The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

I'm joined by DK Ciccone — comprehensively certified Pilates instructor, pain reprocessing therapy practitioner, and author of You're Meant to Move — for a conversation that is both deeply personal and clinically rich. We talk about what chronic pain actually is, why so many people have been dismissed or mislabeled, and what it looks like to rebuild a relationship with movement that isn't driven by fear, punishment, or diet culture.This was originally a paid episode. Consider upgrading to a paid subscription to keep Full Plate going: https://abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode:DK's journey with chronic pain and her past as a dancerHow chronic pain forms and why the pain is real even in the absence of ongoing tissue damageThe nervous system science behind pain sensitization — and why catastrophizing physically amplifies painKinesiophobia: the fear of movement that develops after chronic pain, and how to work through itSomatic tracking and pain reprocessing therapy as tools for understanding pain signalsHow to explore the difference between pain and discomfortDK's "refuge and reach" framework for rebuilding a movement practice incrementallyExploring functional movement versus "exercise"The research debunking weight loss as a solution for chronic painWhy restriction and dieting actually increase chronic pain risk — and the clinical evidence behind itHow trauma and disconnection from the body compound the chronic pain experienceWhat embodied movement looks like when you're coming back from years of diet culture messagingAbout DK Ciccone: Dana Karen ("DK") Ciccone is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor who helps people in pain improve strength, mobility, and well-being in a weight-neutral environment. She is trained in pain reprocessing therapy through the Pain Psychology Center and is the founder of Movement Remedies, a chronic pain–focused Pilates studio and movement coaching business. Her book, You're Meant to Move: A Guide to Conquering Chronic Pain, Increasing Stress Resilience, and Reclaiming an Active Life, was released in December 2023.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comThis is part two of my conversation with Kate Zigrang, founder of Viva Voce — and this is where everything shifts.To hear it: abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeWe left off last week with Kate at a turning point: an OCD diagnosis, a doctor who finally told her the truth about her health, and something beginning to loosen. This episode is about what came next — the harder, slower, more relational work of actually stepping out of diet culture after a lifetime inside it.We cover:* Going no contact with her parents — the decision, the grief, and what space it created* The complicated dynamic with her mom: over-apologizing, enmeshment, and why leaving felt both impossible and necessary* The slow, specific work of separating her own body from her mother's — learning to look at herself without dread* Religious deconstruction happening simultaneously with the body acceptance work and the mental health work — all three threads unraveling at once* The Manhattan pants incident — eighteen months of traveling the world, unable to find a single pair of pants in her size anywhere in New York City, and the rage that became a turning point* What Viva Voce actually is — a marketplace vetting brands for ethics, sustainability, and genuine size inclusivity* Why she insists on carrying straight and plus sizes in the same space* The pop-up strategy — and why she's bringing it to smaller cities on purpose* A data project collecting real body measurements to understand how clothes could actually be made better* Why belonging is at the center of every decision she makes — and what that looks like in practiceThis episode is for paid subscribers. If you'd like access to this conversation and the full archive, you can subscribe here:abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeFind Kate and Viva Voce at vivavoce.live and on Instagram @vivavoce.liveSupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeApply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupFind the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellnessPodcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian Walters

Perfectionism shows up in how we see our bodies, measure our health, and define our worth. This week, I’m bringing back a listener favorite—my conversation with Dr. Lisa Folden, who is a physical therapist, anti-diet coach, and weight-inclusive movement practitioner.At its core, this episode is about how breaking free from perfectionism allows us to reclaim joy in our bodies, relationships, work, and yes—our lives.We get into so much, including:* Growing up as a “role model” and shedding that identity* What research really says about weight, joint pain, diabetes, and intentional weight-loss* Navigating disordered eating as a Black woman and why underdiagnosis is common* Rebuilding a joyful, intuitive relationship with movement* Letting go of the perfectionism trap and showing up authentically* How health providers can approach shifting from weight-centric to weight-inclusive careIf you’ve ever felt your worth is tied to your body or achievements, this conversation is full of science, compassion, and practical tools to help you move with freedom and joy.Find Lisa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthyphit/Find the show on IG: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on IG: @abbieattwoodwellnessSupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeApply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupPodcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

What if being “good” was never meant to protect us?In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by the incredible Savala Nolan (back for the second time) to talk about her new book Good Woman: A Reckoning, which is a lyrical, unflinching exploration of the expectations placed on women’s bodies, voices, marriages, appetites, and lives.We explore what happens when the bargain of goodness stops “working” and what becomes possible when we refuse it.Tune in for more on:* The myth that being “good” (thin, quiet, agreeable) will keep women safe* Midlife as rupture: dieting, divorce, and the unraveling of social conditioning* Body liberation as a daily practice — especially in the age of GLP-1s* What it means to become “illegible” to misogynistic culture* Raising daughters who are fluent in their bodies, not afraid of themThis is a conversation about wilderness, refusal, and the kind of freedom that feels both exciting and terrifying because of its importance and truth.Find Savala on IG: https://www.instagram.com/savalanolan/Order "Good Woman" here: https://savalanolan.com/Savala's Substack: https://savala.substack.com/Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

How do kids learn about bodies and food before anyone even talks about it? Zoë Bisbing, psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist, joins me to unpack the invisible lessons our kids absorb—and how parents can respond to “hard body moments” without shame or overcorrection.We talk about:* Zoë’s journey from inpatient eating disorder treatment to prevention work—and how becoming a parent reshaped her lens.* What kids are really learning about bodies, food, and morality.* How to respond when a child expresses body distress.* Why tolerating “body grief” builds resilience and reduces eating disorder risk.* Why shutting down “I feel fat” with reassurance can accidentally close the door to connection.* What to actually say when your child brings you a hard body moment.* How “fix-it” energy can communicate fear—and what it looks like to tolerate discomfort instead.* Why prevention isn’t about perfection, but about creating an emotional climate where kids aren’t alone in their pain.* The surprisingly joyful role of simple pleasures—like toaster strudels—in fostering flexible eating.This episode isn't just for parents. We were all children once, impacted by diet culture in our family and beyond. So this is for anyone who wants to create a home where bodies and food are safe, not shameful.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupFind the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellnessFor more from Zoë:https://www.instagram.com/mybodypositivehome/https://www.bodypositivehome.com/abouthttps://bodypositivehome.substack.com/Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Therapists Ashley Wilfore and Sarah Louer know what it's like to have dieting and body shame passed down to you like a family heirloom. We discuss what it means to experience intergenerational trauma, how disordered eating and body hatred get inherited and perpetuated through family values and behaviors, and what it's like to grow up surrounded by diet culture in your home. Ashley and Sarah and speak with honesty, compassion, and humor about their experiences letting go of the pursuit of thinness, and trying to raise their own children while being cycle-breakers.Tune in to hear more about:- What’s on their plates (hint: foods to eat when you're sick, and an ode to eggplant...)- A clinical and personal definition of “intergenerational trauma”- Being impacted by generational passing down of dieting and body shame- How the idea that starving yourself is power has been believed by their family members who were otherwise independent-minded and strong - Specific moments and vivid memories from childhood that form beliefs today- Overhearing the women they looked up to talking about their own bodies- The moments they realized they couldn’t keep dieting and over-exercising - The intentional decisions they made as mothers when it comes to food and body talk- How they handle their parents' anti-fat bias todaySupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupSocial media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE.More About Ashley:Ashley is a wife, a mom of two boys and a clinician. She has her master's in science in forensic psychology and is working on her second advanced degree in social work. She specializes in working with people with IDD and complex needs, but really enjoys talking and working with people who have experienced family trauma and supporting others to break out of social norms.More About Sarah:Sarah is a 54-year-old mother of four living in Vermont, working in New York. She's a licensed clinical social worker, an avid traveler, foodie, and a recovering disorder dieter. She's passionate about human rights for all, and a rectal cancer survivor. She loves Costa Rica, the ocean, and craft cocktails. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Abbie is joined by Christyna Johnson, a registered dietitian whose work sits at the intersection of nourishment and social justice (a perfect fit for Full Plate, as you all know).They unpack the way systems have weaponized hunger. And why that matters so much at a time where extreme thinness is being celebrated, hunger suppression is being normalized, and health is feeling more like a performance than ever.Tune in for more on:* Hunger as a tool of control—historically, politically, and culturally* Growing up with limited food variety, dieting, and respectability politics* Diet culture as a cult (yes, it’s fascinating)* Why appetite suppression is being framed as “health”* GLP-1 medications, food noise, and informed consent* Epigenetics, famine, dieting, and intergenerational impact* The difference between the performance of health and actual well-being* Pleasure, nourishment, and why enjoying food matters* Why younger generations give us real reasons to hopeThis episode is honest, funny, gentle, and deeply unsettling in the best way. It invites us to ask bigger questions:Who benefits when we’re disconnected from our bodies? And what becomes possible when nourishment takes up less brain space—so we can look up and care for one another?Make sure you’re following Christyna on Instagram. And check out her book, 100 Food Affirmations, right here.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeApply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupFind the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellnessPodcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Sharon Maxwell returns (she might hold the record!?) to talk about embracing pleasure with food and bringing fat joy into the new year. Oh and...why body liberation is not dead, they just want us to think it is.Tune in for more on:- Why pleasure matters in healing- How Sharon is learning to savor food, perhaps for the first time- Psychedelics in Sharon's recovery - Finding “glimmers” of joy during hard seasons- Fat joy in the new year- How community support helps us resist diet culture- Body liberation as an everyday practice- Using play as an act of resistanceSupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeSharon Maxwell (she/they) is an educator, speaker and fat activist. With compassion as a guiding principle, Sharon is a leading force in dismantling systemic anti-fat bias. She dedicates her work to eradicating weight stigma on both a social level and within healthcare settingsFind Sharon on IG: @heysharonmaxwellApply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but in need of community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe