The Thick Thighs Save Lives Podcast

Women’s bodies are not a trend and they’re not up for public debate. With the release of Wicked: Part Two , conversations about the bodies of its stars, including Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have flooded social media, framed as “concern,” “health,” or “what about our daughters?” In this episode, we unpack why commenting on women’s bodies (even when it sounds caring) is still harmful, why women...

Friendship is often treated like an extra relationship, one that gets pushed aside once careers, partners, kids, or exhaustion take over. But what if friendship isn’t optional at all? In this episode, we sit down with friendship expert and author Dr. Marisa G. Franco to unpack why platonic relationships are essential for our mental, emotional, and physical health, and why our culture has quietly t...

What if the most powerful mental health tool isn’t another app, supplement, or productivity hack, but movement? In this episode, we sit down with world-renowned researcher and clinical physiotherapist Dr. Brendon Stubbs to explore the science behind exercise as prevention, treatment, and recovery support for mental health.  As the head scientist of the Amazon Prime documentary Mind Games: The Expe...

Why do New Year’s resolutions feel so motivating in January and completely fall apart by February? In this episode we break down why “New Year, New You” doesn’t work, and what actually does. We dive into the neuroscience of shame, motivation, and habit-building, explaining why extreme diets, punishment workouts, and all-or-nothing goals fail long-term. You’ll learn why motivation isn’t the problem...

Why are you unhappy, even when everything in your life looks “fine” from the outside? In this episode, happiness expert and bestselling author Gretchen Rubin breaks down the real reasons people feel unhappy, unfulfilled, or stuck, and why traditional advice about happiness often fails. We talk about the hidden causes of unhappiness, the habits that quietly drain joy, and the practical changes that...

Ever wondered how much control you actually have over your brain’s future? Dr. Jonathan Rosand, Co-founder of the Global Brain Care Coalition joins us to share the groundbreaking research showing that up to 45% of dementia, 75% of strokes, and 35% of depression can be prevented through everyday lifestyle choices, not complicated regimens, expensive treatments, or perfect genetics. Just simple, doa...

Do you silence yourself to the point of not knowing who you are anymore? This self abandonment has got to stop and Dr. Amanda Hanson, The Midlife Muse, is here to tell you how. In this vitally important episode, she breaks down the systems that shrink women and teaches us how to reclaim the intuition, self-trust, and emotional hygiene we have been conditioned to ignore. From childhood gaslighting...

What if one of the most common women’s health issues was also one of the most ignored? In this episode, Rachael sits down with Professor Jenny Rohn, a leader in UTI research and a full-blown warrior in the fight for women’s pain to finally be taken seriously. Together they unravel why UTIs remain stuck in the medical dark ages, why antibiotics still fail millions of women, and how outdated diagnos...

Gratitude is a real thing. It’s not a mystical practice or reserved for highly functioning people who are killin’ it in life. We are talking about the kind that exists right alongside chaos, exhaustion, grief, and pie. In this episode we unpack why gratitude isn’t a personality trait but a skill you build like a muscle… preferably without punching anyone who tells you to “be thankful!” We reveal t...

If your warm-up looks like a sad 10-minute treadmill shuffle and a hamstring stretch you’ve been doing since high school gym class, this episode is your intervention. We break down why your first set feels like garbage, why soreness keeps hijacking your week, and why your warm-up might be the real villain in your fitness story.  Say hello to the RAMP Method, a simple, efficient, game-changing way...

Want your vision to last a lifetime? Well if your eyes feel dry, tired, or gritty by 3 p.m., this episode is your wake-up call. Dr. Pam Theriot, an optometrist and TEDx speaker, joins us to uncover what your eyes have been trying to tell you about screen strain and those makeup wipes you are using. We dig into how nutrition, hydration, and even your nightly skincare routine affects your vision, pl...

In this episode, pro climber and guide Kelly Fields joins us to explore how fear, discomfort, and confidence are built one deliberate step at a time. She’s slept on cliff faces, skied across sea ice, and still swears the toughest climb is mastering your own mind.  What if the very things you’re avoiding: the fear, the struggle, the unknown, are actually the keys to your freedom? In this episode Ke...

Halloween’s got enough monsters. Your relationship with candy shouldn’t be one of them. In this episode, we dive broom first into the sugar fueled chaos of Halloween week to talk about how not to turn candy into a moral crisis. From ditching the “how many burpees for a Snickers” mindset to reclaiming candy as just, well, candy, we are breaking the spell of guilt, shame, and “I’ll start over Monday...

Is your skin trying to tell you something? This episode features skin and nutrition expert Katie Stewart, who helps us understand the true origins of acne, inflammation, and unexpected breakouts. Katie explains why healthy skin starts internally, exploring factors from birth control changes to gut health. It's time to move beyond genetics and take control of our largest organ. Don't miss this cruc...

Feeling like your energy’s been stolen by life, kids, caffeine, and chaos? You’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Blake, founder of KB Wellness and former chronic illness sufferer turned integrative nutrition expert, to talk about why everyone’s so darn tired, how supplement quick fixes can backfire, and why your minerals, gut, and hormones might be the real culprits behind th...

Feeling burnt out but still pushing harder? You might be fighting the wrong battle. In this week’s episode, Dr. Beth Westie, functional medicine practitioner, chiropractor, and bestselling author joins us to talk all things cortisol. From anxiety you don’t realize you have to that 3 a.m. wakeup that’s wrecking your sleep, Beth breaks down how chronic stress hijacks your metabolism, steals your har...

It’s been twenty years since The Biggest Loser first aired. In the last episode, we reflected on what The Biggest Loser taught us about ourselves and how the show shaped the way we view weight loss, health, and body image. In this episode, we focus on the progress we’ve made since then: the shift toward strength training, body composition over the scale, and celebrating sustainable health instead...

Caffeine highs, Netflix binges, and a deep dive into the wild world of weight loss TV—this week we’re unpacking Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser . Whether you were glued to the screen back in the 2000s or only know the show by reputation, you’ll want to hear how this “inspiration” machine actually rewired the way a generation thought about health, bodies, and willpower.  From pizza-for...

In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise and serving up the hard truths —the kind that might sting a little, but only because they’re exactly what you need to hear. From why supplements will never outshine sleep, to the myth of out-training a poor diet, to the reality check on sacrificing muscle for weight loss—we’re not sugarcoating a thing. Add in some late-night baby antics, forgotten g...

How do YOU see the world? In this episode, award-winning behavioral scientist Dr. Emily Balcetis explores the link between perception and goal achievement. She explains that while we share the same reality, our individual interpretations differ significantly. Drawing on behavioral and vision science, Dr. Balcetis reveals how our brains interpret information, influenced by past experiences, even be...

Ever wonder why your teeth fall out in dreams, or why you can't scream? Perhaps you think you don't dream at all. The truth is, everyone dreams, even if they don't remember it. As dream expert Layne Dalfen explains, dreaming is simply thinking. Layne is here to help us understand their meaning through her psychological approach to analysis. Fluent in the language of metaphor, Layne truly "speaks d...

Ok movement and fitness is never a mistake. But if we want to maximize our time and efforts, we can all do it a little better right? Today we are looking at what’s holding you back, because we want to help you stay consistent with fitness throughout your life. We are revisiting the biggest fitness blunders we’ve made, so that when life happens and you find yourself starting again, you don’t crash...

Do you consider yourself mentally tough, or do you often fall short when faced with life's challenges? The good news is that it's never too late to cultivate mental toughness. Penny Mallory, a leading authority on the subject, is here to guide you. Drawing from her own extraordinary life experiences, Penny shares insights on building resilience, confidence, focus, and determination. In thi...

Today's episode delves into the science-backed benefits, safety, and programming principles of youth resistance training. We're here to bust common myths: lifting won't stunt growth! In fact, it's more crucial than ever for children to engage in resistance training. Curious about what resistance training looks like for kids? Wondering about strength gains before puberty or the safety of 1-rep max...

This episode is being re-released due to its high relevance for anyone looking to manage their emotions more effectively—which, let's face it, is most of us! Have you noticed that when your emotions run high, you tend to react in ways that don't serve you? This episode introduces a powerful, action-based technique from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that puts you in control: doing the...