Nope, That's Not Normal | Jessica Thiefels | Substack

Balancing Health After Chronic Illness and Disordered Eating

Health is not a bad word, and you’re not disordered for wanting to take care of it. But it shouldn’t mirror the image diet culture has painted for us.

Jan 15 • Jessica Thiefels

Most Popular

I’m Not Mad at Serena Williams, I’m Mad At All This

Aug 24, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

When You Realize You Don’t Have to Love or Hate Your Body

Oct 16, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

When Joy is Conditional On Your Body Size

Aug 7, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

The Fine Line Between PCOS Management and Disordered Eating and What To Do Instead

Jul 2, 2025 • Julie Duffy Dillon

Rewrite the rules on food, body image and self-worth

Recent posts

January BDG: Mel Robbins and Aggressively Curating

Introducing the first-ever Bitch, Ditch, and Grow, a monthly newsletter where we can be unfiltered together, like your favorite group chat.

Jan 12 • Jessica Thiefels

What to Expect from Nope in 2026

An mini 2025 wrapped plus some details on what's to come for our Nope community!

Jan 8 • Jessica Thiefels

How I’m Subtly Dismantling Diet Culture in Everyday Conversations

if you want to help dispel diet culture messaging without getting into a whole thing, here are some ways you can do that.

Jan 5 • Jessica Thiefels

32:37

Makeing Movement Neutral, Nourishing and Playful

With Dr Marcia Dernie (she/they), Doctor Of Physical Therapy, accessible yoga teacher, child of Haitian immigrants, dancer, and chronically ill strength…

Dec 29, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

The Quiet Burnout of Holding Steady in a Thin-Obsessed World (PLUS, discount inside!)

It’s been a lot this year - for all of us. Let’s validate that and talk about how we can move into 2026 feeling empowered and less fatigued.

Dec 18, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

34:59

A Chat on Neutral Aging (Because Aging is a Privilege)

With Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT, eating disorder specialist, and author of Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your RRelationship with…

Dec 17, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels and Deb Benfield

Nope, That's Not Normal

Nope, That's Not Normal

We are a digital community built on real conversations, no BS insights, and a collective refusal to shrink—our bodies, our joy, or our worth.

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Disordered Eating

It's Time to Befreind Your Food Noise

The Deeper Healing Series #3

Nov 6, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

What If I'm Obsessed With Food?

We CAN cultivate a healthier relationship with food—one that's based on self-trust and acceptance rather than fear and control.

Apr 16, 2025 • Kayla Jessop

The Missing Link in Your Food and Body Image Healing

Years—decades—of beliefs, behaviors, trauma, culture, and diet culture BS have shaped the way you relate to your body and food. And that shit needs to…

Apr 9, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

29:04

Cultural Foods and Food Anxiety

With Zariel Grullón, a Latina Non Diet Dietitian

Apr 7, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Body Image

If You’re Torn Between “Don’t Judge” and “WTF” Read This

Reminders for the days when your values and your visceral reactions aren’t matching because this sh*t is a lot right now.

Dec 3, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Your Body Is Not the Problem… Weight Stigma Is

Why redefining health means letting go of the scale and befriending your body

Oct 2, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels and Tomesha Campbell

I Just Saw an Ad for a Major Brand Collab, and I’m Disappointed Again

While we can’t expect brands to stand for all the same things we do, it's hard to see so many blatantly ignore body diversity.

Sep 23, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

One Thrift Store, 5 Lessons, Many Versions of My Body

Thrift shopping allows us to let go of labels, dress for our body now, and focus on finding clothes that feel good.

Sep 10, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Personal Essay

It's Not All in Your Head

A letter to our community during Weight Stigma Awareness Week.

Sep 25, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Grieving Old Versions of Myself and Creating New Ones

Saying goodbye, hey again, and oh, you’re new.

Jun 25, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Bikinis, Healing, and the Sneaky Return of Old Beliefs

I'm taking bikinis back this summer—but as we got our first big burst of warm weather, I've been noticing those old beliefs and habits creeping back in.

May 19, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

I Started Running Again—But This Time, Not to Control My Body

Here are some thoughts that have been bouncing in my mind during my runs, plus some takeaways if this resonates for you.

May 5, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Healthcare

The Fine Line Between PCOS Management and Disordered Eating and What To Do Instead

Here’s the secret: these two things don’t need to go hand-in-hand. Let’s talk about why and what the alternative looks like.

Jul 2, 2025 • Julie Duffy Dillon

20+ Ways to Say No to Weight-Loss Talk or Being Weighed at the Doctor’s Office

You’re allowed to say NO (but it can be hard to do). Save this post for your next appointment so you can feel confident advocating for yourself.

Jun 4, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Rethinking Diabetes Care: It’s Time to Throw Out the Scale

What if I told you there’s a different way to approach diabetes care—one that doesn’t revolve around your weight?

May 21, 2025 • Megrette Fletcher (She/Her)

Mindful Movement

20:19

Movement, Reclaimed: Letting It Be Enough

With Andrea DiMaio (she/they), a fat, queer hiker, backpacker, traveler, cyclist, camper, yoga teacher, and speaker.

Jul 10, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

14:14

Movement, Reclaimed: Being Explorative and Feeling Strong AF

With Keri Harvey, NASM certified personal trainer and a Pain-Free Performance Specialist

Jun 26, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

12:32

Movement, Reclaimed: Stop Buying Trendy, Matching Workout Outfits

Because they're holding you back in ways you might not realize.

Jun 19, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

15:30

Movement, Reclaimed: Community and Embracing Flexibility

With Damali Fraiser, a compassionate Kettlebell Expert, author, speaker, fitness/nutrition coach, and founder of Lift off Strength & Wellness.

Jun 12, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

Jess's Healing Journey

Balancing Health After Chronic Illness and Disordered Eating

Health is not a bad word, and you’re not disordered for wanting to take care of it. But it shouldn’t mirror the image diet culture has painted for us.

Jan 15 • Jessica Thiefels

When Joy is Conditional On Your Body Size

If I didn’t think my body was small enough or fit enough, joy was nowhere to be found.

Aug 7, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

I Genuinely Didn’t Believe This Relationship With Movement Was Possible

The energy is intense right now (do you feel it, too?), and intuitive movement has become a life raft in the most beautiful way.

Jul 14, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

5 Things I Did During a Really Challenging Body Image Week

Because, even after years of healing, they can still creep up—and they still feel scary and challenging to navigate.

Jul 8, 2025 • Jessica Thiefels

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