The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Move More... But for the Right Reasons

Jan 25, 2021
Jessamyn Stanley, a yoga instructor and author of "Every Body Yoga," shares her journey from being a self-identified "fat and awkward weirdo" to a beacon of body positivity. She reveals how societal pressures tainted her relationship with exercise, transforming it from a source of joy into self-loathing. Through personal anecdotes, she underscores the importance of moving for enjoyment rather than aesthetic goals. Jessamyn highlights yoga as a path to self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to embrace joy and self-compassion in their fitness journeys.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Early Exercise Aversion

  • Jessamyn Stanley, initially a self-described "fat, awkward weirdo", dreaded exercise, especially gym class and the Presidential Fitness Test.
  • She even tried to injure herself to avoid field day, highlighting her deep-seated insecurity and fear of inadequacy.
ANECDOTE

Body Image Struggles

  • Jessamyn's body image issues stemmed from a lack of representation and societal pressures to conform to a specific body type.
  • She internalized the message that her body was the "punchline", leading to feelings of inadequacy.
ANECDOTE

First Yoga Experience

  • Jessamyn's first yoga experience in high school was a Bikram class, which she found intensely hot and difficult, leading her to quit early.
  • The abrupt temperature change upon leaving caused nausea, solidifying her negative view of yoga.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app