407. Beyond the Mirror: Body Image, Athletics, and Healing with Whitney Otto

Happiness Solved

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Whitney Otto. In this conversation, Sandee Sgarlata interviews Whitney Otto, a US world rowing champion and therapist, about the complexities of body image, especially in the context of sports. Whitney shares her journey from being an athlete to a therapist, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing body image issues. They discuss how sports can shape personal development, the impact of societal standards on body image, and the necessity of compassion and support systems in overcoming negative perceptions. Whitney offers practical strategies for shifting perspectives on body image and highlights the importance of seeking professional help for those struggling with these issues.

Guest Bio:

Whitney Otto is a US world rowing champion and 2000 Olympic alternate who pivoted her skill and passion into helping individuals and teams achieve their goals through leadership development and clinical intervention. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA in counseling psychology from Lesley University, and a Professional Coaching Certification from The Coaches Training Institute. Her clinical perspectives are informed by over a decade of experience treating eating disorders. Her inspiring and collaborative style was further honed through years of experience serving as a Master coach for physicians, elite athletes, entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives. Whitney serves as a Master Performance Coach and consultant at Valor Performance, and coach for R3 Continuum serving Senior level clients at Deloitte. Whitney also serves as Group Guide for CHIEF. She is the co-host of UNTRAINED, a podcast that launched in January of 2023 focusing on giving the tools and mindsets needed to help corporate executives “untrain” from toxic mindsets and perspectives that result in professional success at personal expense.

Takeaways:

• Whitney Otto transitioned from athlete to therapist to help others.
• Body image issues often stem from societal and familial pressures.
• Compassion is crucial for high performers dealing with body image.
• Negative body image can drain energy and affect performance.
• Understanding body image is about perception, not just physicality.
• Curiosity about feelings can lead to healthier body image.
• Support systems are essential for athletes facing body image challenges.
• Childhood experiences significantly influence adult body image.
• It's important to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion.
• Professional help can provide necessary support for body image issues.

Connect with Whitney:

Website: http://bodyimageinsideout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyimageinsideout/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneylpost/

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata