The Body Grievers® Club

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri interviews anti-diet, weight-inclusive personal stylist Dacy Gillespie about clothing grief, style, and size accessibility. Dacy shares how styling clients revealed the need to address body feelings and how "flattering" advice often aims to make bodies appear smaller, rooted in white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism, referencing work by Sabrina Strings and Sonya Renee Taylor. They discuss real scarcity in plus-size clothing, including brands dropping extended sizes, and the grief and privilege tied to beauty standards. Dacy shares some of her practical tips for rejuvenating your closet through size changes, while still taking care of your own emotional wellbeing.
 
01:50 How Mindful Closet Began
03:58 Size Access and Hidden Grief
07:42 Unpacking "Flattering" Culture
13:34 Scarcity Mindset vs Reality
25:52 Client Clothing Grief Questions
30:19 Move Clothes Aside
33:02 Budget Shopping Tips
37:04 Unlearning Body Shame
44:30 Dream Your Style



EPISODE RESOURCES:
"Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fatphobia" by Sabrina Strings
"The Body Is Not An Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love" by Sonya Renee Taylor
"Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness" by Da'Shaun L. Harrison
Episode 67: Being SEEN: picture grief with Lindley Ashline
Summer Support Anti-Diet Panel
Study on Women's Clothing Size


WANT MORE OF DACY GILLESPIE?
Join Dacy's newsletter at https://dacygillespie.substack.com/ 
"Mindful Closet" styling services with Dacy https://www.mindfulcloset.com/ 
Watch for Dacy's upcoming book, "Unflattering: A Radical New Way to Get Dressed"



WANT MORE OF BRI?
*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
*Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance
https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps

In this episode of The Body Grievers® Club, Brianna interviews TikTok creator and author Allora Dannon, who describes herself as a plus-size "accidental late bloomer spokesperson." Allora explains how she reframed "late bloomer" to mean not dating or experiencing physical intimacy until her thirties, and she shares how growing up as the oldest of ten in a supportive religious family still left her feeling embarrassed, isolated, and "left behind" as her sisters married while she received little romantic attention.
Together, Bri and Allora discuss the cultural whiplash around sex and inexperience, the impact of fatphobia on dating, the desire to be wanted without tying worth to men's attraction, and how platitudes about dating can be more harmful than validation. 
 
TIMESTAMPS:
01:27 Meet the Guest: 'Accidental Late Bloomer' Allora Dannon
04:13 Her Background: Big Family, Faith, and Feeling 'Too Much'
10:25 Wanting to Be Desired Isn't a Moral Failing
13:16 Modern Dating Is Brutal: Apps, Anxiety, and Outdated Advice
21:12 Season of Bravery: Dating Apps, Rules, and Asking People Out
33:13 First Relationship After Late Blooming: Beautiful Firsts & Red Flags
36:14 A 'Season of Bravery': Dating Apps, One-Month Rule & Meeting Her Fiancé
40:31 Do It Scared, Not Traumatized: Nervous System, Anxiety Meds & Expanding Attraction
46:26 Intimacy as Healing: Sleeping Naked, Loving Your Shape & Protecting Your Progress
51:16 Ode to the Apron Belly: Body Dysmorphia, Moving Goalposts & Finding Neutrality
56:47 Closing Advice & Community: The Memoir Plug, Where to Start Healing, and Where to Find Her



EPISODE RESOURCES:
"Who Is She? A Late Bloomer's Survival Guide" by Allora Dannon 
"Thank You, More Please: A Feminist Guide to Breaking Dumb Dating Rules and Finding Love" by Lily Womble



WANT MORE OF ALLORA DANNON?
https://www.alloradannon.com/ 
@alloradannon On All Social Channels
 
WANT MORE OF BRI?
*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
*Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance
https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps

In this episode of The Body Grievers® Club, Bri discusses the challenges of self-advocacy within the context of body image and core beliefs. She recounts a personal experience at the Sacramento Airport where she found herself struggling to ask for a wheelchair accommodation due to an injury. Bri explores the layers of body image distress, internalized ableism, and the difficulty of allowing oneself to ask for help. Through examining core beliefs and emotional triggers, she identifies a deep-seated fear of being perceived as a fraud by her clients and herself. The episode highlights the importance of understanding and reframing core beliefs, the role of emotional work in body image healing, and the necessity of compassion and patience in the journey toward self-acceptance. Bri offers practical advice on navigating distressful body image moments and emphasizes the value of vulnerability in the healing process.
 
00:53 Core Beliefs and Body Image
01:13 A Personal Story from Sacramento Airport
03:33 The Struggle with Asking for Help
03:45 Injury and Vulnerability
05:32 Unpacking Body Image Distress
11:58 Core Beliefs Worksheet: A Practical Guide
16:37 The Emotional Weight of Self-Advocacy
24:50 Reframing Core Beliefs
28:08 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability
 
WANT MORE OF BRI?
*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
*Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance
https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri sits down with Kimmie Singh, a registered dietitian specializing in PCOS and eating disorders, to discuss the complex journey of body liberation. They explore the societal assumptions faced by fat dietitians, the challenges of navigating professional spaces, and the stigmas around PCOS and body image. Kim breaks down her unique approach to nutrition, which emphasizes body liberation and destigmatizing food and body size. They delve into the importance of self-care, the limitations of behavior change alone, and the nuanced role of medications like GLP-1 in managing PCOS. The conversation also touches on their personal friendship dynamics, the diversity in movement preferences, and the importance of creating supportive and non-judgmental spaces for clients. Whether you're managing PCOS, grappling with body acceptance, or just looking to learn more about holistic and compassionate health care, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.
 
01:59 The Role of a Non-Traditional Dietician
03:52 Personal Stories and Professional Challenges
07:07 Understanding PCOS: Personal Journey
15:07 Common Misconceptions and Myths about PCOS
22:20 Weight Neutral Management for PCOS
28:44 Healing Relationship with Movement
31:23 Gentle Encouragement vs. Pressure
39:03 Explaining PCOS in Simple Terms
42:06 Behavior Change and Medication
48:11 Final Thoughts and Resources
 
WANT MORE OF KIMMIE SINGH?
https://www.bodyhonornutrition.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bodyhonornutrition/ 
 
WANT MORE OF BRI?
*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
*Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri goes live and bears all about the complexities of body image and the radical notion of body acceptance. As a body image coach, she challenges societal norms and misconceptions around health and body size, dives deep into the emotional and psychological toll of weight discrimination, and introduces the concept of 'body grief.' The discussion includes common fears that hinder radical body acceptance and highlights the importance of grieving the loss associated with societal body standards. Bri also explores the transition from pursuing weight loss for social privilege to embracing one's body through a lens of compassion and dignity. Join Bri on your body grief journey – you are not alone in this transformative process.
TIMESTAMPS
01:55 Challenging Conventional Health Beliefs
03:33 The Reality of Body Image and Health
04:25 Common Hurdles to Radical Body Acceptance
05:15 Litmus Tests for True Health Motivation
06:34 Personal Journey and Professional Insights
07:57 Understanding Body Positivity and Fat Phobia
08:41 Shocking Statistics on Body Image and Health
11:41 The Turning Point: Personal Therapy Experience
16:54 The Concept of Body Grief
22:24 The Path to Body Liberation
31:08 Navigating the In-Between: Body Grief and Healing
35:46 Conclusion: Starting with Body Grief

WANT MORE OF BRI?
*Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri

*Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/
*Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance