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Explore every episode of the podcast The Fat Doctor Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Fat Doctor Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Wellness Influencers: A 400-Year History of the Same Old BS18 Feb 202600:40:51

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Wellness culture didn't start with Instagram. From George Cheyne's 1724 bestseller to Dr. Lulu Hunt Peters redefining fat bodies as "the enemy within," the methods and ideology haven't changed in four centuries—even as the evidence proves they've never worked. In this episode, I trace wellness influencers back to the 17th century, exposing how former fat people turned their weight cycling into moral crusades, transforming fat bodies from "friendly jokes" into threats deserving punishment. These aren't just historical curiosities—they're the architects of today's war on ob*sity, and understanding their playbook helps us see modern wellness influencers for what they really are: unoriginal copycats parroting 400-year-old nonsense. 

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It's Not Your Fault: The Real Factors That Control Your Weight11 Feb 202600:25:38

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The weight loss industry has convinced us that being fat is a personal failure—a consequence of eating too much and moving too little. But the truth is far more complex and liberating. Your weight is controlled by genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, trauma, chronic stress, and systems of oppression that were intentionally designed to control marginalized bodies. 

In this episode, I break down the scientific evidence showing why the "calories in, calories out" narrative is a lie, explore how everything from urbanization to discrimination drives weight gain through cortisol, and reveal how this cycle of blame was always rooted in anti-Black racism, capitalism, and misogyny. It's time to shift responsibility from individuals to the systems and institutions whose literal job it is to address these conditions—because you didn't break this, and you shouldn't have to fix it.

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Ignoring the Harm: Why We Justify Suffering for Weight Loss12 Nov 202500:32:10

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 When doctors recommend weight loss, they describe the supposed benefits but remain silent about the harms—reduced metabolism, increased appetite, hormonal disruption, eating disorders, and profound mental health impacts. This ethical failure extends beyond outdated diet advice to newer interventions like GLP-1 medications, where we celebrate short-term metabolic improvements while ignoring gastrointestinal distress, financial burden, social isolation, and unknown long-term consequences. 

In this episode, Asher challenges the dangerous assumption that fat people should suffer to become thinner, exposing how this narrative serves the weight loss industry's profits while treating fat bodies as unworthy of basic ethical consideration in healthcare. 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

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Why the American Academy of Pediatrics is WRONG (part 1)18 Jan 202301:08:08

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There is a CONTENT WARNING for stigmatizing language, medical weight stigma/ trauma and s**icide.  Asher is joined by regular guest Jeanette Thompson-Wessen (she/her), Anti-diet Nutritionist, Intuitive Eating and Body Acceptance Coach.  Together they discuss the recently published American Academy of Pedicatrics (AAP) guidelines on the management of childhood & adolescent oB*siTy, in particular the evidence (or lack of evidence) that supports their advice that:

  1. Children as young as 12 should be offered weight loss drugs
  2. Children as young as 13 should be offered weight loss surgery


Thank you for listening

You can find out more about Jeanette on her website and by following her on social media. Click here to book one of her courses

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, talks all things related to weight stigma, fatphobia and fat liberation.  They will be joined by several regular guests as well as guests from throughout the fat activism sphere.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one.

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

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Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The Crazy Progressive Liberal Snowflake11 May 202200:25:02

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Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 3 of the Fat Doctor Podcast, or as Asher likes to think of it, the reboot.  In this episode they be challenge the crazy progressive liberal snowflake stereotype.  Apparently fat liberation is extremism.  Or is it?

In this episode, Asher discusses:

  • Their own journey into fat liberation
  • Why basic human rights and freedom from discrimination and oppression is not radical extremism
  • Why BMI and "ob*sity" have no business being part of heath or healthcare
  • Why focusing on weight loss is a waste of breath


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one.

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the twelfth law: Is it OK to discriminate against fat people?01 May 202200:28:32

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In the final episode of season 2, Dr. Asher Larmie not only asks the question "is it OK to discriminate against fat people", but they also reflect on the future of the Fat Doctor Podcast.

In this episode, Asher discusses:

  • Why the wellness industry keeps getting it wrong
  • What it means to be a "progressive"
  • The reality of podcasting and how they plan to make this podcast more sustainable for the future


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one.

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the eleventh law: is BMI fit for purpose?12 Apr 202201:04:31

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In order to challenge the eleventh law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Body Trust® Coach Nicola Hagett.

In this episode, Asher and Nicola discuss:

  • The double bind of health and healthcare
  • What medical trauma looks like
  • Compassion for those that feel the need to perform the role of the "good fat"

References:

Nicola can be found on Instagram, and Twitter. You can sign up to her newslette  and find all the information about the services she offers on her website.

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about Nicola

Nicola a Body Trust Coach for plus-sized/fat humans. She iz also a fat person who practices Body Trust® every day in order to heal, thrive, and reclaim the joy and pleasure in her life.

She supports and guides smart, socially conscious humans  to heal their relationship with food, unlearn body shame, and live their fullest life, right now, in the body they’re in. 

Nicola helps folks move from “getting it intellectually” to integrating these approaches fully into their life – without getting pulled off course by Diet Culture and Anti-Fatness. She shows people how to explore, name & reclaim their Body Story, learn to trust their body’s wisdom, unpack fear of weight gain, and redefine what health and wellbeing mean for them.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one.

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle




Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the tenth law: can anyone lose weight if they try hard enough?01 Apr 202200:54:57

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In order to challeng  the tenth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by comedian and Tik Tok sensation  Cara McB.

In this episode, Asher and Cara discuss:

  • Health through the lens of productivity and capitalism
  • The process of ditching diet culture to fighting for social justice
  • How privilege influences health



References:

Cara can be found on  Instagram, and  Tik Tok. 

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok. 



Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the ninth law: Can fatness be "cured" by eating less and exercising more?30 Mar 202200:54:08

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In order to challenge the eighth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Superfat fitness instructor Becky Scott, founder of Missfits Workout.

In this episode, Asher and Becky discuss:

  • The difference between longevity and quality of life and how this relates to health
  • Performing the role of the "good fat"
  • What it is like to be a fat fitness professional
  • The role of thin allies in the fitness profession


References:

Becky can be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can find all the information about the classes she offers on her website and you can also join her at FPAWS and as part of the Rebel Body Collective.

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about Becky

Becky is a trained as a fitness instructor and now leads her own dance-based exercise classes.  She promotes a holistic approach to fitness and wellbeing that’s not about aesthetics - She’s more about building confidence than muscle, more about losing inhibitions than inches! Becky’s approach offers a great introduction to dance based group fitness for those who don’t feel ‘at home’ in the gym - with a plus size instructor who has designed routines with plus size bodies in mind.

She is a founding members of Fitness Professionals Against Weight Stigma, a Community Interest Company striving to create inclusive fitness spaces where every body feels welcome and comfortable enough to feel the true benefits of physical activity.  In addition, she recently joined the Rebel Body Collective, a community of weight-neutral, size-inclusive, HAES-aligned, body liberation-oriented movement professionals.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the eighth law: Is fatness a sign of weakness and lack of self respect?16 Mar 202201:02:28

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In order to challenge the eighth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by eating disorder advocate William Hornby.  Content Warning for eating disorders. 

In this episode, Asher and William discuss:

  • The dangers of performance and appearance based health 
  • What eating disorders actually look like as opposed to what we think they look like
  • The challenges of recovering from an eating disorder into a fatphobic world
  • Ways to support recovery, especially in men/masculine presenting people


References:

William can be found on Instagram and TikTok.  You can also find a number of resources on his website

You can listen to his music on Spotify and YouTube

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about William

William Hornby is at the forefront of raising awareness for men with eating disorders with his advocacy on TikTok and Instagram Reels. He is a recording artist as well. (His debut single, “Clay,” is out on all streaming platforms now!) He currently holds a BBA in Business Management from Temple University and expects to earn his BFA in Musical Theatre in 2022. He trained in classical voice at the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts. He loves hiking, listening to NPR, and carving pumpkins. He is humbled to be asked on to such an incredible podcast.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the seventh law: Can you be fat and healthy?09 Mar 202200:48:52

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In order to challenge the seventh law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Nicola Salmon, fat-positive fertility coach and author of “Fat and Fertile”.   

In this episode, Asher and Nicola discuss:

  • The challenges that some people face when TTC in a fat body
  • Whether it is possible to be fat and have a healthy pregnancy
  • If weight loss helps fertility or pregnancy
  • If it is possible to be fat and healthy


References:

Nicola's book Fat and Fertile: how to get pregnant in a bigger body can be purchased now.

Nicola can be found on Instagram and through her website


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about Nicola Salmon

Nicola helps fat folks navigate getting pregnant in a weight-obsessed world and advocates for change in how fat people are treated whilst accessing help with their fertility.  She uses her unique fat positive framework to support people in finding their own version of health without diets, advocate for their bodies, relearn how to trust their body and believe in their ability to get pregnant. 


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the sixth law: Should good health should be our number one priority?02 Mar 202200:55:43

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In order to challenge the sixth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Caleb Luna, an artist, public scholar and theorist of the body.  They are the author of REVENGE BODY and co-host of the podcast Unsolicited: Fatties Talk Back

In this episode, Asher and Caleb discuss:

  • How health and wellness culture is abelist and classist
  • How the pursuit of health and wellness is cultural and should not be assumed
  • How they learned to flip the script and embrace their fatness
  • The beauty of queer culture


References:

Caleb's book REVENGEBODY can be purchased now.

Caleb can be found on Instagram and through their website

You can listen to Unsolicited Fatties Talk Back wherever you listen to your podcast. 

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about Caleb Luna

As a Ph.D. candidate in Performance Studies at UC Berkeley, Caleb's dissertation reads race, size and sexuality in contemporary U.S. media and cultural production. Publishing, performing and curating across genre and medium, their work is interested in engaging embodied difference as a generative resource toward fatter understandings of collective freedom. 


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the fifth law: Do we society a debt of health?23 Feb 202200:50:13

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In order to challenge the fifth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Da'Shaun Harrison, a Black, fat, queer and trans theorist and abolitionist in Atlanta, GA. Harrison is the author of Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness, and is a public speaker who often gives talks and leads workshops on Blackness, queerness, gender, fatness, disabilities, and their intersections. Harrison currently serves as the Editor-at-Large for Scalawag Magazine.

In this episode, Asher and Da'Shaun discuss:

  • How health is violence
  • How the medical profession is founded on the subjugation of black people
  • How slavery impacts the doctor-patient relationship in 21st century America
  • Where we go from here


References:

Da'Shaun's book is Belly of the beast: The politics of anti-fatness as anti-blackness can be purchased now, and the audiobook is now available.

Da'Shaun can be found on TwitterInstagram and Facebook

Their website is Dashaunharrison.com

You can listen to Unsolicited Fatties Talk Back wherever you listen to your podcast. 

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

More about Da'Shaun Harrison

Writing, for Da’Shaun, is not solely a passion or talent, but it is the foundation on which their home—their love, their survival, their creativity—is built. It is their expression of self; their contribution to the documentation of the histories of oppressed/colonized peoples. Harrison’s writing has appeared in PhiladelphiaPrint, Medium, THEM, Black Youth Project, BET, and other online publications. 


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Why It's So Hard To Just BE Fat05 Nov 202500:27:41

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 We've been taught to hate and fear fat bodies in equal measure—for social reasons, moral reasons, and medicalized health reasons that justify the first two. Society tells us fat people don't belong, that we're unacceptable, abnormal, and undesirable. We're judged as lazy, undisciplined moral failures who are stealing resources from those who deserve them. And when these prejudices become too uncomfortable to defend, health concern provides the perfect cover. In this episode, I break down exactly why it's so hard to accept that it's okay to be fat, even for rational, critical-thinking people who should know better. Because when you understand why society has framed fat bodies as a problem, you can begin to resist internalizing that message. 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the fourth law: Is a person's worth determined by their health?16 Feb 202200:57:18

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In order to challenge the fourth law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Michelle Osbourne, a content creator, communications professional and multi-disciplined educator that specializes in helping marginalized communities build socially conscious brands

In this episode, Asher and Michelle discuss:

  • How we often seek external validation to define our worth
  • How to handle negative comments about our bodies and health concern trolling
  • The difference between confidence, body positivity and body neutrality
  • The importance of instersectional fat activism


References:

Michelle can be found on Instagram and Tik Tok

Michelle's website is Michelle Osbourne & Co

You can email Michelle at hello@michelleosbourne.com 

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

More about Michelle Osbourne

Michelle works from an anti-racist, anti-oppression, intersectional feminist framework and can often be heard speaking on topics such as body liberation, self-confidence, marginalized woman issues and LGBTQ2+ rights. She’s been a frequent guest speaker on radio, podcasts, voted CBC’s 2021 Black Changemakers, featured on T.V. and in magazines such as City News Montreal and Today’s Parent. With over 15 years of experience working in marketing and communications, Michelle is the owner of her own branding and communications studio Michelle Osbourne & Co. and is also the Creative Director of Project Femme Noire, a photo series that celebrates Black women living in Québec City.

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the third law: Are individuals responsible for improving their own health? (Part 2)09 Feb 202200:40:02

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In order to challenge the third law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Dr Lily O'Hara, Associate Professor of Public Health at Qatar University.  Her research focuses on analyzing oppressive public health approaches to body weight and their inequitable impact on people with larger bodies, and developing ethical, evidence-based, salutogenic public health initiatives for body liberation using the social justice-based Health at Every Size approach.

In Part Two, Asher and Lily discuss:

  • Wellness culture and how different it is from the salutogenic, ecological health paradigm
  • The ethics of weight loss surgery
  • Why some people are fanatical about wellness culture
  • Why we can't assume that between population based studies apply to  individuals


References:

Season 1, Episode 10 of the Fat Doctor Podcast; "The one about cancer".

The Weighting Room Webinar on Weight Loss Surgery

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

More about the Dr Lily O'Hara

Dr Lily O’Hara is Associate Professor of Public Health at Qatar University. She is a public health and health promotion educator and practitioner with experience in Australia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Lily has worked on community, workplace, and school-based programs addressing a broad range of health and wellbeing issues. Lily’s research focuses on developing the critical health promotion competencies of the community, workforce, and institutions through the development of the Red Lotus Critical Health Promotion Model, professional development, and teaching.   

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the third law: Are individuals responsible for improving their own health? (Part 1)09 Feb 202200:49:27

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In order to challenge the third law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Dr Lily O'Hara, Associate Professor of Public Health at Qatar University.  Her research focuses on analyzing oppressive public health approaches to body weight and their inequitable impact on people with larger bodies, and developing ethical, evidence-based, salutogenic public health initiatives for body liberation using the social justice-based Health at Every Size approach.

In Part One, Asher and Lily discuss:

  • How we should be defining health
  • How the salutogenic model is enhanced by the ecological model
  • The social determinants of health
  • How the Red Lotus Model allows us to understand health promotion through a social justice and body liberation critical lens


References:

The article that Asher often refers to her and recommends everyone reads is

The Red Lotus Model (2007 edition)

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

More about the Dr Lily O'Hara

Dr Lily O’Hara is Associate Professor of Public Health at Qatar University. She is a public health and health promotion educator and practitioner with experience in Australia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Lily has worked on community, workplace, and school-based programs addressing a broad range of health and wellbeing issues. Lily’s research focuses on developing the critical health promotion competencies of the community, workforce, and institutions through the development of the Red Lotus Critical Health Promotion Model, professional development, and teaching.   

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the second law: Can health be easily controlled?02 Feb 202200:55:08

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In order to challenge the second law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Rachel Wardle, a Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist who is currently working in respiratory care for children and young people with complex neurodisability.  She has been fat the vast majority of her life, and currently falls into the superfat category

Together Asher and Rachel discuss:

  • How much control we have over our health
  • How the COVID pandemic changed our perceptions of health
  • Their experiences of working through the pandemic 
  • The challenges faced by fat healthcare professionals working in often times hostile anti-fat spaces

Content Warning:
COVID and experiences on ITU, fat shaming, weight stigma, explicit language


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Introducing the 12 laws of healthism26 Jan 202200:45:53

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In series 2 of their podcast Dr. Asher Larmie (formerly Natasha) explores the concepts of health and healthism by challenging 12 simple tenants that they believe form the very foundation of this modern day religion.  Alongside 12 incredible guests, they challenge each law and slowly build a narrative that challenges almost everything we believe about health and fatness.  

Episode 1 is an introduction to the laws, which are as follows:

  1. Health is something that can be easily defined
  2. Health is something that we can control
  3. We are responsible for improving our own health  
  4. A person’s worth is determined by their health     
  5. We owe society a debt of health. People in poor health are a drain on society. The healthy few end up paying for the lazy, unhealthy masses.
  6. Good health should be our number one priority  
  7. You cannot be fat and healthy  
  8. Fatness is a sign of weakness and lack of self-respect
  9. Fatness can be cured by eating less and moving more  
  10. Everyone can lose weight if they try hard enough  
  11. BMI is a perfectly good measure of health and any health professional that disagrees is not fit for purpose  
  12. It is OK to discriminate against fat people  


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok



More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Challenging the first law: Can health be easily defined?26 Jan 202200:53:26

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In order to challenge the first law of healthism, Dr. Asher Larmie is joined by Dr Emma Green (PhD). Emma is a writer, editor and freelance researcher. Informed by her PhD in Health Psychology and personal training certification, Emma’s work aims to challenge assumptions in the health and fitness space by sharing science and generating constructive conversations. 

Together Asher and Emma discuss:

  • The complex definition of health. 
  • How much influence diet and exercise has on a person's overall health
  • Why many associate health with fatness
  • The importance of mental health
  • Some lesser known facts about eating disorders and disordered eating


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Asher so that they can continue making them, you can join them on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join their Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out their webiste or find them on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Emma Green in on Instagram

Fitness Professionals Against Weight Stigma (FPAWS) is a Community Interest Company striving to create inclusive fitness spaces where every body feels welcome and comfortable enough to feel the true benefits of physical activity. They can also be found on Instagram.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In series 2 of their podcast, Dr Asher Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges the laws that make up the foundations of mordern day healthism.

They tackles the various ways in which these laws contribute to weight stigma and fat oppression through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.  In order to really tackle weight stigma, Asher believes that you must first challenge society's definition of health, it's relationship with disease, and why fat has become public enemy number one. 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

How to dance your way through weight stigma (with Arielle and Zoe)29 Sep 202100:39:58

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In the final episode of the series, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by Arielle, owner of Dance Life in Madison, WI, and her wife Zoe.  Their love for each other and  their passion for encouraging and uplifting folks through dance makes this episode a fun and inspirational way to end the first season of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’.

Together Natasha, Arielle and Zoe discuss:

  • The challenges of recovering from an eating disorder in a larger body
  • The history of belly dancing and the influence of White European culture on this particular form of dance
  • The joys of embracing one's belly
  • The benefits of freeing oneself from the male gaze
  • How to challenge fat oppression through joyful movement


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Dance Life, Madison, WI.

Dance Life is on Instagram


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Dance Life:

Dance Life is a fat positive, body positive in-person and livestream dance studio offering belly dance, burlesque, ballet and cardio dance classes for adults. They are a small business in Madison, WI and they believe strongly that dance and movement is for EVERY body.  They warmly welcome participants of all genders, sizes, races, ages, mobility or ability level and are firm believers in the principles of Health At Every Size® (HAES).  They make sure all bodies are treated with the respect and love that they deserve, and that everybody is made to feel great exactly as they are.  They ensure that everyone knows that they have the right to pursue health behaviors like dance and aerobics if they so desire, and they try to ensure that all their participants are able to relate positively to their body and have a blast.  As Arielle says, all jiggles are good jiggles! 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Childhood trauma and weight stigma (with "Kate")22 Sep 202100:52:21

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***Content Warning: Talk of childhood abuse, sexual trauma and mental health. This episode may be triggering for some ***

In this episode of the ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by "Kate" who shares her experiences of childhood sexual abuse and how this impacted her relationship with her body and food.  

Together they cover:

  • How childhood trauma impacts both health and weight
  • Why emotional eating is common in trauma survivors
  • Why health professionals need to be trauma informed

Please note that the first 8:19 mins do not contain any details of abuse and focus on the impact of childhood trauma on health and wellbeing.

Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Help after Rape and Sexual Assault (NHS)
Victim Support (Childhood abuse)
The the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Help for Adult Victims Of Child Abuse (HAVOCA)
NSPCC (advice for victims of non-recent abuse)
Guide to support options for abuse (MIND)
SupportLine 

If you suspect a child is being abused please report this to your local social services department or the police.

If you are a child who is being abused, please contact Childline on 0800 1111

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study is free to view, and the CDC also provides some helpful information. 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Weight Stigma and diet (with Jeanette Thompson-Wessen)16 Sep 202100:51:22

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by Non diet nutritionist and secondary school teacher, Jeanette Thompson-Wessen.  Jeanette is a qualified nutritionist who specialises in intuitive eating and body image, and also happens to teach during the week. She is known as The Mindset Nutritionist, and is one of the co-founders and directors of Health Professionals Against Weight Stigma (HPAWS).  She is also mum to two girls (for now!) and lives in Kent with her husband.

Together Natasha and Jeanette discuss:

  • How to act professional when really you're just the best of friends who don't know how to take things seriously
  • What is intuitive eating
  • How diet culture impacts the nutrition industry
  • Body acceptance
  • The dangers of dieting during pregnancy


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

The Mindset Nutritionist

Jeanette is on Instagram


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Jeanette:

Jeanette helps people who are tired of dieting feel in control of what they are eating and create healthy behaviours that last a lifetime through eating intuitively.  She has a degree in Nutrition and is a proud member of ASDAH (the Association for Size Diversity and Health).  She has firsthand experience of living in a larger body and the dangers of diet culture. Jeanette has  worked in a Dietetics and Nutrition department helping in heart rehabilitation and diabetes education. She has even worked in family weight management. She wanted to become a nutrition counsellor but thought that she couldn’t because of her weight so she became a Food and Nutrition teacher, following her passion to help people and their health. 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Why diets can't be trusted (with Natala)08 Sep 202100:53:45

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In this second of a two-part series of the ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by Natala, a former serial dieter and 'c-list celebrity in the plant-based diet world'. Natala shares her experience of the ugly side of the health and well-being industry, and confirms what we already know - diets can't be trusted. 

Together they cover:

  • The difference between ethical veganism and the plant-based diet industry
  • The frightening truth about what goes on behind the scenes
  • How easy it is to become caught up in the world of healthism
  • The truth about Whole Foods
  • The reason we being told to eat Kale instead of Collard greens


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:


Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Taylor's story: What if everyone else is right and we're wrong?15 Oct 202500:38:25

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Taylor was diagnosed with sleep apnea six months ago and told the only real solution was weight loss. Like so many fat people, they've tried every diet imaginable—keto, Weight Watchers, calorie counting—and watched their weight cycle up and down for years. When a friend introduced them to intuitive eating and the anti-diet movement, it felt revolutionary. But the what-ifs started creeping in. What if I just keep eating and never stop? What if this damages my health? What if everyone saying "just lose weight" is actually right, and I'm the one who's wrong? 

In this episode, I walk through Taylor's very real, very valid fears about ditching diets for good—because when you're fat, choosing to stop pursuing weight loss isn't just giving up dieting. It's accepting you may never access the privileges thin people get automatically, from medical care to airplane seats to basic dignity. I talk about why these fears are legitimate, what the evidence actually says, and why fat people need other fat people—not thin allies—to navigate this journey. 

Don't forget to order your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit here.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Weight Stigma Kills (with Natala)01 Sep 202100:55:15

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[CW: weight talk, extreme dieting methods, medical abuse]

In this first of a two part series of the ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by Natala, a former serial dieter whose incredible story highlights just how dangerous medical weight stigma can be. A former 'c-list celebrity in the plant-based diet world', Natala shares her experience of how she has finally conquered anti-fat bias in a disabled body. 

Together they cover:

  • Why doctors shouldn't put children on a diet
  • How doctors should never BLAME their patients for their condition
  • Just how far people are willing to go to lose weight
  • The potentially fatal consequences of weight stigma
  • Just how awesome her brother is!


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Episode 7 - weight stigma in Children with Molly Forbes and Body Happy Org

Jes Baker is @themilitantbaker on instagram

Further information about Cushings can be found here.

For information about how to manage medical conditions without dieting, check out HAES Health Sheets.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The One About Cancer25 Aug 202100:48:21

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie challenges the claim that ob*sity is a risk factor for cancer, secondary only to smoking.  This is the first time Natasha flies solo and she admits to being a little anxious about it!

Today's podcast includes:

  • Why you cannot compare weight with smoking
  • Why weight isn't a behaviour or something you can easily control
  • The embarrassingly flawed evidence that links weight with cancer
  • Why causation is not the same as association (and why everyone knows better but refuses to acknowledge it)
  • The real reasons why rates of cancers are higher in fat folk and why change is necessary


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Article from the NEJM

Article from the Lancet

Cancer Research UK Campaign

Essay by a medical student on how the Cancer Research UK campaign was flawed (published by the BMJ)

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

Connect With Me

Find me on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Fat and Fit (with Amy Snelling)18 Aug 202100:56:58

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by weight inclusive fitness trainer, campaigner and former teacher, Amy Snelling.  Amy co-founded the organisation Fitness Professionals Against Weight Stigma (FPAWS), a community Interest Company that strives to create inclusive fitness spaces where every body feels welcome and comfortable enough to feel the true benefits of physical activity

Together Natasha and Amy discuss:

  • The impact of weight stigma and diet culture on the fitness industry
  • Why it is normal for fat folk to feel intimidated by fitness spaces
  • How physical activity has nothing to do with weight loss
  • All about FPAWS
  • What it means to be a thin ally


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

The FPAWS website and instagram page.

Becky Scott (@missfitsworkout) and Emma Green (@emmafitnessphd)

Natasha's blog post "why the gym is a scary place part 1 and part 2)

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Amy:

After experiencing problems with disordered eating, poor body image and an exercise obsession, Amy turned from primary school teacher to personal trainer in order to try and help others not fall into the same trap with their diet and fitness. After working with clients of all different shapes and sizes, she started to see how fat phobia and weight stigma deeply affected their ability to show up in the gym and their lives generally. She set up ‘Fitness Professionals Against Weight Stigma’ to push for more awareness and education in the fitness industry.

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When Weight Stigma Meets Racism (with Ciekeisha)11 Aug 202100:58:06

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by Ciekeisha, a stay at home mom and social activist who lives in Texas and shares her firsthand experience of how weight stigma and racism intersect in today's society.


Together Natasha and Ciekeisha share a personal and intimate conversation about the following:

  • The intersection between racism and weight stigma
  • The social determinants of health including financial stability, access to education and inequalities in healthcare 
  • The frightening truth about medical insurance in the USA and how a person's healthcare is determined by their income
  • The proper etiquette for eating chicken wing and raising 21st century daughters


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Ciekeisha recommends you collow @saucyewest on Instagram and check out #fightforinclusivity


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Ciekeisha (written by Natasha):

Ciekeisha knows what it is like to be a black person living in a larger body.  She has firsthand experience of race and weight based discrimination and how the two often intersect.  She was raised by a grandfather who was passionate about history and a grandmother who took care of a family in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement.  Ciekeisha lives in Texas which has one of the highest racial pay gap in the entire USA. It is no wonder that she is a passionate social justice activist who speaks passionately and eloquently, and has the ability to charm everyone that she meets. 

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

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Weight Stigma in Children (with Molly Forbes)04 Aug 202100:54:29

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by writer, campaigner and public speaker, Molly Forbes.  Molly is the Director of Body Happy Org and author of the book "Body Happy Kids: how to help children and teens love the skin they’re in". 


Together Natasha and Molly share a passionate and spirited discussion about:

  • The impact of diet culture and anti-fat bias in children
  • Ways in which we can start tackling weight stigma in schools and other organisations that work with children
  • Weight Management Services and the dangers of weighing children in school
  • The West Sussex case in which 2 children were removed from their loving home after failing at weight loss


Thank you for listening

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support Natasha so that she can continue making them, you can join her on Patreon.  If you fancy connecting with other like-minded people in a safe and non judgmental environment, then why not join her Facebook group the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’? You can also check out her webiste or find her on all the usual social media channels including Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

The Body Happy Org website.

The book Body Happy Kids: how to help children and teens love the skin they’re in.

A more details analysis of the West Sussex case is available on my website.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Molly:

Molly Forbes is an author, campaigner, public speaker and the Director of Body Happy Org CIC. She is also - most importantly - a mum to two little girls. Molly appeared as one of the hosts on Channel 4’s pre-watershed body image boosting show Naked Beach, founded the #FreeFromDiets campaign and is author of the book Body Happy Kids, how to help children and teens love the skin they’re in (pub. by Vermilion, Penguin Random House). She also co-hosts the hit podcast Body Cons. A trained journalist and broadcaster with more than 15 years in the industry, Molly is an experienced public speaker and media commentator, regularly delivering talks to a wide range of organisations and appearing on TV and radio to discuss the subject of body image. 

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The Truth Behind Weight Loss and Big Pharma (with Mikey Mercedes) 28 Jul 202100:58:09

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by fat liberationist writer, creator, and doctoral student from the Bronx, New York, Marquisele (Mikey) Mercedes.


Together Dr Larmie and MIkey intimately discuss the following:

  • Weight stigma in big pharma. 
  • Do doctors really receive huge sums of money from large pharmaceutical companies? 
  • They touch on the opioid epidemic in the USA vs UK and the role played by doctors and governing bodies. 
  • How much influence do large pharmaceutical companies have on research?


Thank you for listening! Connect with Dr Natasha Larmie and other like-minded people in the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’ community over on Facebook here. You can also find her on Instagram at @fatdoctoruk. 


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Mikey’s work can be found at the following links

patreon.com/marquisele

twitter.com/marquisele

You can connect with Marquisele on Instagram @fatmarquisele.



More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Mikey Mercedes:

Marquisele Mercedes is a fat liberationist writer, creator, and doctoral student from the Bronx, New York. As a Presidential Fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health, her work focuses on how racism, anti-Blackness, and fatphobia have shaped health care, research, and public health promotion and training. She is passionate about using public scholarship in various mediums to make science and research more accessible to those outside of academic institutions, as well as reshape interventions at multiple levels to make the world safer for fat people of color. She writes frequently about fat politics and race/ism in the sciences and culture, often with a particular emphasis on the public health space. Her ultimate goal is to push the field of public health in alignment with the values of long-time movements for liberation, justice, and abolition. 



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Psychology and Weight Stigma (with Alexis Conason, PSY.D.)21 Jul 202100:49:53

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist-supervisor Alexis Conason, PSY.D.

Together Natasha and Alexis intimately discuss the following:

  • What influenced Alexis to write her new book  ‘The Diet Free Revolution: 10 Steps to Free Yourself from the Diet Cycle with Mindful Eating and Radical Self-Acceptance’.
  • What a ‘diet cycle’ is and why it’s not sustainable.
  • Intuitive eating and how it differs from restrictive diets.
  • Disordered eating and how weight can influence the type of care and diagnosis you receive. 
  • How trauma can affect both self love and eating habits. 

Thank you for listening! Are you interested in watching extended versions of these podcasts and supporting The Fat Doctor Podcast? Then why not join her on Patreon. You can also become part of her Facebook Group Friends of the Fat Doctor or check out her website for more including social media.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Conason’s book ‘The Diet Free Revolution: 10 Steps to Free Yourself from the Diet Cycle with Mindful Eating and Radical Self-Acceptance’ is available to buy here and at other book retailers. 

You can connect with Dr. Conason on Instagram @theantidietplan.

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Alexis Conason, PSY.D.:

ALEXIS CONASON, PSY.D., CEDS-S, is a clinical psychologist and certified eating disorder specialist-supervisor in private practice in New York City. Her group practice, Conason Psychological Services, specializes in the treatment of binge eating disorder, disordered eating, body image concerns, and psychological issues related to bariatric weight loss surgery.  She is the founder of The Anti-Diet Plan, a weight-inclusive online mindful eating program designed to help people stop dieting, eat more attuned with their body, and live more peaceful and pleasurable lives. She is the author of The Diet Free Revolution: 10 Steps to Free Yourself from the Diet Cycle with Mindful Eating and Radical Self-Acceptance (June 2021, North Atlantic Books), available wherever books are sold. Dr. Conason is a fierce advocate for helping people recognize and question the societal norms that encourage feeling not good enough about themselves so they can stop fixating on shrinking their bodies and reclaim the space that they deserve in the world. You can find her on social media @theantidietplan.



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What is so wrong with being fat? (with Vangeya M'hone)14 Jul 202100:55:45

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by close friend, self-appointed sister and Lawyer, Vangeya M’hone.

Together Dr Larmie and Vangeya discuss the following:

  • How weight gain has always been a looming presence in Vangeya’s life since early childhood.
  • How Vangeya had previously been weight cycling with a plethora of different diets in the past.
  • Vangeya’s experiences as a tall, Black, plus-sized woman in Law in the UK. 
  • The connection between fatphobia and racism. 
  • How two delayed medical diagnoses have affected Vangeya’s life and weight and how they are connected to one another.   

Thank you for listening! Connect with Dr Natasha Larmie and other like-minded people in the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’ community over on Facebook here. You can also find her on Instagram at @fatdoctoruk. 


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

You can connect with Vangeya on Instagram at @vangeya.m.

And LinkedIn here.

 

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Vangeya M’hone:

Vangeya studied Sociology with Social Policy at the University of Warwick before converting her degree to law and ultimately building a specialism in Real Estate.

While having built a successful career in the legal sphere, Vangeya has decided now is the time to live out her passions. Therefore, in recent months Vangeya has been committing more of her time to indulging her love for the written word and seeing how she can pursue her writing as a career.  In summer 2020 Vangeya took the first steps toward this goal by being part of an ensemble project that saw her fulfil a lifelong ambition of becoming a published author.

Vangeya is a lover of cooking, travel and all things Austen.



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Weight Stigma in Healthcare (With Dr Greg Dodell)06 Jul 202100:44:13

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by board-certified endocrinologist Dr Greg Dodell.

Together Dr Larmie and Dr Greg Dodell discuss the following:

  • Discuss the differences between medical education in the UK and the USA.
  • How Dr Dodell became involved in offering weight inclusive care.
  • The harm that can be caused by not providing weight inclusive care.
  • They discuss the fixation on weight by doctors with it comes to endocrine disorders such as diabetes and PCOS.
  • They discuss differences between medical care in the UK and USA in terms of cost of care. 

Thank you for listening! Connect with Dr Natasha Larmie and other like-minded people in the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’ community over on Facebook here. You can also find her on Instagram at @fatdoctoruk. 


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Dr Dodell’s wife Alexis Conason Psy.D.’s book ‘The Diet-Free Revolution’ is available for pre-order at here.

You can connect with Dr Greg Dodell on Instagram at @everything_endocrine.

You can also connect with Alexis Conason Psy.D. on Instagram at @theantidietplan.

More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Dr Greg Dodell:

Dr. Dodell is a board-certified endocrinologist. He received his medical degree from

Albany Medical College. He completed his internal medicine and endocrinology Fellowship at St. Luke’s - Roosevelt Hospital Center, affiliated with Columbia University. He is in private practice at Central Park Endocrinology, PC.



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What Is Weight Stigma? (With Ragen Chastain)06 Jul 202100:50:32

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by speaker, writer, Certified Health Coach, and thought leader in the fields of Body Image, Health at Every Size, and Weight Stigma Ragen Chastain.

Together Dr Larmie and Ragen intimately discuss the following:

  • What is weight stigma and fatphobia?
  • Where and how weight stigma manifests in the life of people living in bigger bodies. 
  • Ragen discusses the highs and lows of her experiences as both a fat athlete and a thought leader in the area of weight stigma. 
  • They bust myths regarding health and weight loss in both research and medical practice and the harm that it causes. 

Thank you for listening! Connect with Dr Natasha Larmie and other like-minded people in the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’ community over on Facebook here. You can also find her on Instagram at @fatdoctoruk. 


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

You can find out more about Ragen’s Monthly Workshops (including video library of past workshops) at https://danceswithfat.org/monthly-online-workshops/.

You can find the HAES Health Sheets for Diagnosis-Specific Weight Neutral Healthcare information and research bank at: www.HAESHealthSheets.com

Or connect with like-minded people at Ragen’s Weight Neutral Fitness for All Shapes and Sizes community ‘Fit Fatties’ here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitfatties.


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.



Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

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The Weight Loss Lie: A History of Medical Mistakes08 Oct 202500:36:02

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 We've been told our entire lives that losing weight will prevent health problems. But where did this belief come from? In this episode, I trace the shocking history of how insurance companies, pharmaceutical funding, and arbitrary statistical cut-offs created the mythical illness we now know as "ob*sity" crisis. From Quetelet's obsession with the "average man" to the International Ob*sity Task Force's pharmaceutical funding, I expose how we've been working off logical fallacies for over a century. There's no evidence that being fat causes health conditions, no evidence of a "healthy weight for height," and no evidence that weight loss improves health outcomes. It's time we stopped treating statistical artifacts as medical truth. 

Don't forget to order your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit.

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Introducing the Fat Doctor (With Tanya Phoenix)07 Jun 202100:45:27

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In this episode of ‘The Fat Doctor Podcast’, Dr. Natasha Larmie is joined by her sister - children’s author and singer/songwriter - Tanya Phoenix. Dr. Larmie and Tanya discuss their  ancestry, how it influenced the culture surrounding food and body image in their childhood home and yet although they grew up in the same home, ate the same food, and experienced the same weight shaming on a regular basis they both turned out very differently. 

Together Dr Larmie and Tanya intimately discuss the following:

  • Why their family was so focused on body image and thinness.
  • Dr Larmie discusses how the body shaming she experienced as child has followed her into adulthood.
  • Research based evidence into how body shaming and dieting in the family can negatively affect children. 
  • How weight loss isn’t necessarily a sign of health from both a physical and mental perspective. 


Thank you for listening! Connect with Dr Natasha Larmie and other like-minded people in the ‘Friends of The Fat Doctor’ community over on Facebook here. You can also find her on Instagram at @fatdoctoruk. 


Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

You can find out more about Tanya on Instagram at @firebirdinthefigtree.

 You can learn more about Tanya’s brilliant stories at @beatrixphoenixwrites.  


More about the show:

How would you react if someone told you that most of what we are taught to believe about healthy bodies is a lie? 

How would you feel if that person was a medical doctor with over 20 years experience treating patients and seeing the harm caused by all this misinformation?

In her podcast, Dr Natasha Larmie,  an experienced General Practitioner and self-styled Fat Doctor, examines and challenges 'health' as we know it through passionate, unfiltered conversations with guest experts, colleagues and friends.

She tackles the various ways in which weight stigma and anti-fat bias impact both individuals and society as a whole.  From the classroom to the boardroom, the doctors office to the local pub,  weight-based discrimination is everywhere. Is it any wonder that it has such an impact on our health? 

Whether you're a person affected by weight stigma, a healthcare professional, a concerned parent or an ally who shares our view that people in larger bodies deserve better, Dr. Larmie and the team at 'The Fat Doctor Podcast' welcomes you into the inner circle.


More about Tanya Phoenix:

The daughter of immigrants and the descendant of genocide survivors, Tanya Phoenix is a singer/songwriter, author and ‘truth teller’ who is no stranger to ‘otherness’ as a self-described ‘short, fat, bald, barren, bipolar and mindfully single woman’ and has a strong affinity for anyone who is marginalised and oppressed. Tanya hopes her stories will facilitate adults and children to have meaningful conversations about important subjects such as otherness and inequality.  


When Tanya isn’t writing or singing she is often enjoying walks with friends and family in the British countryside or honouring her ancestors with a slice of cake. 



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You Deserve Better: The Fat Doctor's Reassurance on Your Right To Healthcare01 Oct 202500:40:51

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In a healthcare system that routinely dismisses, blames, and denies treatment to fat patients, it's easy to doubt whether choosing to stay fat is the right decision. But here's the truth: you deserve a doctor who listens, believes, and validates you—regardless of your size. You have the absolute right to refuse to be weighed, to refuse weight loss, and to demand treatment without prerequisites. The ethics are clear, even when the reality feels impossible. This episode is your reminder that you're making the right choice, and that the fight for dignified healthcare is both justified and winnable. 

Make sure to get your copy of the Stop Dreading Doctor's Appointments toolkit. 

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Casey's story: When good intentions aren't enough17 Sep 202500:32:02

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 Casey is a passionate, well-meaning therapist who believes in weight-inclusive care but freezes when clients bring up medical concerns. They've learned about anti-diet principles through Instagram and podcasts, but lack the medical knowledge to counter doctors' weight-focused advice. When a client receives a devastating diabetes diagnosis with the usual "lose weight" lecture, Casey wants to help but secretly wonders if the doctor might be right. Add in family pressure about their own weight, hostile colleagues questioning their approach, and the constant fear of professional consequences - and you have a dedicated professional caught between their values and their limitations. In this episode, I explore why therapists like Casey deserve support, not judgment, and how we can bridge the gap between good intentions and confident, evidence-based practice in the fight for weight-inclusive healthcare. 

For anti-diet and healthcare professionals, it's time to stop second-guessing your weight-inclusive approach, and get the research, tools, and professional certification to confidently counter medical weight bias:
✓ Complete 12-module professional certification program
✓ Lifetime access to expanding evidence library
✓ Professional Directory listing for client referrals

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Weight Loss Doesn't Improve Your Health10 Sep 202500:30:24

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Weight loss doesn't improve your health—and I'm tired of having to prove it. While doctors continue pushing weight loss as a cure-all, the evidence tells a different story. The Look AHEAD Study followed 5,000 diabetics for 10 years and found that weight loss didn't prevent heart attacks or strokes. Similar studies show no long-term benefits for diabetes, arthritis, blood pressure, or fatty liver disease. Yet fat patients are still forced to advocate for basic medical care while being blamed for conditions that have nothing to do with their weight. It's time for healthcare professionals to stop putting the burden on patients and start practicing evidence-based, weight-inclusive care.

For anti-diet and healthcare professionals, it's time to stop second-guessing your weight-inclusive approach, and get the research, tools, and professional certification to confidently counter medical weight bias:
✓ Complete 12-module professional certification program
✓ Lifetime access to expanding evidence library
✓ Professional Directory listing for client referrals

Got a question for the next podcast? Let me know!

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When 'nice' isn't enough: The search for truly safe care03 Sep 202500:38:41

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Some healthcare professionals are nice. Some would go so far as to call themselves “body positive" or “HAES aligned”. But being pleasant doesn't make you safe for fat patients. There's a crucial difference between practitioners who are steadfastly kind while perpetuating harm, and those who actively work to counter medical weight bias. In this episode, I expose why often times anti-diet isn't enough, how well-meaning professionals can cause more damage than obvious bigots, and why fat people are trapped in an endless cycle of seeking help, getting weight loss advice, and avoiding care until they're desperate. I challenge anti-diet practitioners to move beyond good intentions and actually do the work to become weight-inclusive. Plus, I debunk the dangerous myths about anaesthesia safety that are used to deny fat people surgery. 

 Want to learn more about anaesthesia? Then check out my masterclass today!

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Jordan's Story: When Endometriosis Gets Blamed on Being Fat20 Aug 202500:37:40

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Jordan's seven GP visits for debilitating period pain, fatigue, and pelvic symptoms should have led to an endometriosis diagnosis within the first appointment. Instead, every symptom was blamed on weight, leaving them dismissed, traumatized, and untreated. In this episode, I expose how medical fatphobia intersects with misogyny to deny fat people proper gynecological care, and why being fat makes you fundamentally unsafe with most doctors. Through Jordan's story, I reveal the devastating reality that fat patients face when seeking help for legitimate medical conditions. 

Like the sound of the Consulting Room? DOORS OPEN TODAY AND CLOSE ON THE 29th AUGUST.   Find out more here

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My Weight Says Nothing About Who I Am13 Aug 202500:29:47

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Society has conditioned us to believe that our weight reveals everything about our character, intelligence, willpower, and worth as human beings. From childhood, we're taught that fat bodies represent moral failure, laziness, and unworthiness of love or respect.

In this raw and powerful episode, I dismantle the extensive list of harmful stereotypes we've internalized about ourselves and call out healthcare professionals who perpetuate discrimination. I explore how these beliefs shape our relationships, our sense of self-worth, and our right to exist fully in the world—and why it's time to reject these lies completely.

Find out more about the weighting room and become part of a one-of-a-kind community

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When Doctors Lie: The Guidelines That Recommend Diets They Know Don't Work04 Feb 202600:47:57

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In 1992, a room full of weight loss experts admitted diets don't work and that weight regain is almost inevitable within five years. Then they recommended diets anyway. Fast forward to 2025, and the UK's NICE guidelines acknowledge weight cycling causes harm, that the evidence is overwhelmingly poor quality, and that people will likely regain the weight. Yet they still recommend 800-calorie diets, even for people with eating disorders. 

In this episode, I expose how medical guidelines have become a masterclass in institutional lying—where committees acknowledge the evidence shows diets fail, cause harm, and offer no long-term benefit, yet recommend them regardless. Because the industry's already doing it, the government's already funding it, and admitting the truth would be too expensive. This isn't medicine. This is willful harm dressed up in clinical language, and the people writing these guidelines need to be held accountable. 

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Fat People Are Not Entitled to Autonomy06 Aug 202500:32:09

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Medical autonomy is supposedly a fundamental pillar of healthcare - the right to make informed decisions about your own body without coercion. But as I discovered in a conversation with my husband Junior, a fat dentist, this principle simply doesn't apply when you're fat. In this episode, I expose how the medical profession systematically denies autonomy to fat patients, exploring the difference between theoretical rights and practical agency, and why doctors can get away with withholding treatment until you lose weight. I also introduce The Weigh Forward - my new service to help fat patients fight back against medical discrimination through formal complaints and advocacy. 

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Riley's Story: The Bariatric Surgery Risks Nobody Talks About23 Jul 202500:37:19

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Riley's doctor recommended bariatric surgery as the solution to their health concerns, but when Riley came to me for advice, I realized they hadn't been told about the real risks. From anastomosis leaks with 15% mortality rates to spontaneous bowel perforations years later, the complications of weight loss surgery extend far beyond what most patients are counseled about. 

In this episode, I walk through the evidence-based risks that every patient deserves to know before making this life-altering decision, because informed consent requires the whole truth. If you or someone you know is considering weight loss surgery, then be sure to send them a link to this episode!

References:

  1. Lim, Robert et al. “Early and late complications of bariatric operation.” Trauma surgery & acute care open vol. 3,1 e000219. 9 Oct. 2018
  2. Silva, Ana Flávia da et al. “Risk factors for the development of surgical site infection in bariatric surgery: an integrative review of literature.” Revista latino-americana de enfermagem vol. 31 (2023)
  3. Complications of bariatric surgery: presentation and emergency management--a review.” Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England vol. 91,4 (2009): 280-6.
  4. Benotti, Peter et al. “Risk factors associated with mortality after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.” Annals of surgery vol. 259,1 (2014): 123-30. 
  5. Coupaye, Muriel et al. “Evaluation of incidence of cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery in subjects treated or not treated with ursodeoxycholic acid.” Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery vol. 13,4 (2017): 681-685 
  6. Husain, Syed et al. “Small-bowel obstruction after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: etiology, diagnosis, and management.” Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) vol. 142,10 (2007): 988-93 
  7. Seeras K, Acho RJ, Lopez PP. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Chronic Complications. [Updated 2023 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519489/

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Your Health Is Not Determined by Your Size16 Jul 202500:33:22

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 Health and weight are two completely separate things that we've been taught to view as synonymous. While society insists that being fat is inherently unhealthy, the evidence tells a different story. In this episode, I break down why genetics, not lifestyle choices, primarily determine our weight, how weight stigma actually causes poor health outcomes, and why fat people often have better medical outcomes than thin people. I challenge the fundamental assumption that body size equals health status and explain why perpetuating this myth isn't just wrong—it's literally killing people. 

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Why I Can't Move On: Staying Put When I Want to Run Away09 Jul 202500:31:55

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During my supposed break, I wrote a 45-page booklet called "Jenny Needs a New Knee, But She's Too Fat to Get One"—complete with 29 clinical references proving that denying joint replacements based on weight is medically unjustified and harmful. Coz that's what people do during their time off, right?

Instead of moving on to the next project like I always do, I'm trying something different and terrifying: staying put. In this vulnerable episode, I explore my lifelong pattern of pivoting when things get uncomfortable, the childhood trauma that drives my need to run, and why I'm fighting every instinct to abandon this work when fat patients desperately need advocates willing to stick around for the long haul. 

Check out the eBook Jenny Needs a New Knee, But She's Too Fat to Get One

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Fat People Are Being Denied Surgery for Money (Say It Isn't So!)04 Jun 202500:48:48

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 A third of NHS areas are denying hip and knee replacements based on BMI alone—not for medical reasons, but purely to save money. In this episode, I expose how the medical establishment openly admits these discriminatory policies lack evidence while pushing profitable weight loss interventions instead. Meanwhile, actual surgeons and researchers confirm what we've known all along: this is financial discrimination masquerading as healthcare. 

Have you been denied a knee replacement because of your BMI? Get your free, customizable template here. 

The Newspaper article by Rebecca Thomas is "Obese patients denied knee and hip replacements to slash NHS costs"

The Journal Article is: Pavlovic, Natalie et al. “The effect of body mass index and preoperative weight loss in people with obesity on postoperative outcomes to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study.” Arthroplasty (London, England) vol. 5,1 48. 1 Oct. 2023 

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Coming Out As Fat with Ross Anderson-Doherty28 May 202501:17:25

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Coming out as fat is harder than coming out as transgender, at least in our experience. When performer and cabaret artist Ross Anderson-Doherty refused to pursue weight loss as medical treatment, their healthcare became a weapon of punishment rather than care. In this raw conversation, we explore how medical fatphobia intersects with transphobia, classism, and ableism to create devastating trauma that nearly destroyed one person's will to live. Ross's journey from medical neglect to triumphant revenge reveals the urgent need to recognize healthcare discrimination as the trauma it truly is. 

 You can catch Ross performing at the Cabaret Supper Club in Belfast. Be sure to follow them on Tik Tok and Instagram - you’d be a fool not to! 

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