Ya'll asked for it, and here it is!

Carissa finally gets into some of the nitty gritty details on her history with health, fitness and weight loss and how it ultimately led to her starting one of (if not the only) openly weight neutral and anti-diet culture gyms in the country.

Starting her first diet at 13 years old, Carissa goes through in detail what that was like, and looking back, some things that may have caused it. Then fast forwarding through college years as a D1 athlete and what that did to her body image and disordered tendencies, up through motherhood, to now.

It's a roller coaster, but it's raw and real. Give it a listen and let us know what you resonate with!

We're back with Part 2 of New Year New Game Plan! In the first episode we talked a lot about why New Years resolutions don't work and how to change your mindset around setting them. In this episode we dive into why these goals should not be rooted in vanity or societal standards, and how to make them actionable and sustainable!

In this episode, Carissa and Shemar chat with local therapist Rachel Schwager about her history with an eating disorder and how she uses her lived experience to help others and their mental health journey now.

This episode dives into how to recognize disorder, what therapy and healing in this space looks and feels like, how to navigate things like social media, your support system, & boundaries. Rachel also gives some incredible tactical advice on redefining health to help clarify your values - and ensuring those things line up!

As always, if you are someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please reach out for help.

If you are local, please feel free to reach out to Rachel for support or to schedule and appointment:

Rachel Schwager, MSW, LCWA, LCASA

(252) 320-9323

rachel@cornerstonecounselingnc.net

On this episode of Real Talk, Carissa and Shemar dive into the disorder of New Years Resolutions, why they keep failing you (and everyone else) and how to start adjusting your mindset to create more powerful, more impactful and more sustainable resolutions. Part one gets into the psychology of New Years; how we've been trained to think about it, how gyms are trained to market it, and how to recognize the crazy in our past attempts at health and fitness and set a new path for true health.

Carissa and Shemar discuss the importance of non-scale victories (NSV) or ways to measure health and fitness success that do not include using a scale and weight. Using NSV's increases success rates, quality of life, and ability to stick to a goal or plan! And for fitness professionals and gym owners it's a game changer for retainment and actually helping people hit goals! So what are they and how do we shift our mindset toward them? Listen to the pod and get all the details!

From dealing with family dynamics and setting realistic goals to managing holiday stress and food cravings, this episode offers practical advice for enjoying the festive months of October, November, and December. The conversation covers acknowledging the upcoming busy season, setting boundaries, maintaining a healthy mindset, and fostering joy, fellowship, and community. Tune in for tips on balancing indulgence with wellness, overcoming the social pressures of diet culture, and making the most of holiday gatherings without guilt.

Carissa and Shemar are joined by special guest Courtney, a registered dietitian and professor at ECU, to discuss weight neutrality and the harmful effects of diet culture. The conversation reveals the long-term impact of dieting, the rise of eating disorders, and the importance of creating a supportive, inclusive fitness environment. Courtney talks about intuitive eating, her work with the Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders, and the necessity of rethinking health behaviors beyond weight loss. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on how to foster a healthier relationship with food and exercise.

www.crcfored.com

Carissa is joined by her friend Cat to dive deep into the journey of exposing diet culture, healing from it, and rebuilding true health. They share personal stories and experiences, discuss the steps they've taken to heal, and emphasize the importance of modifying goals and creating a supportive environment. Kat also highlights the importance of protein, the triggers associated with diet culture, and the empowering process of setting boundaries. If you're looking to break free from the chains of diet culture and embark on a true journey to health, this episode is for you. Don't miss out! Like, subscribe, and share with anyone who needs to hear this message.