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We’ve all had body issues at one time or another (I know I have!) We might not even be aware of them, but our critical self-talk can sometimes be louder than anything. Add in small uniforms, and constant demands on “image” in the cheer industry, and it’s a recipe for our athletes to feel insecure about the way their bodies look.
Jennifer Wagner is an author, a podcaster, and an educator for women to help the see their body is GOOD just as it is. Although she lost over 150 pounds, she still didn’t feel comfortable and confident in her own skin. She had to do some different work to even begin feeling the body confidence we all hope for after such a transformation.
Jennifer talks with me in this podcast episode about how we can begin to feel comfortable in our own skin, and give space for our athletes to do the same.
How can we help our athletes feel confident in their bodies?
Athletes are always focused on their bodies. They’re working on strengthening, increasing their endurance, being more flexible, and more. That’s a good thing! But because there is so much focus on the body, they may be hyper-aware of their flaws.
The important thing to do is to create space for your athlete to talk about their insecurities about their body, even if they aren’t true...and then validate it.
When we can talk about our insecurities, we can take away the stigma, process better, and separate fiction from reality.
We need to untie the value of the person from the size of their body.
Draw more attention to the characteristics of the person, than the body that they are living in. Muscles are awesome, but more than that, say things like, “I love how you show up to practice ready to roll,” and, “I love your tenacity,” or, “You are such an honest person.
None of us are valuable because of what our bodies can or cannot do.
This does not mean that we ignore everything about the body, but we take the value off of it and recognize the person living in it.
How do we overcome our own body issues as moms?
If you’re like me, you have had body issues, you’ve made a negative comment about yourself and your daughter picks up on it. We can encourage our daughters all we want, but they notice when we aren’t loving ourselves the way we teach them to love themselves.
Give yourself grace, here. We have all made mistakes in this area. Start appreciating your own body for the sake of your daughter learning to love herself!
Jennifer teaches about being at peace with your body. Start noticing when you are not at peace, and what the narrative you’re playing in your mind is. Don’t ignore how you talk to yourself!
Connect with Jennifer
Website
Your Good Body Podcast
Your Good Body Book
Instagram
Sponsor
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