202: Healthism and Why It's Harmful

Healthism is everywhere—but most of us don’t even know it has a name. In this powerful episode of Thrive Beyond Size, Dr. Michelle Tubman unpacks the hidden force that turns health into a moral responsibility and worth into a measurement of discipline. From the praise of weight loss at any cost to the judgment we place on food, movement, and rest, Michelle explores how healthism intersects with fatphobia, ableism, diet culture, and systemic injustice.

You’ll learn where healthism shows up in everyday life, why it’s harmful, and what it looks like to push back—without giving up on yourself or your well-being. This is a must-listen for anyone ready to reclaim body autonomy, soften perfectionism, and redefine what care really means.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What healthism is—how how it subtly shapes our beliefs about food, bodies, and self-worth
• How it shows up in medical settings, social media, and daily conversations
• Why the pursuit of “health” can become harmful and shaming
• The link between healthism and diet culture, fatphobia, ableism, and trauma
• What it looks like to care for yourself without subscribing to health as a moral mandate
• How to reclaim body autonomy and offer yourself compassion instead of judgment

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Wayza Health
• Follow Michelle on Instagram @wayzahealth
• Listen to previous episodes of Thrive Beyond Size here