This week Nicola and Di chat with the incredibly inspiring changemaker, Taryn Brumfitt. Taryn is an award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author and speaker on a mission to help people redefine the way they think about themselves and to end the global body-hating epidemic. She is best known for founding the Body Image Movement and her inspiring documentaries Embrace and Embrace Kids. Taryn has reached more than 200 million people with her inspiring work and in 2023, her efforts were recognised nationally when she was named Australian of the Year.

In this chat we get to talk about how it all started back in 2013, when Taryn posted a non-traditional before and after photo of herself that went viral. Her intention was to show some friends of hers that were struggling with their own body image, that even though she had reached her ‘perfect bikini body’ through dieting and bodybuilding, she was actually happier when she let go of that extreme way of treating her body and learnt to embrace her body exactly as it was. What Taryn didn’t know at the time was that the photo would go viral, reaching tens and tens of millions of people, leading to worldwide media attention and changing her life forever. 

We hear about the deeply moving emails and messages that Taryn received from people all over the world sharing their own stories of body hatred and Taryn was determined to help these people and spread the message of self-love and body acceptance far and wide. Taryn has some wonderful tips in this episode for how you can begin to reframe the way you see yourself and start to focus on the way your body feels and what it can do for you, rather than simply your appearance.

Taryn also shares what some of the pivotal moments along the way have been like - from winning Australian of the Year, to addressing the National Press Club in Canberra, and getting an invite to a State dinner at The White House with President Biden.

This was a wonderful conversation with a brilliant woman who is doing such important work in the world. We loved chatting with Taryn and we hope you enjoy listening to her wisdom as much as we did. 

This episode is proudly sponsored by Eir Women. Use code OTBF15 at checkout to receive a 15% discount on any purchase. 

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Listen to Lisa Walker's episode here