The Body Grievers® Club

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana welcome Margaret Doherty, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss her experiences with pregnancy as a person in a larger body. Margaret shares her journey toward body acceptance, the challenges she faced with medical professionals, and the lack of representation and support for plus-size pregnant women. They also discuss the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings and the societal pressure on pregnancy. Despite the hardships, Margaret expresses the joy and fulfillment she feels as a new mother and emphasizes that every pregnancy experience is valid, regardless of body size.TIME STAMPS:01:41 Margaret's Journey to Body Acceptance03:42 Pregnancy Fears and Realities04:43 Navigating Doctor's Appointments 10:49 The Fear of Gestational Diabetes 20:20 Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy Concerns21:10 The Changing Relationship of Body Image and Pregnancy23:21 Grief and Expectations of the Body During Pregnancy26:18 Challenges with Plus-Size Maternity Clothing28:38 Hospital Experiences and Systemic Issues35:38 Advocating for Yourself in HealthcareWant more of Margaret?Instagram: @margaretd_lmftWant more of Bri?Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri and Jana invite Nicola Salmon, a fat-positive fertility coach and advocate, to discuss the unique challenges faced by individuals in larger bodies who seek to grow their families. Nicola shares her personal journey with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy, and body advocacy. The conversation covers common myths about fertility and body size, ways to find supportive healthcare providers, and strategies to navigate medical appointments. Nicola emphasizes the importance of self-worth and community support while challenging diet culture's impact on health and fertility. Practical advice is given on advocating for oneself and nurturing physical and emotional health during the fertility journey.TIME STAMPS:01:22 Nicola's Journey into Fat Positive Fertility05:06 Challenges and Myths in Fat Fertility10:48 Navigating Healthcare and Advocacy26:16 Anti-Diet Approaches to Fertility39:20 Final Thoughts and ResourcesWant more of Bri?Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ Want more of Nicola? Instagram: @fatpositivefertilityWebsite : www.nicolasalmon.co.uk Book: Fat and Fertile (available on Amazon)

In episode 71 of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana are joined by Hannah (they/them), a neurodiverse and gender-queer fitness professional. The group chats about Hannah's experiences with ADHD and potential autism, the challenges of body image, navigating diet culture, and how movement plays a vital role in managing stress and mental health. Additionally, Hannah highlights their community, the Body Liberation Playground, which fosters an inclusive and non-judgmental space for diverse abilities. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a trauma-informed approach to movement as well as to prioritize mental and emotional well-being over societal expectations when integrating exercise/movement into their lives.01:39 Hannah's Journey Through Struggles with Diet Culture and Fitness 14:01 Reclaiming Body Autonomy through movement and self-compassion18:35 Empowering Movement and Self-Compassion **reword23:00 Practical Steps for Body Liberation26:27 Movement as a Self-Awareness Tool27:40 Trauma-Informed and Enjoyable Movement32:39 Fitness Myths and Realities37:03 Reclaiming Movement and Enoughness 41:17 Ways to Integrate Movement with AccomodationsWant more of Hannah?Instagram: @hannahhusband Get a special discount for the Body Liberation Playground HERE: https://www.hannahhusband.com/bodyliberationplayground-briWant more of Bri?Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In episode 70 of The Body Grievers® Club, hosts Bri and Jana engage with opera singer and model Alex Frankel, founder of the Hot Fat Guy Club, to discuss topics such as body positivity, challenging societal biases, and redefining masculinity. The conversation covers personal journeys through weight cycling, battling body shame, and navigating traditional gender expectations from adolescence to adulthood. Key discussions highlight how to embrace self-confidence and authentic self-expression, strategies to cultivate  confidence, and the significance of unconditional love and self-acceptance.00:23 The Birth of the Hot Fat Guy Club02:02 Body Image from a Male Perspective05:46 Learning Body Hatred09:31 The Role of Representation13:32 Masculinity and Fatphobia18:41 Positive Fat Male Role Models23:11 Self-Confidence and Self-Worth30:23 Creating an Alter Ego for Confidence34:16 The Hot Fat Guy Club36:31 Exploring Masculinity and Body ImageFOLLOW ALEX:IG: ⁠alexfrankel_the_lionhaired⁠ + ⁠@hotfatguyclub⁠TikTok: ⁠alexfrankel_the_lionhaired⁠Website: ⁠https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/⁠WORK WITH BRI:⁠Click here ⁠for the most up to date ways to work with Bri!

Jay Salazar, a TikTok educator renowned for his comedic and political content, shares his powerful experiences with bariatric surgery and the quest for food freedom. He discusses the complications and criticism he faced from the bariatric community. Jay emphasizes the shift towards intuitive eating and the pursuit of body positivity, while also addressing societal pressures around dieting. His journey highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the ongoing struggle to find peace in a world obsessed with weight loss.

In episode 68 of The Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana welcome guest Lindley Ashline, a photographer and body liberation activist from Seattle.Lindley shares her journey towards becoming a fat positive advocate, influenced by her strong sense of justice rooted in her autism. The conversation covers her experiences with body image growing up, the importance of visibility for all body sizes, and overcoming 'picture grief.' Here’s what to expect from this episode:02:03 Lindley's Journey to Fat Positivity03:08 The Impact of Diet Culture06:21 Discovering Fat Positivity Online08:40 The Role of Justice in Body Liberation12:50 The Power of Representation in Photography21:59 Challenging Historical Erasure of Fat Bodies24:58 Navigating Bias in Photography26:35 Managing Grief Through Photography27:51 Addressing Physical and Emotional Needs during photos29:16 The Importance of Feeling Safe30:02 Personal Experiences and Client Stories32:52 The Value of Being in Photos40:10 Preparing for a Photo Shoot43:57 Resources and Final ThoughtsJoin Bri and Lindley in their collaborative picture grief masterclass, Unseen: How to Become Part of the Memories Again. This 75 min master class will  dig deep into the emotional complexity and cultural layers of picture grief.Learn more about UNSEEN here. Save $10 with early bird code: BESEEN10To work with LindleyCheck out: https://bodyliberationphotos.com Learn more about her program SEEN: a 1:1 opportunity to explore your photos:  https://bodyliberationphotos.com/seen A Free Resource: How to Find a Body-Positive Photographer: https://bodyliberationphotos.com/how-to-find-a-bodypositive-photographer A Free Resource: Body Liberation Guide: http://bit.ly/bodyliberationguide  Emily Nagoski quote from Come As You Are:"Images matter. They tell us what’s possible, what things go together, what belongs and what doesn’t belong. And we’re all just trying to belong somewhere.” To work with Bri:Click here for the most up to date ways to work with Bri!

WELCOME to Ep. 67 of the podcast! In this special episode of the Body Grievers Club, host Bri hot seat coaches herself on an IG LIVE where she addresses a significant body image hurdle following a trip from Costa Rica. She recounts her experience of refusing a wheelchair at the Miami airport despite needing one.  This IG live turned podcast episode demonstrates the use of the very same CORE BELIEF framework that she uses with clients toexplore her own body image hurdle.Here’s what to expect in this episode:01:08 Exploring Core Beliefs and Internalized Ableism10:08 Facing the fears of losing mobility ( PS *crying starts here*)13:18 Bri’s movement story16:14 Understanding the Head to Heart DisconnectAnd so much more!REGISTER FOR A FREE Webinar: UnavoidableBody Grief: Register Here

Welcome back to another episode of The Body Grievers Club! In the beginning of episode 66, I give you 2 questions for reflection. If my body image wasn't holding me back, how would I show up differently in my life? Why is my body holding me back from doing this?In episode 66, you will explore: How to identify the ways your body image might be holding you back. The importance of living your best life now, regardless of body size. Understanding and addressing "unavoidable body grief." Actionable steps towards body liberation and self-acceptance.We will delve FURTHER into this difficult topic in my FREE WEBINAR: UNAVOIDABLE BODY GRIEF. Join me as we explore this further and learn how to navigate and heal our relationship with our bodies so we can live our best, unapologetic, big beautiful life. Click here to join the free webinar.

Welcome to episode 65 of the Body Grievers Club.In this episode, hosts Bri and Jana welcome enneagram experts Becca + Mark on how exploring the Enneagram can help us understand our body image.Here's what to expect in this episode: an overview of what the Enneagram is and how it can help you understand yourself how each Enneagram type experiences body image issues differently how the Enneagram can help foster self-acceptance and compassion a rapid fire segment analyzing potential core fears about body image for each Enneagram type Don't know your enneagram type? take the test here.To learn more about Mark follow him on instagram at @ennealifecoaching or go to his website: www.ennealifecoaching.comTo learn more about Becca, follow her on instagram at @TakingBackTherapy or go to her website https://fullbloomcounseling.com/To connect with Jana, message her @bodygrieversclubClick here for the most up to date ways to work with Bri!

In a thought-provoking conversation, registered dietitian Mackenzie Woolwich discusses how to achieve health without the obsession of weight loss. She challenges the conventional weight loss paradigm and its stigma in healthcare, promoting self-advocacy at the doctor's office. Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of redefining health by embracing intuitive eating and movement, critiquing the flawed BMI system and how societal pressures impact our well-being. Listeners are encouraged to prioritize health beyond diet culture and rediscover joy in food and movement.