When You've Been Othered in The Wellness Space

It was an honour to be part of Rachel Molenda’s Fill Your Cup Podcast. Sometimes, when I get an invitation to speak or be interviewed, I think, “Really? Me? Still? Aren’t I boring yet? Do I sound like a broken record? What newness do I have to share?” And although I do sound like a broken record at times, I was surprised at the newness that emerged from this conversation. It stirred up a lot of feels for me (spoiler alert: I CRY - which probably isn’t much of a surprise to folks). The more I share, the more I remember, the more I can use present-day resources to tend to old wounds - which is exactly what happened during this conversation as I uncovered old memories, and after recording this conversation in my self-care practices to help integrate these parts of me back home. I never take for granted how my work allows me to simultaneously invest in my healing AND encourage others along in their healing.

I share the impacts of my experiences of being othered. I share how I try to reduce harm and othering in the spaces that I hold. I share some of the secret sauce of how GOODBODYFEEL classes are sequenced to be more accessible. And I share my business plan that I hope more businesses adopt: be committed to thinking creatively and sharing access.

I hope you give it a listen. Let me know what resonates with you and what doesn’t. I love being in conversation about these things. The more we talk about these things, the more we can evolve the conversation and create environments where more folks feel like they belong.

Robin Lacambra is the founder of GOODBODYFEEL Movement Studio and the GOODBODYFEEL Movement Method and as a movement educator, aims to help facilitate others to move mindfully and feel good in their bodies as well as recognize the intersection of physical practice and social justice.

Here’s Rachel’s summary of the show notes and resources.

Episode Notes:

In this episode we discuss:

  • The birth of GOODBODYFEEL

  • Robin’s past experience with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder

  • How “othering” turned into an eating disorder

  • The lacking inclusivity in the fitness industry

  • The impact of non-inclusivity in fitness to marginalized folx

  • Running a business that centres socialist values, offers sliding scale, service exchange and bursaries

  • Creating safe environments to come home to our bodies

  • Why you should treat every single person like they’ve endured trauma

  • Considerations when operating from a trauma, anti-oppression and eating disorder-informed framework

  • Inclusive language when it comes to sequencing

  • Breaking up with the “fitness body” mould

Resources:

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