#172 - After Dark: Ben & Dedra Hartman on Open Relationships

Summary:

 

In today’s After Dark episode, Diane is joined by Ben and Dedra Hartman, founders of the supplement company Morphogen Nutrition. Although this episode has nothing to do with health and fitness, Ben and Dedra are in the open relationship and non-monogamy lifestyle. They delve deeper into the topic and discuss what the lifestyle looks like for them, how their relationship evolved into what it is today, the challenges they’ve faced, and how (or if) it impacted their business. 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• 02:42 - Meet Ben and Dedra Hartman
• 03:20 - How their non-monogamous lifestyle began
• 11:44 - Addressing potential issues that may come up
• 12:51 - How to discuss the “swinger” lifestyle with friends and family
• 14:14 - Ben and Dedra share their personal experiences with their first shared hookup
• 17:41 - How their relationship has evolved since their first experience together
• 19:51 - Having casual solo experiences when only one person finds half of the opposite couple attractive
• 20:23 - How to create personal boundaries and say “no”
• 22:54 - Becoming a throuple and the lessons that came of it 
• 26:36 - At what point do you decide to add another person into your relationship?
• 28:58 - Managing the jealousy and what that looks like
• 35:32 - Compersion & sexual intimacy
• 38:03 - What is the “pretty woman rule”?
• 40:34 - Addressing the sentiment “you’re asking for your spouse to cheat on you”
• 45:35 - How being with other people has impacted Ben and Dedra’s sex life
• 46:56 - Navigating life after sharing their sexuality publicly
• 52:47 - Extremely helpful advice for new couples who want to enter the swinger lifestyle
• 1:01:09 - Remember this if you’re bringing in a single person into the picture 
• 1:01:53 - Suggested resources for people interested in the swinger lifestyle
  

 

 

Connect with Ben & Dedra:

 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitdeeds/ , https://www.instagram.com/morphogen_ben/ , https://www.instagram.com/morphogen_nutrition/ 
• Website: https://www.morphogennutrition.com/ 

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

• Sex with Emily Podcast: https://sexwithemily.com/listen/ 
• John Romaniello: https://www.instagram.com/johnromaniello/ 
• Plush: https://plushparties.com/ 
• Rachel Wright (psychotherapist): https://rachelwrightnyc.com/ 
• The Ethical Slut: https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Slut-Practical-Relationships-Adventures/dp/1587613379 
• Feeld App: https://feeld.co/ 
• Swing Lifestyle App (SLS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sls-official-swinger-community/id1449170265 

Connect with Diane:

 

• GET ON MY E-MAIL NEWSLETTER HERE
• Instagram: dianeflores_IFBB_Pro
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dianeflores_ifbb_pro 
• Ask me anything! E-mail: diane@venusfitnessstudio.com 

 

 

Work with Diane:

 

• Apply to be on our Competition Team HERE
• Check out the New Client Offer at Venus 
• The Goddess Body Project 12 week program
• Ditch Deprivation 12 week Diet Coaching Program
• Join the Sensual Dance Movement and feel confident in your skin
• Get your FREE backstage packing list for competition here

 

 

Fuel Your Body with the Goods:

 

• Try Meal Prep Delivery with FitKitchen Code: Diane10 
• Try this Energy Shot from Magic Mind - Code: BBRadio
• Visit Titan Nutrition for the exclusive offer for BossBitch listeners *Promo code BossBitch at check out
• Visit HiYo for 20% off non-alcoholic beverages HERE 
• Fave Boss Bitch Protein Bars - Built Bars *Use Promo Code: “Diane” at check out