· Max Lowery · Podcast Episode · 2 min read
#33 The Dark Side of Body Positivity
Join Max Lowery & Shane Copeland as they dive into the origins of body positivity, its well-meaning intentions, and unintended toxic side effects. From fat acceptance to social media evolution, they'll explore the challenges & misconceptions around weight loss, debunk myths, and offer advice.
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Body Positivity vs. Your Health: How to Love Yourself and Lose Weight (Without Fad Diets)
Tired of being told you have to choose—love your body or want to change it?
In this episode, we call out toxic extremes and show you the sane middle path.
If you’re a woman over 40, you’ve probably seen the pendulum swing: old-school diet culture on one side, and now a version of body positivity that shames any intentional weight loss. Max and head coach Shane unpack how the movement started with good intentions (ending fat shaming) but morphed into something that can keep you stuck, unhappy, and afraid to say you want change.
This episode is your permission slip to want more for your health—without hating your body or cutting out the foods you love.
What we cover, in simple, no-BS terms:
Why labeling weight loss as “fatphobic” can create shame and confusion.
How social media pushes extreme views and keeps you stuck in an echo chamber.
The truth: you can enjoy pizza, pasta, wine, and reach a healthy weight—if you fix the root causes.
The “Big Five” that drive overeating and yo-yo dieting: negative self-talk, all-or-nothing thinking, emotional eating, identity, and limiting beliefs.
Real-life wins: like Nicole, who dropped 100 lbs and got her life (and travel confidence) back.
Health at any size—what’s helpful, what’s not, and how to think about long-term wellbeing in midlife.
Practical next steps to create a lifestyle that works after 40: simple meals, daily movement, and a mindset shift that lasts.
If diets have burned you before, you’re not wrong. But giving up isn’t the answer either. There’s a middle ground where you can be kind to yourself, keep your favorite foods, calm sugar cravings, and still make progress—especially through menopause and beyond.
Come connect with me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/max.lowery.
It’s where I share practical advice, motivation, and the exact strategies my clients use to lose weight and keep it off — without ever dieting again.