Intuitive Eating is an incredible approach for people seeking to heal their relationships with food and their bodies. But it's not without its challenges. In this episode I speak with the wonderful Jenna Hollenstein, who brings years of experience as a non-diet dietitian and meditation teacher to the table to help us understand how to tolerate the discomfort that so often arises in one's journey into intuitive eating. We talk about: What do meditation and Buddhism have to offer those on the Intu...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 7 min
The Pre-Ovulatory Phase or "Inner Spring" starts from the cessation of menstrual bleeding to a few days before ovulation. In a typical 28-day cycle, this approximately corresponds to day 6 until day 11. This phase has traditionally been seen as a time of dynamism, of rising energy levels and growing confidence. Here are my top tips for deeply nourishing yourself during this phase, nutritionally and otherwise. This is second in a series of FIVE on nourishing yourself throughout your entire hormon...
Sep 22, 2022•57 min•Ep. 32
The cyclical nature of your menstrual cycle communicates your constantly changing needs: physically, mentally and emotionally. The Menstrual Phase starts from the first to the last day of bleeding, lasting around 3 to 7 days. Here are my top tips for deeply nourishing yourself during this phase, nutritionally and otherwise. It might not be what you think! This is first in a series of five on nourishing yourself throughout your entire hormonal cycle. LINKS: Support the pod! BONUS episodes and exc...
Sep 08, 2022•38 min•Ep. 31
What do you get when you combine a cacao ceremony, hypoxia-inducing breathwork, a bunch of influences from disparate spiritual cultures, partner yoga with intrusive eye-gazing, and really loud music? All that culturally appropriated pseudo-spiritual jazz, otherwise known as The Modern Spiritual Experience. Access the FULL episode by becoming a Patreon for as little as $2 US a month at https://www.patreon.com/nondietyogi Funky Forest Health & Wellbeing - online non-diet nutrition consulting s...
Aug 25, 2022•11 min•Ep. 30
The 8 limbs of yoga fundamentally support anti-racism, diversity, and body acceptance - and yet yoga in the west has been largely inaccessible to anyone who isn’t white, wealthy, thin, and able-bodied. In this episode I speak with the incredible Dianne Bondy, and she delivers truth-bombs with her characteristic vivacious spirit! We talk about the commodification and cultural misappropriation of yoga, performative activism, anti-racism in yoga, and ways we can decolonise yoga in the west and fina...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 29
My personal journey with movement: how I got into yoga, how yoga contributed to my developing and recovering from an eating disorder, discovering the benefits and limits of strength training, and what my practice looks like nowadays. Access the FULL episode by becoming a Patreon for as little as $2 US a month at https://www.patreon.com/nondietyogi LINKS: Casey's article on 15 Benefits of Strength Training https://www.funkyforest.com.au/blog/15-benefits-of-strength-training-that-have-nothing-to-d...
Jul 21, 2022•15 min•Ep. 28
By neutralising body size, not focussing on weight loss and instead emphasising the importance of enjoying movement and caring for our bodies, Anna Hearn is reimagining what the fitness industry could look like. Plus, we discuss the elephant in the room: thin privilege. SHOW NOTES: 00:56 A personal update 07:18 What is thin privilege? 15:07 How and why Anna’s body inclusive fitness and yoga studio, Haven Wellness was born 18:28 Moving the focus away from body transformations, fat loss and “no pa...
Jul 07, 2022•44 min•Ep. 27
Patriarchy seeks to control and exert power over nature generally, and the bodies of women specifically. Beneath marketable wellness concepts like "clean eating" lie deep ties to body control, and culturally imposed shame over women’s bodies and processes like menstruation. But there is an alternative, more feminist and inclusive approach to food and our bodies that is honouring of our menstrual cycles, seasonal cycles, and different life stages. Access the FULL episode by becoming a Patreon for...
Jun 23, 2022•8 min•Ep. 26
Here I offer some compassion and gentle guidance to anyone who has experienced an increase in their body weight that concerns them. By taking a naturopathic, holistic and HAES-aligned approach, I want to help you get on board with your body and understand at a deep level what might be going on. Hint: it's not just about “calories in, calories out”. SHOW NOTES: 07:48: What is meant by "addressing the root cause"? 12:25: 5 reasons people gain weight that we can’t do much about – and how to make pe...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 25
There is an inherent fat phobia and weight stigma in the natural health and wellness communities. Leanness is conflated with health: we're consistently told that fat is the problem, and weight loss is the solution. But focussing on weight loss directly opposes the naturopathic principle of "first, do no harm". Here's why, and what we can do instead. Support the show
May 26, 2022•12 min
Naturopathy was never intended to focus on weight loss. And when it comes to women’s health - especially preconception care, postpartum and peri-menopause - taking the emphasis off of weight and shape and onto health becomes even more imperative. Dr. Caitlin O’Connor, a naturopathic doctor based in Denver, Colorado shares her wisdom. SHOW NOTES: 09:08 What brought Caitlin to naturopathy and HAES® 14:25 The differences between naturopathic training in Australia vs. the USA 20:07 How Caitlin navig...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 23
What happens when you combine diet culture with MLM essential oil giants doTERRA and Young Living? Disordered eating, poor body image, and a burnt gullet. The practice of ingesting essential oils has been a wellness trend for the last few years thanks to essential oil MLMs. But most qualified aromatherapists and herbalists warn against it. Why the discrepancy? Let's spill the oil. Access the FULL episode by becoming a Patreon for as little as $2 US a month at https://www.patreon.com/nondietyogi ...
Apr 28, 2022•7 min
Yes, we can hold both conventional and natural medicine in the same hand. Yes, we can work with traditional wisdom philosophies, whilst using modern science to provide cognitive inoculation against COVID disinformation. And we can do it all whilst staying heart-centred. Salvatore Battaglia, founder of Perfect Potion speaks about true integrative medicine in the time of the pandemic. SHOW NOTES: 10:10 Sal’s journey from electrical engineer to aromatherapist, and how martial arts brought him to tr...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Working amongst wellness and yoga circles, and living in a permaculture eco village that draws many alternative lifestyle-seeking fringe dwellers, I'm embedded within multiple vaccine hesitant communities. Navigating both my personal stance and my role as a holistic health practitioner within this intersection has been a growth-inducing and revelatory process. Access the FULL episode by becoming a Patreon for as little as $2 US a month at https://www.patreon.com/nondietyogi SHOW NOTES for the fu...
Mar 31, 2022•8 min•Ep. 20
In this episode I share why this podcast went quiet in the past year. I discuss divorce, compassion & critical thinking, and working as a holistic health practitioner in communities burdened by COVID misinformation. It contains a lot of personal details and reflections. If that's not your thing, no worries - scroll on. SHOW NOTES: 02:30 On being a "muscles and bones" yoga teacher instead of a philosophising one 05:40 Prajna and critical analysis as ways of inner knowing 11:33 The place of co...
Mar 16, 2022•45 min•Ep. 19
Restrictive eating is a major pain, especially when it causes you to lose your period. Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (HA) leads to infertility but also a bunch of other lesser known issues. Anti-diet naturopath Phoebe Jobson and I talk all things HA - a condition close to both our hearts as we each have experienced and recovered from this condition. In this episode: What is HA? Plus some signs, symptoms, and accompanying issues (short and long term) All about the food piece – how much, how often, and...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 18
For our collective liberation, it is crucial that our wellness practices go beyond the mainstream representation of individualised, material self-care. Laura Jean, APD talks about community care as a form of self-care that creates space for everyone, including marginalised and oppressed people. In this episode: The "epiphany moment" book that turned both of us onto the non-diet path Self-care is an act of liberation, especially for oppressed and marginalised groups of people Unshackling ourselve...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 17
Did you know that many far-flung ‘superfoods’ carry a heavy environmental and social footprint? In this episode: WTF is a superfood? (and some brief thoughts on Juice Plus+) Rarity breeds desire Issues around the sustainable harvesting of quinoa Yogis, food and karma Cost-effective alternatives to exotic $$$ superfoods Links: Ep 15: Wellness Capitalism: Essential Oil MLMs, Whitewashed Herbalism, and "Naturopreneurs" with Katya Weiss-Andersson Ep 11. Wildly Accessible Food & Medicine: Foragi...
Nov 10, 2020•27 min•Ep. 16
It's time we explored capitalism in it’s indiscriminately elderberry syrup guzzling, MLM essential oil dowsed, $400 supplement protocol pushing form: Wellness Capitalism. In this episode: The value of healthy skepticism, and where Katya's comes from How capitalism takes holistic healthcare - which was traditionally accessible, deeply contextual and collectively empowering - and warps this to make it inaccessible, commodified and whitewashed The trouble with smudging Cultivating a relationship wi...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 15
There has been a phenomenal uptick of rising yoga and wellness influencers posting anti-racism sentiments on social media. Yet in stark contrast to the important message of bringing light to police brutality against BIPOC, or tackling underrepresentation of coloured folks in wellness spaces, these feeds are filled with white, thin, able-bodied, cis-het women striking yoga poses on beaches. Are these influencers for real? In this episode: The current phenomenon of performative activism in yoga so...
Aug 09, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 14
There is a lack of representation of women aged 40+ in fitness. Rachelle Ballard-Clayton is shifting that pattern by basing her approach to training womxn on their shifting internal landscape and cyclical patterns. In this episode: A little pre-interview solo ramble on systemic racism and unrecognised privilege in yoga/wellness/spirituality worlds Training womxn and running a fitness business, without body transformations or weight loss challenges (!) The importance of strength training – as opp...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 13
There are many parallels between our bodies as feeling, sensuous beings worthy of care and attention, and the kind of bodily care and movement encouraged in non-diet and weight neutral approaches like HAES. I n this episode: Travel, yoga, energy healing, working with women’s health and indigenous populations: Shae’s path to becoming the multi-faceted non-diet practitioner she is today The experience Shae had that turned her path towards reiki Reiki as an intuitive approach and avenue into body c...
Jun 07, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 12
Foraging for edible weeds is an accessible and inclusive healthcare skill. Pat Collins is a highly experienced herbalist, natural health practitioner and bush craftswoman with a passion for sharing her foraging know-how and instilling in people a deep appreciation of edible and medicinal weeds: nature's gifts. In this episode: How being able to support her children’s health by making at home remedies motivated Pat into studying herbal medicine formally Why familiarity with the abundance of e...
May 12, 2020•58 min•Ep. 11
Gym culture can be incredibly toxic for people struggling with body image and eating concerns. Monique Jephcote, APD, PT and Intuitive Eating Counsellor, is infusing weight-neutral principles into the fitness world with compassion, respect and gusto. In this episode: How and why Monique opened her non-diet private practice soon after graduating HAES just makes sense: “Every single body deserves dignity and respect” (and weight loss dietetics is SO boring!) Monique’s lived experience of disordere...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 10
With great uncertainty comes fear and uprooted trauma. COVID-19 has seen an amplification of weight stigma, wellness wankery, and conspiracy theories that have the potential to magnify our stress and trauma. Here's what to look out for, as well as ways to ground, protect and nurture yourself and your loved ones at this uncertain time. Show notes: The 3 categories of BS “health advice” circulating in the age of COVID-19: The Seemingly Innocuous, The Social Media Misinformation Storm, and The Blat...
Apr 13, 2020•41 min•Ep. 9
In this episode: The book that pivoted both Fiona’s and my own trajectory (If not dieting) Fiona’s yoga teaching as embodied movement VS a fitness class The 3 C’s: Care, consent and choice as essential factors in being inclusive dietitians, inclusive yoga teachers and inclusive humans Doing the work doesn’t always feel good What determines whether the yoga we practice will help or hinder healing from disordered eating and body image issues Healthsplaining, healthism and the actual determinants o...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 8
In this solo episode I riff about the ups and downs of motherhood, and my personal experience as a (mostly) work at home mum. In this episode: Being a mum is amazing, and it's also hard The impact of parenthood on my friendships and relationships How the Mother and the Warrior archetypes are one and the same My experiences with extended breastfeeding, tandem breastfeeding and co-sleeping The insane expectations and judgements placed on mums, whether you’re a stay at home, a working mum or somewh...
Mar 12, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 7
A Health at Every Size (HAES®)-informed, weight neutral practice is old school naturopathy in its best sense. In this interview with Chandrika Gibson, ND we cover these topics surrounding HAES® naturopathy, yoga and yoga therapy: The co-opting of wellness to sell stuff and the accessibility issues this creates Differences between health , wellness and wellbeing The problematic belief that living a “clean” lifestyle guarantees you won’t get sick Healthism “Wellness is about the direction you’re f...
Feb 26, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 6
Research and experience tells us that in yoga teachers and practitioners, orthorexia may be the norm, rather than the exception. SHOW NOTES: Food rules in yoga and wellness circles That moment when Amy was holding a can of beans thinking, “I can’t eat this!” - and she realised something was up How becoming a mum tipped the scales towards Amy’s recovery from orthorexia The study that showed 86% (yes, you read that right) of yoga teachers have orthorexic tendencies People come to yoga classes and ...
Feb 13, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 5
Yoga teachers, please stop giving terrible dietary advice to your students. SHOW NOTES: That time I gave terrible nutritional advice Why people ask yoga teachers for nutritional advice Some of the crappy nutritional advice yoga teachers pass on to their students The perils of getting nutrition advice from a yoga teacher, personal trainer, or health coach The likely prevalence of disordered eating in yoga circles MLM health products in yoga studios Even when yoga teachers are also nutritionists, ...
Jan 26, 2020•40 min•Ep. 4
