Rev. Heidi C. Heath - New Year, Same You: Dismantling Fat-phobia & Diet Culture

The start of a new year is always chock full of social media posts and conversations about “New Year, New You” but that messaging is steeped in fat-phobia and diet culture. Rev. Heidi C. Heath is doing a January series on her social media debunking this idea that we need a “new you” in the new year. Instead, she says, “We need more of you.” In her words, “Don’t you dare fall for the lie that you need to shrink your body, or yourself to make other people comfortable. Give the world the gift of taking up all the space that’s yours.”

As she untangles some of the harm of diet culture, Rev. Heidi also explains that fat phobia intersects with racism, homophobia, classism, sexism, and more. To untangle one, you have to work on untangling the other. She points to several others, like Sonya Renee Taylor, who are leading the way in that work.

What we love about Heidi is her deep honesty and her ability to preach a good word into all of our hearts. If you are someone who struggles with knowing your body is good and beloved, and never too much, this episode is full of Gospel for you.
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The Rev. Heidi Carrington Heath (she/her/hers) is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC).  She holds a BA from William Smith College (the women’s half of Hobart and William Smith Colleges).  She has a Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton with a certificate in Spiritual Care and Counseling.  Heidi also holds a professional diploma in Leading Spiritual Diversity in Higher Education from NYU.

Heidi is a public theologian and teller of hard truths, someone who holds pain and joy with the same breath. She serves as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Council of Churches.  Heidi is also a Spiritual Director, writer, preacher, speaker, and activist.  Her other hats include: proud queer femme, the wife of Rev. Dr. Emily C. Heath, and slightly codependent cat mama to Atticus and Windsor.

Affectionately known as “The Facebook Chaplain,” Heidi is the curator of online community at Notes from the Chaplain.

You can also connect with her via her website or on Instagram @revfemme. She’s still figuring out TikTok. You can also follow her writing at: revfemme.medium.com.