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In a world determined to sell us anti-ageing solutions, what would it look like to trust our bodies instead? This conversation explores ageism, diet culture, menopause, embodiment, and the radical possibility of ageing without apology.

We just loved this conversation with Deb Benfield. Deb truly embodies her work and exudes an inner confidence and an ease with herself and her own body, that is at once disarming and encouraging.

Key Takeaways:

• Diet culture and ageism often collide in midlife, creating pressure to "fix" our bodies just as they're changing in normal ways.
• Embodiment offers an antidote to body image struggles: moving, dancing, and inhabiting our bodies helps us remember we're bodies to be lived in, not objectified.
• Trusting the body becomes even more important through perimenopause and menopause, when appetite, energy, and physical needs naturally fluctuate.
• The stories we tell ourselves about ageing matter. Research suggests that positive attitudes toward ageing can influence health, wellbeing, and longevity.
• Unlearning ageism starts with noticing the assumptions we make about youth, ageing, and what bodies "should" look like at different stages of life.
• Rather than chasing anti-ageing promises, we can focus on nurturing strength, connection, pleasure, and quality of life.
• Ageing unapologetically means embracing change while staying rooted in self-trust, self-compassion, and respect for the wisdom of our lived experience.

Here are some links if you'd like to find out more about Deb, or have a look at her offerings:

Deb Benfield Website

Instagram

Substack

Buy Deb's book - Unapologetic Aging

Support the show

Please reach out if you would like some support with your relationship to food OR movement. Ela currently has limited spaces for Intuitive Eating coaching and if you'd like to reconnect with movement, contact Christine. If you'd like exclusive access to our supporter-only channel click here.

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