270 The Hidden Driver of Aging: How Self-Talk Shapes Your Healthspan with Anne Poirier

What if the most powerful determinant of how you age is not your biology, but your inner dialogue? In this episode, Anne Poirier explores how self-talk shapes emotional wellbeing, behavior, and ultimately healthspan. Negative inner dialogue can reinforce stress, limit confidence, and influence lifestyle choices that impact aging. Drawing from her lived experience and three decades of professional work, Anne explains how shifting from self-criticism to self-compassion can transform both mental and physical health. Listeners will learn practical strategies to reframe their inner voice, adopt body neutrality, and support healthier, more empowered aging. Anne Poirier is a nationally recognized body image expert and founder of Shaping Perspectives. She is a certified Intuitive Eating counselor, self-talk trainer, and eating disorder specialist with a degree in Exercise Science. She is the author of The Body Joyful, Not a Fat Annie, and The Body Neutrality Playbook.  Episode Timeline  00:00 – Welcome and introduction04:30 – The role of self-talk in shaping behavior and identity 05:06 – Anne's early experiences with body image and eating disorder 10:32 – How childhood messaging and environment shape self-talk 16:39 – Body neutrality vs body positivity explained 18:37 – The "body bully" and transforming inner criticism 23:02 – Steps to heal your relationship with your body 25:16 – How self-talk impacts physical health and aging 30:03 – Overview of Anne's books and frameworks 32:41 – One simple daily practice to shift self-talk 34:45 – Wrap-up and key takeaways  Where to connect with Anne Poirier  https://shapingperspectives.com LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/annepoirier11  Free gift: Body Confidence Unlocked https://shapingperspectives.com/confidence/  Call to Action  Download: Holistic strategies to Build Back a Better Body Schedule a complimentary introductory call or video call Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Find Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably (North America only) or on Kindle Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community   Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.