In this bonus episode of Taste of Truth Tuesdays, we’re stepping away from our usual deep dives into spirituality and politics to take a hard look at something just as powerful: how media shapes our bodies, minds, and behaviors.
We break down the Netflix documentary Fit for TV, revealing the extreme methods behind reality dieting shows like The Biggest Loser from grueling exercise and near-starvation diets to illegal caffeine pills and the shocking metabolic consequences for contestants years later.
Drawing on research, my experience as a personal trainer and former competitive bodybuilder, and insights from Laura Dodsworth’s Free Your Mind, we explore:
How TV and social media train us to chase impossible body ideals.
The hidden costs of extreme dieting and overtraining on metabolism and hormones.
Why fitness culture often ignores genetics, creating unrealistic expectations and self-blame.
The link between fitspiration, self-objectification, and broader societal pressures on appearance.
We also unpack the science in layman’s terms—like why Biggest Loser contestants burned hundreds fewer calories per day years after the show—and discuss how screens can subtly shape what we believe about ourselves.
If you’ve ever wondered why dieting feels harder over time, why fitness culture can feel exhausting, or how media programs our behaviors without us even realizing it, this episode is for you.
Episode BLOG! 🖇️🔗
Resources & References Mentioned:
Fit for TV (Netflix Documentary)
Laura Dodsworth, Free Your Mind
Biggest Loser long-term metabolic study (2015)
Computers in Human Behavior (2023), study on fitspiration and body dissatisfaction
John Berger, Ways of Seeing
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