanity as a clinician. Resources: Jessi’s Newsletter The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Kimmie’s Instagram Kimmie’s Website Work with Kimmie at LK Nutrition in NYC

In this episode I talk to fellow dietitian Anna Sweeney. Anna is a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian with a private practice in Concord, MA. But we don’t talk about eating disorders or nutrition in this episode. Anna talks about her experience living in a disabled body, how her relationship with movement has evolved since childhood, and what her experience with movement is like now. In the episode we talk about: Anna’s relationship with movement as a child, and how that changed after her MS diagnosis. What people might not know about Multiple Sclerosis. Diets for chronic illness (specifically MS). What Anna’s relationship with movement is like now.

In this episode I talk to Soraya Chemaly, an award winning writer and author of Rages Becomes Her, the Power of Women’s Anger. After reading Soraya’s book last year I was so excited to finally have her on the podcast to talk about all of the parallels between women’s anger, diet culture, and body image. And as expected, she did not disappoint. This episode is chock full of amazing nuggets of wisdom from Soraya and ends on a more inspirational note, to help us all use our anger for the betterment of ALL bodies. In the episode we talk about: Why Soraya’s book is not a self-help book. Anger and gender norms. Why confidence isn’t always a good thing. How suppressed anger (or living in a culture that suppresses women’s anger) can disrupt interoceptive awareness. Gaslighting 101. How to move forward with this information. Resources: Jessi’s Newsletter The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Soraya’s Website Soraya’s Twitter Rage Becomes Her on Amazon

Tally Rye is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in Central London. She trains with a weight-neutral approach and frames exercise as an act of self-care for the body AND mind. Her mission is to empower clients with the support to feel comfortable and confident in a fitness environment, and to change perceptions of exercise as a tedious punishment to something that can be intuitive and fun. She encourages intuitive training by intentionally directing clients to listen to their body cues. In this episode, Tally describes her transition from studying to musical theater to working in fitness, and her transition from a weight-centric to weight-neutral approach to wellness. She shares nuggets of wisdom and important realizations she has had while incorporating Health at Every Size and intuitive eating into her work as a trainer. Her perspective is highly informative for any trainer hoping to take a body positive approach to their work. Tally explains why rejecting “traditional” fitness marketing (based on shame and guilt) has ultimately helped her business to grow and helped her clients enjoy their sessions more. In this episode we talk about: Tally’s path to becoming a personal trainer. Tally’s shift from weight-centric to weight-neutral wellness How she educates clients on Health at Every Size and intuitive movement Reframing exercise as a form of self-care resources Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Tally’s Website

Lauren Minear is a psychotherapist and yoga teacher who focuses on treating disordered eating, eating disorders, body image, anxiety, and trauma. Her treatment approach is informed by a commitment to social justice and attention to the impact that trauma, relationships, and culture have on the body. Lauren is also the creator of InBodied Yoga® a movement practice that empowers all bodies to practice self-care through yoga poses, mindfulness, breath work, therapeutic exercises, and guided visualizations. In this episode, Lauren discusses what led her to becoming a psychotherapist and yoga teacher (after starting a career investment banking). Then, Lauren dives deep into trauma-informed movement. She elaborates on how to create healing spaces for individuals recovering from trauma and/or eating disorders. She also touches on nervous system regulation through movement, and on the importance of integrating movement into your life, rather than compartmentalizing it into “exercise.” In this episode we talk about: Lauren’s path to becoming a psychotherapist. How she went from investment banker to yoga teacher. Trauma informed movement. Nervous system regulation and the body’s response to trauma. How we can use movement for more than “exercise.” resources Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Lauren’s Website In-Bodied Yoga

Caroline Dooner is a comedian, yoga teacher, and author of “The F*ck It Diet.” Caroline transformed years of suffering through the diet mentality and body image issues into writing, yoga classes, and online courses that guide people towards intuitive eating, self-care, and body acceptance. Overall, Caroline helps chronic dieters come back into their bodies, rest, breathe, and be willing to be human. In this episode, Caroline reads an enlightening excerpt from her new book and briefly discusses her recovery from diet culture and binge eating. She also talks about how, even after she recovered from dieting and body image issues, she still had a lot of societal “rules” to unpack. After moving out of New York City, Caroline committed to taking two years of “rest,” which taught her the true value of “doing nothing.” In this episode we talk about: Caroline’s new book, the F*ck It Diet. Why diets are strikingly similar to cults. The importance of taking time to do nothing. Resources Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Ep. 048 with Caroline Dooner Caroline’s Website The F*ck it Diet Book

Victoria Welsby is a body image activist, adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia, TEDx speaker, and the author of “Fierce Fatty: Love Your Body And Live Like The Queen You Already Are!” Victoria went from being homeless and abused with self-esteem that was achingly low to the courageous fat activist and change maker she is today. Victoria guides people towards falling in love with themselves and eating intuitively. Further, she is fiercely dedicated to changing the way society views fat bodies.  In this episode, Victoria shares the story of how her mindset shifted from feeling that she just had to lose weight to knowing that it was absolutely okay to be fat. She also unpacks the way society measures self-worth, and discusses why and when to set boundaries in personal relationships. In this episode we talk about: Victoria’s journey towards fat acceptance Resisting the internal voice that tells anyone they “need” to be “skinny” or “healthy” Deriving self-esteem from somewhere other than health and appearance Boundary setting in personal relationships Resources Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Victoria’s website Victoria’s book Regan Chastain’s Dances with Fat blog

In this episode I talk to Adrianne Finn, a certified SCOTT Pilates instructor, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Yoga Teacher, TRX and barre instructor. If that wasn’t enough she also has her degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and currently works at an eating disorder treatment center where she helps patients honor their body’s unique needs and develop a healthy relationship with movement. In our last episode my intern Caitlyn and I answered your questions about Intuitive Movement and while we answered A LOT, we didn’t get to quite a few. One of the most-asked questions was does exercise have a place in eating disorder recovery? My hope is that you find some of the answers that you are looking for in today’s episode. That said, a general disclaimer that movement in eating disorder recovery is a highly individualized and nuanced topic so it is really important to work with your treatment team to determine what will work best for you. In this episode we talk about: Exercise in eating disorder recovery. How Adrianne began working in an eating disorder treatment center. The difference between being resistant or compulsive around movement. Pelvic floor health. Resources: JESSI’S INTUITIVE EATING AUDIO GUIDE THE NUTRITION & BODY IMAGE COACHING COURSE ADRIANNE’S WEBSITE + COURSES Thank you to our sponsor, Simple Mills!

In this episode Caitie and I answer listener questions about Intuitive Movement. We answer the following questions: What is intuitive movement? How much movement do you actually need? How do I reconcile the need for movement if I don’t want to do it? What if you intuitively never want to move more than a short walk or activities of daily living (ie cooking, cleaning etc). I want to exercise but finding actually doing it impossible. Where is the line between forcing myself to exercise until I break through the “blah” and find my motivation, and listening to my body? What if you struggle with feeling like you NEED to workout everyday? What if you can’t get over liking the way your body looks because of a certain workout? How to train for a race and listen to your body at the same time? How can you move intuitively if you are using a prescriptive strength training program to reach certain goals? How can trainers teach intuitive movement? resources JESSI’S INTUITIVE EATING AUDIO GUIDE THE NUTRITION & BODY IMAGE COACHING COURSE F.I.T.4ALL WEBSITE

In this episode I talk to Lisa Du Breuil, a therapist specializing in binge eating disorder and substance use disorders. Lisa is a Health at Every Size practitioner with a private practice in Salem, MA. In this episode we talked about How the Health at Every Size paradigm aided in Lisa’s own eating disorder recovery. Her work as a therapist with co-occurring eating disorder and substance use disorders. How to work with (ALL) clients from a HAES perspective. How to make your office space (or any place of work) more inclusive to all body sizes. Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Skills for Personal Trainers Lisa Du Breuil’s Website Flash Series Hercules Chairs (there’s quite a few options so best to search “Hercules Chairs” in Amazon to see all results).

Chrissy King is a Milwaukee-based ISSA certified personal trainer and fitness blogger. Chrissy first stepped into a gym eight years ago with a weight loss goal. But she was soon introduced to strength training, and realized that this fitness modality brought her a sense of confidence and inner strength that was completely independent of her weight...and of any results. She fell in love with the process. Now, she guides clients through strength training and creating a sustainable fitness routine that they can genuinely enjoy. She also created a webinar titled “Diversity and Inclusion 101: Taking an Intersectional Approach to Wellness,” which covers special considerations for creating safe, diverse, and inclusive wellness spaces. Further, she regularly updates a blog, where she discusses diversity, inclusion, and intersectional feminism in the fitness industry. In this episode we talk about: How “body love” is complicated by the culture we live in. How to hold space for the desire to lose weight without letting it control your fitness journey. Why it’s OK for fitness professionals to talk about social justice. Resources Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide The Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Course Chrissy’s Webinar - Diversity and Inclusion 101 Chrissy’s Most Popular Blogs: Trainers and Fitness Pros Can’t Help People of Color While Remaining Silent About Racism Words That Don’t Belong to Us: Why It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Using the Word Savage Everyday Racism in the Fitness World and Beyond

Sadie Lincoln is the co-founder and CEO of barre3, a fitness studio company that started in Portland, OR. In this episode Sadie and I talk about one of her (and my) many  missions: redefining what success in fitness means. We talk about: Tapping into your body’s wisdom and intuition The power of relationships and community The truth about modifications Learning to accept your today body Moving through and learning from injury Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Skills for Personal Trainers Barre3 Website (+ January “Un” Challenge)

Dr. Nicola Rinaldi has a PhD in biology from MIT. Since experiencing hypothalamic amenorrhea (missing periods) herself, Dr. Rinaldi has been on a mission to spread awareness of the condition and how to recover. In 2016 she published the book "No Period. Now What?" This book is a comprehensive resource that includes much of the medical and scientific research that underlies our current understanding of the triggers for amenorrhea, what steps to take for recovery, and treatments to use for recovery and pregnancy as needed. In addition, Dr. Rinaldi performed the largest survey to date of women who likewise experienced amenorrhea, and includes results from the survey answering many of the common questions women have, such as "How long will it take to recover?" "Will I be able to get pregnant?" and "Will I resume cycling after pregnancy?". Finally, the book includes Dr. Rinaldi's own story along with those of hundreds of other women, providing hope and reassurance to women following in their footsteps. Since publishing "No Period. Now What?" Dr. Rinaldi has been a guest on multiple podcasts, attended the ACSM and SCAN conferences, and presented the winning poster at the 2017 Female Athlete Conference. In this episode we talk about how you can advocate for yourself when you’re suffering from amenorrhea (absence of a period) or Oligomenorrhea (irregular periods), how to know the difference between amenorrhea and PCOS, and what it takes, and how long it takes to get your period back, and how to check out your cervical mucus for a more intuitive way to track your ovulation. You can check out her website and popular blogs below and make sure to check out her book, No Period, Now What? For more details on all of the information we talked about in this episode! Bleeped Content: 24:18: “I did a survey for my book of over 300 women who experiences HA… Over 82% of them lost 10 pounds or more in the last few years. That’s a significant weight loss for anybody.” 30:06: “[getting your period back] will happen more quickly if you’re able to go “all in” and eat more than 2500 or more calories per day…” Navigating BodyLove IRL: In this episode we talk about how to advocate for yourself at the doctor if you are experiences amenorrhea; especially if you are living in a larger body, or struggling with a ‘false’ PCOS diagnosis. Listener Q/A In this episode we answer: How long does it take to get your period back? Is soy really bad for hormonal health? How do you actually “check” your cervical mucus? Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Skills for Personal Trainers Mentorship/Internship Posting Nicola’s Website No Period Now What Book Nicola’s Facebook Group Julie Duffy Dillon and PCOS Nicola’s Most Popular Blogs: Why Weight Gain Might Be Necessary Energy Balance and Missing Periods Hair Building as a Positive of Recovery Flax Seed and HA/recovery Acetyl-l-carnitine and HA/Recovery HA Recovery as a Competitive Athlete Overall HA Understanding HA versus PCOS

In this episode Anna and I talk about what the term “Body Love” means to us, how she developed Body Love Yoga, how ableism in the yoga and fitness industry is rooted in the patriarchy, and how to get comfortable taking up space in this world. In this episode we cover how to navigate difficult conversations around asking for seat belt extenders, chairs without arms (AKA fat positive chairs), and writing open letters to public figures to elicit uncomfortable but necessary conversations. Anna also answers a listener question about her favorite fat positive yoga clothing brands. Navigating BodyLove IRL At the Airport It’s no secret that airplanes are uncomfortable. But if you’re living in a thin body, you might not realize that this discomfort is heightened if you’re living in a larger body. Anna gives some practical tips on how to make traveling more physically and emotionally comfortable. Get a seat belt extender (bring one or ask for one) Keep bags in the overhead to save leg room Always bring your own snack Noise cancelling headphones to block out sighs or negative comments Hoodie or scarf to “cocoon up” Make sure to go to the bathroom before getting on plane Travel with a friend + put the armrest up! Breathing - 3 counts in and out Grounding practice - Feel your feet on the ground With Public Figures Anna talks about how author Brene Brown has played a vital role in her ability to navigate fatphobia, but also doesn’t recognize how some of her writing perpetuates the shame that people in larger bodies feel on a regular basis (see episode 47 to learn more about this!). Anna went to one of Brene’s events a few months back and felt empowered to ask for a more comfortable chair (without armrests), and when she returned home, wrote an open letter to Brene Brown which is one of my favorite things ever written. Listener Q/A What are your favorite plus size activewear brands? Bombsheller Lineage Wear Universal Standard Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Nutrition & Body Image Coaching Skills for Personal Trainers Mentorship/Internship Posting Anna’s Website Anna’s Letter to Brene Brown Joyn app

Katherine Zavodni is a non-diet, Health at Every Size registered dietitian/nutritionist specializing in eating disorder treatment, intuitive eating, chronic dieting and weight concerns, and family and childhood feeding dynamics. In this episode Katherine and I talk about how diet culture impacts how we feel about our body, how our body is not the problem (diet culture is), and how it’s OK to be part of the body positive movement and still have days where you hate you body. Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Katherine’s Website Marci and Fiona’s Body Image Workshop

Dana Sturtevant and Hilary Kinavey are the co-founders of Be Nourished, a weight neutral practice based in Portland, OR. In this episode Dana and Hilary talk about how to build Body Trust(TM), why it's so important for clinicians doing this work to use weight neutral messaging in our marketing materials, and why this work has to support people in ALL bodies. You can learn more about Be Nourished and their upcoming workshops at: https://benourished.org/

In this episode Liz hits the nail on the head, naming a place where I hung out for a long time: Conditional Body Acceptance (see also: healthism). This idea that you can accept your body at any size, if and only if you are meeting orthorexic ideals. If this resonates for you, you might also know that these ideals differ from person to person, and my (past) ideals not only kept me deeply dissatisfied with my body, they also wreaked havoc on my health and kept me in a disconnected and disordered relationship with food, movement, and my body. Liz also sheds light on how Conditional Body Acceptance also plays a role in the yoga community, and how she is working to spread the Health at Every Size and Unconditional Body Acceptance movement as a newly registered yoga teacher. Resources: Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Support Group Liz Fayram’s Website