Episode 23: Jess Connolly on beauty standards, body positivity & body image issues

Jess Connolly is a coach, podcaster and nine-time author, including the international bestseller Breaking Free From Body Shame. After it was released in 2021, it immediately became one of the most recommended books for body image issues. In recent years her social media presence has exploded and she now has over 130,000 followers on Instagram.

 

The topic of body image is one of the most pressing issues of our day. The latest studies have revealed that over 90% of people experience dissatisfaction with their bodies, which includes both men and women. This is deeply concerning, because how we feel about our bodies, and feel inside our bodies, is a vital component to our holistic well-being.

 

So in this episode, we wrestle through our body image issues in real-time. We discuss why body image has become such a big issue, and we get an inside look into Jess’s personal story with this issue. We talk about plastic surgery, Ozempic, eating disorders, obsessive gym routines, beauty, fashion and all the different ways we try to counteract aging.

 

Through the course of the conversation, we learn that each one of us faces a fork in the road, in which society presents us with a few different paths to travel down. Perhaps the most popular and obvious path is to try to overcome body image issues by constantly trying to fix ourselves. To seek peace and contentment by chasing after the beauty standards of our time.

 

Others have rebelled against this, giving rise to the body positivity movement and most recently, the body neutrality movement. So in this episode, Jess takes us on a journey and examines what happens when we travel down each of these paths. This all culminates in her presenting a compelling alternative. Undoubtedly, probably something that you haven’t heard before.

 

We found her perspective to be balanced, nuanced, and one that has genuine staying power in our search for peace and contentment. Jess is a leader that the world needs today. Which is why we believe that after listening to this conversation, you too might gain a new perspective, and a framework that can guide you as you move forward. 

 

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - 2:12 - Intro

2:12 - 4:40 - Why are body image issues exploding?

4:40 - 9:57 - What are body image issues really about?

9:57 - 15:43 - When Jess first felt body shame

15:43 - 20:57 - Why words & labels hold so much power

20:57 - 28:59 - Pursuing beauty standards & trying to fix yourself

28:59 - 33:26 - The problem with complements & affirmation

33:26 - 39:45 - The danger in treating your body like a trophy

39:45 - 45:20 - Plastic surgery

45:20 - 49:35 - Ozempic

49:35 - 56:22 - Obsessive workouts & exercise

56:22 - 58:28 - Disordered eating

58:28 - 1:04:09 - Anti-aging

1:04:09 - 1:07:19 - How much body modification is too much?

1:07:19 - 1:09:51 - Letting go of the beauty standards

1:09:51 - 1:16:48 - The body positivity movement

1:16:48 - 1:20:10 - The body neutrality movement

1:20:10 - 1:41:27 - The spiritual path

1:41:27 - 1:43:59 - Putting boundaries around filters & social media

1:43:59 - 1:46:41 - Giving & receiving complements

1:46:41 - 1:49:40 - Cultivating attraction in your relationship

1:49:40 - 1:51:44 - Dealing with negative emotions on body image

1:51:44 - 1:53:37 - Should we accept the way our culture is?

 

Follow Jess Connolly:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessaconnolly/?hl=en

 

Mighty Pursuit Links:

Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/

X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit

 

Visit our Body Image Hub:

https://mightypursuit.com/body-image

 

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