Eat the Rules with Summer Innanen
In the season finale of FRR, I’m chatting with Cynara Geissler, writer, editor, book publicist and badass fat acceptance advocate. 
We chat about fat acceptance and how to deal with everyday fatphobia and existing in diet culture. Including:
- How Cynara discovered fat acceptance and how it changed her life, 
- The best strategy that helped her to embrace her body and realize you could live without dieting, 
- The importance of reclaiming the word fat, 
- How to exist in a world that is preoccupied with dieting and smaller bodies when you’re no longer participating,
- Comebacks for dealing with everyday fatphobic remarks and conversation,
- Cynara’s Toddler-Grandma style,
Plus, so much more! 
Direct download: 105_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Dr. Steve Prentice, author of Wrecked. We talk about why we are so obsessed with health as a culture, how our culture’s obsession with health is making us unhealthy and what you can do about it. In this episode, we chat about:
- How Steve’s “weight loss story” led him to understand how our “healthy” behaviours are actually hurting our health, 
- Why our culture is so obsessed with “clean eating” and “optimizing health,”
- How dieting/”health” impacts the stress hormones in our body and the negative implications associated with it, 
- Why health has gone from something that helps us to fulfill our purpose to something that is our purpose,
- Why it’s so hard to let go of intentional weight loss and the belief that maybe if you just try again it will work,
- What you can do to heal and start to manage stress in order to improve health,
Plus, so much more! 
Direct download: 104_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

It's a special episode because I’m speaking to 5 incredible women, whom I’m willing to bet will have pieces of their story resonate with you. These are 5 of my clients who worked with me during the You, On Fire (formerly RYB) program and they are here to show you that it is possible to go from obsessing over food and hating your body, to no longer fretting about your reflection and having so much more confidence in who you are outside of how you look. These women go on to be role models to their kids, they have more time so they volunteer or become advocates for social justice, they ask for a raise and a promotion at work, they speak up to their medical professional about HAES or they pursue a new calling. And in all of these little ways, they start to leave a different kind of mark on this world and change the culture. To enroll in You, On Fire go to summerinnanen.com/youonfire

Direct download: 103_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I am interviewing Zakiya Gayle, who helps bring women’s inner fire back to life, about how we’ve been conditioned to manipulate ourselves in way that caters to the male gaze and how to break free of that to honor our individuality and what she calls your "dragon fire." Specifically:
- Why the way we feel about ourselves is malleable and how we have the power to change it to embody self-love, 
- How we’re trained to see beauty and femininity through the male gaze and how this detaches us from our individuality, 
- How the pitch of our voice can be used to re-shape our inner dialogue and narrative,
- How to change the negative feedback loop of self-doubt to channel your inner fire, 
- What you can do to become more embodied with your inner power,
- Why it’s not narcissistic or selfish to think that you are amazing and how others benefit,
Plus, so much more! 
Direct download: 102_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Dr. Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion. We talk about what it means to give ourselves compassion, how to differentiate between self-compassion and self-indulgence and tactics you can use in moments of need. Specifically:
- What it means to be compassionate towards ourselves and the three steps to implement compassionate self-talk, 
- Why it’s so much easier to offer other people compassion than ourselves and how to change that, 
- How to honor and give space to negative feelings in order to cultivate more peace of mind, 
- The relationship between self-care and self-compassion and what to do if you feel guilty taking time for yourself,
- How to differentiate between self-indulgence and self-compassion,
- Tools you can use in the moment, especially when you feel you’ve hit rock bottom, to offer compassion to yourself,
Plus, so much more! 
Direct download: 101_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

To celebrate the 100th episode of Fearless Rebelle Radio, I’ve crowd-sourced your best lessons on fat acceptance, body positivity, life without dieting, health at every size, self-worth and more. The idea to crowd-source lessons from you came from Ellen Orr, who helps to manage my Facebook community and I ran with it because I think we are eachother’s greatest teachers and you have been some of my best teachers. The work we’re doing here is radical and not exactly mainstream, so the best way for us to learn and grow is to share what we know with eachother. I’m always so blown away by the brilliant, thoughtful and compassionate words of support and advice that are given in my Facebook community. And I’m so excited to share your words with the world here. We cover your best lessons on fat acceptance, body positivity, diet culture, life without diets, health at every size, our worth, age positivity, self-care, motherhood, feminism and words of encouragement for you.

Direct download: 100_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Tracy Brown, somatic nutritional therapist, about how to “trust your body.” We talk about what it means to trust your body and how to become more attuned in order to feel safe in your body and have a better relationship with food. In this episode, we chat about:
How Tracy uses somatic therapy in her coaching and why this is so impactful for her client’s relationship with food, 
What it means to be an attuned eater and apply attunement to various aspects of your life, 
How to decode your desires to be smaller and urges to diet to figure out the real meaning behind them, 
What it means to trust your body and how long it can take for someone to rebuild trust,
The importance of using your intellectual mind, heart and gut to heal,
How to get connected with your body and feelings when you’re a Type-A personality or intellectual thinker,
How to appreciate and trust your body when you have chronic illness,
Plus, so much more! 
Direct download: 99_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I'm talking to Amy E. Smith, certified confidence coach and founder of TheJoyJunkie.com.She talks about the relationship between self-worth and people pleasing, how to let go of people pleasing tendencies and start being more intentional about your desires and needs. We chat about:
The relationship between being able to navigate relationships and your self-worth, 
Why “owning your voice” have everything to do with self-worth,
- The ways in which people pleasing prevents us from cultivating self-worth,
The two ways we subtly send that message that everyone else’s needs are more important than our own,
Why “negative” emotions will not disappear with more self-help and how you can start embracing them to feel more whole,
How to let go of what other people think and trying to control the outcome of every situation,
Two ways to operate from a place of grace and kindness when setting boundaries or standing your ground,
And more!
Direct download: 98_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

In this episode of Fearless Rebelle Radio I’m catching up with Laurel, one of the amazing women who went through the Rock Your Body program last year. Laurel is here to tell her story about how she went from being “health and exercise obsessed” to feeling free in her life and body. She tells the truth about how this doesn't happen overnight and what tools helped her the most. 

Direct download: 97_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m talking about the difference between body esteem and self-worth, why fat is not a feeling, what we can learn from our bad body days and 5 questions to help you work through moments of body shame. I'm talking about:
- The difference between self-esteem and self-worth,
- Why having body confidence and body-esteem only addresses a small piece of our self-worth,
- The importance of self-compassion as it relates to our self-worth and body image,
- Why self-worth and body image are interconnected,
- Why fat is not a feeling and how to tap into your real emotions,
- What our bad body days are telling us and how to decode your moments of body shame,
- 5 questions you can ask yourself to work through moments of body shame.
Direct download: 96_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Victoria Welsby, Confidence and Body Love Coach from BAM POW LIFE, about why we are so scared of fat, what you can do to change your internal bias and what to do if you’re afraid your partner will leave you if you gain weight. We talk about:
- Victoria’s story of being homeless, experiencing abuse and low self-esteem and how her adversity made her more resilient and helped her become an awesome fat activist, 
- We explore why society is so afraid of fat and what Victoria learned when she did a social experiment asking people their thoughts on fat bodies,
What the good fatty/bad fatty dichotomy is and why our culture is so obsessed with health,
How to challenge and change the internalized fatphobia and help others to see their biases,
What Victoria did when her partner told her that he would find her more attractive if she was thinner,
What to do if you’re in a relationship where you are afraid your partner will leave you if you gain weight,
Whether it’s possible to change your partner’s point of view and help them challenge their social conditioning,
And so much more!
Direct download: 95_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Kelly Diels, Feminist Marking Consultant, about the Female Lifestyle Empowerment Brand (FLEB). We’re talking about how empowerment is being misused and co-opted in the online world, how this upholds patriarchal systems, why self-care is a collective issue and what you can watch out for as a consumer to advocate for yourself and demand better. Specifically, the ways in which Kelly noticed how “empowerment” and social triggers were being used to market services and how this was misaligned with true empowerment. What the Female Lifestyle Empowerment Brand (FLEB) is and how to watch out for it. The ways in which FLEB uphold patriarchal systems and maintain authority over other women. How to become a more astute consumer and the specific tactics to watch out for. Why we need collective social change and personal success strategies to overcome our obstacles and have more successful self-improvement models. How women are conditioned to be “brands” (objects for consumption) and the ways this perpetuates feelings of inferiority. How coaches can become better at marketing their services and truly stand for empowerment, plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 94_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, about the difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, how weight-stigma creates issues within eating disorder recovery and healthcare and our thoughts on ED before and after pics. We talk about: The difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating. Whether or not eating disorders would exist in the absence of diet culture. How weight stigma creates problems in eating disorder recovery and the healthcare system. How to improve eating disorder recovery rates at an institutional level. What you can do for yourself to find better healthcare and support if you feel like you are being discriminated against. What to do at the doctor when they request that you get weighed. Our perspectives on eating disorder before and after pictures – are they problematic or helpful? Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 93_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Mara Glatzel, MSW – intuitive guide and energy healer – about how to advocate for yourself, stop being chained to your to-do list and realize you are enough exactly as you are, regardless of your productivity and imperfections. In this episode, we chat about: How to recognize your needs and advocate for yourself, even when you don’t feel like you’re worth it. How to overcome the fear and hesitation that accompanies receiving and advocating for ourselves. How to identify and set boundaries for yourself. The importance of rest, why rest does not mean sleeping and how to create a more restful existence for yourself. Why being productive won’t make you more worthy and how to step away from your to-do list. How mothering has changed Mara and helped her become more aligned to her purpose, plus so much more. 

Direct download: 92_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m talking about why body positivity and intentional attempts at weight loss cannot co-exist and answering common questions associated with this debate. In this episode, I talk about: What do we mean when we talk about weight loss in the context of body positivity. What body positivity really is and why it is different than “loving your body." Why the statement “You can love your body and still want to change it” is perhaps true, yet not body positive. Why the promotion and labeling of weight loss as “body positivity” is destructive and harmful to fat acceptance. How I respond to common pushback and questions around weight and body positivity. What to do if you need to lose weight “for health reasons." What kind of discussions belong in body positive spaces. Why I don’t make the rules on any of this crap and who to follow for more advice. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 91_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I am interviewing Anita Johnston, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon. She talks about the neuroscience and psychology behind our body image and relationship with food, how to get back in touch with who you are and the art of feeling feelings. In this episode, we chat about: How we lose the capacity to be intuitive and express who we are as children and why this influences our relationship with food and our bodies. The masculine systems that contribute to the suppression of our emotions and intuition and their influence on the way we feel about ourselves. The neuroscience of why we feel bad about ourselves and how to change it. The contract between belonging and fitting in and why the desire to fit in creates a disconnect from who we are. Three questions to ask yourself to get in touch with who you are and what you desire. Why loneliness is really about a disconnection from ourselves versus a disconnection from others. The art of feeling feelings and why it’s necessary. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 90_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Krystal Thompson – Professional Yoga Therapist and Intersectional Body Positivity Activist. She talks about how the body positive movement can be more inclusive, what it means to practice body positive yoga, how it can help you heal your body image and details on our upcoming virtual workshop – The Self-Care Shakedown. We also talk about: The moment she decided she was done with dieting and diet culture and how yoga helped her to heal her relationship with her body. How the body positive movement can be more inclusive and expand representation in an effort to uphold the belief that all bodies are worthy of love and respect. Why “all bodies are good bodies” is an exclusionary statement. Blowing up the BS around statements like “as long as she’s happy and healthy”. The co-opting of body positivity in yoga culture and all of the different reasons this is problematic. The various systems of oppression that benefit from you feeling bad about yourself and how to fight back. Everything you need to know about The Self-Care Shakedown. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 89_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Dianne Bondy – Yoga Teacher, Social Justice Activist & leading voice of the Yoga For All movement. She talks about the intersection of racism and diet and yoga culture, why diet culture and yoga cannot co-exist and the white-washing of the yoga industry. What she noticed about yoga culture and how this prompted her to become a social justice activist. Dianne’s experience with discrimination and racism and the influence of this on her body image and self-worth. How the media’s portrayal of people of colour creates stereotypes, perpetuates racism and impacts the self-worth of women of colour. The “white-washing” of yoga culture and how this is counter to the roots of yoga and yoga philosophy. The co-opting of body positivity in yoga culture and all of the different reasons this is problematic. How to study your privilege and viewpoints to be a better ally. How diet culture permeates into yoga culture and why it’s counter to fundamental principles of yoga. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 88_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Mallorie Dunn – creator of SmartGlamour. She gives us a behind the scenes perspective on the fashion industry as it relates to body positivity, including how misleading sizing charts are and how clothing can help you with body acceptance. In this episode, we chat about: What SmartGlamour is all about, why it’s accessible for ALL bodies and why it’s blazing the trail for body positive clothing retailers. The importance of diverse representation in the fashion industry and why the majority of retailers are falling short with their attempts at “body positivity”. How we can support body positivity with our dollars and not just attitudes. How sizing charts are really created, why they are misleading and why you shouldn’t care. Why we need to reclaim the word “flattering” back to its true definition and how it’s current use is demoralizing. How to enjoy the shopping experience and explore new styles. What to look for when shopping if you have a changing body and how clothing can support your body acceptance. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 87_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with Melissa Toler – writer, speaker and coach - about the intersection of racism and diet culture, why dieting is violence and how it strips us of our humanity and so much more. Melissa’s experience growing up as a Black woman and how this influenced her body image. The intersection of diet culture and racism and how this influences women of colour. The “Whiteness” of the wellness industry, how this has bled into body positivity and how its messaging is inaccessible to marginalized groups. What women of privilege need to know to do better and help liberate all bodies. Why dieting is violence against ourselves and how it robs us of our humanity. Why the pursuit of weight loss is not a personal choice, even though you may think it is. What to do to reclaim your humanity and autonomy amongst the pressures of diet culture. Plus, so much more! 

Direct download: 86_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

It's a special episode because I’m speaking to 4 incredible women, who are just like you. These are 4 of my clients who recently went through the Rock Your Body program and they are here to show you that it is possible to go from hopping to diet to diet and being frustrated with your body, to no longer fretting about your reflection and having so much more confidence in who you are outside of how you look. Rock Your Body is the 12-week online program that gives you a step-by-step way of building up self-worth beyond your jean size with personalized coaching from me and lifetime access to the program—so you wake up in the morning feeling comfortable in your skin and live an amazing life beyond the number on the scale. RockYourBodyNow.com

Direct download: 85_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m chatting with fat feminist mother, activist, writer and artist, Amy Pence-Brown, about ageism and body positivity, how misogyny permeates our beliefs and influences behavior that is harmful towards other women. We chat about: Amy’s progression towards feminist to body positive activist and the google search that led her to the fat acceptance movement. What prompted Amy to do her Stand For Self-Love social experiment that went viral. What she learned from the experiment and the experience of the video being seen around the world. The relationship between misogyny and competition and violence amongst women. How to recognize the misogynistic behaviors that women engage in that have become normalized in our culture. How ageism impacts our self-worth and what we can do to fight against harmful narratives on aging. Specific things we can do to embrace aging and age positivity. The added pressures of being a mom trying to raise intersectional feminist children and what most moms are not talking about. Plus so much more!

Direct download: 84_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I’m giving you an epic guide to why diets don’t work, the physical and emotional ramifications of dieting and how to heal to have a good relationship with food. I talk about: What the diet cycle looks like. How it starts and sets us up for failure. How it contributes to worsening self-worth or esteem. What it means to have a diet mentality and the symptoms of this. What it means to eat normally. The side effects and negative ramifications of dieting. Weight regulation, set-point theory and how dieting messes this up. The factors that influence our weight. Myths about health and weight. How to end the restrict-binge cycle. The most important pieces of the puzzle that need to be addressed when learning to eat normally. Plus so much more!

 

Direct download: 83_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I chat Bethany Webster - writer, transformational coach, international speaker - we dive deep into the intricacies of our relationship with of our mothers and the way we feel about ourselves, including how you can heal “the mother wound” in order to cultivate self-worth. We chat about: Bethany’s relationship with her mother growing up and how that shaped her body image and self-worth. How she had to heal her mother wound in order to embrace who she is. The beliefs, patterns and dynamics that form our mother wound and the influence of these on our self-worth. The role of the patriarchy in creating the mother wound and how this differs across cultures and generations. The source of the guilt that we have around setting boundaries and breaking co-dependency with our moms. The key questions to ask yourself to overcome this guilt. The steps to take to heal your mother wound, including journal prompts to explore. Plus so much more!

Direct download: 82_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

#81: Balancing Sensitivity & Autonomy with Rachel Cole

I chat Rachel Cole – certified life coach and women’s empowerment expert - on how to balance being a sensitive individual with autonomy and authenticity, the subtle ways we give our power away and how to reclaim body sovereignty. In this episode, we chat about: Rachel’s history with an eating disorder and how she reclaimed a deep sense of trust with her body. The deep hungers that create our tumultuous relationship with food and the important questions to ask ourselves to break free. Why so many of us are walking around disconnected and untrusting of our bodies. What it means to be a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), including the gifts, challenges and unique self-care requirements. How to balance being a sensitive individual, while demanding autonomy and being authentic. What to do if we’re ashamed of our sensitivity and feel guilt for advocating for our needs. The difference between body submission and body sovereignty and the sneak ways we give our power away. How to reclaim your body sovereignty. Plus so much more!

Direct download: 81_episode.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I chat with Rebecca Scritchfield – Registered Dietician and author of Body Kindness – about how to tend to your health without triggering the dieting mindset, what the process of diet recovery looks like and so much more. In this episode, we chat about: • The inspiration behind the book Body Kindness – what it’s about and who it’s for • What the process of diet recovery looks like and why it’s a not a one-size-fits-all approach • How to leave dieting rules behind without feeling like you are completely out of control • Why intuitive eating can become a diet and how to overcome that in order to be a “normal” eater • Why Oprah’s collaboration with Weight Watchers is oppressive to women • Why restrictive diets that go under the guise of “health” are damaging to your relationship with food and completely unnecessary • How to overcome the good/bad paradigm as it relates to thinking about food • How to incorporate more healthful things into your life without triggering the dieting mentality • Plus so much more!

Direct download: FRR_80_Rebecca_Scritchfield.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I give you an epic guide to body image and body positivity with tons of theory on the most important concepts, including the societal and psychological factors that construct our body image, the importance of looking at self-worth, a description of the popular terminology and what the body positivity movement is all about. In this episode, I talk about: • What is your body image and what are symptoms of a poor body image • The relationship between beauty standards and body image. • The social and psychological factors that contribute to the way we feel about our bodies • What it means to have a positive body image and busting some common myths • The different stages we go through in order get to a place where we feel comfortable in our skin • An abbreviated summary of popular terminology in the body positive /anti-diet community, including, diet culture, health at every size (HAES), thin privilege and fatphobia • Body positivity 101 – what the movement is all about and why it’s so much more than half-naked selfies • Plus so much more!

Direct download: FRR_79_BoPo_101.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I chat with Krista Niles – Therapist and Body-Positive Dating Coach – on how to navigate dating at any size, the best ways to meet new potential partners and why you don’t need to wait until you “love yourself first.” {IMAGE GOES HERE} In this episode, we chat about: • What prompted Krista to create the Curvy Cupid Course and help women with their dating and relationships • Where to even begin with dating if you’re inexperienced or have been out of the dating scene for a while • How dating norms have changed over the years • What to do if body insecurity gets in the way of you putting yourself out there and meeting new potential partners • How to initiate meaningful discussion to get to know new people • Krista’s recommended sites to use for online dating and why she recommends them • Alternative ways to meet people outside of online dating • How to filter out jerks, fat haters and people with weird fetishes • Why you don’t need to “love yourself first” • Can you teach someone about body positivity and is it worth your time pursuing a relationship where the person isn’t “woke” yet • Plus so much more!

Direct download: FRR_78_Krista_Niles.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

I chat with Virgie Tovar – Author, Speaker and Activist – on the roots of diet culture, the relationship between weight-loss culture and social oppressions, the role of internalized sexism as it relates to self-worth and so much more. In this episode, we chat about: • How Virgie got into fat activism and feminism and how it saved her life • The experiences and women who inspired her to write the book Hot & Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love and Fashion and create Babecamp • The history of diet culture and it’s relationship to sexuality and morality • The relationship between weight-loss culture and social oppressions, such as sexism, racism and classism • What the normalization of dieting behavior looks like in our society • Dieting as a language and the symbolism of and what it means to people • Diet culture in the workplace and how to deal with co-workers who are invested in it • How feelings of inferiority are often at the root of our dieting and weight-focused behaviours • The relationship between inferiority and internalized sexism • Why dieting is addictive and difficult to abandon because of the drama and high it gives us • Plus so much more!

Direct download: FRR_77_Virgie_Tovar.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

Scarred Not Scared - With Michelle Elman

I chat with Michelle Elman – Board Certified Life Coach and creator of the Scarred Not Scared campaign – on her story of having gone through 15 surgeries before the age of 20, the problem with “healthy is the new skinny” and why health is not always a choice. In this episode, we chat about: • Michelle’s relationship to her body over the years having gone through various surgeries that left scars and how she learned to embrace her scars • How her experience with survivor’s guilt created shame and how sharing her story helped her heal • The importance of speaking about our stories to relieve shame • How to get comfortable and accept a changing body • Why body positivity is not necessarily what the mainstream makes it out to be • Why health is not always a choice and the problem with promoting “healthy as the new skinny” • What beautiful means and how Michelle’s perception of this has evolved over the years • How we can make the body positive movement more inclusive • Plus so much more!

Direct download: FRR_76_Michelle_Elman.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

In this episode of Fearless Rebelle Radio, I run solo and talk about setting intentions, giving you 7 questions to ask yourself when you’re craving change. As well as, what to expect from season 3. In this episode, I chat about: • Why I put FRR on hiatus and what to expect from season 3 • Why I don’t like resolutions and cringe at the word “goals” • How I set intentions for myself when I’m craving change • 7 questions to ask yourself to set a powerful intention • Why this is the year of the Nasty woman for me

Direct download: FRR_75_Intentions.m4a
Category:Health -- posted at: 6:00am EST

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