136. How to Be and Raise Anti-Diet Culture Women with Lori Brand

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Diet culture is everywhere. It shapes how we see ourselves and sets unrealistic beauty standards that impact people of all ages and body types. In this episode, Whitney sits down with author, group fitness instructor, and yoga teacher Lori Brand. Lori shares how she first encountered diet culture at just 10 years old and how it shaped her understanding of body image. She also dives into the fitness industry's role in these narratives and the powerful shift toward true empowerment through body positivity.

 

Lori dives into the themes of her book, Bodies to Die For, which explores the controversies of body image. She explains how chasing external validation often leads to dissatisfaction and why she advocates for women to focus on getting stronger rather than getting smaller. Through her own transformation, Lori discovered that prioritizing strength over appearance fosters resilience, confidence, and a deeper sense of self-worth.

 

Beyond personal growth, Lori offers advice for parents on how to raise strong children in a society that is steeped in diet culture. She shares her insights on finding fulfillment and strength through self-accepted goals. Tune in as Lori encourages us to redefine beauty from within, embrace our unique strengths, and support one another in dismantling diet culture.

 

Here’s what you can look forward to in this episode:

• Lori’s early encounter with diet culture

• The impact diet culture has had on society

• What Lori hopes women take away from reading her book

• How to raise strong daughters in a diet culture society

• Loving the bodies we’re in right now

• The relationship between physicality and creativity

Reflection question to ponder: Is this really what I want right now?

 

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Connect with Lori: Instagram | Website | Book: Bodies to Die For