Parenting is a journey filled with unexpected conversations, and body image is one of those topics that can catch you off guard. In this episode, Heather Adams, Strength and Nutrition coach and mom of 6, returns to dive deeper into raising kids with a balanced, healthy relationship with their bodies, food, and movement. With her own children and years of experience coaching others, she shares invaluable insights on guiding children through the ups and downs of self-perception while keeping our own biases and anxieties in check.

From tackling the differences in how boys and girls experience body image issues to fostering open and honest conversations, this discussion is filled with practical wisdom, heartfelt moments, and a few humorous parenting analogies you won’t forget. If you've ever wondered how to help your child navigate the complexities of body image, confidence, and self-acceptance—without overcorrecting or imposing your own fears—this episode is for you.

"Our kids don’t need us to fix everything—they need us to listen.”

- Heather Adams

“You don’t have to be perfect to be a great parent; you just have to be present.”

- Heather Adams

This week on Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck:

• How to respond when your child makes an unexpected comment about body image.
• The differences between boys' and girls' body image struggles—and why both matter.
• Why your own relationship with food and your body sets the foundation for your children.
• The power of simply listening and asking questions instead of fixing everything.
• How to use curiosity instead of anxiety when addressing body-related concerns.
• The surprising ways dance and sports can both help and challenge body confidence.
• Why helping kids identify their unique strengths fosters resilience and self-acceptance.
• Practical strategies for navigating the inevitable comparisons kids make.

Connect with Heather Adams:

• Heather Adams on Instagram
• Training Age Podcast with Val Lusvardi and Heather Adams
• Iris on Training Age Podcast: Telling a New Story

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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Join Iris Deadlifts on Instagram, Meri on Instagram, and Amy Rudolph on Instagram.