The Body Grievers® Club

In this episode of The Body GrieversⓇ Club, Bri interviews dietitian and certified diabetes educator Kristie Messerli (The Type 2 Diabetes Nutritionist) about type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, medication, and the shame and fear that often follow diagnosis. Kristie explains diabetes in lay terms, emphasizing insulin resistance as the underlying issue, genetics as a major driver, and the nuance beyond "cut carbs, lose weight, exercise more," especially for women already dieting and exercising. They discuss complications as largely tied to unmanaged diabetes, the reality that medication may still be needed as the pancreas becomes less efficient, and myths about reversal, prediabetes, and weight loss. Kristie also breaks down GLP-1s, cautions against CGMs for people without diabetes/prediabetes, and shares resources, including her Balanced Blood Sugar Method and provider training group. 03:19 Diabetes Explained Simply 06:14 Is Type 2 Your Fault? 12:54 Common Fears and Complications 17:56 Myth or Fact? 21:55 Hormones, Thyroid, and PCOS 29:36 Genetics Loads the Gun 31:45 Healing Trust With Food 43:03 GLP1s Explained 49:20 Medication Fear and Risks 55:58 Diabetes Shame and Culture 59:08 Resources and Next Steps WANT MORE OF KRISTIE? Connect with Kristie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/type2diabetes.nutritionist/ 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 shares how receiving five perfectly fitting gowns from Sydney's Closet sparked a corrective experience that contrasted with her 2007 prom season, when a dream dress wouldn't zip and intensified shame, restriction, and a fixation on weight loss that later contributed to pursuing bariatric surgery. She reflects on being pre-diabetic at 16, the discouragement of dieting and being blamed for "not doing it right," and how clothes not fitting became a lasting scar tied to dating, food anxiety, and self-worth. As an eating-disorder-trained clinician with lived experience, Bri names anti-fat bias as stronger than capitalism, grieves exclusion and lack of choice in fashion, critiques the weight-loss-as-health narrative, and describes her current life at 35 as fat, healthier, and free from food obsession, while still navigating structural inaccessibility. 01:58 Flashback to 2007 02:53 Diet Plan and Pressure 05:16 The Prom Dress Dream 06:57 Prom Night Breakdown 09:37 Aftermath and Lasting Scar 11:09 Privilege of Choice 12:22 Sad Truths About Fashion 15:06 When Weight Loss Fails 17:09 Bigger Than Clothes 21:18 Healing Beyond the Scale 23:08 Letter to My 16 Year Old Self 26:11 You Are Worthy EPISODE RESOURCES: Stunning gowns designed exclusively for plus sizes at https://sydneyscloset.com/ 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 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