Trigger Warning: Discussion of Weight LossIn this episode I share the mic with my romantic partner Crystal Richardson, Esq. Crystal is an attorney, community advocate and my personal fitness coach. Right now she is currently working to get the CROWN Act passed in North Carolina, which is a bill that would ban discrimination based on hair textures and styles. The CROWN Act names styles commonly associated with black people, is of particular concern to black women, whose hair is more likely than white women’s hair to be perceived as “unprofessional,” according to a 2019 study of 2,000 black and white women. In this episode Crystal and I talk about how we met and some ways we support each other through movement. Crystal also shares about the beginnings of her fitness journey as a BeachBody coach and some of the diet culture and toxic fitness practices she participated in early on. She discusses her process of unlearning and growing through her mistakes. We unpack the constant work needed in divesting from diet culture, and how we aren’t morally obligated to engage in fitness. I share a bit about how my chronic pain has been an embedded part of relationship with weightlifting and how it keeps my gender dysphoria at bay (complicated relationship to say the least.)Lastly, we finish up by answering some listener questions. I think you are going to really enjoy this episode!

Welcome to our first episode of 2020! In this episode Candace and I talk about swimming through all the diet industry bs trying to convince us that we need to shrink our bodies via intentional weight loss. We also share the big things we have in store individually and with the podcast!I know the new year is a time when people often make resolutions about "dieting" and changing their bodies, not only that but the diet industry is spending the majority of their advertising dollars right now...and that can feel very overwhelming and intensify already existing negative feelings about our bodies. But I just want to let you know, you don’t have to dedicate your life to looking different. You were made for more than striving to be smaller. Not only are diets and weight loss plans typically not effective in the long run, you don’t need to lose weight. You are valid and deserving of love right now no matter what size you are. I hope you’ll join me this year in seeking a place of body peace whatever that feels like for you. Body peace might look super different for different folks especially trans folks and people with disabilities but whatever your relationship with your body is I hope you find some calm and some self compassion.

Podcast Episode 6: The Attack on Nonconformity in Athletics Pt. 2 *Explicit Language*In this episode we further unpack human variance especially how it shows up in relation to gender identity/expression. Visible differences in the human expression often cause people to be othered, discriminated against, pathologized, brutalized etc. Right now we are seeing the attack on human variance & non conformity in the world of women’s sports which is racist, sexist, transphobic and an overall gross violation of human rights. In particular this episode we will be following up with the story we shared of Caster Semenya. Caster Semenya: is a South African Olympic track runner and two time gold medalist in the 800 meter.Caster has been thrusted into the spotlight and are helping to undo so dreadful policies that limit certain bodies (in particular trans and gender non conforming folks) from competing as their true selves in women’s sports. **Update** The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a regulation that will require some female track athletes with naturally-elevated testosterone levels to lower those levels with drugs or surgery, if they want to compete in certain women's events on the international stage. Some additional subjects discussed in this Episode: **racism, gender essentialism and trans hatred in sports****Why are we targeting folks in sports who are already so deeply targeted in other areas of society?**Othering of trans women (trans women are women PERIOD!)There is no evidence to suggest that that trans are stealing anything. If you are good at the sport it is your athleticism which has nothing to do with the other athlete of their identity. **Why the mere existence of transwomen creates so much fear in society.**The conflation of body parts and gender**Sexist notion: that anyone assigned male at birth will automatically beat anyone assigned female at birth. **This informs how we discuss trans athletes, intersex athletes and women in general.**Testosterone not the “male sex hormone,” nor is it the key to athletic performance.**There is no such thing as *looking* transgender. **High profile female athletes (like Martina Navratilova) weaponize that notion and if gives more credence to the notion in the first place. It’s a false criticism of women’s sports in general. ***Notion of this influx of cis men posing as transwomen to gain unfair advantages in competitions.  Also carries similar narratives to this fear of cis men posing as trans women taking over bathroom spaces. “In the US, there’s not a single reported instance of this kind of voyeurism occurring in states with legal protections for trans people.”https://www.vox.com/identities/2016/5/13/17938102/transgender-people-bathrooms-locker-rooms-schools

In this episode Candace and Ilya share their thoughts regarding Big Box Gyms and what makes them huge players in the toxic fitness arena. Ilya also speaks candidly about his very short lived & dreadful experience working for one of the world's largest "Big Box Gyms" (Planet Fitness). Ilya highlights the horrible treatment he received as an employee working for one of the largest organizations that promotes a "Judgement Free Zone". This is a great episode that can really help folks think outside of the box of what toxic fitness looks like from a class status perspective. While also highlighting the predatory nature of all big franchise fitness companies. **UPDATE**Planet Fitness CEO has been quietly funding antigay politicians, including Trump, for years.https://www.queerty.com/planet-fitness-ceo-quietly-funding-antigay-politicians-including-trump-years-20191001Please consider becoming a member of our Patreon to get the latest information about upcoming workshops & giveaways! By becoming a member for just $5 a month you'll also get access to extensive show notes jammed packed with great resources! Decolonizing Fitness doesn't currently have the support of sponsors so we desperately need your help in sustaining this podcast.Visit: https://www.patreon.com/DecolonizingFitnessYou can also check us out on Itunes & Spotify

Podcast Episode 4: The Attack on Nonconformity in Athletics Pt. 1 (The Rant)*Explicit Language*I’m very excited to get into this episode because I’ve always wanted to unpack human variance especially how it shows up in relation to gender identity/expression. Visible differences in the human expression often cause people to be othered, discriminated against, pathologized, brutalized etc. Right now we are seeing the attack on human variance & non conformity in the world of women’s sports which is racist, sexist, transphobic and an overall gross violation of human rights. In particular this episode will highlight the stories of Caster Semenya & JayCee Cooper. Both Caster & JayCee have been thrusted into the spotlight and are helping to undo so dreadful policies that limit certain bodies (in particular trans and gender non conforming folks) from competing as their true selves in women’s sports. **Update** As of June 3, 2019 the Swiss Court temporarily suspends new IAAF rules per Caster Semenya's legal team. Therefore, Caster will not need to take testosterone-reducing medication to compete.Caster Semenya: is a South African Olympic track runner and two time gold medalist in the 800 meter. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a regulation that will require some female track athletes with naturally-elevated testosterone levels to lower those levels with drugs or surgery, if they want to compete in certain women's events on the international stage. JayCee Cooper:  is a USA Powerlifter who was banned from competing in the Olympic Women’s Division because she identifies as a trans woman.Some additional subjects discussed in this Episode: **racism, gender essentialism and trans hatred in sports****Why are we targeting folks in sports who are already so deeply targeted in other areas of society?**Mack Beggs trans man wrestler high school student (forced to wrestle against women) was already medically transitioning. Texas sanctions women’s wrestling. 2016 Texas Policy determining gender based on birth certificates for sports in colleges.https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/feb/25/transgender-wrestler-mack-beggs-wins-texas-girls-title**Andraya Yearwood trans femme youth athlete track Connecticut. https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/24/terry-miller-andraya-yearwood-transgender-sprinter/**Othering of trans women (trans women are women PERIOD!)There is no evidence to suggest that that trans are stealing anything. If you are good at the sport it is your athleticism which has nothing to do with the other athlete of their identity. **Why the mere existence of transwomen creates so much fear in society.**The conflation of body parts and gender**Sexist notion: that anyone assigned male at birth will automatically beat anyone assigned female at birth. **This informs how we discuss trans athletes, intersex athletes and women in general.**Testosterone not the “male sex hormone,” nor is it the key to athletic performance.**There is no such thing as *looking* transgender. **High profile female athletes (like Martina Navratilova) weaponize that notion and if gives more credence to the notion in the first place. It’s a false criticism of women’s sports in general. ***Notion of this influx of cis men posing as transwomen to gain unfair advantages in competitions.  Also carries similar narratives to this fear of cis men posing as trans women taking over bathroom spaces. “In the US, there’s not a single reported instance of this kind of voyeurism occurring in states with legal protections for trans people.”https://www.vox.com/identities/2016/5/13/17938102/transgender-people-bathrooms-locker-rooms-schools

**Explicit Language**On this episode Candace and I unpack toxic fitness culture through a social justice lens. We name that fitness like many other oppressive systems is rooted in ableism and the belief that there are "good' and "bad" bodies (with the bad bodies needing to be cured or corrected and the onus being placed on the individual to do these things). Please remember your body is never wrong in the way it shows up. We discuss all the ways that toxic fitness is projected onto us under the guise of "health", "wellness" and "being fit". We talk about how mainstream fitness further stigmatizes fat folks and deems them unhealthy through medical myths and pseudo science. We break down the need to reclaim the word "fat" and put to rest the words "overweight" and "obesity" as both words pathologize fat which is a naturally occurring substance in the body and not inherently unhealthy. We talk about the faulty BMI being overused as a measurement of health...and so much more!You can find the show notes here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/df-podcast-3-26488578

CONTENT WARNING: mentions of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Kink & BDSMIn this episode Candace & I unpacked how Kink and BDSM can be used as vehicles of pleasure for folks to reconnect with their bodies through fitness.Candace Liger is the founder of Felyne Fitness and Felyne Fetish, championing creative wellness practices, body activism, and PROACTIVE self care. With over 8 years experience as a NASM health and wellness practicioner. She is the creator of JahRation Nation Dance Fitness - a high- energy, DANCEHALL & AFROBEAT based class.Recognizing the need for communities to address holistic healing as a liberatory practice, her programming emphasizes accessing the erotic by uplifting consent beyond the binary. She is creator of Felyne Fetish aka. AfroDGak, an offering encouraging body autonomy, radical consent, kink education, and erotic consciousness within safe, artistically-inclined spaces. Acquiring 10 years of experience working in the erotic space, she has hosted Kink , BDSM, and Erotic events throughout the US, and was recently featured on the Triad City Beat for her unique Felyne Fetish Fitness classes blending BDSM and Fitness. In 2014, she ranked 8th in the nation through the Women of the World Poetry Competition and has performed in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Washington D.C, and more. Additionally, she has used her dynamic voice as an active community leader extensively involved in initiatives including advocacy against sexual assault & domestic violence, education, and cultural art programs and performances. Through her activism work and community involvement, she has been awarded the 2017 Social Justice Award from the YWCA of Oklahoma, the Woman of Action Award from the National Organization of Women, and the 2017 ACLU Angie Debo Civil Libertarian award.www.CandaceLiger.comwww.FelyneFetish.comEmail: [email protected]: Candace Liger #FelyneFetishInstagram: @CandaceLiger & @CoachFelyneRate Us on Itunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decolonizing-fitness/id1458360965