'Body Positivity' Is Harming Women - Helene & Penelope | Real Talk with Zuby Ep. 302

Zuby is joined by mother-daughter duo, Helene Leeds and Penelope Popken - creators of the 'Step It Up' weight loss program and podcast. Helene and Penelope discuss their personal journeys with health and fitness, the challenges of obesity in their family, and the health industry writ large. We dive into the impact of the 'body positivity' movement, the dangers of 'fat acceptance', food regulation, and the deleterious effects of social media on young women.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(09:25) Psychological impacts of obesity & enabling behaviour
(17:36) Body positivity differences between men & women
(24:43) What age should children use smart devices?
(26:25) Penelope’s weight loss process
(34:05) How Helen handled Penelope’s weight challenges
(39:19) The body positivity movement
(44:05) Algorithmic amplification vs genuine ideological alliance
(49:05) Diet & personal responsibility
(59:14) Dangers & addictions of sugar
(1:02:52) Food regulations & personal responsibility
(1:08:00) Toxic load management
(1:11:58) Societal alignment on definition of obesity & health
(1:19:56) ‘Wellcare’ & what to do now
(1:27:57) Outro
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[@ryanrobinson2401]

This was great to watch. Honest discussion and I appreciate you telling your story I bet alot of people can relate. It’s sad a lot of women spend most of their time on tiktok and not RUclips I think there’s more wholesome conversations on RUclips.
It’s also sad the body positivity movement has gone to far but as Mark Twain once said “it’s easier to fool a person then it is to convince that person they have been fooled”.

[@pmedic1998]

One thing I've come to terms with in my weight loss/improve fitness journey is this simple truth: Overwhelmingly, obesity is a choice. You can either choose to eat right, lift weights, and walk more, or you can choose to be obese.
GREAT show, Zuby!

[@huntercoxpersonal]

Zuby, you out here killin bro. So thankful I found your channel and now can follow such a balanced and intelligent voice through all of this insane confusion of today's world. Keep doing your thing, man! 🙌

[@margotbw4660]

Such honesty, this was great to hear. Congratulations on getting healthy! ❤

[@brookerangel-legris]

As a woman who needs to drop about 40-50 pounds I greatly appreciate the hard truth about the harmful lie of body positivity. Just like she says, It started out as a good thing but it’s turned into a mask. Yes, real body positivity should be pushing health.

[@alannapeebles1625]

You look beautiful Penelope. Great job! Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

[@StepItUPPodcast]

Always!

[@anasabdeen4385]

Did anyone spot the white dog behind the window spying on the interview?

[@StepItUPPodcast]

lol that’s Lulu our dog😂

[@MasterMalrubius]

Yo Zuby! Great interview. You wonder if some people really want to help those they “support” or if they are propping them up to maintain their own source of income and celebrity.

[@ZubyMusic]

Thanks listening. For sure.

[@susanjohnson-ek6fh]

Thoughts on intermittent fasting?

[@ZubyMusic]

Done it for 15+ years personally

[@ItsGroundhogDay]

Therapists will likely serve to enable this behavior. Same with anything gender-related.

[@woodb51]

How old is this young lady? There weren’t any smartphones when she was 4.

[@StepItUPPodcast]

I am 19!

[@user-ih6kc1rb7t]

lots of blame to therapists and friends for her food habits. I don't buy it.