37: Are You Caring for Your Body… or Managing It? How Diet Culture Leads to Distrust ft. Amy Connell

In this episode, we’re talking about… What happens when “being healthy” quietly turns into control—and how to come back to stewardship without swinging to the other extreme. Today’s guest is Amy Connell (Graced Health)—a diet-culture-free certified personal trainer + nutrition coach who helps Christian women in perimenopause and beyond build strength with grace… yes, including rest days and dessert. If you’ve ever felt like your body is something you need to manage, shrink, or “keep in line”… this conversation is your exhale. You’ll hear us cover: Amy’s honest story of growing up in peak diet culture (hello, 90s thin obsession) The moment God convicted her in the most ordinary place… folding laundry Why your body isn’t here to be “managed”—it’s a vessel to love God and serve others How to give your body grace as it changes (without pretending it’s easy) The question that exposes the difference between stewardship vs. obsession: What’s my intent? Why “health” can’t be reduced to food + exercise (and why the wellness world loves to act like it can) The privilege behind biohacking culture—and what actually matters most A simple training concept (periodization) that applies to real life: change your routine by seasons/quarters How your body speaks through symptoms—if you’ll listen instead of override A question to take with you: What’s the intent behind what I’m doing—am I caring for my body… or trying to control it? Connect with Amy Connell Free resource: 30+ non-gym ways to improve your health → gracedhealth.com/health Instagram: @gracedhealth (she’s rarely on, but you can DM) YouTube: @AmyConnell Next steps If this episode hit a nerve (in the best way), share it with a friend who’s exhausted from trying to “do health right.” And if you want help decoding what your body is communicating, check out the Body Signal Decoder. ✨ Your body has been trying to tell you something. Find out what it's saying with the free 30-second Body Signal Decoder Assessment. Pick your signal, get your personalized guide straight to your inbox, and finally start making sense of what's going on inside. Get it here: os.drbrooksheehan.com/decoder 🎧 And if you caught the mention of the Talk to Me, Body affirmation card deck during the episode, here's where to grab yours. 63 scripture-anchored cards to help you trust the body God designed for you. Get yours here: drbrooksheehan.com/talk-to-me-body/ 📱 Come say hi on Instagram: @drbrooksheehan ⭐ If this episode spoke to you, would you take a second to leave a five-star review on Apple or Spotify? It helps more women find this show. And more women learning to listen to their bodies is exactly why I do this.