Fit Literate - podcast cover

Fit Literate

Carolyn Viggh and Laura Girard
Carolyn and Laura combine girl talk and critical analysis to look at fitness media and trends through an anti-diet lens. They help listeners develop their fitness literacy to become smarter consumers of the fitness industry (while still having fun in the gym and on the internet). Think of it like getting advice from your big sister's friends but instead of dating and fashion they teach you how to not get scammed by the fitness industry's latest snake oil salesman. New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe on Patreon to support the show!
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Hot Snakes with Clara Nosek

We brought on dietitian Clara Nosek to talk about the MAHA movement, explain what it's like to work with a dietitian, and answer your questions! You can follow Clara on all platforms @yourdietitianbff and subscribe to her substack, The Supper Clerb . Thanks for listening! Get bonus content and early access to all episodes on Patreon...

May 29, 20251 hr 43 min

Last Year's Leftovers

Join the Patreon for exclusive content and video versions of episodes! We didn't get to everything we wanted to in the end of year Q&A, so we're finishing the job! In this episode we answered questions about what to do when you don't like lifting, managing your relationship with metrics, dealing with diet triggers, and Carolyn's experience with long COVID....

Feb 17, 20251 hr 19 min

The Official FitLit 2025 Bingo Card

We peered into our crystal balls to divine predictions for the new year. Enjoy the episode while we go touch some grass (:

Jan 04, 20251 hr 9 min

Feeling Loose and Craving Meat

(We don't actually do 2025 predictions in this episode) We're rounding out the year with a look back at 2024 highs and lows and listener Q's! For bonus content and video versions of all episodes, join the Patreon

Jan 01, 20251 hr 22 min

Lock In, Sl*ts

Emergency mini episode! We're going ghost mode and to share our thoughts on the "winter arc" trend.

Nov 13, 202433 min

A Menace In the Streets

Run Clubs - they're in your city. Crowding the sidewalks, stinking up breweries, and, apparently, replacing dating apps. In this episode we investigate (with many lengthy tangents) why this long time fitness staple is experiencing a surge in popularity. Is the hype real? Are people really finding love at the run club?

Oct 31, 20241 hr 5 min

Expensive Bikes To Nowhere

We're going back to our roots with a classic fitness industry deep dive! Today we're covering two iconic indoor cycling brands - SoulCycle and Peloton. *Note*: At a couple points Carolyn refers to one of the founders of SoulCycle as Ruth Zuckerberg. This is incorrect- Her name is Ruth Zuckerman.

Sep 26, 20241 hr 29 min

People Experience All Kinds of Things

Part 3 of the summer Q&A series. Thanks for listening! Bonus episodes (including part 2 of this series) is on the Patreon! Click here to join

Jul 11, 20241 hr 23 min

You Don't Need To Be Doing All That

We've been training the last 6 weeks for this yapathon! In this episode we rant about anti-fat fitness "motivation" and answer your questions about macro trackers, DOMS, cycle syncing, and more. Check out the Patreon for bonus content and early access to new episodes :)

Jun 07, 20241 hr 23 min

Training for the Diet Adpocalypse

NOTE: Due to some tech difficulties this episode got cut a little short We're really hoping to have it all resolved by our next recording session! In this episode we talked about some of the weird diet-y ads some of you have been getting targeted with as well as the Oprah Ozempic special and doomsday prepper fitness propaganda on reels. Enjoy! Check out the Patreon for bonus episodes!

Apr 04, 202438 min

Eating Disorders on the Internet

In this episode we're talking about online eating disorder communities, the way they have changed (and stayed the same) overtime with social media and censorship, and how to know if the algorithm has put you on a pipeline to disordered eating.If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek out support. Your can find resources here. Sources: https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/ https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9875472/ h...

Mar 14, 20241 hr 18 min

Meeting of the Minds

We brought on friends of the pod, Kaitlyn Moore and Lauren Leavell, to talk about the recent phenomenon of "body positive" influencers pivoting to posting about their weight loss journeys. We highly recommend this episode of Kaitlyn's podcast, Dose of Sass , as a companion listen

Feb 23, 202456 min

The Official Fit Literate 2024 In & Out List

It's 2024 and we are back with our official (sort of) In and Out list for the new year. We asked for the products, apps, brands, and trends you're seeing most on social media and we're giving our rapid-fire takes! A video version of this episode is available on patreon!

Jan 24, 20241 hr 6 min

Wrap It Up

For the last episode of the year we're looking back on 2023, giving advice for your holiday season woes, and predicting fitness and wellness trends for next year. Thank you for listening with us. See you in 2024! <3

Dec 15, 20231 hr 13 min

Strut Like You Mean It (Ft. Allie Bennett)

FREE YOUR MIND! The Treadmill Strut Queen herself, Allie Bennett (aka @benntheredonethat on TikTok) joined us to talk about her viral fitness trend and what it's like being a full-time content creator. We also dissect 12-3-30 and the Cozy Cardio trends.

Nov 16, 20231 hr 56 min

(Preview) Julie! 🙃 (ft. Lauren Leavell)

Not you Mom, sorry for the confusion. We got Lauren Leavell to join us behind the paywall for a very special and laughter-filled bonus episode. Listen to the whole thing on the Patreon!

Nov 02, 20232 min

Hi Barrebie!

We've got the incomparable Lauren Leavell on the pod! We're talking all about Barre fitness, where it started, and Lauren's experience as a barre instructor in person and online. Lauren's Links: Instagram @laurenleavellfitness Tiktok @laurenleavell Listen to Rest Days

Oct 26, 20231 hr 23 min

(Preview) Micro-Influencer EXPOSED IN 4K

It's an astrology episode! We're giving you another chance to nurture the parasocial relationship by diving deep into Laura's astro chart. Join the Patreon to listen to the full episode!

Oct 05, 20238 min

Fit Lit 101: Intro to Not Being and Asshole to Your Body in College

Class is in session! This week we're taking you back-to-school and giving you our best advice for navigating fitness while at college. For bonus content and early access to feed episodes, join the Patreon! Email your questions and stories to carolynvandlaurag@gmail.com

Sep 28, 20231 hr 16 min

Pledging our allegiance to Tae Bo Nation

In the third and final episode of our Vintage Fitness series we're talking about 90's sensation Tae Bo by Billy Blanks. For bonus content and early access to feed episodes, join the patreon! email questions and stories to carolynvandlaurag@gmail.com

Sep 14, 20231 hr 18 min

(Preview) Tops and Bottoms

In this episode Laura and Carolyn are playing a game they've dubbed "tops and bottoms" and it's 100% less sexy than it sounds. Listen to the full episode on ⁠Patreon!⁠

Sep 05, 20233 min

Ya Like Jazz(ercise)?

In part 2/3 of our vintage fitness series, we're diving into the history of one of the most influential fitness franchises of the past: Jazzercise! For bonus episodes (including part 1 of this series) and early access to new feed episodes, join the Patreon

Aug 25, 20231 hr 3 min

(Preview) As Seen on TV

(Alternate title: Old lady hand jobs in the high school gym) This week on the Patreon we're throwing it back and talking about two iconic as-seen-on-tv fitness gadgets: the Thigh Master and the Shake Weight. Join the Patreon to listen to the full episode and get early, ad-free versions of regular episodes!

Aug 11, 20232 min

Nuggets of Wisdom

In this week's episode we talk about the mental and emotional components of training, habit building, and coaching. This is technically the last portion of "Making Norm Our Blood Boy" where we went off-script and ended up having such a rich discussion, we just needed to put it on the main feed! The full episode (including the sillier bits) is up on Patreon.

Jul 27, 202345 min

A Real Girl Dinner Type of Episode

This week on Fit Literate we answered listener questions about rest days, podcasts we love, and future deep dive topics. We also figure out what's going on on TikTok with Mustard Lady and the "Girl Dinner" trend. Thanks for listening! For bonus content and early access to feed episodes, join the Patreon Email your questions and stories to carolynvandlaurag@gmail.com

Jul 17, 20231 hr 15 min

Breaking Dawn

We are breaking our silence and breaking down the now infamous career of fitness influencer Brittany Dawn! In this episode we dive deep into the rise, the fall, the lawsuit, the rebrand, and the many, many scandals. And, of course, it wouldn't be Fit Lit without a discussion about what this all means for the fitness industry and what lessons you can take away as a fitness consumer or a professional trying to build an online brand of your own. For bonus content and to support the show, join the P...

Jun 29, 20232 hr 12 min

Call Her Muscle Mommy

Lo! And behold the muscular goddesses gracing the screens of iphones everywhere! This week we are talking about the (admittedly niche) #musclemommy trend celebrating muscular and strong women. And while the trend isn't much more than vehicle for thirst traps, we're using it as an opportunity to talk about a topic near and dear to our hearts: women and strength. In this episode we bust historical and contemporary myths about women and weight lifting, give important information and advice for wome...

Mar 31, 20231 hr 52 min

The Pilates Episode

Building on our conversations about the rising trend of low intensity exercise and "hormone balancing" workouts, this week we are taking a deep dive into Pilates! We overview the history of Pilates, discuss the way it's represented on social media, and share insight from actual pilates instructors (because we don't really know what we're talking about.) Use the links below to follow our contributors on the socials! Linds ( @fatbodypilates ) Rachel ( @radpilates ) Mychele Sims ( @get2werk ) MoJo ...

Mar 16, 20231 hr 9 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android