Busy Body

I was first introduced to Cecile Simmons from her essay on being an expert on wellness misinformation and yet falling down a rabbit hole of social media fueled wellness trends even as she knew she was being duped. After that I was hooked (relatable!). We talk about the upsetting relationship between wellness, misinformation/disinformation and politics. In a world filled with conflicting information and the political agendas that shape wellness, the need for a balanced approach to health that prioritizes genuine well-being over societal pressures is even more needed.Cecile's book Ctrl Delete Hate is out now - get...

On this episode I got a real STAR! Insert name-in-lights! Sarah shares her journey from a shy kid in a small town to a contestant on America's Next Top Model (whaaat!) which launches her plus-size modeling career AND exposes her to the outrageously disturbing manipulative nature of reality TV. We discuss the impact of objectification on self-perception and the pressure of being a plus-size model despite the seemingly built-in body positive message. Plus lots of juicy - they did whaaat? from her time on ANTM.Sarah's book, You Wanna Be On Top? a memoir of makeovers, manipulation and not...

I read Emmeline Clein's book 'Dead Weight' last fall in a flurry of non-fiction, memoir and journalism I was reading around eating disorder and body image. Dead Weight manages to bridge all three. Our conversation explores the cultural perceptions of anorexia and bulimia, the impact of diagnosis on identity, and the importance of pleasure and vitality in context of our perception of what disordered eating is. Dead Weight is a call for solidarity among those affected by eating disorders, which is all of us, no matter our relationship to food.

Find Emmeline Clein here

and...

In today's conversation I finally get to talk to my insta-crush Uncle Nat! Uncle Nat is an educator, innovator, and the founder of Uncle Nat’s, a radically inclusive salon located in Brooklyn. Uncle Nat has reshaped the field of body hair removal with the all-gender Brazilian and created a gender-affirming, fat-glorifying, trauma- and disability-aware, deeply POC-informed salon space that provides mutual care on multiple levels. Uncle Nat is a powerful proponent of the importance of vulnerability in client relationships, the role of community in creating safe spaces, and the problem with cancel culture. The need for emotional maturity an...

Christina is the special guest chef and recipe provider in our Nourish Yourself coaching program that runs only once a year. Enrollment opens MONDAY February 24th! FULL INFO HERE

We recently put out an AMA on Instagram asking what questions and anxieties are particularly present for you when it comes to prepping, shopping, cooking and eating food!

We got so many wonderful comments, from the hurdle of time + money to ‘eat healthy’ to the perfectionism-stagnation that is fear of food waste and undoing all our 'healthy’ strides with the next unhealthy work-lunch order-in. Today, we discus...

This episode is a LONG one because I've been wanting to have a Doctor on for awhile! I had a BUNCH of questions and Mara did not disappoint.

Dr. Gordon is a size inclusive Doctor who in her own words 'does not yell at her patients for being Fat.'

We discuss if there is really any time when its necessary to get weighed, answer my questions about GLP agonists like Ozempic and patient care, and discuss how challenging it is for patients to feel empowered to speak up and create relationships of trust with...

I feel like I scored big to have Ragen Chastain on the podcast. She is a deep dive researcher, writer, speaker and font of information on fatness and medicine, sports, fitness and society. If you’ve thought it, she's written about it. I can't recommend her newsletter enough. I nearly cancelled our interview so I could take more time to collect my thoughts. Everything I want to talk about, she's there (including her two marathons and champion Dance career- time to NERD OUT ON DANCE AND RUNNING!).

It feels like we said so much and on...

Christina is the special guest chef and recipe provider in our Nourish Yourself coaching program that runs only once a year. We recently put out an AMA on Instagram asking what questions and anxieties are particularly present for you in this precarious post holiday moment when the New Year, arrives along with RESOLUTIONS SELF CARE and of course DIETS.

We got so many wonderful questions, from what is ‘balanced eating’ and how do I get there, to how to handle other peoples' body/diet talk. Today, we discuss your questions and provide (hopefully) some answers.

We w...

I’m so happy to have our in-house Run Coach, Rachel Spurrier on to talk about, to debunk really, so much of the lore and legend around what it means to be a runner. We answer frequently asked questions about ‘form’ and discuss what an ‘all-levels’ run club really means. Submit questions for our next conversation! I plan to have her back regularly.

Rachel is our wonderful Running Coach for Virtual Run Club. I do all the injury prevention and we both do the cheerleading for our participants each season. Enrollment is open Dec 30th! We start running Ja...

I’m so happy to share this conversation that is a bit more personal as Susanna and I discuss her memoir and the intersection of our childhood experiences. Susanna grew up in a Utopian experiment in the UK. I grew up with a bunch of artists experiencing near constant accident, divorce, and trauma. Neither of us had adults around who guided or protected us very much in our childhoods. Susanna has written an incredible book, articulating with an eye that goes back and forth in time, what that felt like as a child and teen and now, as an ad...

Thrilled to open the latest season of Busy Body in conversation with Emma Specter. We discuss her new book, her memoir, More, Please on Food, Fat, Bingeing, Longing and the Lust for 'Enough'.

More, Please, reads like a bright, light, young-ambitious-woman-coming-of-age-in-the-big-city, albeit with a parallel life of addiction and self harm (because isn't that the truth behind those stories anyway??). It is extraordinarily relatable, funny, painful, insightful and ultimately not only hopeful but inspiring.Personally I think everyone should read first person account of living with ED, whether you think you have one or not, that being...

Quick news - If you want to work with me in the fitness space - Virtual Run Club enrollment opens Monday and my Self Paced Series also go on a little fall sale on Monday as well, to assist the people who like to take part in both :)

I’m also teaching a special Master Class version of the Monthly Fascia Release™ workshop tomorrow Sat, Sept 21st 4-5:15PM EST all about POSTURE - sitting standing and walking posture. We will do all our self massage love but we will also tie it into our daily life skel...

Welcome to this week’s Busy Body Podcast episode!

Today I'm speaking with Chef and Author Julia Turshen

On this episode Julia and I discuss her new found love of strength training and competing. She wrote about in depth about it in her beautiful essay, curated and edited by Roxanne Gay and Everand Originals, entitled Built For This: The Quiet Strength of Powerlifting. You can read it HERE.

We had such a lovely, insightful conversation about what 'fitness' means, listening to our bodies, and the connection through movement that is possible for us al...

On the newest episode of BUSY BODY, I interview Marina Hayes, founder of Peridot Robes who's company tagline is PROUD FAT SUPREMACISTS! 💘. Peridot Robes is a Fat-Femme Owned and Operated company right down to the seamstresses and is made in LA from remnant fabric. On this episode we hear about the origins of a company created originally to provide the fat community with well fitting and sexy bathrobes ( the brand now includes dresses, caftans ,crop tops and a super cool shoulder bag made especially for large bodies people!) We discuss the power of creating a size exclusive (14-40 ) brand and t...

On this episode of Busy Body Podcast I'm speaking with author and journalist Christine Yu about her new book Up To Speed, The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes.

Up To Speed is a must read for anyone who has ever engaged with sports and fitness whether recreationally or at a professional or collegiate level. There are so many mind blowing moments including the realization that cycling could actually be comfortable if anyone created bicycle seats for female anatomy (!)

To hear more from Christine subscribe to her substack 

Follow her on IG HERE

B...

On the newest episode of BUSY BODY, I interview Martha Hudson of Luv Martha Swim. She creates size + gender inclusive custom bikinis and swimwear. A perfectly disruptive combination of female owned small business, activism (visibility!) and slow fashion.

I love everything in this episode! (also I have an overflowing bathing suit collection and swim year round so this topic is especially my jam) - from sustainable fashion, to what 'flattering' means (another favorite topic of mine) Martha's light and energy comes through the mic!

Martha is on a creative mission to help people...

What a deep and intense conversation with the incredibly brilliant Kate Manne! There’s so much in this conversation, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Buy her book Unshrinking HERE

Follow her on X here and IG here

For more about Kate Manne, her writing, speaking and books click here

Please enjoy part 2 of my conversation with Shannon! I am incredibly grateful for the support I've received from FinGym. So many of us struggle with our relationship to money, just as we do with food or our bodies, and these struggles are connected to each other through access, privilege, education and class. Big thanks to Shannon for breaking the mold and starting a company that seeks to help all of us with our finances.. not just those who already have access to the support money can buy. If you would like to get support from Financial Gym you can si...

This episode is a little departure from our physical bodies.. I wanted to interview Shannon McLay, founder and CEO of Financial Gym. Financial Gym is a completely unique company that I wish existed when I first opened my business. FinGym aims to help people become 'financially fit' no matter their income or current debt. Personally, I am incredibly grateful for the support I've received from FinGym and because so many of us struggle with our relationship to money, just as we do with food or our bodies ...and these struggles are actually so often inter-connected.. I wanted to have...

Fitness runs in my family, as does insomnia, anxiety and self punishment. I’m thrilled I was finally able to get my exceptionally talented, exceptionally busy half-brother scheduled for an interview. His ongoing relationship with his body and creative output was always part of my experience of what ‘working out’ meant. Instead of mirrored gyms and fancy lycra, fitness in my family was more often, self directed and self expressive… Andre gives us a beautiful, articulate story of his own experience of fitness. Both painful and liberating I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Andre’...

Welcome to this week’s Busy Body Podcast episode!

This is part 2 of my conversation with Sophie Strauss, Stylist for Regular People™

On this episode Sophie and I go deep talking about fitness clothes! We have as many opinions about this niche of the fashion world as I have lycra pants - which is to say A LOT.

You can find Sophie on instagram HERE

and her services both virtual and in-person HERE

Enrollment is about to open for my coaching program Virtual Run Club and Live Virtual 7 Week Seri...

Today I'm speaking with Sophie Strauss, Stylist for Regular People! We had such a fun conversation talking about how the way we dress and the way we view our bodies is so intertwined. Listen and enjoy when she blew my mind answering 'what does 'flattering' really mean'...!

Check out Sophie Strauss on IG HERE

Her website and offerings here

and stay tuned for a little extra mini conversation we recorded all about fitness clothing (of which I have MANY) and of which Sophie and I have many opinions dropping in the future! 

L...

Today I'm speaking with my friend, colleague and a beloved teacher of mine Maria Earle! Maria and I met a few years ago in Spain and I have been a regular in her virtual classes for teachers which are a wonderful supportive resource for any Pilates teachers out there!Maria is an expat living outside Barcelona Spain, she is a studio owner, internationally sought out guest teacher and a offers several advanced courses for teachers and movers both virtually an in-person in Spain.

She is also a student of Kathy Grant, who was a direct student of...

This week I'm speaking with my longtime friend and teaching mentor Robbie Cook. Robbie is a dancer, Pilates and Yoga Teacher and tenured professor at Hofstra University. We first met in a professional Ballet class in midtown Manhattan many many years ago. Robbie's influence is all throughout my teaching and I'm so happy to share our conversation on movement, aging in a moving body and pushing back on fitness cultures obsession with metrics and measurement.

During our conversation we mentioned the following

https://www.instagram.com/oldscoolmoves/ Old Cool Moves great IG account

...

Today we're back in conversation with my colleague and teaching mentor Jennifer Sokolov to talk about MENOPAUSE!

Jennifer gives us new insight and inspiration to view this 'unfixable' transition, not as a problem to be solved but as a 'portal' as she says, to re-commit to our bodies, our minds and the lives we have built or seek to build.

It's a fascinating conversation (and we do discuss some supportive therapeutic options) I'm sure we'll have Jennifer back on this subject again!

Book your own consultation with Jennifer here

F...

Today I had the joy of speaking with Michelle Osbourne aka Uncomfortable Bliss. Michelle is a social media creator and influencer and brand coach for marginalized communities. She is also the person who sent my recent reel into the stratosphere by stitching it!

We go deep discussing Michelle's journey to the authentic life she has created, what Uncomfortable Bliss really means, and the emotional intelligence it takes to stay grounded in joy.

Find Michelle on instagram here and TikTok here. Reach out to her for brand consultation and speaking engagements at her website here To...

Today I'm speaking with our in-house inclusive Running Coach, Rachel Spurrier! Coach Rachel co-hosts Virtual Run Club with me. Today we talk about..running, 'slow' runners, staying consistent and the power of looking at your running life through a much wider lens than 'this run today' 'this race today' - what do a year or twenty years of runs look like? Rachel is a guide and inspiration to so many run club alums (including me!) If you've enjoyed this episode please check out our VIRTUAL RUN CLUB coaching program HERE Early Bird opens dec 25th by EMAIL to waitlist...

Today I finally get a chance to talk to food and recipe writer (and former senior editor at Bon Appetit!) Christina Chaey!

Christina and I also co-host the Nourish Yourself program together! We discuss how she got into food, why it matters to her to be part of a program like Nourish Yourself and how her relationship to her body and food has changed as she has learned more about truly listening to, and taking care of herself. We also discuss freedom via peanut butter and the time I fainted because I was a silly twenty-year old...

In this episode Christina questions me about the Nourish Yourself program and why I wanted to collaborate with her!

Originally intended as a transcription for her substack we decided to put it out on audio as well. 

Forgive the fact that I was having my lunch while we talked!

We are very excited to be co-hosting Nourish Yourself. Christina will be giving us customized pantry prep, recipes and live chat support!

I'll be available for FOUR live virtual one-to-one sessions to help you trouble shoot what's holding you back from balanced eat...

Part 2 of my conversation with Moriah Simmons, Intuitive Mentor. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, please go back and hear about neuroplasticity and our innate ability to heal our brains and minds. On this episode Moriah shares three different guided meditations, 2 are very very short! Allowing us all to experience peace in real time.

You can be in touch with Moriah Simmons at her website https://moriahsimmons.com/about

On instagram https://www.instagram.com/moriahsimmons/

Resources mentioned:

Non Violent Communication 

Melissa Tiers

Center...

On this week's episode I talk with my friend and colleague Moriah Simmons. Moriah is an amazing, healer, profound listener and an incredible resource for what I will call psycho-energetic health. We discuss the science behind energetic healing. How it IS actually easy to change our brain and therefore our anxiety/depression patterns and the many ways we can deeply heal. This is Part 1 of 2 as our conversation concludes next week with a guided meditation and discussion of further resources to give you a way to experience relief in real time. 

You can be in touch with Mo...

On this episode I'm joined by former long-time client (you might remember her from the early years of IG where she featured prominently on my grid!) and original co-host (season1!)

Francesca Paparone LCSW, now a professional in her field. Francesca is back to discuss mental health, addiction, the life saving value of Narcan and how prescription medicine can be both a support and a slippery slope. Tune in for my mini rant about caffeine and sidebar on how our lungs actually function (which is why it's helpful not to mess with our brain impulses too much)! It's a...

This episode I'm joined by my friend and colleague Mo, founder of Good Form, the first Black female owned strength and fitness studio in Rockaway Queens. Mo and I are about ten years apart 

in owning our own fitness businesses and anytime we hang out, we struggle to talk about anything else! Today we discuss resilience, vulnerability and the scrappy skills needed to keep going. 

We share stories of crying to our clients during rough times and the way creating your own business challenges and evolves you as a person. 

Mo is creating a wond...

On this episode I'm joined by Jennifer Sokolov, a multi-faceted movement practitioner and colleague of mine, from my very earliest days of teaching! We have a wonderful conversation about movement and aging, teaching and client care. I will definitely have her back to go into depth about menopause as she scattered gold for us on that topic throughout our conversation. Please enjoy - share and subscribe!

resources:

Tenth House website

Tenth House instagram

Subscribe to her newsletter

Illustration by Jackey Mendez @aesthetics__frames

Production by...

My guest this episode is 7Song, a renowned (humbly) western herbalist and teacher. I was his student many years ago when I took the 8 month program at his school, The Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. Today we discussed the importance of herbal medicine in a modern medicine world. We discussed depression and adrenal fatigue as both  are in some cases an over, rather than under, stimulation of the nervous system which is a very important distinction if you are going to treat them. And we walked listeners through how to begin engaging with herbal medicine if this episode inspires an...

This episode I'm joined by my long-time client and friend, Lauren Frankfurt. Lauren is a postpartum doula, a novice herbalist and a mother. On this episode we discuss a topic Lauren recently wrote about; motherhood and hunger. We had a rich conversation about true primal hunger, radical body acceptance and the lengths we are willing to go to do right by the wonderful bodies that carry us.  Be sure to subscribe to her substack Night Light HERE  to receive her lovely and insightful writing.

Further topics mentioned:

Author and Athlete Rich Roll
When Efforts to 'Eat...

On this episode I'm joined by author Fariha Roisin to discuss her book Who Is Wellness For. 

I could talk to Fariha for hours! She is an insightful, sensitive writer and speaker. Her book bridges memoir and journalism to bring light to the many ways that the wellness industry and the pursuit of healing can harm those already affected by white supremacy and colonialism's violent legacy. We had a fascinating conversation discussing the role of imagination in healing, the political importance of self care and the heartbreakingly much too common wound of incest. Find her book HERE a...

On today's episode I'm joined by Michelan LeMonier the co-executive director of viBe Theater Experience in Brooklyn NY. We discuss the power of art, story and empowerment and learn about the incredible breadth of dynamic programming that viBe Theater Experience is able to provide - even during the pandemic to young women, and nonbinary youth of color. Today's discussion touched on everything from where and how healing happens, destigmatizing mental health in the Black community, to the power of creating and sustaining a BIPOC female led community organization. 

viBe Theater Experience produces original theater, mus...

This episode I'm joined by my former long-time client and friend, the incredible journalist and author Virginia Heffernan. Virginia is the author of Magic and Loss The Internet as Art. On today's show discuss the substack article she wrote about Ozempic. Virginia is a warrior for humanity's human-ness. We had a wonderful conversation. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and find her recent writing and media appearances here. Follow her on IG here.

Follow Busy Body Podcast on IG @brooklynstrength for free content to help your body feel better and opportunities to work with me dir...

On this episode I'm joined by NY's top Top Surgeon, Dr. Alexes Hazen. Dr. Hazen and I have collaborated several times on workshop/events for Top Surgery recipients combining my Fascia Release™ recovery work with her expertise and information through the OUT Foundation. You can find pre-recorded versions of a past workshop with Dr. Hazen and I and add'l Top Surgery resources HERE.

Be sure to check out Dr. Hazen's office and offerings here for all your plastic surgery and skin care needs. Follow her on instagram here.

Follow Busy Body Podcast on...