Tough Cookie Talks is a podcast we'll explore the intersection of fitness & anti-diet culture and all the gray areas in between. We'll let go of "shoulds" and judgment and dig into tough conversations with curiosity.
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Have you ever felt like your diet or food choices left you isolated or alone? Diet culture creates community but it also separates us. From our favorite foods, from connection to our bodies, from friends, family, or social gatherings. This podcast showcases the stories of people who have embraced intuitive eating and a non-diet approach. Join host Cara Harbstreet, founder of Libre Connections, for conversations with experts and everyday people. She's a registered dietitian who loves to blend ...
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I finally decided to stop rolling my eyes and record an episode about what it takes to get toned arms. Because while I had hoped we were all past this, the amount of questions I've gotten about this over the years, plus the amount of garbage information still being fed to you on the internet made me cave. If you don't need to hear this, I am certai…
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The Real Reasons Intuitive Eating Isn't Working For You with Toni Rudd
50:05
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50:05This episode with Toni Rudd blew my mind and filled in all sorts gaps in my understanding of intuitive eating, and I can't wait to share it with you! Turns out that lack of willpower and food restriction might not be the only reasons you can't seem to stop overeating, and Toni is here to shine a light on it today. Toni Rudd is a UK-registered dieti…
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The Cookbook Photoshop Scandal You Didn't Know You Needed To Hear About
15:24
15:24
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15:24Another short solo episode for you this week, after a cookbook Photoshop scandal sent me on a spicy rant. On this episode we talk about: The cookbook that fell into my lap a few weeks ago, and the scandalous mistake inside. Why we are so much more than toned arms. Why most of the images you look at are fake. My problem with the way society treats w…
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Fitness Tracking: How To Enhance Your Workouts Without Obsessing with my clients Miranda & Steph
1:00:34
1:00:34
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1:00:34This week I have not one but TWO of my clients on the podcast! Miranda and Steph are here to talk about all things fitness trackers. Specifically how we've been using our Apple watches to enhance our experience of our workouts, daily movement, working towards performance goals, recovery, and more. We've been working on these things together in our …
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How To Keep Moving Even When Life Kicks You In the Ass (Fitness As a Hierarchy Of Needs)
11:16
11:16
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11:16Another shorty episode coming at you today. I'm sharing a topic that comes up a lot for my clients and a concept that I came up with called the "fitness hierarchy of needs". Many of us obsess over small details that don't really matter when it comes to our fitness. On this episode we talk about what you wanna have in place first to build a strong …
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Training To Be the Strongest Old Lady On the Block with Ali Kreider
48:47
48:47
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48:47Forget training for your bikini body. Ali Kreider is here today to talk about training for our old lady bodies and I couldn't be more excited to share this episode! Ali Kreider is a certified personal trainer & group fitness coach, empowering women to develop a self-compassionate approach to movement. She helps clients build strength & resilience t…
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Whelp, if ever wanted to read my diary, you're gonna love this episode. It was inspired by some journaling I did (in the style of Elizabeth Gilbert's "letters from love") while feeling some kind of way about my 41 year old self in a swimsuit on vacation. The body image fuckery is real. Please enjoy some words of wisdom from my highest wisest self t…
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Diet Trauma, Food Noise, Curious Nutrition, and Finding Your Food Voice with Julie Duffy Dillon
54:39
54:39
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54:39Julie Duffy Dillon is here today for an episode that feels very full circle to me. I originally heard her on several other anti-diet podcasts when I was very new to this work, and I am so excited to be able to share her on mine. Her new book, "Find Your Food Voice" just came out, and it's filling such an important void in the intuitive eating space…
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How To Protect Your Mental Health AND Resist a Hostile Government Takeover with Emily Decker
1:10:00
1:10:00
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1:10:00Emily Decker is here to talk about something that I know has been on a LOT of our minds lately: How do we stay informed and get involved in activism in a way that makes a difference without burning ourselves out? Today we are talking about that and so much more! Emily Decker is a somatic-based, trauma-informed, body-neutral personal trainer with a …
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How To Feel Less Sh!tty About Your Body By Cleaning Out Your Closet
23:10
23:10
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23:10Today's episode is just in time for a little spring cleaning and was inspired by a conversation I had with a new client last week. She mentioned that she was concerned that some of her spring clothes from last year might not fit. I suggested that if she wasn't ready to part with them just yet, she might get just a few new items that fit her well an…
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When Western Medicine Fails You but Wholistic Wellness Feels Like a Scam with Chelsea Clarke
59:00
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59:00Chelsea Clarke is here today! Our conversation was inspired by something she posted in her Instagram stories a few weeks ago that hit a little too close to home for me. The very real struggle that happens when Western medicine isn't helping you but wholistic wellness feels like a scam. Chelsea is here to help us navigate the gray area in between. C…
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Navigating Body Changes & Unrealistic Standards & Building Strength In Spite of It with Damali Fraiser
1:07:37
1:07:37
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1:07:37If you haven't already heard of today's guest, it's about time you did! I've been singing Damali Fraiser's praises as one of the wisest and most thorough kettlebell coaches I've had the privilege of learning from. Today she's sharing all that goodness with us! Meet Coach Damali, pronouns she/her. Damali is a compassionate Kettlebell Expert, author,…
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Surprising Reasons You Feel Pain & How To Fix It with Dr. Jen Hosler
1:12:59
1:12:59
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1:12:59Today I am thrilled to be talking to Dr. Jen Hosler--a genius of a physical therapist and strength coach whose work I am constantly referring my clients to. What she has to share about pain science is absolutely mind blowing. Dr. Jen is a physical therapist and strength coach dedicated to bridging the gap between fitness and rehab. With degrees in …
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The Truth About Why I Quit Teaching Yoga with My Sister Kristi
1:04:03
1:04:03
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1:04:03My sister Kristi is back on the podcast today helping me unpack my existential crisis around yoga, and why I ultimately stopped teaching it. On this episode we talk about: Our lovely experience doing yoga teacher training together. Why we both still love many things about yoga. What led each of us to stop teaching it. The problems with "basic bitch…
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5 Ways "Unprecedented Times" Are Affecting Your Health & What To Do About It
24:24
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24:24Here we are. It's been about 2 weeks since the 2025 political shit show has begun. And I still really can't bring myself to create much in the order of fitness content yet. But what I do wanna talk about, is what I've been talking to my clients about lately. Which is how this constant barrage of outrage news, clickbait, and unprecedented times (to …
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Spite Joy, Red Lipstick, and Strength As Resistance in a Dystopian Hellscape
12:39
12:39
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12:39This is a short but needed episode. There are things I need to get off my chest before we can proceed with business as usual. I have spent, probably like most of you, the past week (which felt like a YEAR) in a nearly perpetual state of WTF. I am trying my hardest to channel my word of the year (joy) in little nuggets, wherever I can. Fitness is in…
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Breaking Age & Body Barriers & Living Beyond the Binary with Maria Tate
1:12:28
1:12:28
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1:12:28Today's conversation is with one of the most interesting humans I've ever met: my longtime friend Maria Tate! Our personal history goes way back to when we met working with the same Chicago dance company in 2009. I'll let their professional bio speak for itself! Maria recently returned to the US after spending two years with the internationally rec…
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The Power of Nature to Calm Your Nervous System with Kate Zanoni
44:49
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44:49If you're anything like me, your nervous system needs some serious help right now, because it's January 2025. (Need I say more?!) Kate Zanoni is here to help us get outside to calm the fuck down. Kate Zanoni is a movement coach for outdoor athletes, specializing in injury reduction, rehabilitation, mobility, and strength training for return to spor…
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After the After: What Really Happens After Years of Anti-Dieting with Christina Montalvo
55:02
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55:02Christina is back with another crossover/collab episode after a long hiatus! I wanted to share a convo that I've been having a lot behind the scenes: what happens when you get bored with consuming all the anti-diet content out there? You just BE. On this episode we talk about: How hard it can be to live your life and truly embody anti-diet culture …
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6 Journal Prompts for When You’re Not Into Resolutions but Value Personal Growth
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11:33This episode is a bit of an updated repeat! I'm sharing my favorite journal prompts and reflection questions for when you're over the "new year new me" BS, but are bored by the idea of staying stagnant. These are the prompts: What went well this year? What didn't? With that in mind, what's repeatable? What are you already doing well in some areas o…
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We're nearing the end of 2024 and I've been thinking a lot about my values + what I'm into (and not so much). What I need more of in my life and what I need less of or not at all. You too? You're gonna love this one! On this episode we talk about: All the things that are in & out in my little corner of the world. What you can expect around here in …
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Lunges. Probably one of the most hated exercises, second only to burpees. I have solutions for you! On this episode we talk about: Common reasons people hate lunges. Solutions, workarounds, and swaps based on each. Why there is no one right way to lunge. The importance of understanding why you are doing certain exercises. What I teach my clients so…
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41 Lessons I've Learned as an Anti-Diet Personal Trainer (For My 41st B-Day!)
19:21
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19:21This episode is in honor of my 41st birthday (December 13)! In light of turning 41, I'm sharing 41 lessons I've learned as an anti-diet fitness professional. On this episode I share them all! Work with me Follow & tag me on Instagram
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23 Habits and Qualities of My Most Successful Clients
28:55
28:55
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28:55This episode is a bit of a crossover episode--a sneak peek at something I shared with my clients on my private podcast (yes I have one of those for my clients!) the other day. Today I'm letting you in on the habits and qualities of my most successful clients. On this episode we talk about: Defining "success". What does this even mean for each of us…
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How Do I Nutrition? Wellness Without the Weird Shit with Eleni Agresta-Levine and Ashantis Jones
1:20:45
1:20:45
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1:20:45This week's episode with Ashantis Jones and Eleni Agresta-Levine hit so many important topics around gentle nutrition and truly holistic wellness with a weight-inclusive approach. It was also just a ton of fun and I know you're gonna love it! On this episode we talk about: What their new program and community, Body Kind Nutrition is and how it came…
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How To Avoid Black Friday Buyer's Remorse (For Fitness Things & All the Things)
28:09
28:09
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28:09The holiday season is upon us. The Black Friday ads are already coming. And I don't want you to regret any of your purchases. Because the more money we all spend on dumb shit we don't really want or need, the less money we have to put towards the things we really care about. As we move into January, we are gonna need to lean on that now more than e…
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All Things ADHD with Britt-Marie Sivertsen
1:12:23
1:12:23
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1:12:23Today I'm pumped to be talking to my friend and long time co-worker Britt-Marie Sivertsen. So often you hear about ADHD from a clinical perspective, but today we're sharing our lived experience with it! Britt-Marie is an Orangetheory Coach of 8 years, Head Coach of Chicago-Andersonville location for 5 years, Personal Trainer of 12 years, former yog…
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Yesterday I cried for most of the day. I have been through every stage of grief over the election results and now I'm attempting to answer the tough question "WTF are we gonna do now?" On this episode we talk about: The surprising conversation I had with a woman at my son's school that reminded me that there are good people hiding all around us. …
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Tradwives, Influencer Grifters & the Wellness to Right-Wing Conspiracy Theory Pipeline with Jo Piazza
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41:49This week Jo Piazza is here, and if you don't know her, you need to!! I discovered her podcast, Under the Influence last year, and was drawn in by the way she exposes social media bullshit in the same way I call out the fitness industry. She introduced me to mind blowing stories about tradwives, the wellness to right wing conspiracy theory pipeline…
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When Wellness Turns Toxic: Thriving Without Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D
1:12:16
1:12:16
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1:12:16Today I'm back with my friend Dr. Paula! She was originally a guest on Season 1 (Episode 31, Flexibility for Your Mind & Getting Unstuck) and today she is back as a PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We are talking all about her new book, Toxic Striving. Paula Freedman-Diamond, Psy.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Sh…
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Today we're gonna talk about how to survive election hurricane wartime season. More specifically, the election part. Yup. Sorry not sorry, but we're talking politics. Why? 1. Because I never want to feel the way I did the day after election day 2016, and using my platform makes me feel like I'm doing my part. 2. I've been a little too engaged…
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You Think You Know but You Have NO Idea--Travel, Training, and Typhoid Fever with Holly Myers
1:18:44
1:18:44
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1:18:44This week I'm talking Holly Myers--for the THIRD time. If you're on Instagram, you might know her as the barbell pistol squatting queen, and half of the strength coaching duo @liftwithhollyandarryn. Our first episode together, "Balancing Strength, Softness, and Silliness" and "When You're a Badass but You're Tired: The Conversation We Almost Ca…
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Hello. Hi. I am back after a much longer than expected break. I'm super glad you're here and that you're still listening and I hope you're ready for an amazing Season 3!! On this episode we talk about: Where the hell I went. What I was up to (and going through). What you can expect for Season 3! Work with me-Kettlebell Social Work with m…
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The Intersectionality of Cowboy Carter with Ashantis Jones (Bonus Episode! Part 2)
1:21:14
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1:21:14This week we are BACK with another bonus episode with Ashantis Jones and we are talking all about Cowboy Carter--the new Beyonce´ album. This episode is part 2 of this mini-series--be sure to check out last week's episode first, if you missed it! Season 3 of the podcast will be back in a few weeks, but we couldn't wait to nerd out over this album. …
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The Intersectionality of Cowboy Carter with Ashantis Jones (Bonus Episode! Part 1)
1:18:06
1:18:06
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1:18:06This week we are BACK with a bonus episode with Ashantis Jones and we are talking all about Cowboy Carter--the new Beyonce´ album. Season 3 of the podcast will be back in a few weeks, but we couldn't wait to nerd out over this album. We took a deep dive into the intersectionality of Cowboy Carter, what we think Beyonce´ meant by certain lyrics, the…
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Body Image Beyond the Basics with Summer Innanen (Best of Season 2 Replay)
49:12
49:12
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49:12I'm so excited for today's podcast guest, Summer Innanen! Her work was absolutely instrumental to my own journey in letting go of diet culture. Without her help in dealing with my own body image shit and her encouragement to start doing my own thing online, I would probably still be trying to make nacho cheese out of sweet potatoes and sending Jill…
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When Your Family Ditches Diet Culture With You: A Candid & Delightful Convo With My Sister Kristi (Best of Season 2 Replay)
54:55
54:55
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54:55This week we have a VERY special guest. My ever so delightful little sister Kristi! I'm really lucky to have her in my life and talking to us this week, because I am one of the few people who is able to share similar views about diet culture with a family member. And we commiserate and banter OFTEN. So often that I decided that one of our text conv…
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Can We Stop Saying "Tone" "Sculpt" "Shape" & "Lift"? Busting Through Barre BS with Maya Bryant (Best of Season 2 Replay)
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42:28Today I'm so excited to be talking with Maya Bryant! I originally connected with her on Instagram because as a fellow dancer, I LOVED the way she called out the bullshit in the barre industry. One of my biggest pet peeves as a personal trainer with a dance background is seeing barre instructors online selling lies in the form of "the 4 best exercis…
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Your Science Means Nothing Without Empathy (An Open Letter To the Instagram Gym Bros) (Best of Season 2 Replay)
25:22
25:22
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25:22I get so tired of reading posts from Instagram gym bros who can tell you all about what the science says but have no concept of how that applies to the actual human beings they work with. Especially women. I've wanted to comment on their posts so many times, but I know they don't give AF. So I decided to record a podcast episode about it. On this e…
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Maybe Cardio Isn't So Bad After All. . .Running Without Running Yourself Into the Ground with Liz Brinkmoeller (Best of Season 2 Replay)
52:08
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52:08This week's episode is inspired by MANY conversations I've been having with clients lately. It seems that improving cardiovascular endurance is a common goal for a lot of us. And there are so many questions surrounding how to do that. Especially if you've previously had a complicated relationship with cardio. My friend Liz Brinkmoeller seemed like …
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You're NOT Going Insane. Regulating Your Nervous System & Perimenopause with Diana May (Best of Season 2 Replay)
54:52
54:52
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54:52This conversation with Diana May left me feeling seen and understood in ways I didn't even realize I needed. I recently re-connected with Diana on Instagram as a result of my quest to clear out a lot of the noise on my feed. I unfollowed a LOT of big accounts and the result was me getting to see content from people in my real life who I had lost to…
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Self-Trust, Joy, Ease, and Unapologetic Queer Shit with Shohreh Davoodi (Best of Season 2 Replay)
1:07:01
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1:07:01Today's episode is such a fun and mind blowing conversation with my friend Shohreh Davoodi. Seriously. The original plan was to talk about self-trust in fitness but we went in so many interesting directions (as two people with ADHD would). I had so many lightbulb moments when talking to her. Shohreh and I originally connected several years ago as t…
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The Conversation You Didn't Know You Needed To Hear--Navigating Tough Transitions and Making a Comeback with Laura Jawad (Best of Season 2 Replay)
56:48
56:48
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56:48Today's podcast episode is the conversation you didn't realize you needed to hear. It was absolutely cathartic to record this, and I know so many of you are going to feel a sense of hope after listening. Especially if you're going through some shit. Today I'm talking to Laura Jawad all about what it means to make a comeback, and also navigating lif…
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Is This Actually Healthy?! Navigating Weight Gain + Intuitive Eating with Naomi Katz (Best of Season 2 Replay)
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49:03
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49:03Today we're talking all about Intuitive Eating! Something that I'm a big fan of and allude to a lot, but I haven't shared an episode about it yet. Today is the day! Many of my clients and listeners are kind of on board with it (you too?) but haven't completely gone all in or mastered it yet. Or maybe you have, but you gained weight and now you're w…
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When You're a Badass but You're Tired: The Conversation We Almost Cancelled with Holly Myers (Best of Season 2 Replay)
1:17:44
1:17:44
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1:17:44This week I'm talking Holly Myers--again! If you're on Instagram, you might know her as the barbell pistol squatting queen, and half of the strength coaching duo @liftwithhollyandarryn. Our first episode together, "Balancing Strength, Softness, and Silliness" was one of my most downloaded ever, and today she's back. Over the past few years I've g…
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What Does Fitness Without Diet Culture Look Like for YOU? With Ashantis Jones (Best of Season 2 Replay)
1:09:31
1:09:31
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1:09:31This week I am thrilled to be interviewing Ashantis Jones, who is not only a kick ass HAES aligned personal trainer, but my social media assistant! This interview was inspired by an old IG post that she suggested I re-share that blew up and sparked the question "What does fitness without diet culture look like for YOU?" Ashantis Jones is a trained …
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When You're Over the "New Year New Me" BS but Staying the Same Feels Blah (Season 2 Finale!)
17:20
17:20
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17:20Welcome to the Season 2 Finale!! On this episode we talk about: My reflections on the this year on the podcast and in my life which can be summed up by this Florence + the Machine Lyric: And I am freaking out in the middle of the street With the complete conviction of someone who's Never had anything actually really bad happen to them What you can …
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The Birthday Episode with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode)
57:49
57:49
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57:49Christina and I are back talking all about our birthdays that are happening this month! This is a super fun episode where we talk about how we're celebrating our birthdays, how we view getting older, plus a whole bunch of other random stuff. Like the movie Home Alone, friendship, and more. Book a Lemonade Call Work with me! Follow & tag me on I…
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Navigating Conflicting Thoughts About Working Out, Weight Loss, & Diet Culture: Internal Family Systems with My Client Steph
1:05:14
1:05:14
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1:05:14Today my longtime client Steph is back with something new to share with us! She originally joined me on season 1, episode 15, and after some of the conversations we've been having in our 1:1 sessions lately, I knew I needed to invite her back to talk about Internal Family Systems. This is something that's been growing in popularity in mental health…
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Catching Up, Slowing Down, and WTF??? with Christina Montalvo (Crossover/Collab Bonus Episode)
57:50
57:50
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57:50Weeee'reeee baaacckkkk. After a short hiatus due to life being lifey, Christina and I finally recorded another episode together. If you missed the memo, Christina and I are each releasing these crossovers on our own podcasts on the same day and will continue to do it for as long as we feel like it and whenever we feel like it. We've got all sorts o…
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