In this episode, Jessica and Deb explore the complex relationship between aging, body image, and societal expectations. They discuss the impact of diet culture and ageism on women’s perceptions of their bodies, the influence of celebrities on body image, and the importance of body autonomy. The conversation also touches on the fear of mortality, the privilege of aging, and the challenges of navigating menopause. * Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/ * Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/ Subscribe on Substack to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, Deb Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT is a registered dietitian/nutrition therapist, eating disorder specialist, and author of the book Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body. With over 40 years of experience, Deb helps women in midlife and beyond untangle from diet culture, resist internalized ageism, and cultivate body liberation. Her work blends evidence-based nutrition, embodiment practices, and deep compassion to support women in building a peaceful and respectful relationship with food, movement, and their changing bodies. Deb is also the founder of Body in Mind Nutrition, a group practice dedicated to eating disorder prevention and recovery. She’s been featured on podcasts including Burnt Toast, The Midlife Feast, and The Full Plate, where she speaks about how diet culture infiltrates menopause and longevity spaces, the hidden risks of ageism, and why women in midlife are uniquely vulnerable to eating disorders. Passionate about helping women feel at home in themselves, Deb’s mission is to empower others to approach aging not with fear, but with vitality, freedom, and body respect. * https://www.debrabenfield.com * https://www.instagram.com/agingbodyliberation/ * https://substack.com/@debbenfield1 Watch The Conversation: A Chat on Neutral Aging This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe
