This Is (Not) About Your Body

In this episode Jessi discusses whether or not fatphobia is an inherent element of weight loss in general. There are often folks who leave comments fiercely pushing back against the idea that advocating for weight loss can be actively fatphobic without really challenging that position. This episode seeks to explore the topic with more nuance. Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/y4e6qUe3h...

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of gun violence and reproductive rights. In this episode Jessi talks about the recent shootings in Buffalo and Texas as well as the current legislative push to repeal reproductive rights and how these both impinge upon bodily autonomy. Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/y4e6qUe3h7i9CmMG6 Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4 Get my...

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of Gaslighting & abuse. this episode Jessi talks about the book Open by Rachel Krantz and how that relates to the concept of how you might see those who hold the power over you in these disadvantaged moments as being far more physically large or intimidating than when you're able to reflect back on that time after healing. This translates to body image as well, and...

In this episode Jessi takes a break from writing the book to talk a little bit about the experience of stepping back on a scale for the first time in ages, especially after a history in the fitness industry where that action would have happened quite often. Through the pandemic and myriad other life changes, movement has been all too welcome bright spot so this episode is dedicated to the journey...

In this episode Jessi discusses how a lost tooth at a family gathering led to an introspective journey about the policy of not commenting on anyone else body/appearance. Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4 Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://jessikneeland.com/products/av ... Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/ Instagram: https://www.instag...

In this episode Jessi discusses Farida D, an Arab author and her writings about feminism. Her content has been taken by "male feminist" and repurposed as his own and this episode dives into that situation and the problematic issue of men leveraging "ally-ship" to take advantage of women. Farida D on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farida.d.author/ Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://yo...

In this episode Body Neutrality is front and center. At it's heart, Body Neutrality is the natural state of being, the way we're all born. What we're talking about when we say returning to a body neutral state is removing the blocks we've taken on through socialization. This is not to say that we don't have preferences, we'll all have those; instead it's about dismantling the "body hierarchy" that...

In this episode Jessi discusses the personal journey with gender identity, with specific stories around "passing" and coming out to family about being bisexual/trans. Our lives are inextricably shaped by gender conditioning so this episode explores how that impacts folks in their socialization. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/products/the-avatars-project/ Intro to the 4 Body Image A...

In this episode Jessi discusses anxiety in relation to body image and how we might "soothe" some of that discomfort. Many of Jessi's clients reflect that they experience a good amount of anxiety and this episode will discuss some of the ways that manifests and the ways we address it on the path to a more neutral reaction. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/products/the-avatars-project/...

In this episode Jessi discusses the controversy surrounding Lindo Bacon in relation to the Health At Every Size movement. This encompasses the allegations made against Lindo of exploitation by Marquisele Merecedes and others, and the response provided by the Association for Size Diversity and Health which holds the Health At Every Size trademarks. Marquisele Mercedes Instagram: https://www.instagr...

In this episode Jessi discusses how body image issues arise in a world where so many folks are starting to go back to the workplace, especially since their bodies may have changed during an extended period of working from home and the subsequent lifestyle shifts that go along with that. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/products/the-avatars-project/ Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars:...

In this episode Jessi talks about how a person's face "animates" is far more important that if they're "conventionally attractive". Sometimes we interact with or watch people who would check all the boxes to be conventionally attractive but for whatever reason there's something about them that leaves you with a uneasy feeling or a flatness afterwards. On the other hand, folks that don't necessaril...

In this episode Jessi discusses the recent legislation introduced in Texas targeting the parents/guardians of trans youth and the (intentional?) misconceptions around the gender affirming medical care that will be denied to those who need it, and the vilification of those who support access to those services. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/products/the-avatars-project/ Intro to the...

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of suicidal ideation/suicide. In this episode Jessi details the personal journey through depression and some of the depths that traveled to, as well as a more involved conversation about the topic at large. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/products/the-avatars-project/ Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4 Get my full Body Image...

In this episode Jessi focuses on the Self Objectifier and how they navigate attraction, arousal, and desire, and how this revolves around the visual aspects of conventional beauty ideals. On Valentines Day these thoughts and questions will likely be coming up for a lot of folks out there and this will hopefully be a good exploration of these ideas. The Avatars Project: https://jessikneeland.com/pr...

In this episode Jessi explores how classic purity culture has moved to new frontiers, namely diet culture. There's a link to the idea that "I did things right so I've earned x" that comes from that mindset and shows up in many different aspects of our day to day lives. All these typically boil down to creating a sense of control and this episode will unpack places where that can appear. The Avatar...

In this episode Jessi discusses the High Achiever from the Body Image Avatars. This will focus on the Runner's need for a feeling of safety and security. If any of this resonates you can signup for the 8 week Avatars Project, a program that will address this in much more detail. You can use the link below or check out Jessi's Instagram and Website for more details. The Avatars Project: https://jes...

In this episode Jessi discusses the High Achiever from the Body Image Avatars. This will focus on the High Achiever's feelings of "moral excellence". If any of this resonates you can signup for the 8 week Avatars Project, a program that will address this in much more detail. You can use the link below or check out Jessi's Instagram and Website for more details. The Avatars Project: https://jessikn...

In this episode Jessi discusses the Outsider from the Body Image Avatars. This will focus on the Outsider's core need for connection and belonging. This is also serves as the announcement for the Avatars Project! Signup for the 8 week program will go live next week so keep an eye on Jessi's Instagram and website for more information. The link will be in the description for next week's episode as w...

In this episode Jessi discusses aspects of attraction and how they can feed certain preferences and fetishes, and why this is often linked to status. This is an exploration of whether those proclivities are informed by external community influence, or if folks have a wider range of attraction but act only on specific qualities/individuals for the status or societal markers those people represent....

Disclaimer! This episode and the possibly the next few experience some audio issues; the recording went through the computer instead of the mic so this should be sorted after this batch. Happy New Year! In this episode Jessi discusses the processes that folks will go through to meet societies beauty standards and how they present differently for men and women as well as how celebrity culture impac...

This is the final episode of 2021 and since the holidays are upon us Jessi is dedicating this one to those who are struggling with their Body Image. During this time of year a lot of folks will be facing old, strained relationships with either food, exercise, and body image in general so this episode will explore how that impacts you not just physically but mentally as well. Intro to the 4 Body Im...

This episode is all about Glimmers! You've likely heard of triggers; the thing that yanks you from one moment to another moment in an unpleasant way, and glimmers are the exact opposite. They are the (generally) more gentle tug into a positive moment, a grounded, regulated feeling. These can show up randomly or be touched off by similar stimuli that give you a bubbling feeling of hope and this epi...

In this episode Jessi discusses "Meta-Emotions" or how we feel about how we feel. A lot of Jessi's clients will express that there's a belief that achieving Body Neutrality will result in a complete lack of response when viewing or thinking about your body. This ends up being a rather unrealistic goal given all the conditioning and Jessi will explain how it's the relationship to those thoughts tha...

In this episode Jessi addresses a common question that arose from both private and group coaching clients: "How do I interact with folks still steeped in diet culture when I've opted out?" What are some of the pitfalls? Are you freshly out and worried about falling back in? How do I establish boundaries in this space. This episode will explore some of those scenarios and tools you can use in those...