Episode 79 - Dismantling bounce back culture with Dietitian Atheana Brown
Have you ever felt pressure to “bounce back” after having a baby?
When we become mothers, our identity, brain, values, priorities and bodies shift. Yet, there is immense societal pressure to be the same as we were before having children including looking like we never gave birth. This is what we cover in this episode.
I am joined by Dietitian Atheana Brown to talk about mom bod pressure and how to drop out of diet culture.
We dive deep into the concept of ‘mom bod pressure’ – the unrealistic societal expectations placed on mothers to “bounce back” after birth – and unpack how this pressure is rooted in broader systems of oppression, diet culture, and body shaming.
Atheana sheds light on how these harmful ideals manifest in everyday life, the impact they have on mothers’ mental and emotional wellbeing, and how we can begin dismantling these norms both personally and collectively. She explains how harmful body ideals show up in everyday life, how they affect mothers’ wellbeing, and what we can do – both individually and as a society – to start breaking them down.
Atheana and I talk about:
- What mom bod pressure
- How bounce back culture shows up in our day-to-day lives as mothers
- How body shame shows up for mothers in both subtle and overt ways
- The deep ties between body shame, patriarchy, and systemic injustice
- How to push back against diet culture and reconnect with body trust
- Raising body-confident children in a world obsessed with appearance
- Reclaiming the word “fat” and reframing it without stigma
- Practical tools for moms to resist harmful body narratives
- Why intuitive eating can be a revolutionary act of selfcare
Atheana Brown is a trauma-informed, fat-positive, and body-inclusive Registered Dietitian who practices through a Health at Every Size lens. As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, she helps people of all ages heal their relationship with food and body. With over a decade of experience in primary and long-term care, Atheana is passionate about breaking the cycle of dieting and body shame through a compassionate, collaborative approach.
Episode Links:
- Say hi to Atheana on Instagram
- Learn more about Atheana and how to work with you on her at Peacefully Nourished
- Listen to Diet Culture Dropout podcast
- Books Atheana recommended:
Come say hi to me on Instagram
Helpful Articles: Read my articles on wellness, motherhood, picky eating, and thriving as a mom.
Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.
Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.
Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.
