Hold onto your hats, friend...it's time for some body image real talk. In fact, there's so much to say about this topic that I'm breaking it up into two episodes with part two coming next week. Summer is here and wearing shorts or a bathing suit is now coming to top of mind again...and that brings up negative body image, negative self-talk, and feelings of being less than or not good enough. There are women in my community who haven't shown their legs in decades because they're afraid of what others will think of them.
And I get it. I was that woman. I was fearful, self-conscious, and had dysmorphic body thoughts. I come from a place of love in this episode though what I have to say is often firm and a bit of a wake up call. Nobody is going to start valuing yourself for you. You have to get real about the tired out narratives that are no longer serving you. Rejecting those narratives, unlearning old views, and embracing new ways of seeing yourself is possible. It takes work but you can do it.
In this episode, I'm talking about why dressing rooms are such a mindfuck. From there, I'm diving into the first of three real talk points regarding body image. If your heart is open and you're ready to hear them, these issues have the potential to change everything.
In this episode I covered:
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Dr. Rob Abbott is an integrative medical doctor who believes in talking to his patients and learning their stories to find the root cause of what ails them. An expert in the field of nutritional and lifestyle interventions when working with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Dr. Abbott has a unique blend of approaches when looking at medicine and employs a refreshing and compassionate approach to working with clients.
Dr. Abbott believes in studying what is relevant to the patient and improving peoples quality of life by addressing chronic conditions through multifaceted interventions. Today he shares the results of his recently co-published study all about the benefits of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet and provides a space for us to come together and make positive and empowered change through knowledge.
If you believe in the power of positive psychology, are looking to explore about how your lifestyle and diet can impact how your body is functioning, or want to learn more about Hashimoto’s and the simple ways you can elevate your symptoms, this is the episode for you. By seeing the story behind the person, Dr. Abbott helps people walk through their symptoms and creates a real connection between doctor and patient to find an integrative approach to healing.
Do you feel as though your doctor really listens to your story? Have you been frustrated by dismissive doctors in the past? Share your past experiences with us in the comments on the episode page!
“I try to not care about on the surface what someone might do for a living or the letters after their name, and really get to know the story behind the person.” (9:12)
“I'm going to challenge you, not in a way to make you feel judged or torn down, but to say ‘hey maybe that's not really what you need right now’.” (34:02)
“If you talk to him and ask him what is the most important component of his multifaceted approach which has shown amazing benefits... it’s not food, it's not even movement and it's not even sleeping. It's love.” (47:55)
“As much as I love the autoimmune protocol as dietary intervention, it's just a tool and part of a greater tool kit of personalized care and community and really loving and caring about other people.” (48:26)
“Sometimes we want to jump immediately to the sexy stuff, the hormones and all this, when really if you just give lifestyle time in a controlled and supported setting, you are going to see some awesome stuff happen.” (1:10:06)
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Being an empath is a gift, but it's often a challenge to manage. I wasn't even aware that this trait had a name until I was an adult, and suddenly a lot of my life made sense. I dance with the dynamic between leaning into and using my gifts while at the same time not being crushed by it. The boundary between letting myself stay open as an empath and taking it all on is often razor thin and completely blurry.
In this episode, I'm sharing some common empath traits and how I personally try to manage my energy as an empath. Included are five of my go-to strategies for protecting myself from taking on OPE (other people's energy).
In this episode I covered:
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Popular culture has made us believe that in order to get to the land of self-acceptance, fun, freedom, and adventure, we need alcohol. Veronica Valli realized that this could not be further from the truth after she stopped drinking at the age of 27, and has since set out to share benefits of sobriety with others.
Today we are addressing all your questions about getting sober, and the answers may surprise you. Learn why Veronica felt the need to stop drinking, what questions to ask yourself to judge your relationship with alcohol and if it is a problem, and learn why Veronica is determined to break the socially constructed normalized crutch of alcohol abuse.
If you have never stopped to question the cultural differences, societal pressures and physical toll that drinking can take on your body, Veronica is here to open your eyes. A true believer in the freedom and fun you can find in sobriety, Veronica strives to make alcohol free as standard as gluten-free or vegetarian without batting an eyelid.
Drinking culture can be a difficult thing to navigate, but with the tools and support, Veronica provides, you can stop using alcohol to cope and start thriving in the sober community.
How does your relationship with alcohol affect your day to day routine? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.
“I stopped drinking when I was 27, and I thought my life was over, but I couldn't continue as I was. And in fact, the reverse was true, my life expanded in ways are just frankly beyond my wildest dreams.” (9:36)
“The secret is, you can get to the land of fun, excitement, belonging, connection, relaxing, romance, and sex, sober... and it's better.” (22:42)
“When they look at the true cost, it is quite shocking to them, it's your integrity, your dignity, it's those costs, your self-esteem.” (32:21)
“When alcohol rents space in your head, when you're thinking about drinking or not drinking or how much you are going to drink or what time you are going to drink or have you drank too much, its renting space in your head. That's the indication that you have a problem.” (39:14)
“A sober life is a fantastic life, it is just amazing. And I really want people to see that.” (50:57)
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Today, I'm digging into another round of listener questions and providing answers to some of your most common inquiries.
Questions answered on this episode:
"I am working hard on intuitive eating. Any advice for helping with the mind shift to this and eating for health vs the stand by "to lose weight" goal, especially when you know you feel better at a lower weight. I am having a hard time not making weight loss my goal."
"Do you ever do cardio, like running, or do you ever bike anymore?"
"I’ve had a problem since I was a teenager with body image issues and trying to love my body instead of hate it. The only way I’ve ever lost weight is by starvation diets that I know are unhealthy. I am now tracking macros and trying to eat healthy , but it’s so hard to grasp the concept that I need to eat more to lose weight. How do we change that mindset?"
"My current struggle is not letting the messages from "the rest of the world" get to me. I get SUPER defensive/pissed if I hear someone talk about things like counting calories, having "abs", "beach bodies", etc. I need some kind of mantra for not letting the bullshit affect me so much."
"What is the best strategy for overcoming strength plateaus when you are limited to at home workouts?"
"I know you've very recently covered the topic of plate shaming, or making judgements on other's food choices.. but how can we respond and educate those who are not aware of how harmful this behavior is? How can we get to a place of eating whatever the fuck we want to without outside commentary?"
"I have been doing intermittent fasting for about 6 months, but I wasn’t training due to an injury. I recently started training again and I am sooo hungry, even if I eat well during the 8-hour window. Do you have any tips to help me?"
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So many women are dealing with symptoms caused by hypothyroidism and either don’t know it or don’t know how to fix it. Dr. Becky Campbell was part of this group, after dealing with weight gain, hair loss, and chronic fatigue during schooling. After a series of general practitioners and specialists left her without answers, she found her solution in a holistic practitioner that outlined her thyroid issues. Today Dr. Becky is passionate about helping other people get to the root cause of their thyroid issues and start feeling better faster.
Dr. Becky is shedding light on everything from to what hypothyroidism is, what tests you should be asking for, how to eat and exercise for your thyroid and more. If you are seeing abnormal changes in your body, are not feeling yourself, or unsure of what tests to ask for from your doctor, Dr. Becky is answering all of your questions and more on this episode.
Learn why you adopting a new lifestyle is not a prescription for restriction, the important role thyroid hormones play in all functions of the body, how to make sure your doctor is checking you thoroughly enough, and how to support your adrenals through stress management techniques. Dr. Becky believes in listening to what your body is asking for to know what you need to do to support your body without extreme measures.
Once you understand the crucial role your thyroid plays in the body you will be able to shift your mindset, diet, and lifestyle to become partners with your body again.
Are you struggling with a form of hypothyroidism? Share your journey with us in the comments on the episode page.
“I had to do the work with changing my lifestyle to get better, but I did and I got so much better, and so I knew this is what I needed to do, help other people.” (9:48)
“Everybody is different, so it's not going to look the same for everybody, but I can tell you right now I don't feel deprived at all in the way I eat.” (12:10)
“I think when you can actually figure out what the problem is for your body, and learn how to handle that, that's when you are going to get the best results. You can’t do what somebody else did and expect the same thing if you guys are two different people.” (21:40)
“My purpose is really to try and help people help themselves with as little money as possible, and with this method, you really can do that.” (34:02)
“If your body is telling you something is wrong, it's wrong.” (39:40)
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If you've wanted to start strength training but you don't know where to begin, I've got you. I've been a strength training enthusiast consistently since 2010 and a coach since 2013. I've seen and heard just about everything when it comes to fears and apprehensions that women have about lifting weights. Sometimes those fears come from lack of knowledge and other times, it comes from people that tell women outright to "be careful or you'll get hurt." That last part's gotta stop.
In this episode, I'm sharing five tips to help you get started with strength training. These may not all work for everyone, but my hope is that they serve as potential entry points for you as you gather knowledge and do some research. Strength training has so many powerful physical and mental benefits that I hope you'll get experience.
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Caroline Potter is a wife, mother, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, entrepreneur, and believer in taking things slow and enjoying the seasons of your life. After an autoimmune diagnosis at age 20, Caroline took her world that had been shaken and turned it into a thriving food blog business. Today Caroline lives with her husband and a new baby in Spain and has embraced the European lifestyle and the freeing mindset both physically and mentally that true peace can bring.
Instead of doing everything for everyone, Caroline believes in doing just a few things really well and being at peace with every human being needing to ask for help. Today Caroline is here to share her mantra of learning to say no by strengthening the muscle, making time for yourself throughout your day, and getting out of the hustle to instead focus on your own needs.
Being intentional with your decisions doesn't mean your decisions are perfect, it means trying your best in every situation and letting the rest happen to set yourself up for success. Caroline believes that when you can cut yourself a break and set yourself up with intentions, you can take control of your decisions and be successful long term.
The mental ramifications of a chronic autoimmune disease can often be as bad if not worse than the physical symptoms, so it is important to take care of all aspects of yourself. Caroline provides tools to help you figure out your conscious living approach, and explains why allowing yourself the ability to focus on your passions and explore your opportunities is also your greatest chance to heal.
How does Caroline’s story relate to your own experience with autoimmune diseases? Share with us in the comments on the episode page.
“When I finally did rebrand and I really went after what was really on my heart, I started working fewer hours and I started making way more money and way more impact.” (17:02)
“Once you say the first no, it gets so much easier after that.” (22:02)
“Just having that margin to breathe and to dream and to educate yourself, whatever that may look like to you. And I think that is where you are going to find the greatest success and also the greatest contentment.” (23:11)
“I wouldn't be talking to you today if it wasn't for my disease and I wouldn't have a lot of people in my life if it wasn't for my disease, so I see now the positives but man it was really really hard.” (33:18)
“We put so much pressure on ourselves, and that doesn't do anyone any good. You know all the healthy good in the world isn't going to save you if you dont have the right mindset going into it.” (44:16)
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It's the 200th episode of Harder to Kill Radio...say what! Crazy to think that we're here celebrating this milestone nearly four years after launching the podcast. Podcasting has been a fun and sometimes wild ride, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Harder to Kill Radio has brought me yet another medium with which to connect with you, the listener, and meet you where you're at. It's also afforded me the opportunity to connect with so many amazing people out in the world who are doing incredible things for others and sharing their stories with you.
In this episode, I'm reflecting back on the last four years. I'm sharing more about why I created a podcast and what it takes to make a show each week. I'm also letting you in on some lessons I've learned as well as revealing some of the most popular episodes to date. And, I muse on what the future may bring.
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