In this episode I chat with anthropologist, Mair Underwood who specialises in studying the culture of bodies. After this chat, I honestly want to go back to uni and study anthropology! It is just fascinating. Mair tells us about her research into the world of body building and what she experienced in relation to her own body image as a result of 'dipping her toe' into that world. Mair also gives me a lifelong aha / validation moment in regards to women's struggles with femininity and breast size.

About Mair

Mair Underwood is an anthropologist of the body and lecturer in the School of Social Science at the University of Queensland. She is passionate about understanding body practices and the relationships people have with their bodies. Her research has focussed on body-self relations at different ages, tattooing, and bodybuilding. In recent years she has been focussed on bodybuilding and image and performance enhancing drug use, which led to interests in performances of masculinity, and muscle dysmorphia.

Where to find Mair

Contact

Email: thinkingaboutbodies@gmail.com

YouTube: Body of thoughts

About Nicole

Nicole Mathieson has impacted the lives of thousands of women through her writing,

speaking, podcasts and work as a counsellor.

In the therapy room, Nicole sees the Beauty Load doing its self-esteem-stealing damage in

real time as she helps her clients grapple with not feeling good enough to love. 

By sharing her own awkward stories and negative self-talk, Nicole inspires a deep exhale

of recognition from her clients and readers alike, who, for possibly the first time, realise they

are not alone, not crazy and absolutely not inadequate. 

The Beauty Load is Nicole’s first book.

About the Book

Do you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others, and feeling like

you don’t measure up?

This is the Beauty Load in action, and here’s the thing: it’s not personal, in fact

it is inevitable in this world obsessed with beauty.

Our personal perception of our beauty, or the lack of it, can make us feel anything

from numb to anxious, stressed and ashamed, and at worst like we don’t belong and

that we are not worthy of being loved. 

In the Beauty Load, counsellor Nicole Mathieson exposes the damaging and

unrealistic beauty pressures society places on women, and shares how to lighten the

load for good through awareness, self-compassion and a realignment with your

deepest values.

Reclaim your freedom, confidence and self-love.

Website nicolemathieson.com/

Instagram @nicole.mathieson @the.beautyload

Buy the book nicolemathieson.com/thebeautyload

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