Vinny Welsby
10 Lessons From 10 Years in Fat Liberation

It's been 10+ years since I first discovered fat liberation...here's what I've learned. In 2014, I discovered fat liberation and have been talking about it since. So after all these years, I wanted to share my top takeaways about body image, being fat on the internet, the common fears we share, and more. TW: mention of body image struggles in childhood. Like the podcast? Leave a review where you listen!

10 Lessons From 10 Years in Fat Liberation
Vinny Welsby
Worried People Are Judging Your Body Size and ...

Some things to consider if you are struggling with the judgements of others:

  • People judge others negatively, and that sucks; I’m sorry you have to go through that.

  • Some people will judge you very harshly and unkindly. Some people will think of you neutrally or positively. Some people are hyper-focused on themselves and whether or not you are judging them negatively.

  • If you have a bigger body or are marginalized in additional ways, you are going to be experiencing more bias and judgement, and that is not ok.

  • If someone is judging your body size or fatness negatively, then it might be because they feel shame in their body and want to pass that shame to you to feel temporary relief. It’s not your shame to hold and deal with. Also, some people are just plain cruel or bigoted and you should not have to deal with that.

  • Those people shouldn’t be able to dictate how we live our lives, what we look like, how we dress or how we present to the world as a fat person. However, they often do get to dictate, either from fear of experiencing shame, changing our behaviours, or due to very real safety concerns, changing our behaviours. This world is often unsafe (especially for the most marginalized), and how you react to that is understandable.

Worried People Are Judging Your Body Size and Appearance? Read This.
Vinny Welsby
The History of Fatphobia and Thin Supremacy

For many of us, the story we've been told about fat bodies seems pretty logical: being fat is unhealthy. We know that society stigmatizes fat people because they “choose to be fat” and “drain public resources.” Others who view body diversity more favourably would argue that it’s not the fault of people in bigger bodies that they are the way they are (because fatness is a “disease”), but it’s still important to be healthy, i.e. in a smaller body. We are taught that concerns about weight are rooted in science, medicine, and a desire to improve individual and population health outcomes. 

Anti-fatness didn’t begin with medicine. In reality, the beliefs that fat people are unhealthy as well as lazy, unintelligent, undisciplined, unattractive or less worthy have deep roots in religion, the enslavement of Black bodies, colonialism, “scientific” racism, sexism and social control. It was never about health.

The History of Fatphobia and Thin Supremacy
Vinny Welsby
How Anti-Blackness Created Anti-Fatness

Thanks to the work of Black scholars, including Dr. Sabrina Strings, we know that anti-fatness comes from anti-Blackness as well as other oppressive forces. But WHY were certain beliefs about Black bodies created? Who started the myths, and what were they saying? How do those stereotypes about fat Black bodies manifest today? We are going back thousands of years to see where all this nonsense started. Using a variety of sources, including, of course, the go-to book for talking about this Fear of the Black Body by Sabrina Strings, as well as Belly of the Beast by Da’Shaun L. Harrison and concepts from bell hooks, Patricia Hill Collins, and more. TW: O words, anti-Blackness, slavery, sexism, brief mention of sexual assault, general white fuckery.

How Anti-Blackness Created Anti-Fatness
Vinny Welsby
49 Benefits of Being Fat

We’re constantly told that being fat is bad for us, that fat people are ticking time bombs and are pathetic, sad sacks. Is it true? Are fat people giant losers who are doomed to an “unhealthy,” miserable existence? In this episode, we flip the script and explore the surprising advantages of fatness. From better disease outcomes to unique social benefits, mental health perks, and even survival advantages, I share 49 benefits of being fat you probably haven’t considered. How many can you think of? TW: brief mention of O words.

49 Benefits of Being Fat

Are Fat People at Higher Risk From COVID?

Now that the panini has been going on for a while the science nerds have been able to collect more evidence to support the idea that fat people are going around eating people in the street and giving them covid. Right? Or are other science boffins telling us something else? Let’s look at what we know so far and discuss inequalities in healthcare - and one glaring issue that you may never even heard about. TW: there are some mentions of violent healthcare fatphobia in this episode, plus talk about needles.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/101

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Is Weight Loss a Mindset Issue?

I held the belief that I was fat because there was something "wrong with my brain" for a long time. Weight is a manifestation of trauma in the body, isn't it? If I had my life together, then I'd be thin, right? I will talk about how those beliefs are so prevalent in the self-help and online business world. Plus, I answer questions on how to tell people to stop talking about weight and diet culture without alienating them (or losing them as your customer!).

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/100

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Did Rebel Wilson Gain Weight To Become Famous?

What’s with all these formerly fat celebs losing weight and seemingly throwing their fat fans under the bus? Is it true that Rebel Wilson used fatness as a way to capitalize off fat bodies? Are we allowed to be mad and sad if they are no longer fat? Let’s talk about it!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/099

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Does Anti-Diet Mean Anti-Vax?

Is being anti-diet is a fringe theory based on one study from the 50’s? Does questioning bad science mean that you also question vaccine science? Is it ok to be hesitant? Are anti-diet proponents conspiracy theorists? The answers to these questions are in today’s show!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/098

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

When Your Spouse Isn’t Attracted to Your Fat Body

How the heck should you react if your spouse confesses your body is a turn-off? Luckily (lol) I have experienced this very thing and if you're in the same boat, I got some advice for ya! Also, we are talking about plus size dating, leaving vegetarianism, and weight science. It's a jam-packed episode!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/097

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Is Being Attracted to Fat People a Fetish?

Should I date that guy who is a self-described fat feeder? What to do when my food police voice won't leave me alone? How to respond to my friend who says that being an intuitive eater and fat positive will "catch up with me"? Today it's listener questions and I am answering these juicy ones!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/096

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Do This To Feel More Confident

A lack of confidence in your body can really disrupt your life - taking action to avoid that pain and avoiding other things due to fear or feeling deeply uncomfortable. In this episode, I will share the 5 steps to move away from those unwanted feelings and experiences so that you can do more important things with your life like watching Netflix and scratching your bumhole.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/095

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Even "Safe Weight Loss" Causes This Shit To Happen

Today we are looking at the Warsaw Ghetto Hunger Study, the Children of HungerWinter and the Minnesota Starvation Experiment to answer the question what does hunger do to our mental and physical wellbeing? Massive trigger warning: mention of calories, types of food, starvation, eating disorders, self-harm, murder, the holocaust and death. Although most are brief mentions and not going into details.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/094

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Being Fat and Disabled or Living With a Chronic Condition

JuSt lOvE YoUr bOdY!!! This advice ain't helpful for those who live with a chronic condition or are disabled who can feel their body has let them down. Put on top of that dealing with fatphobia and an ableist world...what's a fatty gotta do? Just think about the good things and bury the frustration, shame and sadness? Surely there has to be a better way! Also some nonbinary updates in this episode so TW if you don't want to hear about gender dysphoria.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/093

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

What's Up With the New Jaw Wiring and Diet Drugs

TW: Extreme medical fatphobia. Have you seen this new torture device that they have created to go on fat people's teeth to clamp them shut? Looks like a ton of fun, lemme tell ya! Also, a diet drug has been approved by the FDA. This must be good news...right? Let's chat about these new medical interventions.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/092

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Worried About People Judging Your Body?

Today, I am talking about all of the ways hating your body and having low self esteem affects our lives. Including the everyday ways our behaviour is different from having low confidence to higher confidence and why being worried about other people’s opinions sabotages our happiness.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/091

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Will "Weight Loss" Surgery Make You Thin and Healthy?

Does weight loss surgery make you thin? What percentage of people is it successful for? Are the side effects worth it and what are they exactly? This episode is a deep dive into bariatric surgery AKA "weight loss" surgery AKA stomach amputation.

CW: There are mentions of the O Words, suicide rates and brief mention of calories.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/090

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Do You Hate Your Fat Belly?

We have a special episode today as I am coaching a member of my program, Fierce Fatty Academy, live! Bethan is struggling with dealing with other people's opinions (even if she isn't sure what the other person is actually thinking - have you ever done that? I know I have!). Also, she is having a serious hate fest with her belly that hangs...which happens to be the number one area of our body that fat people struggle to accept.

TW: Mention of spousal abuse (physical violence + emotional abuse), including a very brief mention of rape. Very brief mention of suicidal ideations.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/089

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

How Fatphobic Beliefs Hurt My Sex Life

Fat sex! How does society view fat bodies and how do we view our own fat bodies when it comes to sex and desirability? What impact does that have on the way we relate to others sexually? TW: mention of fatphobic beliefs about fat bodies.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/088

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

How to Deal with Fatphobia in the Workplace

I am answering listener questions today!

First, we talk about how to deal with fatphobia in the workplace. Now that folks are going back into the office the powers that be have decided that we all must lose the “quarantine 15” (that term makes me shudder and eye roll at the same time) and are setting up uuuuber helpful lunch and learns about what a fat loser you are. Fun!

I talk about what you can do in this situation. The second question asks how to differentiate low self-esteem from a mental health condition - if you’ve ever wondered what’s the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating or between good ol’ low self-esteem and something like body dysmorphic disorder then I’ll be giving my 2 cents.

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/087

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Anxious About Seeing People You've Not Seen In A While?

“Before the pandemic, I could run 50 marathons in a day and now I have put on 2 lbs and can only run 49 marathons in a day and so it is 100% down to my weight and not because I haven’t run in the last 18 months!” - I’ve been seeing sentiments like this allllll over the internetwebs.com, of course not that extreme, but you get the gist.

People’s health has changed since the pandemic started and collectively we are blaming it on weight gain or a change in what we eat and are not looking at it with nuance.

So, lemme break it down for ya. Also! Are you anxious about being judged by people you haven’t seen in a while? Let’s talk about that too!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/086

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Schuyler Bailar (AKA PINKMANTARAY): Destroys Transphobic Arguments Against Trans Girls Playing Girls' Sport

Oh hey! I’m non-binary! What does that even mean? And what does it mean to me? I’ll be talking about my coming out journey alongside how it relates to unlearning fatphobia. Also, hear anti-trans athlete myths busted to smithereens from a post from Schuyler Bailar of Pinkmantaray!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/085

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Can (And Should) You Be A Fat Ally?

It's cool not to be a donkey towards fat people! It's even cooler to want to be an ally and support the fatties of the world especially if you have a smaller body I am sharing 33 practical ways you can be a fat ally in this installment. Come on in, everyone is welcome here!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/084

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap

Body Positivity Gone Too Far?

Wanna know why the anti-fat positive community says body positivity has gone too far? Should we be watching fat-positive cringe videos for legitimate critiques about the movement? Do any of their arguments have merit or are they just a bunch of far-right bigots spewing misinformation? Find out in this episode!

Episode show notes: http://www.fiercefatty.com/083

Let's continue the conversation in my free group! >> https://tinyurl.com/fiercefattyfriends

Download The Fierce Fatty Body Love Roadmap: https://bampowlife.kartra.com/page/roapmap