Our bodies matter deeply, as much as our mamas, our churches or our culture tries to tell us otherwise – that it’s only what’s on the inside that matters. That’s not true. 

Our bodies matter. 

They are matter, and it’s okay for them to take up space. It’s okay for YOU to take up space. 

We each have complicated relationships with our bodies — we, as a society, have a complicated relationship with bodies in general. Especially when those bodies are larger than what is considered to be normal, or what is perceived to be “healthy”. 

My guest today is Amanda Martinez Beck. Amanda is a fat activist and body peace coach specializing in the intersection of human dignity, body liberation, and religion. She is the author of Lovely: How I Learned to Embrace the Body God Gave Me and the forthcoming book More of You: The Fat Girl’s Field Guide to the Modern World. Amanda is also the co-creator and cohost of the Fat & Faithful podcast. 

Here’s my conversation with Amanda. 

[Full transcript coming soon.]

A Blessing:

I would like to bless all those whose bodies have been minimized, politicized, sexualiz​​ed, objectified, and criminalized.

May each of us learn to find peace in our bodies, our bodies that bear God’s image, in our bodies that were made good.

May we practice kindness toward these bodies we have been given, and may we practice kindness towards the bodies of one another.