Miscellaneous
Today marks the first episode in my throwback series which will be running over the coming weeks while I take some time to work on my writing. I absolutely love throwbacks because they give us all the chance to reflect and see if we have been applying the information and strategies offered in these episodes, and to determine what we may need to do differently or where we may need to take more action in these areas. Whether you’ve heard them before, or whether this is your first time, you are going to get something valuable out of these episodes, which just happen to be some of my favorites, so get your notepad ready and prepare yourself to soak up the knowledge and wisdom that is coming your way. This first episode in the series concerns a topic that many listeners—and yours truly—find triggering: body image, the relationship we have with our bodies, and how to positively change this in our culture. In North America, 85-95% of women are either extremely dissatisfied with or flat-out hate their bodies. That’s an epidemic of poor self-image and self-worth, one so widespread that there’s no single cause. While I was at a Mastermind retreat this past weekend, I learned about Mirna Valerio, an “ultrarunner,” cross-country coach and author of the memoir A Beautiful Work in Progress. Mirna’s words inspired me to revisit the conversation around body image and discuss it on a deeper level. So for this episode, I’m going to discuss how body image can be an intergenerational issue, explain why body positivity can backfire, and leave you with some powerful parting words from Mirna. As always, if there is a topic you would like me to discuss or a guest to interview on the podcast, please feel free to contact me at pr@kellytravis.net - I would love to hear from you! The Finer Details of This Episode: - Looking back on how older members of my family shaped how I began to look at my own body. - Exploring the shockingly high percentage of American women who are dissatisfied with their bodies and how those feelings originate. - How even the health industry can have a negative impact on how women eat and treat their bodies. - Why we need to listen to what our body actually needs rather than try to impose an unnatural lifestyle on it. - Addressing one of the central conceits of body positivity and how it can actually impact you negatively. - How unhealthy social media usage can further distort how we feel about our bodies, and what you can do to mitigate those feelings. - I share my VERY strong feelings on the subject of positive affirmations, namely why I think they aren’t as constructive as we’d like them to be. - I read some inspiring final few words from Mirna Valerio that may help you think differently and more constructively about your body. Quotes: “Our body and our mind are connected and we need to begin to treat it that way.” “Using food to control what our body looks like gives us an illusion of safety.” “Start paying attention, ask your body what it needs, and freaking listen!” “You don’t have to wait for something to change to accept yourself.” “The body follows where the mind goes.” “No matter our background, how much we weigh, the color of our skin—any of that—what we share is that we all have a body and we have a relationship with that body.” Show Links: Kelly’s homepage - http://www.kellytravis.net