In this episode, we’ll be exploring the cycle of fear and blame the diet industry has created and how this impacts our body image and relationship to food. We’ll also look at some of the nuances, including the erasure of fat folks from history, and why it appears to be socially acceptable to discriminate against someone based on their body size/weight. We’ll also take a look at how the diet industry uses fear based marketing practices to sell their products, and the outcomes when the ‘solution’ doesn’t work.

If you’d rather not hear my life, podcast and business update, skip forward to 12:21

Content Warning: use of the word o*esity within context at 13:40

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Chapters

00:00 Halloween Preparations and Personal Updates

07:02 Reflections on the Podcast Journey

12:09 Haunting Diet Myths: Introduction to the Topic

20:15 The Diet Industry Cycle Explained

32:03 Understanding Body Diversity and Acceptance

In this episode, Melanie discusses the themes of food, body positivity, and the impact of diet culture, particularly during Halloween. She emphasises the importance of food neutrality and intuitive eating, sharing personal experiences and insights on how to navigate societal pressures around food. The conversation challenges fear-based messaging and promotes self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to find joy in their food choices without moral judgement.

Takeaways

Food is often associated with guilt and shame due to diet culture.

Finding joy in food can lead to a healthier relationship with it.

BMI is an outdated and flawed measurement.

Practising food neutrality means recognizing that all foods have value.

The diet industry thrives on creating fear around food choices.

Self-trust is essential in developing a positive relationship with food.

Food can evoke memories and emotions, which are important to acknowledge.

Challenging societal norms around food can empower individuals.

Engaging in non-food related activities can help reduce food focus during holidays.

The nutrition content of food does not define one's worth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:25 Embracing Food Neutrality During Halloween

12:05 Understanding Diet Culture and Its Impact

31:06 Practising Food Neutrality and Intuitive Eating

Welcome to your October Myth Busting Minisode!

Following on from last weeks regular episode, I wanted to highlight some of the shameful language used when talking about fitness and movement. Personally, this language feels outdated but I recognise this is only because I left business and fitness spaces where the idea that “we all have the same 24 hours” is commonplace.

"We don't owe anybody fitness."

In this episode, I’ll be discussing the complexities surrounding movement and fitness, particularly in relation to privilege and societal expectations. We’ll explore the impact of diet culture, and the outdated narratives that often accompany discussions about prioritising movement.

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This week our ‘F-word’ is fitness; specifically the negative associations many of us have with fitness and dieting. I’ll be sharing some of my experiences growing up, from learning to dislike sports in high school, and always focusing on ‘all or nothing’. You’ll also hear how, despite my lack of athleticism, I decided to pursue a career in fitness and the negative impact this left on my mental and physical health. By reframing our understanding and beliefs about movement, fitness and exercise, we are able to prioritise personal preferences, joy and self-worth rather than applying external expectations.

The Culture Of It All! Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Questions to help you reframe movement:

Would you still want to achieve those goals if weight loss was not on the table?

Am I inspired to do this or am I trying to motivate myself?

What has happened that's triggered this, this feeling?

Why am I having this thought?

Do I actually want to do this? Is this actually something that I'm choosing to prioritise in my life right now?

What is the bare minimum?

In this episode:

* How the diet industry weaponized movement, exercise and fitness

* How the lack of support and encouragement for those kids who do not show competitive interest in sports is doing a disservice to them

* Why I chose to start a career in the fitness industry

* How I’m reframing fitness, and navigating movement moving forward

Takeaways:

* Many people's struggles with fitness begin in childhood.

* The diet industry heavily influences perceptions of fitness.

* It's important to question the motivations behind fitness goals.

* The concept of 'bare minimum' can help simplify fitness expectations.

* Reframing fitness can reduce the pressure from diet culture.

* Everyone is worthy, regardless of their fitness journey.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Complex Relationship with Fitness

03:30 Childhood Experiences and Early Influences on Fitness

10:45 The Negativity of the Diet Industry & Fitness

14:43 The Complicated Journey of Becoming A Trainer

19:44 The Shift Away from Traditional Fitness

21:17 Intuitive Eating and Reframing Movement

25:51 Reframing Fitness: Questions to Consider

31:41 The Complications of the Diet Industry and Fitness

🗓️ Next week… Myth Busting Minisode: Priorities, Privilege and Movement!

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Welcome to episode 12, today we are chatting about 3 connected f-words that have negatively impacted my body image, confidence, and love of fashion.

Flattering.

Femininity.

Fitting-in.

In particular, we will be focusing on the impact these words have had on folks growing up in larger bodies, and the ways in which I’ve found my way back to myself BEFORE the world told me I was too much.

Content warning: at 23:15, loss of a parent, and my personal experience of grief as a teenager. Whilst I will not be discussing what happened, it’s an important part of my story. Please take care of your mental health, and either skip forward 60 seconds or miss this episode.

Takeaways

* We cannot heal our relationship with clothes sizes if brands are just NOT making the sizes.

* There are many small businesses and brands doing the work, making the effort – which proves that it’s not about cost, big clothing brands do not care about fat people.

* The Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘flattering’ as: “making someone look or seem better or more attractive than usual”

* The relationship we have with our body size, and our intention when dressing our bodies is often a result of how society has told us we SHOULD look or behave.

* Get curious about colours, silhouettes and the clothes we wear, especially if you feel your clothes don’t reflect who you are or how you feel.

* Challenge the stereotypes that impact the way you show up in the world, especially if they hold you back from self expression.

“We are not meant to fit the clothing, the clothing is meant to fit our body.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the F Words: Flattering, Femininity, and Fitting In

03:54 How flattering, femininity and fitting-in relate to diet culture

04:55 Content Warning & Content Disclaimer

08:01 Clothes Sizing & Why It Fails Plus Size Bodies

11:08 Clothes Size & Anti Fat Stereotypes

15:56 A reminder for poor body image days

17:51 Redefining 'flattering' and why it's not a compliment

23:15 Content Warning: Death of a parent, and processing grief

23:33 Loss and Its Influence on Self-Expression

28:29 Embracing Individuality

32:16 Navigating Fashion Choices in a Limited Market

Next Week

Bonus Episode (paid subscribers only)

In Practice: Hunger, Restriction & Our Feelings

Phewf, who knew I could cover so much in less than 15 minutes?

In this episode, I wanted to explore the rise of wellness gurus in the 2010s and the way in which they have manipulated us into believing they are not just another fad diet. What I quickly realised, is that we cannot do this, without covering the definition and red flags of dieting itself.

You’ll hear some of my personal experience working within the industry, and the negative impact coaches had on my business and body, highlighting the impact of social media influence on the wellness industry. We’ll discuss the concepts of moderation, 80-20 eating, and balanced eating, and how they each fall into the definition of dieting.

As you’ll hear in this episode, it’s important to keep in mind that the act of quitting dieting is not the same as diet culture.

"Diet culture is more than the latest fad diet program, food list, or goopy wellness trend. It is about the culture of it all. It is a part of our everyday life. It is the ocean that we swim in."

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Wellness Gurus and Lifestyle Changes

03:40 Dieting Red Flags: what to look for

08:07 The Restrictive Nature of Moderation, 80-20 Eating, and Balanced Eating

10:17 The Long-Term Outcome of Dieting: Weight Gain

11:07 The Impact of Diet Culture on Marginalized Groups

Did you enjoy this format? Are there any myths you’d like me to tackle on the show? Drop your thoughts and suggestions below — I’d love to hear from you 🙂

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Welcome to a brand new season of The Culture Of It All! I’m back this season to explore and discuss the F Words with y’all. You’ll hear from me, and some incredible guests as we chat about topics such as the Fashion Industry, Fat Representation, Fiction, Plus Size Fitness, and Food.

There are so many F words associated with diet culture, and not even the ones you’re thinking of… also feel free to send me the F words you think I should talk about!

S2: E011 Fat Positive Fall

In this episode I am easing us into this new season and discussing fat positivity with a twist. When I started this podcast, I realised very quickly that even when you surround yourself with anti diet and body positive content, the diet culture and weight loss content also ramps up. Meta, and I’m sure other platforms, don’t recognise anti diet culture content and assume I want to see weight loss accounts.

At the same time, I am hyper aware of how other content creators are treated online and it’s really daunting to speak up and put your larger body online. I’ve noticed that more intrusive and negative thoughts about my body have popped up, I’m able to navigate through them, but want to focus on the energy of this quote:

“There’s so much more to the fat experience than just the horror stories.”

- from Brooke Hull via BodyLiberationPhotos.Com

Yes, the horror stories fuel this work, I will use my voice to advocate for those who don’t feel seen and heard, and I also want to embrace more fat joy and positivity. This summer was not as hard as the previous years, I was super prepared and I’m taking so much of what I’ve learned into this new season with me.

Takeaways

* Melanie introduces the new season of her podcast, 'The Culture of It All,' where she explores and discusses various topics related to ditching diet culture and living life in a larger body.

* She emphasises the importance of joy, healing, and positive experiences in a larger body, and shares her personal intentions for a 'Fat Positive Fall.'

* Melanie reflects on her journey of being more visible online and the challenges and rewards that come with it.

* Melanie discusses the impact of diet culture on mental and emotional well-being, and the need to challenge societal norms and expectations.

"Quitting dieting feels like an audacious act."

The Culture Of It All! Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Season Overview

03:53 The Evolving Relationship Of Being Visible Online

05:47 Fat Positivity + My Relationship With My Body

13:44 Navigating Negativity and Trolls on Social Media

15:18 The Audacious Act of Quitting Dieting

20:38 Pursuing Gentle and Joyful Movement

23:04 Finding a Comfortable Pace in Work and Life

24:47 Getting Dressed, Styling Outfits, and Sharing Fashion

28:25 Excitement for Fall Activities and Plans

🗓️ Coming Up in September

September 10th

Myth Busting Minisode: eating in Moderation, 80/20 and balance

September 17th

E012: Flattering, Femininity & Fitting In: How I Reclaimed My Passion for Fashion (in a larger body)

September 24th

Bonus: From binging to only having one

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We’ve made it to our final episode of the Summer Series, and today I’m reflecting on 10 things I’ve learned about myself this summer. I’ll be discussing lessons in business, and marketing as well as the importance of community and my struggle to trust my body. We’ll of course be talking about how I’ve felt both physically and emotionally this summer and what my plans are for The Culture Of It All!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:17 Lessons in Building and Growing a Business

06:40 The Power of Community and Content Creation

10:51 Learning to Trust and Embrace Your Body

16:43 Embracing Personal Style and Rediscovering Passions

21:56 Comfort and Advocacy This Summer

22:55 Navigating Self-Promotion and Selling

26:04 Making Changes To The Way I Do Business

27:10 Pursuing The Things I Love As A Career

28:32 Creating A Fat Positive Community and Online Shop

30:44 Journal Prompts for Self Reflection and Growth

32:20 A big thank you and reflection