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Sturdy Girl
Jess Heiss
70 episodes
14 hours ago
What if you stopped judging your body for how it looks — and started appreciating what it can do? This episode explores body functionality appreciation, a research-backed practice that shifts focus from aesthetics to ability. You’ll learn how noticing what your body does builds confidence, self-efficacy, and long-term body image resilience, and how to approach it without slipping into ableism. We’ll cover: The science behind body functionality and why it matters for positive body imageHow sel...
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Mental Health
Education,
Health & Fitness
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What if you stopped judging your body for how it looks — and started appreciating what it can do? This episode explores body functionality appreciation, a research-backed practice that shifts focus from aesthetics to ability. You’ll learn how noticing what your body does builds confidence, self-efficacy, and long-term body image resilience, and how to approach it without slipping into ableism. We’ll cover: The science behind body functionality and why it matters for positive body imageHow sel...
Show more...
Mental Health
Education,
Health & Fitness
Episodes (20/70)
Sturdy Girl
69. Function > Form: Training Your Brain to Notice What Your Body Can Do
What if you stopped judging your body for how it looks — and started appreciating what it can do? This episode explores body functionality appreciation, a research-backed practice that shifts focus from aesthetics to ability. You’ll learn how noticing what your body does builds confidence, self-efficacy, and long-term body image resilience, and how to approach it without slipping into ableism. We’ll cover: The science behind body functionality and why it matters for positive body imageHow sel...
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6 days ago
16 minutes

Sturdy Girl
68. What 'I Feel Fat' Really Means
Ever catch yourself saying “I just feel fat”? You’re not alone — and you’re also not actually describing your body. In this episode, Jess breaks down what that phrase really means, why our brains default to body-bashing language, and how to decode the emotion underneath it. You’ll learn about the psychology of body-image disruptions, body talk, and emotional regulation, plus three sturdy, practical strategies to help you respond with compassion instead of criticism. Because “fat” isn’t a feel...
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2 weeks ago
16 minutes

Sturdy Girl
67. Body Positive Cliches Vs Self-Compassion
Tired of being told to “just love your body”? In this episode, Jess unpacks why body-positive slogans often fall flat — and what the research actually says helps you build a more peaceful, realistic relationship with your body. You’ll learn the difference between body positivity (the movement) and positive body image (the mindset), why self-compassion is a more effective approach than toxic positivity, and three practical ways to start treating your body with respect — even on the hard ...
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3 weeks ago
21 minutes

Sturdy Girl
66. Who’s Talking in There? The Science (and Practice) of Your Inner Voice
Ever catch yourself mid-lift arguing with… yourself? In this episode, Jess digs into the surprisingly powerful science of self-talk — why that inner voice exists, how it shapes your confidence and body image, and three evidence-backed ways to train it so it helps instead of hijacks you. You’ll learn: What self-regulation actually means (and why it matters under the bar and in daily life)Why talking to yourself in the second person (“You’ve got this”) changes your stress responseHow to u...
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4 weeks ago
18 minutes

Sturdy Girl
65. Stronger Than You Think: The Sturdy Science of Pregnancy & Postpartum Body Image
Pregnancy and postpartum body image are often framed through loss and “bounce-back” pressure — but the research tells a different story. In this episode of Sturdy Girl, Jess takes you inside the science and lived experience of pregnancy, weaving in surprising findings about body image, mental health, strength training, and the incredible physiological adaptations that prove just how sturdy our bodies really are. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or just navigating a changing body in anothe...
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1 month ago
34 minutes

Sturdy Girl
64. How to Stop Obsessing Over Your Body (+ Live a Big, Rad Life)
If you’ve ever felt like body thoughts take up way too much of your brain space, this episode is for you. Body image work isn’t about loving your reflection 24/7 — it’s about learning how to stop obsessing over your body so you can shift your focus back to living the big, rad life you deserve. In this episode, I break down the four research-backed pillars of positive body image — appreciation, respect, functionality, and embodiment — and show you how body image flexibility is the key to...
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1 month ago
18 minutes

Sturdy Girl
63. BMI is BS (+ Why Health is Way More Complex)
BMI has been used for decades as a quick way to measure “health” — but here’s the truth: it was never designed for individuals. Created in the 1800s by a mathematician and adopted by insurance companies in the 1970s, BMI ignores body composition, genetics, fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Yet it’s still used to label and shame people in ways that often do more harm than good. In this episode of Sturdy Girl, I break down the history of BMI, why it’s a flawed measure of health, and what t...
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1 month ago
13 minutes

Sturdy Girl
62. What It Really Means to be a Sturdy Human [Season 6!]
We’re back for Season 6 of Sturdy Girl! And we’re kicking things off with a big question: What does it really mean to be a sturdy human? Spoiler: sturdiness isn’t about having defined thigh muscles, perfect confidence, or an unshakable routine. It’s about resilience. It’s about having deep roots and flexible branches — the kind of strength that helps you bend without breaking when life gets messy. In this episode, Jess is breaking down her own evolving definition of sturdiness (from shrinking...
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2 months ago
16 minutes

Sturdy Girl
61. [STURDY SHORT] The 3 Keys That Improved My Body Image
In this bite-sized Sturdy Short, Jess spills the tea on three surprisingly simple things that seriously improved her body image—starting with breaking fashion “rules,” turning down the mind chaos with mindfulness, and learning that self-compassion isn’t just cozy vibes, it’s a power move. If you've been wondering where to start or just need a nudge, there’s a no-pressure “choose one” challenge at the end to help you get out of your head and back into your body—because healing doesn’t have to ...
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6 months ago
10 minutes

Sturdy Girl
60. What Embodiment Really Means—and Why It Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Body Image Work
Do you ever feel like you’re doing all the right mindset work around body image, but something’s still…missing? This week, we’re exploring embodiment—not as a buzzword, but as a powerful, research-backed tool to help you feel more at home in your body. We’ll break down: ✨ What embodiment actually is (and isn’t) 🧠 The difference between self-objectification and body connection 🔬 The science behind how embodiment improves body image, eating habits, and emotional resilience &nb...
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6 months ago
20 minutes

Sturdy Girl
59. [STURDY SHORT] The One Thing Holding You Back From the Life You Want
In this episode of Sturdy Girl, the focus is on breaking free from the mindset of waiting for the 'perfect' moment to start living fully. It challenges listeners, especially women, to stop delaying their dreams until they feel better about their bodies or circumstances. Key points discussed include the pitfalls of waiting for the ideal time, the illusion of waiting for motivation, and the importance of taking small steps aligned with one's values to build momentum. The episode encourages imme...
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6 months ago
8 minutes

Sturdy Girl
58. What *Actually* Helped Me Ditch the Body Image Struggle [Positive Body Image Vs. Body Image Flexibility]
In episode 58 of Sturdy Girl, host Jess delves into the concept of body image flexibility as an empowering alternative to positive body image. She critiques the limitations of the 'love yourself' mantra and emphasizes the importance of accepting body image fluctuations. Jess explains how body image flexibility can reduce distress and disordered eating while improving mental health. She outlines practical ways to develop this skill, such as noticing and naming negative thoughts, using diffusio...
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7 months ago
16 minutes

Sturdy Girl
57. [STURDY SHORT] Stop Pretending to Love Everything About Your Body
In episode 57 of Sturdy Girl, host Jess delves into the pressure of loving every aspect of our bodies and instead promotes the more attainable goal of body acceptance. Key points include the unrealistic standards set by social media, the harmful effects of forced self-love, and practical steps such as curating social media feeds, using realistic affirmations, and practicing sensory awareness to cultivate a healthier body image. Jess emphasizes that our bodies are vessels for experiencing life...
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7 months ago
11 minutes

Sturdy Girl
56. Unpacking Your Body Image Story: More Ways to Improve Body Image
In episode 56 of Sturdy Girl, Jess delves into understanding the difference between thoughts and beliefs and how they shape our body image. She introduces a game to identify these and explains the influence of media, personal experiences, and cultural norms on our perceptions of our bodies. Jess provides practical steps to unlearn harmful body image beliefs, including becoming aware of negative thoughts, challenging them, and replacing criticism with curiosity. She emphasizes the importance o...
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7 months ago
20 minutes

Sturdy Girl
55. [STURDY SHORT] Your To-Do List Will Never Be Empty—So How Will You Spend Your Time?
In episode 55 of Sturdy Girl, host Jess guides listeners through a reflective journey, imagining themselves at age 96, contemplating life's meaningful moments rather than daily tasks and regrets. Key points include prioritizing experiences over perfection, finding joy and connections, and the importance of living authentically. She references insights from 'The Top Five Regrets of the Dying' by Brony Ware and '4,000 Weeks' by Oliver Berkman, and shares a personal an...
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8 months ago
8 minutes

Sturdy Girl
54. [STURDY SHORT] The Right Kind of Goals: How to Set Ones That Stick
In episode 54 of Sturdy Girl, host Jess emphasizes the importance of setting goals that are meaningful, personally tailored, and aligned with your core values. She guides listeners through performing a 'goal audit' to ensure their goals are intrinsically rewarding and not influenced by external pressures. Key points include making goals personally meaningful, ensuring they are your own, aligning them with your values, and performing a gut-check to confirm they reflect yo...
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8 months ago
9 minutes

Sturdy Girl
53. Start Here: A Simple, Effective Guide to Improving Your Body Image & Mindset
This episode explores the concept of body image and provides research-backed keys to improve how we perceive our bodies. Key points include: Body image is more about our thoughts than our physical bodies. Personal anecdotes from Jess about her journey from obsessive running to powerlifting. Defining and differentiating the four types of body image: perceptual, affective, cognitive, and behavioral. The importance of awareness in recognizing and reframing negative tho...
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8 months ago
18 minutes

Sturdy Girl
52. What is Real Self-Love? [Season 5 VDay Special!]
In this Valentine's Day special episode of Sturdy Girl, host Jess challenges the conventional notion that self-love should be the end goal in building a relationship with oneself. Jess discusses the idea of finding a middle ground, focusing on self-respect, self-trust, and self-compassion as more practical and attainable alternatives. She explains the concept of body image flexibility and the importance of function over appearance, providing actionable tips like reframing self-talk and settin...
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8 months ago
18 minutes

Sturdy Girl
51. Exploring Embodiment: It Goes Beyond Just Body Image with Hannah Silva-Breen
Let’s welcome Hannah Silva Breen, a PhD candidate in sports exercise and performance psychology and a practitioner in clinical mental health counseling. Jess and Hannah discuss Hannah's educational and professional journey, her focus on embodiment and mental performance consulting, and her personal experiences with body image, disordered eating, and athletic identity. Hannah elaborates on her research around embodiment in athletes and offers insights on maintaining a healthy mental and physic...
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10 months ago
57 minutes

Sturdy Girl
50. Beyond the Mirror: Tackling Body Image and Building Confidence with Sabrina Del Duca
In this episode of Sturdy Girl, Jess welcomes Sabrina Del Duca, a confidence coach and dancer, to discuss body image, body dysmorphia, and mindset tools for building confidence. Sabrina shares her journey from a 10-year career in advertising to becoming a dance teacher and confidence coach. They delve into the impact of constant self-evaluation in the mirror, experiences with body image growing up, and the importance of accepting one's body. Sabrina also provides actionable tips for building ...
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10 months ago
49 minutes

Sturdy Girl
What if you stopped judging your body for how it looks — and started appreciating what it can do? This episode explores body functionality appreciation, a research-backed practice that shifts focus from aesthetics to ability. You’ll learn how noticing what your body does builds confidence, self-efficacy, and long-term body image resilience, and how to approach it without slipping into ableism. We’ll cover: The science behind body functionality and why it matters for positive body imageHow sel...