Embrace magazine - Issue 1

Social media with Celeste Barber

No-fuss!

Dinnertime tips

Expert advice for parenting dilemmas

OUR FIRST ISSUE!

Parenting unfiltered No shoulds, no shame, no blame

Nazeem Hussain, Taryn Brumfitt & Yemi Penn

YOUR GUIDE TO BUILDING

happy & healthy kids

Embrace

Editor’s Letter

W E LC O M E T O the very first issue of EMBRACE

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TARYN PHOTOGRAPH: TINA SMIGIELSKI. STYLING: JAMELA EJJAMAI. TARYN WEARS COS JUMPER AND COMMONRY JEANS. OTHER PHOTOGRAPH: VERONICA SAGREDO/BLUE CLICK PHOTOGRAPHY. OPPOSITE: AMELIA MOSELEY PHOTOGRAPH: MAXX CORKINDALE. MATT TURNER. BIANCA TURRI.

R

ight now, you’re holding my dream come true – a life-changing resource for you and your child. Having a kind and respectful relationship with your body is like having a superpower, and this magazine will help you unleash it.

Despite being told not to make this countless times because “magazines are dead”, I followed my gut. Every parent I spoke to is craving a resource that celebrates real parent moments and a “do the best you can” approach to challenges like keeping kids dressed, fed, educated, on track, on purpose and happy. If you’re a parent of babies and toddlers, it’s hard to imagine them being teens, but trust me, the saying “The days are long, but the years are short” is so profoundly (and annoyingly) spot-on. My eldest just turned 18, and I found myself sporadically crying in the lead up to the milestone.

Maybe I’m just nostalgic for the days of a fresh Dolly or Cleo, but do you remember the excitement of a new magazine? I wanted to recreate the thrill of being entertained, inspired, and educated.

And maybe it’s perimenopause, but I’m getting clearer about what I want to say. At the end of the day, parenting is f***ing hard work, so Above: Taryn’s let’s help each other along the way, excited about a and shape a future where everyone future where can embrace exactly who they are. everyone can embrace exactly who One of my favourite quotes comes they are. Left: The from Steve Furtick, who says: “Don’t Embrace Kids Live compare your behind-the-scenes event held in Cairns. with someone else’s highlights reel”.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing here. We’re peeling back the curtain and removing the filters for no-shoulds, no-shame, no-blame stories and advice from experts and everyday parents just like you and me.

We’ve all worn the cost of hating our bodies – it’s robbed us of joy and adventures, strained relationships, held us back from jobs, kept us from swimming at the beach, and made us say no to photos with loved ones. Hating our bodies has cost us greatly, but it doesn’t have to anymore.

We can learn to have a better relationship with our own body. It’s possible and, my goodness, it’s worth it. We get to choose how we feel about our bodies, and the time to embrace them is now. Not just for our kids, but for us! So, get ready for some parenting truth-bombs, laughs, and trustworthy info to help you and your kids build better body images, resilience, and confidence.

And a word of warning … you may find the back cover confronting, but there’s

a reason for it. In the spirit of being real, we’re highlighting an inevitable fact – none of us will be here forever.

For over a decade, I’ve highlighted in my keynote speeches that we get around 28,000 days to live – if we’re lucky. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely used close to half (wink). It might not sound uplifting, but it is.

Similar to a near-death experience, reflecting on our limited time can bring us back to our values and what’s truly important. It reminds us that life is short, helping us to appreciate our bodies for how they look and for what they can do, regardless of unrealistic societal beauty standards. I’d love you to watch and share the Start Living campaign (theembracehub.com/ startliving). It will surprise you and hopefully inspire you to start living MORE! When I started the Body Image Movement over a decade ago, I never imagined we’d achieve so much – films seen by millions in 190 countries, books, songs, podcasts, presentations at Harvard University, and even invitations to The White House. It’s been a wild ride!

I’m as enthusiastic now – if not more – than ever. I’m happy to share all of my personal battles and triumphs to help empower others. But these stories wouldn’t achieve anything without the people who’ve helped me turn them into films, books, study guides and now … a shiny new magazine. The true force behind this movement is the people around me, who are as committed to this cause as I am, giving their time, talent and support day after day to make this world a better place.

A big thank you to some of my favourite people and friends in this inaugural edition: Sam and Cam Bloom, Yemi Penn, Nazeem Hussain and Libby Trickett, just to name a few. And I know I shouldn’t play favourites, but Enzo Cornejo is inescapably number one. This kid has inspired me so much that I put a note on the top of my Australian of the Year speech to help calm my nerves. It said: “What would Enzo do?” and reminded me that Enzo shows up in the world as he is: Unapologetic, confident, with pure joy, and he speaks the truth. It helped me that day, and many days since.

Where to from here? For more help supporting the young people in your life to embrace their bodies, head to theembracehub.com. And to support your own journey, head to bodyimagemovement.com for stories from the heart and resources for the mind.

As to my first time wearing an Editor in Chief hat, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please shoot me a message on socials (when the kids aren’t looking!).

Now, go grab a cuppa and enjoy!

From top: Embrace Kids helps children to appreciate their bodies in a fun, engaging way; reporter Amelia Moseley presenting the Body Blocks by Embrace Kids program; the launch of Activate by Embrace Kids.

Taryn Brumfitt, Editor in Chief @bodyimagemovement theembracehub.com Embrace 3

Embrace

48

Contents

Nazeem Hussein

38

2

The thought-leader and motivator tells us about parenting across cultures, and turning challenges into strength.

The 2023 Australian of the Year and body-acceptance champion on the inspiration behind The Embrace Collective.

Yemi Penn

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Taryn Brumfitt

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Out of all the gigs Nazeem has had, parenting’s his most satisfying role yet.

9 Embrace you

61 Embrace wellbeing

6

Contributors

62 Positive influencers

10

Mythbuster: unravelling some untruths about our bodies

64 Libby Trickett: the Olympian on the uplifting power of sport

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Your body is awesome

68 Brands we love

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Bye-bye BMI

70 Calming mealtime battles

18

Celeste Barber: fill your social 72 media feed with good vibes 74 24 Handling a bad body-image day 78 26 Indigenous wisdom 80 30 A letter to my young self: April Hélène-Horton aka The Bodzilla 82

Easy nutrition boosters Simple and tasty recipe ideas Press pause: carve out me-time Clothes and accessories Book club: Taryn’s great reads

The Body Image Movement with The Embrace Collective EDITOR IN CHIEF Taryn Brumfitt MANAGING EDITOR Em Worthington WRITERS Taryn Brumfitt Dr Zali Yager Em Worthington Amelia Taylor ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES hello@bodyimagemovement.com PUBLISHER

ARE Media

for the Body Image Movement and The Embrace Collective CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jane Huxley GENERAL MANAGER Nicole Byers EDITOR Tiffany Dunk CREATIVE DIRECTOR Joshua Beggs SUB EDITOR Bronwyn Phillips BOOKS AND CUSTOM PUBLISHING DIRECTOR David Scotto

33 Embrace family

PRODUCTION CONTROLLER Kara Stead Thanks to Carin Pole, Bettina Biazzo, Olivia Moore, Amanda Atkinson (née Campbell), The Embrace Collective team, and the ARE Media team.

34 Neurodiversity and food 36 Language matters 38 How we parent: parenting through diverse experiences 46 Then and now 48 Nazeem Hussein: the Aussie funnyman loves being a dad 50 Ask Dr Zali: great advice from our body-image expert TINA SMIGIELSKI. GETTY IMAGES.

52 First signs of eating disorders 54 The power of Enzo Cornejo 58 Parents are only human: have a laugh at our epic parent fails

on the cover

Published by Are Media Pty Limited.

ABN 18 053 273 546. 54–58 Park St, Sydney;GPO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia, (02) 9282 8000, www. magshop.com.au.©2024 All rights reserved. Printed by IVE LTD, 83 Derby Street, Silverwater, NSW, 2128.National distribution by Are Direct Pty Ltd.

Photography: Tina Smigielski. Styling: Jamela Ejjamai. Nazeem wears: H&M T-shirt, pants and jacket. Taryn wears: LMND shirt and Oxford pants. Yemi wears: Marrimekko skirt, PE nation jacket, H&M shirt and Zara trainers.

acknowledgement of country In the spirit of reconciliation, the Body Image Movement and

The Embrace Collective acknowledge the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. theembracehub.com Embrace 5

Embrace

contributors Libby Trickett

Yemi Penn

As a curious rebel, Yemi is on a mission to transform how organisations, individuals, and communities tackle complex problems, promoting both wellness and sustainable profits.

Yemi is a go-to thought leader on transformation, productivity, diversity and inclusion, and she challenges the status quo with love, compassion and power. She’s trained as an engineer, fuelled by research and entrepreneurship, and is a mum-oftwo. Believing in radical change, Yemi spreads her message globally through talks, books, documentaries and workshops, inspiring us to ignite our rebellious curiosity and join her in reshaping lives.

Libby isn’t just an Australian swimming legend, Olympic gold medallist and world champion – she’s an incredible mum-of-four and a dynamic changemaker. Beyond her stellar career in the pool, Libby inspires people of all ages as a charismatic TV personality, podcaster, motivational speaker, and host of The Embrace Collective’s Activate Masterclass. Her candid views on sport, inclusivity, personal growth and body image are making waves, from grassroots sport to the professional leagues.

April Hélène-Horton April Hélène-Horton, also known as The Bodzilla, is a popular bodypositive activist and public speaker, shining a light on body acceptance with infectious energy. April combines performance art with advocacy, captivating audiences and empowering others with her charisma and insight on stage, on screen, and in workshops.

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Nazeem Hussain

Nazeem Hussain, proud dad-of-two, is a beloved Australian comedian, actor, TV and radio host, and activist.

Raised in Melbourne with Sri Lankan cultural roots, Nazeem brings his unique perspective on multiculturalism, identity, and everyday quirks to the table. You’ve probably seen him in shows like Legally Brown and Orange is the New Brown or heard his hilarious stand-up routines which blend clever observations and spot-on humour. Nazeem’s ability to turn sensitive topics into laugh-out-loud moments has made him a favourite in Aussie comedy, and a delightful addition as the face of the Embrace Kids Parent Masterclass.

About The Embrace Collective

TINA SMIGIELSKI, GETTY IMAGES. @THEBODZILLA. MATT TURNER. MEG HANSEN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Dr Zali Yager

Zali is a founder and Co-Executive Director of The Embrace Collective, teaming up with Taryn to end body shame for future generations. With more than 20 years experience, she’s an internationally recognised expert and Adjunct Academic at the University of New South Wales and Victoria University.

As a Westpac Social Change Fellow, Zali is all about turning academic research into real-world solutions. She loves connecting people with evidence-based practices to promote positive body image in schools and communities around the globe.

Entwined with her academic work, Zali is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to empower people to feel their best. Her superpower is flipping complex ideas into practical solutions, making her a sought-after advisor for film, TV, and campaigns focused on body image, health, and overall wellness.

She’s a proud mama-of-three, is in her happy place at the beach, and we love her for her commitment to a good coffee and a glass of wine.

Imagine a world where young people feel totally at ease and proud of who they are, without worrying about being judged or feeling shame. Where they’re free to be themselves, to feel their best, and to live life to the fullest.

That’s the dream that inspires Embrace Kids, powered

by The Embrace Collective.

We’re all about giving young people the tools to love and respect their bodies so they can push back against the pressures of negative body image. And we’re here to support parents, caregivers, educators – and professionals too – helping them to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels safe, accepted and inspired to thrive.

When we start early and promote better body image, we have the potential to prevent issues like eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. It’s all about paving the way for healthier and happier lives – and every person is worth that.

We’re led by Taryn Brumfitt, the 2023 Australian of the Year, and body image expert Dr Zali Yager, along with a diverse global team.

Having already reached millions, we’re expanding our impact to another million Australian children annually with Embrace messages and resources, so they can embrace their unique selves.

We join forces with plenty of experts, changemakers, and noise makers to weave their magic into our mission for maximum impact. Thanks to all of our amazing contributors in this issue, who are helping us to create a world where embracing your body is the norm.

theembracehub.com Embrace 7

It’s not

your BODY that needs to change, it’s your

PERSPECTIVE.

UNSPLASH.

— TARYN BRUMFITT

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Embrace you B O DY A P P R E C I AT I O N starts with YOU

UNSPLASH. GUTTER CREDIT HERE

PAG E 12 The human body is amazing! From the top of our heads to the tip of our toes it’s an incredible vehicle to take us all on this journey called life.

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Mythbuster

, s e i l , s , li e i There’s so much that we’ve been told about S, L lies i E , l I , s bodies, weight and health that we need to unravel L , lie lies , S , lies … let’s start by busting a few long-heldImyths. s E s e e i i L s, l s, l es, , s e , lie , lie s, li , lie i l You can tell how Body positivity will , s s s , lie ies healthy someone is e e lead to weight gain e i i i l l l , ies, es, lies , L es, by looking at them s e S , li l l i i , l l , E s , , I s s , lie ies , lie , L lies es, e i l S es, s, li l , s s , s E e e i I s e i l li es, l , lie s, s, L s, li , lie s, lie , s e s, li ies LIE , lie , lie lies lie l i l , il es s, lie ies, l IES, , lies , lies lies, , lies, Lies, lie es, l ES, L , lies , lies lies, , lies IES, , lies li , LI , lies , lies es, , lies S, L lies s, S ies ies , li ies IE es, , lie E I L es, l es, l lies s, l es, L s, li lies ies li s, li ies, , LIE s, li , lie lies, es, l lie es, l IES s, lie , lies ies, es, li li S, L , lie , lies es, l s, li LIEs, lies s, lies ies, li Es, lie lie s, lie es, l S, LI lie s, li LIE lie Everyone has a different version of what healthy means to them, and good health is not always visible. People living with a disability or chronic health condition will have a different version of what healthy means to them.

Often, when people talk about looking healthy, it means looking slim. For the past 40 years, every time weight was talked about in the media we would hear something like “obesity is associated with heart disease and diabetes”. These messages have oversimplified the science behind weight and health. We all know someone in a smaller body who is doing things that are not good for them — and people in larger bodies who are moving, nourishing, and looking after themselves.

The latest research suggests that people who experience shame and discrimination about their weight experience much poorer physical and mental health. It’s not actually being at a higher weight that leads to health problems — it’s the shame and prejudice that people experience.

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Nope! This is the number-one biggest myth out there.

Promoting body acceptance is not about encouraging people to become larger. In fact, having a more positive body image and accepting your body is associated with more stable weight over time and better engagement in health behaviours such as sleep, movement and eating a variety of foods. Some people may gain weight on this journey as that is what their body needs to be ‘healthy’.

Encouraging your kids to appreciate their bodies won’t be bad for them … in fact, it’s likely to do them a whole lot of good.

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S E I

—TA RY N B R U M F I T T

L

GETTY IMAGES.

If you get cosmetic surgery you’re bad at body positivity Your body, your rules. My body, my rules. A big part of promoting positive body image is about ‘body autonomy’, which means that we all get to decide what we do with our bodies. It’s okay if you want to have surgery, straighten your teeth, cover up skin conditions, use adaptive technology, shave your legs, or not!

The whole idea is that you get to decide, without doing anything because you think you have to do it.

Embracing your body is about judging all bodies less, not more!

We need to make people feel bad about themselves to encourage them to ‘be healthy’

For a long time there’s been a misconception that we need to make people feel bad about their bodies to motivate them to lose weight. So many ‘health promotion’ programs have focussed on weight instead of health, specifically on making people at higher weights feel bad about themselves.

It hasn’t worked.

The science now shows that if we want people to be healthy, we need to focus on health, not weight. It might sound obvious, but it’s taken a long time for a lot of people to realise this.

You must love your body all the time to be body positive

The Instagram version of body positivity might have you believe you have to #loveyourbody all the time, but the way you feel about how you look changes over our lives. It depends on who you’re around, what you’re looking at, and what life stage you’re in.

Being 100 per cent positive about your appearance is unrealistic.

Instead, aim for ‘body neutrality’, where you realise that what you look like isn’t as important as you think. It means not letting thoughts and feelings about your body hold you back from things you want to do, like swimming or public speaking. And to accept, appreciate and look after your body. It’s not as catchy as a hashtag, but it’s a lot more achievable!

There are still so many myths to bust … and we’re here to keep doing just that.

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Embrace you

Your body is awesome We move around the world in awe of human creations — rockets blasting into space, self-driving cars and life-changing medical breakthroughs. But when was the last time you revered the greatest creation of all … your body?

BRAIN

LUNGS

Breathe without even needing you to think about it. Actually, if you overthink it, you'll interrupt the wonderful natural rhythm you already had.

Zaps messages around your body faster than a racing car, without even being asked.

NOSE

Can drink in the smell of a newborn baby, your teenager wearing too much perfumed body spray (this could actually be a curse), or freshly-cooked lasagne coming from the oven.

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ARMS

Help you to soothe and calm your children with hugs and cuddles.

LEGS

Carry you wherever you choose to go. In fact, your legs can carry you around the world three times in your lifetime!

EARS

Can hear your child fart, followed by the beautiful sound of their uncontrollable laughter.

HANDS

Can throw a ball to a teammate to catch or hold the hand of someone you love.

GETTY IMAGES.

EYES

Can see dusty pink sunsets, trees losing their leaves, or rain falling on the ocean.

Live life in awe

No matter your age, gender, strength or ability, everybody’s body can do different things. There are so many ways to appreciate what your body allows you to do. theembracehub.com Embrace 13

Embrace you

Bye-bye BMI There’s been a shake-up in food and wellbeing education in Australian schools. A key player in this change, Dr Zali Yager, walks us through it.

F

or some time, research has shown that the conventional ways of teaching about nutrition in school has been doing more harm than good. You might remember doing beep tests and classroom projects recording what you ate, counting calories, and being weighed at school – activities that have been problematic for many people. In fact, two research studies found that 14 per cent of young

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people being treated for anorexia said that health education classes were a trigger for their disordered eating.

I’ve been gathering research and evidence to educate teachers about the unintended negative effects of these sorts of activities for 20 years – and finally, real change is happening!

After Taryn was named Australian of the Year in 2023, we received a heartbreaking letter from an incredible mother, Kylie Burton, whose daughter had been hospitalised twice for anorexia.

Following two years of treatment, Kylie’s daughter was in recovery and returned to school, only to be faced with a six-week maths unit on measuring her body and counting calories. In the first lesson, students were asked to record each other’s height and weight so they could calculate

What’s the big deal with BMI?

UNSPLASH. OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED.

Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing your weight by your height, squared. It’s used in research and healthcare to categorise groups of people as ‘underweight’, ‘average weight’, ‘overweight’, and ‘obese’. The formula is popular because it’s so simple, but that’s also what makes it problematic: It’s too simple.

BMI was never designed to be an individual measure of weight status, let alone health.

It doesn’t apply well to women, children, athletes, or anyone who isn’t white – and that’s a lot of people! So, you can see why classifying students in BMI categories when they are with their peers, and when teachers are not adequately trained to communicate the complexity of the science around weight, can be extremely damaging for young people.

their body mass index (BMI) and plot their results on a graph.

“It was an obvious tipping point for my daughter,” Kylie says. “I saw her behaviour change. She became withdrawn and refused to eat some of the foods that had been listed in the maths lesson. She and her friends were upset and embarrassed about having to share their weight with the class. There was a group of them who stopped eating lunch at school, and my daughter continued to relapse.”

As a former dance, health and physical education, and English teacher herself, Ms Burton was quick to focus on the opportunity, rather than blaming teachers.

“Prior to my daughter’s diagnosis, I wouldn’t have had this depth of understanding, and I know how overwhelming it can be catering for all these different students’ needs, so there’s absolutely no criticism of teachers. It’s about awareness and understanding how those tasks can be processed by someone with body-image concerns or someone who’s vulnerable to an eating disorder.”

With Kylie’s passion and advocacy – and all the supporting research – we joined forces with Jane Rowan, Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA), to advocate for changes to the curriculum and enhance safety and inclusion of young people with eating disorders. It was a year-long push, but it was worth it – all our recommendations were included in the updated Australian curriculum published in November 2023.

“This would have made such a difference for my daughter. If they’d measured something other than their own bodies I don’t think she would have ended up back in hospital,” Kylie says. “It’s terrifying seeing your child being fed through a nasogastric tube and fighting for life. I’m sure her teacher didn’t mean any harm, but this is why more awareness is so important.”

What’s changed

Over the next few years we won’t see these activities happening in schools as teachers adjust their content to align with the latest version of the Australian Curriculum.

AC T I V I T I E S T H AT E X P E R T S A DV I S E AG A I N S T U S I N G I N SCHOOLS

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CHANGE

Critiquing and comparing personal food and wellbeing choices.

Teaching students in a way that involves judgement does not foster a positive relationship with their food or their peers.

Using diaries to record food intake.

This activity can introduce young people to harmful food restrictions.

Calculating kilojoules or calories.

We need to avoid teaching about food in ways involving judgement, numbers, or rigid rules. We can build positive relationships with food by encouraging young people to listen to their bodies and fuel them with nutritious options.

Assessing or comparing body weight and body measurements.

Calculating body mass index (BMI).

Focusing on constant improvement for all students to be ‘healthier’.

Asking students to find something ‘wrong’ with what they are eating suggests they are unhealthy, asks them to over-analyse their food choices and may lead to dangerous dietary restrictions.

Using the terms ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods.

Labelling foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ implies a moral value that can lead to shame.

Negative feelings around food, bodies and weight are strongly linked with negative health outcomes.

theembracehub.com Embrace 15

How can you support teachers?

It’s going to take some time for these changes to be communicated to every teacher across the country.

If some activities come home that are not aligned with the updated curriculum, here are some ways to work with them: 1. Respectfully ask why they have chosen a particular approach to teaching about food and nutrition, so you can better understand their rationale.

2. If you’re concerned about a classroom task, let the teacher know the impact it is having on your child’s health, attitudes or behaviours.

3. Inform the teacher of the changes to the Australian curriculum by sharing this article.

Hopefully, the teacher changes the task as they increase their awareness.

If this doesn’t happen, you can ask for your child to not participate in the activity.

If you’ve tried these strategies and you’re not getting the support your family needs, ask to speak with the head of department or principal.

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“I know how overwhelming it can be catering to all these different students’ needs.”

— KY L I E B U R TO N

All students deserve to be safe and included.

What’s next?

The Embrace Collective and Eating Disorders Families Australia are working with an alliance of dietitians and experts and have sought funding to develop eating disorder-safe nutrition education materials, so watch this space!

Sign up at bodyimageresources.com as a teacher or a parent to be the first to know about our new resources.

If you or someone you know is concerned about their body image or eating, please contact the Butterfly Foundation Hotline on 1800 33 4673.

ADDITIONAL

resources

Eating Disorders Families Australia – Support and advice for teachers and families. National Eating Disorders Collaboration’s Eating Disorders in Schools: Prevention, Early Identification, Response and Recovery Support – A guide that provides schools with the resources to prevent, identify and respond to eating disorders.

Please see page 25 for the full list of Embrace resources.

CHEN & COUTURIER, 2019; LIN ET AL., 2023. FOR FULL REFERENCES, PLEASE VISIT THEEMBRACEHUB.COM/REFERENCES

Embrace you

E BA T S

RB ER

CELE

Embrace you

Australian actor, comedian and writer Celeste Barber shares the power of filling your social media feed with positivity for self-love and confidence.

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GUTTER CREDIT HERE

vibes only

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Embrace you

theembracehub.com Embrace 19

Embrace you

In

our digital world, social media is a huge part of our lives, offering endless information, entertainment and connection. There’s lots to love about it! But as we scroll through our feeds we often come across images and messages that can affect how we see ourselves and our bodies.

Unrealistic portrayals can make us feel we don’t measure up. In particular, messages pushing women and girls to look a certain way can harm selfesteem and even lead to eating disorders. For parents and caregivers, protecting the next generation can feel like an impossible battle.

It’s easy to forget the power we have over how social media affects us – it’s time to get back to basics.

that make you feel bad and following accounts that inspire and uplift you.

Look for those celebrating diversity, authenticity and self-love, showing that beauty comes in many forms.

One of our favourites for feel-good Instagram content is Australian actor, comedian and writer Celeste Barber.

She has over 9.5 million followers for a good reason. Her recreations of celebrity photos and videos highlight how absurd and unrealistic these images can be, giving us a refreshing and hilarious take on the often unattainable world of celebrity culture. And boy, does she nail it!

Celeste featured in the EMBRACE KIDS documentary, sharing her insights on the importance of filling your feed with things that make you feel good.

Spring clean

Q: Why did you start doing Celeste Challenge Accepted posts?

Harnessing the upside of social media starts with unfollowing pages

First and foremost, I just wanted to make people laugh. That’s my jam –

I love to make people laugh. I think the reason why the posts resonate with people is because they see themselves in me. I’m just an everyday person (like we all are) but I’m doing quite a silly thing, and it’s funny. I think it makes people instantly feel good, and then they can look deeper into it if they want.

The Instagram world moved very quickly into making fake images seem real and very attainable. My sister and I used to send photos to each other of models or influencers in hilarious outfits or scantily-clad, with a caption saying “school pickup” – and you’re like, that’s not what you look like at school pickup! This is what people look like at school pickup.

It’s just the overarching idea that our bodies – in particular girls – need to look a certain way, and that’s what I’m fighting against. I will never, ever support anything that makes women feel that they need to look a certain way to feel a certain way. How we

GETTY IMAGES. INSTAGRAM.

On the flip side Celeste’s recreations of celebrity photos and videos make light of the unrealistic standards of fame.

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Embrace you look and how we feel are very different things.

I’m all about how you feel and then how you look after that – not the other way around. Not if you look like this, you will feel like this. That’s BS. Q: Were you surprised at the response globally?

I knew I was onto something because people get sick of that feeling of being inferior – and I knew it was going to hit a nerve because it was just cutting through the crap that we’re fed all the time. I’m very good at going “Nope, calling it”, so I knew it would hit.

I remember the one that made it go bananas was Kim Kardashian in her undies on a dirt pile. So, obviously, I did that – and then the news got a hold of it, and it went gangbusters.

I remember getting 50,000 followers in a few hours. Since then, it’s been crazy – it’s been awesome.

But I don’t want to buy into “If I get likes then I’m better at what I do” or anything. The main thing I look at is how people are sharing it, and that excites me because I know that it’s resonating with people. Everyday people who go, “Ah, that’s me”, and they share it with their friends. That’s what I really like about it.

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Q: Why are Instagram posts such a threat to how we feel about ourselves?

I’ve always said that when it comes to what I do on Instagram, don’t hate the player, hate the game because it’s the industry that wants us to hate ourselves. It’s not usually the individual model – they’ve got to make a living.

It sounds strange, but I actually have a lot of time and respect for the editorial world. When you see a fancy model who’s on a motorbike on the top of the Eiffel Tower and she’s got crazy hair and wind blowing, you know that’s totally set up for a magazine.

But with Instagram and social media – Instagram in particular – people are showing that they’re doing everyday things and making theembracehub.com Embrace 21

Embrace you

Q: How can we help kids to understand that many social media posts are unrealistic?

I do worry for our littlies now because when I was younger, you could put the magazine down or walk away, but with social media, you can’t really get away from it, so it just seeps in.

It’s so important for us, and especially for our kids, to know that there’s a multi-million-dollar industry behind it feeding this to us.

It’s not something that we can stop dead in its tracks, but it’s definitely something that we can be more aware of, and we have to help our kids be more aware that it’s not real. Everyone looks different – and that’s a really important thing for our kids to see.

Q: How can we help our kids navigate the negative side of social media?

It’s important for people (especially kids) to know the power they have in what they see, especially when it comes to social media. You can unfollow things that don’t make you feel great. You can even mute them if you don’t want to offend someone.

Take back that power and choose what you look at online and tell your kids to unfollow people who make them feel like poo. It’s really fun to do! I fill my feed with things that make me feel good.

Q: Have your posts affected how you feel about yourself?

I’ve never really seen how I look as something that is bad or something that I need to explain. How I look makes up a very small part of who

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NUMBERS DON’T LIE Researchers have found that just seven minutes on Instagram looking at beauty, bodies, fashion models, celebrities and food can make young women feel bad about their bodies and depressed. But looking at travel, nature and animals has no negative effect on body image or mood – cat videos for the win!

I am, so it was actually a little bit of a shock to me when I was scooped up in the body positive movement.

It wasn’t ever an intention, but I’m very happy to be caught up in that movement.

I actually get people coming up to me saying, “You look great. I don’t know why you’re comparing yourself to these models”. And I’m not comparing myself – I’m just showing an alternate body that we don’t always see. At the end of the day, how I look – and my body – is the least interesting part about me.

I think it’s very important for people (particularly kids) to find their groove.

I’ve got ADHD – I was diagnosed when I was 16 – so school was quite hard for me. I found my jam early, I was like, “Right, I’m funny, I like acting and I love entertaining people, so drama room here I come”. And I really pushed myself into that world.

I say to kids: Don’t ever be scared to be different. Forget that whole pressure to conform and fit into the box. Beauty is diversity. No one else can do you the way you can do you.

No one else can do me, I tell you now!

People love seeing people be brave and seeing people shake it up a bit.

Q: What’s been the response of people in the industry?

I find it exciting and heartening that a lot of the people that I have been doing my photos of love it. I’ve had fancy people come up to me at New York Fashion Week and say “I’m about to post a photo. If I tag you, will you do a parody of it for me?”

It’s not individuals who are in the industry trying to make us feel a certain way. They often struggle with these unrealistic expectations as well.

A lot of people who’ve built a career out of how they look also struggle, because they have to keep looking like that or they won’t have a career.

Because of what I do, I’ve hosted fashion shows and I get models sending me photos of other models, or supermodels sending me photos to do parodies. It has quite a nice inclusiveness when you get down to the nuts and the bolts of it.

A lot of the people who I parody love what I do – they have a sense of humour. Like Miranda Kerr for example, I do parodies of her all the time, and she reposts it and messages me about. She’s such a good sport!

When I see that the person I’ve parodied has liked it, I go “cool” because I want to be in it with them.

Q: What’s the most important thing to teach our kids?

I don’t think we should be worried about our bodies and how we look.

I think we should be focused on being kind to people. It’s very important to look after each other, and we all rise together – that is what’s important.

GETTY IMAGES, MEG HANSEN MEG HANSEN. OTHER PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED.

them look fancy, as if everybody should be doing it. That’s what I wanted to target.

These posts are still as highlyproduced as the stuff that you see in glossy magazines in hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of photo shoots. It’s just as produced – if not more – with filters. It’s set up to look as though someone has gone, “Quick, I’ll just get a quick candid snap”, and it’s absolutely just not how it works.

That’s why my stuff was just to cut through that and be like: No, remember, that’s not a thing!

The realistic guide to managing social media Social media and body image researcher Associate Professor Ivanka Prichard from the Embrace Impact Lab at Flinders University shares her top tips!

Don’t demonise it.

It’s here to stay, so learn how to use it.

Work as a team.

Set limits together with your child on when and how to use platforms, like specific times or durations. Discussing this helps you both understand why these boundaries matter.

Various phone settings can help with this.

Be curious. Sit with your child to see what online content they are viewing and ask questions about how it makes them feel.

Boss the algorithm.

Instagram can automatically send diet content to new accounts, especially to girls and women, even if they haven’t searched for it.

Show them how to change their settings to remove this content – block and delete!

Then mix up their feed with things that them feel good.

Safe to say, we had a ball filming the EMBRACE KIDS documentary with Celeste and Taryn!

Take a break. New evidence highlights the benefits of short breaks from social media. Maybe this is something the whole family could try? theembracehub.com Embrace 23

Embrace you

5 ways to tackle a bad body-image day We all have days when we don’t feel great about our bodies, and sometimes they can be tricky to handle.

These top tips can help you navigate those tough days.

Be as kind and understanding to yourself as you would be to a friend.

2. Focus on functionality Shift your focus from what your body looks like to what your body can do for you. Oh, the places you’ll go!

3. Limit exposure to social media If scrolling through social media makes you feel worse about yourself, fix your feed and take a break!

4

4. Get comfy Throw on clothes that make you feel like yourself – both comfortable and confident.

5

5. Be mindful

Mindfulness or meditation can help you to focus on the present moment. You could also try gentle movement, like some yoga or a walk.

Navigating your body-image journey can be difficult to face alone.

Don’t hesitate to seek out the support and guidance of a professional if you feel you need more support. The Butterfly Foundation Helpline (1800 334 673) is a great place to start.

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GETTY IMAGES. UNSPLASH.

1 2 3

1. Practise selfcompassion

Embrace you

Free body boosts

F I N D I N G T H E B E S T R E S O U R C E S F O R YO U R C H I L D

starts right HERE

AGES 0 to 8

Introducing the world’s first publicly available, broadly disseminated body image program for early childhood educators! Fun, bite-sized videos help educators teach kids to love their bodies, enjoy food, and stay active.

AGES 9 to 14

Embrace Kids Classroom Program includes five easy, curriculum-aligned lessons (inspired by the EMBRACE KIDS film) to help teachers guide students through body image, bullying, gender identity, advocacy and representation.

AGES 10 to 14

This empowering live event series leaves students amazed by their bodies and ready to make a difference in their school and community.

ALL KIDS SPORTS + DANCE

The Activate Playbook and Masterclass help coaches, parents, players and clubs boost body image to keep kids loving and playing community sport longer.

Don’t miss ...

FREE

Find these resources at bodyimageresources.com

E M B R AC E K I D S F I L M

This uplifting film by Taryn Brumfitt shares diverse stories about body image and more to inspire kids aged nine to 14 (and adults too!). It encourages everyone to discover what makes them unique and use that to spark positivity. theembracehub.com Embrace 25

Embrace you

Embracing Worimi wisdom for wellbeing GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Dr Liz Dale, Worimi woman, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor of Indigenous Health at Wollongong University, explains how her connection to culture and Aboriginal wellbeing practices led her back to life.

26 Embrace theembracehub.com

— D R L I Z DA L E

Social and emotional wellbeing

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Connection to spirit, spirituality & ancestors

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FROM AN ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PERSPECTIVE

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Connection to community

Connection to family and kinship

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GETTY IMAGES. OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED AND USED WITH PERMISSION.

“I am a Worimi woman, but I was born on Dharawal land.

I’m a saltwater woman.

I need to have my feet in the sand, be near the ocean, and be out in the sun.”

rie

Inner, deep listening and quiet, still awareness.

Dadirri is from the Ngan’gikurunggurr and Ngen’giwumirri languages of the Aboriginal peoples of the Daly River region (Northern Territory).

parents, Elders, community members and those who practised my religion and culture. By moving closer to all of those things, I found acceptance and courage to be seen in the world as the woman I was created to be.

I followed Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing life … and living to find myself.”

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective of wellbeing is collective; there is no wellbeing

pe

Dadirri (da-did-ee)

saltwater woman. I need to have my feet in the sand, be near the ocean, and be out in the sun. I started to spend more time at the beach, in the water, and on the sand, connecting to Country, moving my body in more joyful ways.

“I went on my own self-directed journey of healing. I realised that the only way of recovery that was possible for me was in the community way – I needed support from my

ns

L

iz was part way through her studies as a clinical psychologist when she first experienced issues with disordered eating. When she was admitted to hospital for inpatient rehabilitation, her experience left her feeling ashamed and frustrated that her medical treatment didn’t support her holistic recovery.

“I didn’t call it anorexia; I say that I lost myself,” Liz explains. “It was, for me, not a fear of gaining weight. It was a fear of existing and not being accepted as a light-skinned Aboriginal woman.

I thought that if I weighed less people wouldn't notice me. I was trying to hide.

“I was admitted to hospital twice.

The prescribed treatment was meal plans, pep talks about the positives of weight gain, and regular weigh-ins. There was no recognition of culture or spirituality, and that exacerbated the trauma.”

As a Worimi woman, Liz turned to her connection to culture and Aboriginal wellbeing principles to help guide her back to wellness.

“I am a Worimi woman, but I was born on Dharawal land. I’m a

*This conception of self is grounded within a collectivist perspective that views the self as inseparable from, and embedded within, family and community.

GEE, DUDGEON, SCHULTZ, HART AND KELLY, 2013. ARTIST: TRISTAN SCHULTZ, RELATIVE CREATIVE.

theembracehub.com Embrace 27

without community wellbeing.

The approach centres around seven interconnected domains of wellbeing that emphasise the importance of connection to body, mind and emotions; family and kinship; community; culture; country; and to spirit, spirituality, and ancestors (see graphic previous page).

For Liz, it meant re-engaging with traditional arts practices like weaving and beading, eating communally and socialising alongside her community.

“I also used Dadirri, which is where you go within, and listen deep to your body’s own innate knowledge and wisdom. To shut out the noise and listen because your body knows what it needs to do. This helped me to draw validation from my own internal world rather than external narratives I saw in the media or felt in the attitudes and comments from other people.”

With time and reconnection to Country and culture, Liz began to heal. “I started to go back to eating in my cultural way – preparing food together, eating together, in community – and used my culture to embrace food and eat again. I had to question the Western ideals of beauty that were being imposed on me and get critical of how Aboriginal people are portrayed in the media.”

With respect, nonLiz’s knowledge of Indigenous Aboriginal people can social and emotional wellbeing learn from these ideas practices, together with her and incorporate them training as a clinical psychologist, into their lives to feel is allowing her to help her Aboriginal clients reconnect with more connected. their cultural practices to heal.

Take time to quieten the “The Western world has its noise and listen to your own science, knowledge and body's innate wisdom, as wisdom. But Aboriginal in Dadirri. people are just as scientific, Gather your family and knowledgeable and wise. community to share food, "We’ve been around for 65,000 crafts, and conversations. years; that doesn’t happen by Truly cherish these accident. Our cultural practices moments of being together have enabled us to survive and and reflect on how they enabled me to survive, too. I’ve make you feel afterwards. trained in Western science and Visit natural places that in Aboriginal wellbeing. I believe bring you a sense of ‘home' that for future eating-disorder – the beach, the bush, a treatment, these parallel systems park, a river – to connect can complement each other. yourself to the world “I’m supporting others to around you. come back to their cultural practices and the seven

Incorporating Indigenous wellbeing practices

28 Embrace theembracehub.com

Bart Pigram (top left) shares Yawuru culture through his tourism business, Narlijia Experiences, in Broome. The tours empower Bart, and keep him connected to Country.

interconnected domains of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing in order to heal and be well again.”

The power of cultural connection Bart Pigram is a Yawuru man and father of seven from the West Kimberley region of northwest Australia. Like Liz, Bart feels that connecting with culture and community is important for his wellbeing. He shares Yawuru culture through his tourism business, Narlijia Experiences in Broome, which means “true for you” in Yawuru language.

“To me, it’s all about finding the balance of the two worlds. Doing tours means that I can stay connected

Embrace you on Country, practising culture and language. It empowers me,” Bart says.

“I remember being in school and learning about the pyramids and the pharaohs, but it was so irrelevant to me. We’ve got history and culture that’s been around even longer than that, right here. It gives me hope that we're now teaching young people more about Aboriginal history and culture. It’s good for Indigenous kids because they see their Elders being role models and their culture being valued.

“I also see greater awareness and appreciation coming from nonIndigenous kids. It’s not perfect, but there’s definitely not the same level of derogatory name-calling as when I was at school … and there’s greater awareness of Aboriginal culture.”

Liz agrees that encouraging the next generation of Australians to have a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives will help to support Indigenous health and wellbeing, and some of that knowledge could be applied to their own lives, too.

“We want all children to have a mindset of curiosity, of being comfortable enough with themselves so they can be comfortable with other people’s differences. It’s about saying, ‘you know what you know, but there are other people who know differently, and we can all learn from one another’.”

Dr Dale is on The Embrace Collective Research Advisory Network.

Eating disorders among Indigenous Australians There’s not a lot of research that has explored body image and eating disorders among Indigenous Australians. Data from the Every Body Study indicates that the prevalence of eating disorders is higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents (28.6%) compared to non-Indigenous Australian adolescents (21.7%). These findings are thought to be related to the higher levels of psychological distress among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Raising allies

The words and actions of non-Indigenous Australians can harm the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We can help to raise a new generation of allies who learn from each other and pave the way for healing.  Role model respect and

curiosity. Encourage your kids to be comfortable with themselves and understanding of other people’s differences.  Find out about Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal people on the lands where you live.

Learn some of the language and use it in your home.  Engage with Aboriginal people and cultures as you travel around the country.

Support Aboriginal businesses and take tours to appreciate history, Country and culture.

FOR FULL REFERENCES, PLEASE VISIT THEEMBRACEHUB.COM/REFERENCES.

Connection to Country and spending time in nature is an important part of wellbeing for Indigenous Australians.

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Embrace you

A letter to my younger self April Hélène-Horton (aka The Bodzilla) is an incredibly popular body-positive activist and public speaker, with some heartfelt advice for her 10-year-old self.

Writing to you seemed easy, but now I don’t know where to start.

I know you’re very aware of your size and feel like your big voice matches your body. The kids at school make you sad with their hurtful words, and you say those same things to yourself, too.

I know you think you need to change your body to make people like you.

You want to fall in love and have kids, but you think that can only happen if you look a certain way. But I have great news … none of that is true!

You’ve done amazing things. You learned how to drive and cook, you’re in love with someone who’s super funny and nice, and you even have a cute baby. Plus, you’re doing what you’ve always wanted: You’re creating art, writing and laughing a lot.

You might think: “I bet that all happened because I shrunk into the clothes that all the cool girls wear.” And you may be disappointed when I tell you that you don’t look like the girls in magazines – but there’s nothing wrong with that, and now you know it!

Sometimes you wish you could be more like other people, right?

Well, now you’ve learned to accept who you are – in all the ways – and you’re happy being yourself. You don’t worry so much about how you look (especially when you eat), or if someone likes you because of it.

You’re going to be someone others look up to, doing things you never imagined. You’ll wear swimwear in public without boardies and a T-shirt, you’ll be on TV and radio, and so much more … but I don’t want to spoil the surprises.

I can’t lie – there are going to be some tough times, too.

But your sense of humour and kind heart are going to get you through it … all you need to do is hold onto the people who make you feel like the funny, smart person you are.

It’s hard being a kid in a world that tells you that your looks are the most important thing about you, but you’re going to learn that everyone feels that way sometimes. Your body isn’t ‘too’ anything – you’re wonderful just as you are. I promise it gets SO MUCH BETTER. You already have everything you need.

Love always, April xo

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PHOTOS: @THEBODZILLA.

Dear April,

T TO S R I F BE THE THE N E H W KNOW UE OF S S I T NEX AZINE G A M CE EMBRA NING I O J Y B DROPS E. US HER

Resilience and confidence are really a DIY PROJECT;

as parents or educators, we can’t just hand it to our children.

They need to BUILD IT themselves.

UNSPLASH.

— DR JODY FORBES

Embrace family B U I L D I N G B E T T E R BODY IMAGE in your home

PAG E 36

GUTTER CREDIT HERE UNSPLASH.

Language is a powerful tool. Get tips for how to use it for good when you’re referring to your own body – or talking to your kids about theirs.

33 Embrace

Embrace family

Neurodiversity and food Mealtimes with neurodivergent kids can be tricky, but Phaedra Longhurst – an academic with personal experience in this area – has top tips to help.

34 Embrace theembracehub.com

Phaedra says: “This can be problematic for

some neurodivergent people – namely, the autistic community – as we may struggle to feel these internal sensations accurately, particularly hunger and fullness.

For example, we may delay eating and drinking until experiencing extreme hunger or thirst (which may be a distressing feeling itself) and/or over-analyse when to stop eating, causing us anxiety over-figuring out and deciding how we feel.

“Instead, neurodivergent people may either choose to eat consistently throughout the day or follow a meal routine. Deciding which approach works best is fundamentally intuitive, as we are listening and trusting our bodies to guide what works best for us. This ultimately helps us honour our body’s needs and its functioning, in a unique way.”

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

W

e’re bombarded with advice on the best food for raising happy, healthy kids. But what works for one child might not work for another, especially those with a neurodivergence, like autism or ADHD. And, even if you don’t have neurodivergent kids in your household, chances are you might have them over for a play date — whether you know it or not.

So, how do you manage mealtimes when neurodivergent kids might not be doing what’s expected, but are doing what’s best for them?

Phaedra Longhurst has firsthand experience with autism and eating disorders and is completing her PhD on this topic. Her insights shed light on how to navigate these situations with understanding and support.

“Being autistic gives us the skills to be inquisitive, thoughtful, and creative, [but] we may experience difficulties surrounding social situations and our body. In particular, our senses are often either hyper- or hyposensitive, meaning that taste, texture, and smell is different for us,” Phaedra says.

Here’s Phaedra’s take on four common food tips and why they might not always be the best fit, plus alternative approaches that might be more helpful.

Common tip 1: “Listen to your body.”

“We may experience difficulties surrounding social situations and our body. In particular, our senses are often either hyper- or hyposensitive, meaning that taste, texture, and smell is different for us.”

Common tip 2: “Eat a wide variety of healthy foods.”

Phaedra says: “Neurodivergent people often experience aversive sensory experiences with food.

For example, we may not enjoy foods that have certain textures and flavours, and therefore eat a small variety of food. This may limit our choice of foods; however, it is necessary to recognise that this is our unique way of intuitively eating. We may also experience difficulties in preparing or cooking food due to having differing sensory and planning or attention skills.

“A great way to help us overcome this is choosing foods that are more accessible and convenient to eat, like pre-packaged meals. It is also worth recognising that this helps us to eat in a way which ensures adequate nutrition and energy.”

Common tip 3: “Eat mindfully.”

GUTTERIMAGES. GETTY CREDITOTHER HERE IMAGE SUPPLIED.

Phaedra says: “Sitting down to focus

on eating is not always accessible, as neurodiverse people often rely on external stimuli to regulate ourselves.

“A neuro-affirming approach may involve eating with a form of stimulation, such as a stimming toy/object, TV, music, or while moving in a way that makes the body feel good while being safe, such as walking.”

— PHAEDRA LO N G H U R ST

Common tip 4: “Enjoy the social side of food with friends.”

Phaedra says: “Neurodivergent people often struggle with social situations due to differing communication and interaction styles and may prefer our own company in order to maintain a quiet, predictable environment. Eating in communal spaces may be perceived negatively due to noise or disrupting routine.

“It’s important to make the environment suitable for us in a way that allows us to engage in intuitive eating. This may not always be possible, but it could involve eating at a separate time to others, asking for a quiet space to eat, or requesting certain foods.”

Above all, approaching these situations with understanding and support is the best way to go.

Tips for 1 flexible and mealtimes with Be listen to when, neurodivergent how and what children they like to eat.

2

3

Accommodate needs for a quiet, separate eating space or time.

Provide opportunities to eat with other forms of stimulation, like music or TV.

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Embrace family

Language matters When you’re talking about your own body Teasing or shaming someone for their appearance can lead to lasting issues with disordered eating, even two decades later. Even offhand remarks we make about our own bodies can have a big impact. Language is powerful, so use your power for good!

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INSTEAD OF

“Ooh, I’m going to have to go for a run to work off that chocolate.”

TRY THIS

Avoid implying you must control or “work off” your food. You don’t! Instead, talk about listening to your body when it tells you that you’ve had enough, rather than restricting what you're eating in an attempt to change your shape. Try saying: “That was delicious, but my body is telling me I’ve had enough now!”

INSTEAD OF

TRY THIS

INSTEAD OF

TRY THIS

“I feel so fat and gross.”

“I need to lose weight before our summer holiday.”

It’s important to avoid negative connotations of the word “fat” – try to keep it as neutral as possible. Try saying: “I’m not feeling so good in my body today – I feel like going for a walk to get my blood pumping and get some energy! Do you want to come?”

We want to role model that we don’t need to look a certain way to enjoy our holidays or go to the beach or pool. Try saying: “I’ve just tried on my swimsuit, and it doesn’t feel good on my body anymore – I’m off to the shops to buy one that does!”

Four-paw wisdom

When you’re talking to your kids INSTEAD OF

“Wow, you’re getting so big!”

Avoid labels. If you want to comment on the way a person has changed, comment on the person, not their body.

Try saying: “You’re growing up so fast!”

INSTEAD OF

TRY THIS

INSTEAD OF

TRY THIS

“You look so pretty in that dress!”

“Are you eating again? You can’t still be hungry!”

INSTEAD OF

GETTY IMAGES.

TRY THIS

“Eat the good food, then you can have some treat/ junk/bad food.”

We want to reinforce the idea that our appearance isn’t the most important thing about us, so focus on how clothing makes a person feel, rather than look.

Try saying: “Wow, that’s a great outfit, good choice! What inspired you? How does it make you feel?”

Try saying: “I love that you’re listening to your body – we all go through times when we are hungrier than others.

What does your body need right now?”

TRY THIS

Try saying: “Let’s focus on fuelling your body with as many nutrients as possible so you’ve got lots of energy today – do you want to start with a banana or some toast?”

What do dogs have to do with it? The EMBRACE KIDS film shows that, just like humans, dogs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some have short legs, others have long legs; some have long, fluffy coats, while others have short fur.

Some dogs are great at running fast and digging holes; others like rounding things up. And some just like to snuggle on your lap.

We celebrate that dogs can do different things with their bodies. We don't expect a Chihuahua to be a mountain rescue dog, or a Great Dane to move through a tunnel like a sausage dog can. We celebrate the differences.

Next time you’re thinking or talking about your body in a negative way, or your kids are asking about their own bodies, think about human’s best friend.

Our bodies are unique, and we all have different talents and skills. Embrace them!

BREAK

it down Taryn’s new book, Chico the Schnauzer, is a fun way to talk to your kids about their amazing, unique bodies. Check it out!

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Embrace family

Go your own way

Parenting looks very different from a generation ago. These stories celebrate the universal bonds, resilience, and love that define modern parenthood, despite the challenges.

Yemi Penn Parenting across countries and cultures

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and the importance of support in every culture.

How did your upbringing affect your role as a mother?

I’m one of seven siblings, born in the UK but raised with Nigerian West African values. Respect for elders was crucial, and despite old-fashioned gender roles (like “you must know how to be a good wife, a good cook and ignore your future husband’s wrongdoings”), we were progressive in that we were encouraged to pursue education. I’m so grateful for that privilege.

Like many people, I experienced a traumatic event as a child. As a

Above: Yemi with daughter Leah and son Levi. She has been the main caregiver for her children, and her extended family has been an invaluable support.

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Y

emi Penn is transforming the world one conversation at a time by helping businesses, communities, and individuals to understand each other better.

A compassionate, courageous and powerful woman, Yemi juggles many roles: Speaker, researcher, author, engineer and documentarian. Her speciality is turning challenges into strengths and finding harmony.

Yemi’s experiences have inspired her to champion diversity, acceptance, and breaking cycles of oppression. Growing up in a Nigerian West African family living in the UK she has navigated cultural expectations, and values the insight of parenting across generations and cultures. We chat with Yemi about her unique journey to motherhood

Embrace you woman, I already felt behind the eight ball, and the trauma amplified that, as I felt like I lost my voice. I started to carry the identity of being shy – when in fact I’m an introvert, but I’m not shy. That childhood incident probably makes me more vocal now, so I explain things to my children and stress the importance of using their voices. How we use our voice matters, and my trauma shaped how I present myself as a person, woman, Black woman, mother, and partner.

But I always knew I wanted to be a mother – it was never a question.

As much as I was guided to get a good education, I was also nurtured and influenced to make sure I knew how to cook and be a good housewife, especially in my teens.

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

What was the journey to motherhood like for you?

Well, it was definitely not ‘traditional’. Seventeen years ago I fell in love with a tall, dark, handsome guy in the UK. His sister was pregnant, and at 24 I realised people my age were having babies, so my daughter, Leah, was planned fully with love.

I enjoyed every part of the pregnancy, but culturally I was expected to get married first.

Our parents supported us on the condition that we’d marry.

After giving birth, life got tough. I was essentially homeless (as I couldn’t stay with my family once I had a baby), so I registered for government housing, and he eventually moved in with me. It was rough from the start because sleep deprivation can make you feel like you’re losing your mind, and at that stage, we didn’t have enough grace and empathy for each other. We managed to live together for about the first 18 months of Leah’s life, but after that, things were very turbulent for a long time. No one can truly explain the magnitude of caring for someone else when you’re still learning to care for yourself.

Leah was three or four when I met my son, Levi’s, dad on a dating website. He was an American in the military, stationed in South Korea.

Our romance was online, then we theembracehub.com Embrace 39

Embrace family

What support have you had during all these changes?

Although I’ve been the main caregiver, family has always had a hand in my children’s development. With my daughter, my family was the backbone – they were absolutely phenomenal!

My mum and I were never that close or tactile, but wow, my love for her grew.

Even after three work shifts, she’d still come and help bathe my daughter.

That was our village. People always visited, and siblings helped with school and nursery pick-ups.

And when Leah was two-and-a-

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Left: Yemi was born in the UK but raised with Nigerian values. Below: With her children in Nigeria. Bottom: Visiting her beloved grandmother.

half, and her dad and I separated, she went to live with my grandmother [who sadly recently passed away] in Nigeria for a year while I returned to uni for my master’s degree. In many cultures, not just African, grandparents help raise children because of our capitalistic world where parents work or study.

But my son, Levi, was just seven weeks old when we left the UK for Australia. It was a very different experience and possibly why I found motherhood a bit tough.

How did you both cope with sending Leah to live in Nigeria?

It was hard and definitely traumatic for me – I can only imagine extremely traumatic for her – but it was also the best gift; a tough but valuable experience. Reflecting now, my motherhood journey has been far from traditional, with the village playing a crucial role.

We were all back in Nigeria at the end of last year to visit my grandmother, their great-grandmother. My daughter couldn’t remember it, but she felt the love was there. My son, who’d never been to Nigeria, said he felt like he’d been there before. It was probably the most divine experience I’ve ever had, not just as a mother, but ever.

As a mother, it was fascinating to see these generations and realise that in motherhood and parenthood, we are all branches of this majestic tree.

That’s what it felt like going back.

Did Leah’s time with your grandmother reflect your own upbringing?

As a child, I lived with my grandmother for a few years and then with a foster parent, a white lady in the UK, with my two older brothers and my younger

PHOTOGRAPHY: TINA SMIGIELSKI. STYLING: JAMELA EJJAMAI. OPPOSITE: YEMI WEARS MARRIMEKKO DRESS, COMMONRY NECKLACE AND ZARA SNEAKERS.

met up in Thailand, South Korea, America, and London. After a year-and-a-half of dating remotely, we got married, and I moved to Japan. It was wild!

Things got tricky fast because I gave up my job as an engineer and became a housewife, which I’m extremely allergic to. We decided to hold off on growing our family, but I come from a line of highly fertile women, and I got pregnant with my son on our wedding night. That pregnancy was painful and challenging, and at six months pregnant, I moved back to the UK from Japan.

When the chance to move to Australia arose, Levi's dad was supposed to come, but I realised leaving the military early would risk his retirement benefits and medical care. It was a tough decision to separate, but thankfully, we have the best relationship today.

Now, I’m with my partner who isn’t the father of my kids. We’ve been together for seven years, but our families aren’t blended.

He has three kids, I have two, and it’s been a little complicated – so I have so many different pockets and experiences of family, parenthood, and motherhood.

Embrace you

If we could embrace all different ways of parenting, that could help heal the world.

— YEMI PENN

Have you learnt to let go of anything as you’ve grown into being a mum?

I’m still struggling with what it looks like as my daughter turns into a woman. Do I just watch? Take control? I think I’m so far from controlling, but it turns out I was still trying to control the narrative of who she should be. It’s a fine balance of protection and letting her be free – and I’ve had to let go of that.

How do you juggle the pressures of being a working mum?

When I dance, I reconnect with who I am and enter a state of flow where all my identities – mother, woman, wife, engineer – come together. It aligns with my work on trauma; our bodies remember not just the pain but also the wisdom and joy, so dancing reminds me that every part of me is valuable. And I like to also remember to be kind to myself – when I know better, I’ll do better.

sister. Many Nigerian and Ghanaian parents did this ‘farming’ where kids stayed with white families, possibly to help them acquiesce. It seems wrong now, but but made sense back then. I’m still in touch with my foster mother occasionally.

I’m okay sharing this but always do it with love because living in the Western world, we often think ‘our way’ is the only way. But there isn’t one blueprint; one family can be a mix of many identities, cultures, and races. It’s beautiful and why we need to love each other. If we could embrace all different ways of parenting, that could help heal the world.

How can parents and caregivers best look after themselves?

Did anything surprise you about becoming a mother?

It's really hard! It’s hard because I thought it would be natural. For me, natural means ease, flow, and support. It’s not that children are hard; it’s that we’re in a system that doesn’t support the majestic act of raising a child. I can’t understand how mothers have bought into the lie that it’s not tough.

I've tried to break the paradigm by building a community in Australia where there’s no blood family, so my kids have more resources than just me. It’s unfair to them otherwise.

Honouring all parts of yourself is about grace and compassion.

Forgiveness may not be possible for everyone, especially when it comes to parents, who are a part of you in many profound ways – genetically, energetically, vibrationally across the spectrum of science and mysticism. So instead of forgiving, practice grace and compassion. This doesn’t mean accepting everything; it means acknowledging and respecting your experiences.

Send some love back in time and space, so you can move into your most powerful self.

theembracehub.com Embrace 41

Embrace family

Sam and Cam Bloom Parenting after a tragedy

E

leven years ago, life was joyfully busy for Sam Bloom. She had fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse and enjoyed a vibrant life on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with her husband, Cam, and their three sons. The family led an active lifestyle, surfing, hiking, and travelling extensively, where Cam captured moments as a photographer.

But a tragic accident during a 2013 family holiday in Thailand with their boys – Rueben (10), Noah (nine) and Oli (seven) – changed everything.

While staying at a hotel, Sam unknowingly leant on a rotten balcony railing and fell six metres, suffering severe spinal injuries that left her paralysed from the chest down. After surgeries in Thailand and months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation in Australia, Sam returned home to be with her family – but life had changed immeasurably.

Since then, Sam has faced immense physical and mental challenges while adapting to her new reality.

Supported by Cam, their children, friends, and family – along with a special feathered friend – Sam’s story has resonated worldwide through the international best-selling book and film, Penguin Bloom. Now, Sam excels in the adaptive surfing scene, winning many competitions across the globe and inspiring others with her skills and determination.

We chat with Sam and Cam about

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Clockwise: Noah, Rueben and Oliver with Sam in Port Douglas in 2023; Sam’s recent visit to Ethiopia; the boys with Sam in hospital in Thailand in 2013; with Penguin in 2013.

parenting through this life-changing event and how they’ve faced challenges with resilience and love.

What was it like returning home after the accident?

Sam: That was so hard!

Coming home was the moment it hit me: “Oh my God, this is my life now”. I wasn’t happy at all, and I felt a lot of guilt as a mother. Other mums would come to take the boys to the beach or the skate park, which was well-meaning, and I appreciated the help, but I kept feeling like, “That’s my job … I should be doing this and not relying on others!” I couldn’t help feeling jealous because I wanted to enjoy those special moments with my kids.

Cam: Even reflecting on it now, there were so many challenges initially to overcome, and that hasn’t really changed due to Sam’s permanent injuries. My advice to other parents who may be going through a life-changing event like ours is that you must learn to adapt and do things differently. Try to find alternative ways to still enjoy things

you used to love doing – it’s imperative to not give up because the means to achieving the breakthrough you need may be a lot closer than you think.

How did the boys cope?

Sam: I remember Noah coming into

the hospital and he was so angry, and

Embrace you

and it causes me pain 24/7. The medication didn’t work, so I just have to accept that I’ll be in pain, which sometimes wears you down. It’s like, “come on, even give me one day, or half a day, of no pain”.

Was there a turning point where you felt yourself starting to accept the new reality?

Sam: I’ll never accept it. Even with all

I want them to grow up how they would have.

Nothing too crazy, but to still go out there and embrace life.

PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON BLOOM.

— S A M B LO O M

I said to him, “Noah, this is shit – everything about it is shit, but we have to just make the best of a really shitty situation.”

And in the first summer home, I remember him feeling really guilty too when he grabbed his board and said, “I'm just going for a surf!” He looked at me and said, “Oh, I’m so sorry!” I said, “You just get an awesome wave – that’s all I want.

That’ll make me happy!” We were all battling a lot of guilt.

Cam: We involved Sam in everything we did as much as possible. It just meant taking a bit longer and doing things differently ’ it was always “we’ll work it out when we get there”.

We were doing the best we could, and we continued doing things as a family, which was important.

Sam: Our approach has always been that we’re not more cautious now. We’re not scared, and I don’t want them to be terrified of adventures. I want them to grow up how they would have.

Nothing too crazy, but to still go out there and embrace life.

How do you feel about your body after the accident?

Sam: I guess I don’t have a choice.

I couldn’t touch my body or my legs initially; it felt squishy and disgusting to me, but I can touch my legs now. I can’t say I’m at peace with my body because to me, it’s broken,

the gold medals, movies and books …

I’d give it all back just to be me in a heartbeat. But I think the turning point, and what gave me a bit more confidence, was when I started kayaking, and then I got chosen for the Australian Paracanoe Team.

That was pivotal – the boys were really proud of me because I was representing Australia, and I had a purpose.

As much as I say it sucks and all the negative things, I know we’ve been very lucky. We probably travel way more now than we ever used to.

We get to meet amazing people – like Taryn and Turia Pitt and Gill Hicks – we went to Hawaii last week for surfing and have just come back from Costa Rica. That’s pretty awesome!

Is there anything you hope your boys take out of your experience?

Cam: I think they’re living it now

because we’ve ingrained a whole lot of different values and experiences in them over the past

theembracehub.com Embrace 43

Embrace family 10 years. Our recent trip to Africa with the boys embodied what we wanted to instil in them: Work hard, travel when possible, experience and respect other cultures, and life will be more rewarding.

We stayed with a family in Zimbabwe who lives in a conservancy where they try to stop rhino poaching and the trade of bushmeat and so on. Then we travelled to The [Addis Ababa] Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, which treats women who have suffered from severe childbirth injuries from prolonged labour without adequate medical care.

Sam: It was so unreal. In Ethiopia, we took them down towards the South Sudan and Kenyan border – it was incredibly remote and tribal.

Oh, my God, they had the best time – and it made us so happy because they immersed themselves into everything and loved it.

Cam: It’s just given our boys perspective on what we have and how lucky we are here.

An update on Penguin After Sam’s accident, Noah found a tiny, injured magpie chick that had fallen from a tree. Miraculously, she'd survived but needed immediate help. The Blooms took her in and cared for her with help from a friend who was a vet, and lots of research. The boys named her Penguin because of her black and white feathers, and she became part of the family at a particularly tough time. Her story inspired the best-selling book and film, Penguin Bloom.

How did Penguin help your family after the accident?

Sam: Penguin was a great example of the power of animals and

nature. She was a wild bird who came and went as she pleased.

We never knew when she was coming, and next minute she’d fly through the window and land on your shoulder in the kitchen.

It was a joy for the children to have that connection, and she felt at home and safe. All the kids had unique moments with Penguin.

Rueben would annoy and tease her, and she’d nip his ear. Noah was gentle – she’d lie on his bed and fall asleep, like a pet dog.

Cam: She was with us for two years, gaining strength and exploring further. Our goal was always to rehabilitate her and return her to the wild. When Sam left for the world championships in Italy, Penguin flew away. It was amazing to feel that we did a great job integrating her back to the wild.

Looking back, the parallels between Sam’s recovery and Penguin’s are clear, but at the time we were just in the moment.

As a photographer you couldn’t ask for a more rewarding project to document. I am grateful to have captured it all.

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Above: Sam winning Gold for Australia at the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championships at La Jolla in the US in 2018. Below: Sam in Turmi Village, Southern Ethiopia, in 2024. Bottom: At home on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Nick Pearce Parenting

against the grain

N

ick Pearce has gone from CEO to stay-at-home dad of Jack (three) and Georgie (six months) so his wife can focus on her own successful business.

What was life like before taking on your new role?

PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED. OPPOSITE PAGE: CAMERON BLOOM. TOP: CHRIS GRANT/ISA.

I was the co-founder and CEO of hoMie, a streetwear clothing social enterprise that works with young people affected by hardship.

We used retail to provide them with paid work experience and help them transition into professional life. It was my first ‘baby’!

What inspired you to become a stay-at-home dad?

My wife, Dani, is the founder and CEO of her business, Merry People, and we realised our family life wasn’t sustainable because we weren’t giving our best to each other or our child (just Jack then), so it felt right to change things up. Now I can focus more on our children, allowing Dani to focus on her business, rather than us both feeling like we’re stretched too thin on both fronts.

Was it difficult to step away from something that you’re so passionate about?

Work can be such a big part of our identity – there’s always that question when you meet someone: “What do you do?”. It’s been quite a shift to go from “I’m a chief operator of a charity” to “I’m a stay-at-home

Left: Nick, with Dani and Georgie, was a former CEO. Above: With son Jack.

dad”, but I’m really appreciating the chance to strengthen my bond with the kids. Not everyone is in a position to do this, so I feel very lucky.

What have the challenges been?

I thought the days would be very long, but time is going quickly for sure. As any parents of little ones would appreciate, our day-to-day involves trying to get outside as much as possible and building some sort of semblance of a routine … which is pretty non-existent at the moment!

No two days are the same, but I try to get in some morning exercise, and if I’ve banked that, I’m able to be on the kids’ schedule and handle the day’s unpredictability. And coffee is a non-negotiable!

What kind of support do you have?

We’re lucky to have found our tribe within our first parents’ group, and it’s been nice that those relationships

have evolved with us. I’m also really fortunate that my mum is nearby.

It’s great to get some extra time with her, and it’s a nice way for her to spend time with her own child and grandchildren.

And I’ve become aware of this really cool support group that involves different workouts, activities and even retreats – dadfit by Ryan Carters. When I have time around the kids, elements like that are really helpful to feel supported.

What’s been the reaction from friends, family or former colleagues?

It’s been super positive! But many people ask, “what’s next?” given my past innovation in my twenties. I’m really comfortable saying I’ve decided to support our family better. How that evolves as the kids get older will depend on our needs, but I’m happy being the primary carer right now. theembracehub.com Embrace 45

Embrace Embracefamily you BMX

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2024 More than a few things have changed in the past 40 years – no wonder parenting is a new ball game!

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Embrace Embracefamily you

Making golden memories GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Parenting might seem like a comedy of errors to many of us, but for comedian Nazeem Hussain, it’s his favourite role to play.

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Embrace you

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GUTTER TINA SMIGIELSKI. CREDIT HERE GETTY IMAGES. NAZEEM WEARS H&M.

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feel like I’m in the best phase of my life. You know, being a parent [to six-year-old Eesa and two-year-old Aamina] is just so enjoyable. It comes with all sorts of craziness, like chaos, more chaos … basically just chaos. But I really don’t think you can top it.

Sometimes it’s not fun in the moment, but as soon as you have perspective – which might be half-an-hour later or later that evening – everything is just golden memories that I don’t ever want to forget.

Sometimes I think I need to plan a lot for the holidays, go here and go there. I always feel that pressure. But it’s the days in between those big days that are the most fun, when you’re going to the park, or you’ve spilt paint on the floor and you’re laughing about it, or you have to pretend to enjoy eating their food.

I once told my kid – who was eating chicken at the time – where chicken came from. He was like, “What? What do you mean?” I went on to explain the process of slaughter and how an animal that was once living now isn’t so we can eat it.

Anyway, he cried for a long time, and I realised you can probably be too honest with the kids. That was a fail.

Don’t try that!

Looking back on my life before kids, it feels like a different me. I’m surprised at how much I don’t really care about going back to the days when I was kid-less. Though I would definitely spend a kid-free day in bed. God, sleep is one thing that I do grieve. I miss a good sleep.

Another surprising thing about being a parent is how the way you were parented just comes out of you automatically.

Like, instinctively when your kids do something, you sound exactly like your parents. My mum was a single mum and had a very fun way of raising us. We all had to work together as a team to make ends meet. And so, she taught us how to laugh through adversity and to never really despair for too long.

I hope my kids learn to remember to always be kind and have fun. You know, if you can be kind and have fun, simultaneously, you’re living a good life.

I still need all the advice in the world. You’re never going to feel like you’re nailing parenting. But as long as you’re conscious of your parenting and you’re there for your kids, I think you’re doing a good job. You know, parents can be too hard on themselves. I’m hard on myself. And my wife’s hard on herself. But I think that’s probably a sign that you care.

So just don’t be too hard on yourself. Enjoy it and just be your child’s biggest cheerleader.

theembracehub.com Embrace 49

Embrace Embracefamily you

ask Dr Zali

Internationally

-recognised body image expert

Everything we do is backed by research — and that’s Dr Zali Yager’s jam! She’s a globally renowned body image researcher who understands the science behind how we perceive and appreciate our bodies.

Self-conscious

Mirror, mirror

ANDY, in Brisbane.

BILLY, in Perth.

I’ve noticed that my 11-year-old son has started to become a bit more self-conscious about his body. He thinks he’s bigger than his friends in class and doesn’t want to go swimming without a big shirt on, or get changed for PE. What’s the one thing I can do as a parent to help him?

Dr Zali: This is a common time for tweens to start to feel awkward about their bodies – especially if they feel they look different to their peers. The main thing you can do |is to reinforce – over and over in as many different ways as possible – that you accept and appreciate him for the way he looks, and who he is.

Tell him that everybody is different, and that there is nothing wrong with his body. It’s exactly right for him and getting ready to transition into an adult body. Avoid the temptation to encourage him to change what he eats or how he moves in the hope that this will change how he looks, and mean he won’t get teased about his body.

Your acceptance is everything.

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Dr Zali has the answers!

My 12-year-old daughter spends so much time in front of the mirror.

My eldest ones never focused so much on looks, but this one? She’s always the last one in the car when we’re getting ready to go anywhere!

She is the school captain, and very athletic, so maybe that’s a part of it. Is this a problem?

Dr Zali: Spending time on how

you look isn’t necessarily a problem.

Sometimes young people take time to get ready as they like and appreciate the way they look and are engaging in self-care. That’s quite positive.

However, at other times – especially if they're hyper-focussed on one facial feature or body part or they are constantly ‘checking’ how they/their body looks – it can be indicative of something that warrants some additional support.

The first step here might be to just ask a question about how she’s feeling: “I’ve noticed you’re spending a lot of time in the bathroom – can you tell me more about what you are doing, and why you like spending so much time getting ready?”

Social dilemma

My 16-year-old daughter is completely addicted to social media! It’s hard to know what she is looking at, but I do see some of the things she does, and hear some of the things she says, and know it comes from online.

It’s really scary as I don’t have any ability to rein this back in.

What can I do?

MICHELLE, in Bendigo.

Dr Zali: Yep, it’s scary! But it is containable. If you can, find a quiet time when you can both go through your social media feeds together – ask her what she likes, what she doesn’t like, what makes her feel good and what makes her feel bad.

Encourage her to think about muting, unfollowing, or blocking any of the content that makes her feel pressure around her appearance.

If you can encourage your daughter to be the boss of her own algorithm and keep herself healthy by ensuring that it only feeds her the good stuff, then social media is less likely to have a negative influence on her.

PHOTOGRAPH: MEG HANSEN. NAMES CHANGED FOR PRIVACY.

GOT QUESTIONS?

Embrace family

Look, listen, support We talk to the experts about what the first signs of eating disorders might sound like at home.

Phrases to listen out for:

Our experts

Hannah Repton, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician at The Swan Centre, WA.

Jane Rowan, CEO of Eating Disorders Families Australia, parent of a child who had an eating disorder.

Jane: “It’s important to make sure the drive for ‘healthy’ is not focussed on restriction. It's one thing to want to eat more vegetables and another to only eat one piece of lettuce at dinner.”

Hannah: “The other sign to watch for is young people getting really upset when they can’t work out or eat as they had planned.”

“I don’t want to eat that, or I will get fat.”

Hannah: “Showing a fear of fat and weight gain is a sign to watch out for.”

“Is it okay if I stay home instead of going out for dinner?”

Hannah: “They may start to avoid going out to events that revolve around food.”

“Can you buy me protein powder?” or “What’s in this dinner?”

Jane: “This could involve looking at food labels or checking menus before you go out for dinner. My daughter started watching me like a hawk as I was cooking.”

“Can we buy this oversized hoodie?”

Jane: “The driving factor may be to cover up because they're ashamed of their body. To me, it seemed my daughter was covering up how much weight she’d lost.”

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Time to talk it over

Where do I go for help?

“If you hear these things once it doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem – but keep an eye on it.” Jane suggests: “It can be hard to know when they are just normal things kids say, or when they’re signs of a bigger issue – look out for a range and combination of signs, and have a conversation with your child.”

“It’s important not to be judgemental,” Hannah says.

“Just open up a line of conversation.”

 If you’re worried, you can seek support from a private psychologist or dietitian for early intervention strategies.  If things have progressed, the first step is to see your GP who can provide access to sessions with a psychologist or dietitian. These are covered by Medicare when young people meet certain criteria.

Share your observations: “I’ve noticed that … ”

 Check out the free resources on page 25.

Share your concerns: “I’m feeling [emotion] about it.” Invite more information: “Can you tell me more?”

For example: “I noticed that your lunch box is coming home with food in it, and I was worried you might be hungry. Can you tell me more about that?”

FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: 

Butterfly Foundation

butterfly.org.au 1800 334 673

Eating Disorders Families Australia



edfa.org.au

PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED.

“I want to be healthier” or “I want to get fit.”

The essential body image handbook for parents of children and teens.

This book will teach you everything you need to know to build your kids' body image, to wholeheartedly embrace their uniqueness, and to steer them on a path to body confidence that has the power to liberate them for life.

Scan the QR code to grab your copy!

Embrace Embracefamily you

The power of ENZO GUTTER CREDIT HERE

A healthy body image means appreciating your appearance and yourself as a whole. Enzo Cornejo is inspiring people everywhere to embrace it all.

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Y

The family on a recent trip to The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) in the USA.

ou may recognise him as one of the stars of the EMBRACE KIDS film – and you won’t forget his incredible energy anytime soon. Enzo’s positivity and unwavering self-belief speak volumes about the power of celebrating our uniqueness.

TOP: MCCAIN'S CREATIONS PHOTOGRAPHY.

Enzo’s story

Football-mad Enzo is a bright and energetic 13-year-old who loves school, playing with his friends and footy. He is also the only known Australian with Progeria – an extremely rare condition that affects about 1 in 20 million people worldwide, causing premature, rapid ageing.

Catherina and Percy were overjoyed to welcome their first child, Enzo, who was a much-loved and longedfor baby. While Enzo was born eight weeks premature, he was strong and showed determination from the beginning, heading home from the hospital after six weeks.

When Enzo was six months old, Catherina’s mother noticed something unusual about his legs. She checked with the paediatrician to see if it was related to his premature birth.

“He was happy and growing, but his hair looked funny. A genetic doctor diagnosed him with Progeria, which is ultra rare, just before he turned three,” Catherina explains. “When the doctor told us, the first thing I asked was ‘What can we do to help him?’”

Catherina and Percy were grateful to discover The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) in the USA – a foundation started by the parents of a child with the same condition after they found that there was very little support available worldwide.

When Enzo was just three, the family travelled to the United States, and Enzo was accepted into trials aimed at extending the lifespans of children with Progeria. He was one of the youngest participants in the trial at that time.

“We are very lucky because before PRF, there was nothing for Progeria … Enzo has been able to take part in

“My superpower is to make people happy and make I knew it was really good. The first time understood what Progeria means people accept Enzo was in that video,” Catherina says.

Catherina credits themselves.” lifeDay-to-day, in Adelaide and a supportive — E N ZO CO R N E J O

these trials that are giving us hope.

They have changed our life, and life for so many,” Catherina explains.

Powerful support

Catherina and Percy created a home-made book about Progeria to help Enzo understand his condition from a young age. Being part of filming EMBRACE KIDS helped him to share his experience.

“When we first heard about EMBRACE KIDS, we didn’t know how big it was; but when I read it was about acceptance and being inclusive,

community for helping Enzo to thrive. “Here, he is safe – people know him. He likes to be popular, and we want people to know him, so they don’t stare at him.”

Transitioning from his incredibly supportive primary school to high school has brought excitement and nerves for Enzo’s family, as he navigates a new community.

“Enzo is very happy, but there are different kids in a new school, so it’s different for him and them.

Hopefully all the kids learn to accept each other – this is so important,” Catherina says.

“In all these years, we have met so many people that have helped in the

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Embrace family Taryn was excited to work with Enzo in the EMBRACE KIDS film. Below: Enzo enjoyed his supportive primary school, and has started high school.

time that he needed help … and that is amazing!

There are so many good people in this world, and they make a difference.

I think we’re very lucky.”

Big dreams

While future treatment options for Progeria are uncertain, Enzo’s family chooses optimism and focusing on the joy of everyday life.

“We hope that Enzo writes a different story with Progeria, so he is a normal kid going to school, doing homework ... We always talk about what Enzo wants to do when he finishes high school.”

Catherina and Percy’s optimism is palpable and they credit their faith, their community – and of course, Enzo – for teaching them just as much in return.

“We admire him … he’s walking in every day with a big smile. We know he has pain, but he never complains – he is such a positive person that

56 Embrace theembracehub.com

we cannot complain. Enzo has grown up surrounded by so much love – everyone we meet just loves him and he feels it.

“It is so important for kids to feel love. Life changes just when you don’t know it’s going to, so we try to make every day special.”

In addition to supporting Enzo by speaking publicly about Progeria, Catherina knows that Enzo is changing the world for everyone he meets.

“I would like his impact to be everywhere, [for people to] be happy, to be inclusive and to accept each other – it can change so much everywhere.”

TEAM

Enzo

An integral part of Enzo’s support team is the close friends who helped set up Team Enzo. Starting in 2014 as a small volunteer group to help The Progeria Research Foundation to raise awareness and funds, they’ve grown into a charity that supports Enzo and his family as they navigate his condition.

To learn more, head to teamenzoprogeria.com

Checking in with Enzo

SARAH REED/AFL PHOTOS. OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED.

A lot has happened in the last couple of years since Enzo starred in EMBRACE KIDS on the big screen. We caught up to see what’s been happening.

What was it like being in the EMBRACE KIDS film?

It was something that I didn’t think I could do.

I didn’t know that I’ll be on a screen the size of a movie screen ... It was cool! If I do another movie, I want to be in a movie like an action movie or a fantasy movie with a lot of action.

Did the film change your life in any way?

It made people recognise me a lot and helped me to increase the subscribers to my YouTube channel.

How’s high school going?

Good! Digital technology is one of my favourite things – I have created a very cool game that made me very proud. And I love science!

We’ve used a Bunsen burner, but the other thing I’m waiting for is Term 3 when we can do experiments where they, like, explode or do something weird!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a coach – an Adelaide Crows coach!

I can just tell them what to do, and then I can just watch the rest of the game eating my KFC chips.

What’s your favourite song?

There’s a song that is my favourite and also my dad’s favourite. It’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

What’s your favourite sport?

I would love to play footy, but I can’t because I have Progeria, so I would choose to be a coach.

I ran out with the Crows recently; it was very cool. They were against Essendon, and even though they lost, I still go for the Crows.

But the sport that I can play is tennis and ping pong – I do Ping Pong Club on Thursdays.

What’s your perfect weekend?

I like to go to the movies, I like to go to the [football] games, I like to walk my dog at night – Jasper, he’s a cavoodle. He sits on me when he’s tired, and sometimes he licks me while we’re sleeping, which makes it hard for me to sleep and it makes me laugh … but I know if Jasper licks me, it means he feels secure.

Who’s your hero?

My mum because she schedules everything; my dad because he kills all of the flies in the house; and Anton (he’s a tutor at my school), because I feel very secure with him.

What’s your superpower?

My superpower is to make people happy and make people accept themselves.

What makes you unique?

Actually, everyone is unique. And the thing is to accept ourselves, and to stop all of the negative stuff.

What’s your motto in life?

My motto is to be happy, always smile and enjoy life … and have family time.

Thank you so much, Enzo, we really loved chatting with you.

You’re welcome!

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Embrace family

Epic parenting facepalms Parenting is a never-ending juggle of managing schedules, to-do lists and emotions. It’s no wonder that, every now and again, it all falls down around us!

Here are some of the bloopers shared by our community of parenting superheroes who are out there doing their best and — occasionally — failing hilariously.

BIG FOOT It dawned on me on day one of school that I’d forgotten to get my son new school shoes over the holiday break, so I got him to wear his youngest sister’s shoes. They were obviously too small, but the best I could do was shove his feet in and head out the door. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but when I picked him up after school, he limped towards me and his feet were full of blisters.

I felt terrible!

Ceinwen, Mum-of-two

HAPPY HOUR SLIDE SHOW My husband took the kids to a playground and our three-year-old son fell off a slide.

When I came home, my husband told me that our son was okay, and he’d put him to bed with Dencorub on his arm. Long story short, Dencorub might work for a lot of things, but it doesn't work on a broken arm.

Kirsty, Mum-of-two (dobbing in Jamie, Dad-of-two) 58 Embrace theembracehub.com

We were trying to make a good impression on my son’s first day of private-school early learning.

At the end of the day, when I scooped him up in a big hug, he announced in front of the centre director “Mum, can we go to the pub tonight?” I laughed and tried to brush it off, like I had no idea where he got that idea from! I said “Oh hahaha, no, honey”, and he said “But why not? We go to the pub all the time!” Very embarrassing.

Claire, Mum-of-two

TOILET TURBULENCE

OFFBEAT LOCALE One day after work I got stuck in the worst traffic and was stressing out all the way to collect my three-year-old daughter from daycare … I was almost in tears by the time I raced in the door. The centre director looked surprised when she saw me and said: “This isn’t your daughter’s usual day, is everything okay?” The horror of my mistake dawned on me just as our other daycare centre called to tell me they needed to close and asked where I was. I cried all the way to the other centre, which had to stay open while they waited for me. It’s been seven years since that day and my daughter still talks about “that time you forgot I existed”. Sigh.

Simonne, Mum-of-two

TWO-FOR-ONE

I usually lose at least one of my twins on every shopping trip. Luckily, they are identical so I can just ask the shop assistant: “Have you seen a kid that looks exactly like this one?”

I was tired of getting up and down and up and down to go with each of my three kids to the toilet on our recent plane trip, so I suggested that my kids go together. Of course, they got stuck in the plane toilet and had to be rescued by a flight attendant. Now they are too traumatised to pee on planes ever again.

Luke, Dad-of-three

LIFT-OFF My 18-monthold daughter was learning to walk and would often toddle off without warning – fast! One day I was chatting to the educators while picking her up from the fourth floor at her daycare, and she charged into the lift – I saw her just as the doors were closing between us!

I frantically hit the button, but it was too late – the lift was going down to pick up someone from the ground floor. One of her educators bolted down the fire stairs to meet her at the ground level, but the lift had already started to come back up, with my daughter’s wails echoing through the lift well as she rode up and down.

The doors opened to a sobbing 18-month-old and a very confused father who had just got in the lift downstairs, asking “Did someone leave a child in the lift?” Err, yes, that’s mine.

Lisa, Mum-of-one

Marty, Dad-of-two

theembracehub.com Embrace 59

Don’t compare your BEHIND-THE-SCENES with someone else’s HIGHLIGHT REEL.

UNSPLASH.

— STEVE FURTICK

Embrace wellbeing

F E E L - G O O D F O O D , mood and movement

UNSPLASH.

PAG E 72 Eating well isn’t about cutting things out.

Our nutritionist has some great tips for adding extra goodness to your meals.

Embrace Embrace wellbeing you

Positive influence(r)s B R I N G JOY to your feed

Surrounding yourself with uplifting content boosts your mood and confidence.

Swap influencers for positive influence today! sharing life as a bilateral above-knee amputee.

@reallykazcooke

Kaz has a knack for writing helpful books that make you laugh. Remember Real Gorgeous and Up the Duff!? These days she’s dispelling myths and laughing her way through menopause.

@scottcreates

Bursting with creative ways to embrace the joy of parenting, Scott Stuart’s (right) account is a warm reminder to accept your kids just the way they are.

@anti.diet.kids

Find inspiration for celebrating the joy of food in your home with Diana Rice, registered dietitian and founder of Tiny Seed Family Nutrition.

@mybodypositivehome

Your home is your sanctuary!

Learn how to create positive vibes in your space with tips from body image and eating disorder psychotherapist Zoë Bisbing.

@nolegs_noworries

A disability advocate, model, and speaker, Sara Shams (top) is disrupting ableism and

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@abbieherway

Fourteen-year-old Abbie (above) wanted more content about women’s sport, so she started her own online magazine celebrating women kicking goals in the sporting world.

@yarli_creative

Beautify your feed with Madison Connors’ stunning Aboriginal art (left) and celebrations of women and community.

@the_real_dads_ of_melbourne

Jarrad, Michael and their son, Reid (bottom left), share raw and real-life updates of the good, bad and hilarious side of parenting.

@wearthedamndress Get inspired to dress for how you want to feel with stylist Amy Abrahams.

MIX IT UP

Seeing more diverse bodies in your social feed is good for you, so follow people and brands that showcase all sizes. And watching #funnydogvideos always improves your mood!

Sweet beats

Music is a great way to share positive messages with your kids. Here are some go-to tunes for your playlist.

Find your pod

Full of witty banter and insight, here are some our podcast faves: The Imperfects

Hugh van Cuylenburg, from The Resilience Project, hosts this heartwarming and earnest podcast about how perfectly imperfect we all are.

Parental as Anything TODDLERS (1–3)

Teeny Tiny Stevies

Melbourne’s musical siblings create ear worms with powerful messages like “Boss of My Own Body” and “I Ate a Rainbow”.

LITTLE KIDS (3–7)

Pevan & Sarah Tiger Pevan

and teacher Sarah create songs to teach kids about the world.

They even recorded an Embrace song that knocked “Baby Shark” off the top of the iTunes chart!

Kiri & Lou

Best friends who explore the

world and sing about how they feel on tracks like “My Body Belongs to Me”, and “I’m So Cool”.

PRE-TEEN (8–12)

Add these body confidence hits to your playlist: “Unstoppable” by Sia, “Confident” by Demi Lovato, and “Love Myself” by Hailee Steinfeld.

Teenagers

Try “F**kin’ Perfect” by Pink, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, and “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack – songs with powerful body-image messages.

Rebecca Sparrow, teen educator and author, talks to parents and experts to unpack the biggest challenges of parenting.

How Other Dads Dad

Hamish Blake has won Father of the Year, but don’t let that intimidate you! In this non-judgemental, non-expert podcast, he chats to dads about the highs and lows of being a dad.

Grab the popcorn!

Fun for kids and adults alike, these films give us a chance to tackle some serious topics too.

INSTAGRAM.

Inside Out 2 (PG)

Riley is back, with her emotions Joy, Anger and Sadness, who control her every move from their headquarters. She’s turning 13, starting high school and a few new emotions show up to complicate things.

Barbie (PG)

Everyone knows there was a Barbie movie last year, but if you haven’t seen it, rest assured that this film is fun for EVERYONE! It’s a feel-good comedy that packs a powerful punch with messages about dismantling the patriarchy.

Turning Red (PG)

How can you explore the awkwardness of puberty and all the changes teenagers face in a light-hearted way?

Enter Mei Lee, a 13-yearold who transforms into a red panda when she’s riding the hormonal and emotional roller-coaster.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grand (M)

Here’s one for the adults … you won’t regret seeing Emma Thompson as a retired school teacher who hires a young male sex worker to take her on a sexual awakening.

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Embrace wellbeing

Changing the game Libby Trickett is a seven-time Olympic swimming medallist, athlete, motivational speaker, yoga teacher, mum-of-four, podcaster, and co-founder of Play on Media – and she’s on a mission to ensure the next generation benefits from the magic of playing sport.

L

ibby aims to inspire more Aussies, especially women and teen girls, to explore sports, build confidence, feel strong and healthy, and connect with their community. She’s passionate about breaking down the barriers that keep kids from playing sports and understands how body image can be a hurdle to loving it all.

We talk to Libby about how sports have shaped her life and why she’s so set on making them accessible to everyone.

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All roads lead back The youngest of four, Libby, grew up in Townsville, North Queensland, where water sports were a big part of life. She started swimming lessons aged just one, and joined her first club at four, sparking a lifelong love of sport and competition.

“My mum got me into the club young, and from my first club night race I fell in love with competing and swimming. I loved going super-fast and seeing what my body was capable

of, and then I realised that hard training made me even faster,” she says.

Twelve years after retiring, Libby continues to discover how much sport has positively shaped her life, beyond the physical benefits.

“Sport has been a huge part of my entire life, and it’s such a joy to continue working in it. After retiring, I dabbled in other things but always came back to sports. That’s a real joy for me!” Libby says.

“But I’m just scratching the surface of how important swimming has been

Approaching 40, Libby has discovered a new gratitude for her body. Right: Her muscular physique drew unwelcome comments.

Below: Libby was the youngest of four siblings.

for me. It sounds dramatic, but I believe it saved my life. It provided structure, passion, and direction for me to thrive – not just in competition but in life. I continue to grow through sports and feel privileged for these opportunities – something that should be a possibility for everyone.

“Feeling part of something bigger than yourself, working together towards shared goals, lifting each other up – it’s a beautiful experience. Sport might not be everyone’s thing, but there’s a sport out there for everyone.

It’s not just about elite performance or national competition; it’s about coming together at your local club and enjoying the community spirit.”

MAXX CORKINDALE. GETTY IMAGES. OTHER PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED,

Navigating the tricky years Like all teenagers, Libby faced the normal changes of puberty as her body grew, which were amplified by her athletic physique.

“Every teenager goes through an awkward phase with their body – it’s constantly changing, and you just don’t know what it is anymore.

You want to fit in. I felt that way in school, but at the pool with fellow swimmers I felt at home. There were other people with big shoulders and muscles, and it felt like a comfortable, familiar group. I had the privilege of representing Australia at the World Champs. Seeing everyone there with their incredible physiques, I thought, ‘Yeah, this is where I’m meant to be’.”

By the age of 15, Libby’s athletic physique grew stronger, but she struggled with the desire to fit in and feel attractive by society’s standards off the pool deck.

“I always had broad shoulders and theembracehub.com Embrace 65

Embrace wellbeing more muscles than most girls. A boy I thought was a friend once called me a ‘butch bitch’, which made me feel weird and unattractive. It was devastating because I was trying to be ‘normal’ while figuring myself out.

It was obviously before I knew what my body was capable of and what those muscles would mean in my life.

“It took a long time to become comfortable with my body, and thankfully it didn’t stop me from swimming. I’m a bit of a bulldog when it comes to things, but it was tough.”

While males face similar issues, Libby is vocal about body shaming being more common for females.

“Every woman feels the pressure of not meeting society’s beauty standards. Female athletes go beyond, often having bodies that challenge traditional femininity – strong, tall, or large. They work hard to excel in their sports, which is admirable. But it’s tough when society says that they don’t fit the standard of beauty and desirability.”

Libby with Sportish podcast co-host, her sister-in-law Georgie. Below: Going for gold.

Opposite: With her family.

In the spotlight In 2006, when Libby was 21 and preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, public commentary on her body once again took centre stage when a newspaper featured a picture of her from behind, showing her back and muscles in a racing suit, alongside a photo of a Chinese swimmer, also from behind, known for doping.

“The comparison implied that I looked like someone using performance-enhancing drugs.

It was surreal to have strangers making comments and inferences about my body without my involvement. There was no social media back then, so I had no way to respond. I had to navigate this situation as best as I could, with my coach supporting me and confronting the journalist,” Libby recalls.

“Despite this, I only grew stronger

66 Embrace theembracehub.com

and more muscular because I was still young, and my body was continuing to develop through intense training.

Comparing my body to a drug cheat was incredibly confronting, not just because of the focus on my body, but also because it questioned my integrity and what I’d do to win.

It was infuriating.”

During that tough period, Libby dealt with her feelings privately, relying on her coach and her husband (who was also her training partner) for support. She found it challenging to open up to friends, unsure if they would fully understand her situation.

“I didn’t have the whole language to be able to talk about it, and so that

was hard. I wasn’t even able to really talk to my friends about it because it was such a unique situation. I didn’t feel like they would understand. It’s a bizarre thing for anyone to have to deal with that at any stage of life.”

Changing perspectives While Libby managed to push past the public scrutiny to excel in swimming, it wasn’t until later in life that she truly appreciated her body.

“During my swimming career I was always focused on improvement – making my body leaner, stronger, faster. It wasn’t until much later – ironically, after having kids – that

PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED. OPPOSITE: GREG WOOD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES. MARY MILLER.

I took a step back to truly appreciate what my body could do. Despite the changes post-pregnancy, which some might see as less desirable (it’s the wobbliest and saggiest it’s ever been), I’ve come to deeply love and value it.

I still have amazingly strong shoulders that let me carry two kids at once – my body is incredible!

“I used to think accepting my body without judgement wasn’t possible, given societal pressures.

Now, I’ve found gratitude for all my body has achieved – four Olympic gold medals, childbirth, breastfeeding, and enduring half marathons and 30 kilometre walking events. Though occasional critical thoughts still surface, they no longer carry the weight they once did.

My focus now is on nourishing my body and enjoying the adventures it takes me on.

“I find it exciting to share with the younger generation that ageing opens up new possibilities instead of closing doors. When I was younger, I thought being in your late twenties meant you were finished, but approaching 40 now, I feel like my life is just beginning. There’s momentum in understanding what truly matters and the privilege of shaping the lives of those around us. It’s a thrilling part of growing older, hopefully making life a bit easier and healthier for others.”

uniforms, and seeing food as fuel, we can make a difference. It’s important to see athletes as humans first and athletes second. If we can stop the critique, judgment, and comments on the sidelines, in change rooms, and on the field, it will help keep girls in sport.”

Libby’s hope for the next generation includes her own children, Poppy (eight), Edie (six), Bronte (five) and Alfie (one), who love gymnastics, running, swimming, and

one is aspiring to be the next Matilda.

“It’s like seeing real-life magic when the Matildas inspire young girls to dream of being professional soccer players. Seeing my daughters’ passion for running and swimming brings me immense joy.

“While I’d be proud if they compete at high levels, what truly matters is their love of sports and the skills they develop along the way. For me, that’s the greatest reward of sharing sports with them.”

The path ahead How do we make sport accessible to everyone? Libby sees it as a big challenge that needs action from national and international sports bodies, as well as communities.

“I love being part of the Activate Masterclass because it has a real impact on grassroots community sports, where everything starts.

Raising awareness and educating at all levels is key. Teaching kids with great resources (like those from Embrace Kids) and having open conversations, especially with athletes who’ve faced challenges like disordered eating, helps them share their experiences comfortably and recognise negative patterns.

“By promoting body positivity, inclusive marketing, flexible

E M B R AC E K I D S Activate Masterclass As the face of the Activate Masterclass, Libby, along with other sports stars and coaches, shows you how to change the game for young people in sport. In just 15 minutes, they cover topics including uniforms, representation, body talk, language around food, and more.

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Embrace you PINTEREST

EVERYHUMAN

These superstars are switching up the algorithm to showcase more diverse bodies.

Be still our beating hearts!

UL SHO DF

We’re ER PP

RE MI N MO

EveryHuman believes our differences make us special.

Their mission is to revolutionise the fashion landscape, paving the way for a more inclusive future. Their clothes empower and inspire you to be proud of who you are, inside and out.

BE A

A purchase can be more than quality, or pure delight. that do good always RUBY OLIVE

ALLKINDS

Offering fun, unisex skin, hair and self-care essentials for kids and teens, Allkinds hits all the right notes. Their “No Gross Stuff” policy means no nasties, plus their products are veganfriendly, naturally fragranced, cruelty-free and perfect for sensitive skin. Best of all, they celebrate the uniqueness of every kid and teen. Love!

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Ruby Olive exists to put a smile on your face, support communities and inspire you to live boldly. Made from recycled bottles, their handy, eco-friendly totes are guaranteed to brighten your day with a splash of rainbow.

Embrace wellbeing WHO GIVES A CRAP

Since 2012, these folks have donated half their profits – over $12 million – to clean water and sanitation for people in need. As a certified B Corp™, they’re dedicated to saving the planet with plastic-free, FSC-certified products and carbon-neutral shipping. Their ‘Poetry Edition’ 100 per cent bamboo toilet paper comes in 48 beautiful rolls. Each features words you can stack and swap to create your own ode to the commode.

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Every Flik Flak watch comes with a paper game and colourful design that makes learning to tell the time fun. Bonus points that it’s quiet, with no annoying beeps. All components are free of hazardous chemicals and undergo tests for strength, impact, water resistance and more.

COMMONRY

Commonry believes fashion is for everyone.

That’s why they offer a range of sizes for diverse body types, ensuring every woman finds something that boosts her confidence and makes her feel beautiful.

lovin’

FRANKIE4

This Aussie-owned business was founded by women to keep women comfy. Their shoes?

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just a great deal, excellent Supporting brands makes you feel good.

T H A N K YO U

Crafted in Australia from over 95 per cent naturally derived ingredients, Thankyou’s personal care range is 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free.

Plus, it’s free from the harmful chemicals, like parabens and sulphates commonly found in high-end personal care products. And let’s not forget, it looks and smells absolutely ah-mazing!

B R O -T O

These legends care about Mother Earth! Bro-To knows that making products inevitably means waste, but they’re committed to reducing, reusing and recycling to minimise their impact. They’re PETA-accredited as a cruelty-free company: None of their products or ingredients are tested on animals, and many are vegan-friendly. theembracehub.com Embrace 69

Embrace wellbeing

Calming mealtime battlegrounds We know how kids ‘should’ eat, but what if they refuse vegetables or fruit, don’t feel full, keep eating until they feel sick, or are too anxious to eat? These families share how they navigate their mealtime battles, and Jo Money from Eat Love Live gives her expert advice.

Our expert

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Jo Money is an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician, founder and director of Eat Love Live, and the coFounder of Eat Love Live Education.

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Genevieve’s story Graeme’s story My child has always been fussy with food – eating bananas one day and not the next and having a meltdown when I cut a sandwich the wrong way.

I always brushed it off and expected them to grow out of it. When they started school and had to eat in the classroom, their lunch box came home untouched, and they were really tired and grumpy all the time.

Our GP helped us to get some support and eventually they were diagnosed with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). It was such a shock and took some time to find the right help, but we have a plan now that allows them to eat something safe at school.

Jo says: “It can be hard to know

what fussy eating is and what is something more serious. Kids will generally eat if they are hungry but if there is an underlying problem related to anxiety or texture then they won’t, and you may notice they are grumpy from being hungry or may even lose weight.

That’s when it’s time to get help.”

We have two kids, and of course they are very different in terms of what they will eat. What I find hard is that my youngest daughter really doesn’t connect with the sensation of feeling full, and when she’s seeking dopamine she will just keep eating and eating until she actually feels really sick. She will sneak food, especially sweets, into her room and constantly demands sweet foods.

We don’t want to make a big deal about it, but we want to make sure she is healthy. The hardest part is managing this in the context of the broader family dynamic because my older son is just so disinterested in food. I mean, he eats at mealtimes, but if he’s left alone, he’d completely forget. So then my daughter asks for the food left on his plate if he won’t eat it. It’s so hard to overcome the morals and values we were taught as kids – that eating so much is greedy – and she gets teased about her weight at school. We’ve tried to avoid snapping at her to stop eating, and tried to teach her other ways to recognise the way that eating makes her feel.

Jo says: “We’re all impacted by

GETTY IMAGES.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder ARFID is a relatively new eating disorder that is on the rise, particularly among young children.

Unlike other eating disorders, the fear, anxiety, and disgust around food does not typically come alongside body image concerns but is food driven.

diet culture, which is a cultural set of myths around food, weight and health that demonises certain ways of eating while elevating others, creating comparison and shame if you don’t measure up. This sets expectations that to be a good adult and parents we should feed our children in a certain way. But some bodies need more food to function, some brains seek more dopamine through certain foods, some bodies are repulsed by food textures, while others crave them.

All our bodies are different. Keep providing nutritious food choices, and allow your children to decide what their bodies need. Remind them to ‘check in’ with their bodies, and listen to the signals of being hungry or full. Talk about what that feels like for you, and what it means in terms of feeling cranky, tired, and having less energy if you don’t eat, or feeling sick or having a tummy ache when you eat certain foods.”

Steve’s story

I was someone who was teased as a child because I’m Greek. I didn’t feel like I fitted in. I totally ate all of the food my grandma would make to self-soothe. I’m really trying to help my daughters to be able to express their emotions and shut down the bullies, so they don’t have to try to manage their emotions with food.

Jo says: “Sometimes, wanting

our kids to have a different experience to us means we need to get some help to learn new skills so we can then teach them.

This may mean reading books and listening to podcasts to help us understand our own relationship with food and working on building a more positive one. We can also work with a counsellor or dietitian to support us with this.

Our children learn so much from us, so it is important that we are aware of what we are saying about our own bodies. If we are negative about how we look, kids absorb this. If we can be neutral – or even positive – about ours and other bodies this will help them to see their bodies in a more positive light too.

Part of diet culture is the belief that only thin bodies are valuable and bigger bodies are bad. This stereotype is perpetuated in so many areas of our culture and media – ever noticed the body size of Disney villains? It is appropriate to call out this fat phobia when we see it so that kids can also start to understand that it is not okay to treat someone differently based on how they look.

We can also be aware of how food is used in the house. Are we using food as a reward or punishment? Do the kids see us reach for certain food when we feel sad? As we learn other ways to manage emotions we can then model this for our kids.”

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Add more to your meals Healthy eating isn’t just about cutting things out. Clinical Nutritionist Angelica Pupillo from @thisisyourbody_nutrition has great tips for boosting nutrients in your meals.

Did you know you’re made up of trillions of bugs? Most of them live in your digestive tract, forming your own unique microbiome.

They’re integral to breaking down your food, running your immune system and supporting mental health.

For the good bugs to do their job, you need to eat a diverse diet rich in colour, texture and flavour.

The main thing to remember is that your microbiome bugs love variety!

One of the best ways to do this is to add a few extras, like these, to your go-to recipes.

2. Vegetables: Broccoli,

1. Fruit: Apples, blueberries, bananas, strawberries, mandarins, pears, oranges, limes, nectarines, apricots, peaches, plums, mangoes, raspberries, kiwifruit, passionfruit, watermelon, rockmelon, honeydew.

4. Nuts & seeds: Almonds,

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potatoes, carrots, avocados, tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, onion, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, pumpkin, cucumber, sweet potato, celery, asparagus, garlic, eggplant, mushrooms, capsicum, green beans, broad beans, snow peas.

3. Grains, beans & legumes:

Wholegrain bread, rye bread, sourdough bread, pasta, couscous, quinoa, barley, black rice, brown rice, porridge, chickpeas, hummus, lentils, green peas, black beans, baked beans, red beans, cannellini beans. walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds.

Small additions with big benefits Leafy greens Give your leafy greens a good wash, and then add them into sweet or savoury foods.

TRY ADDING: * spinach or kale to a smoothie * silverbeet as a sautéed side dish * spinach to a Bolognese sauce * kale to savoury muffins, quiches and frittatas.

THE BENEFITS: * Increase your dietary fibre. * Support your immune system. * A good source of vitamin A, which supports healthy skin.

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Good bugs

Embrace you pair it with a source of vitamin C, like capsicum.

Tip: Rinse and drain canned beans to improve their texture and make them gentler on your tummy.

Chia seeds

Sprinkle these tiny powerhouses daily! They come in black and white, and both offer different nutrients, so you can mix it up.

TRY ADDING: * a tablespoon to smoothies, granola or porridge. * Make a chia pudding: In a small jar, mix two tablespoons of chia seeds, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of vanilla and ¾ cup milk. Cover overnight, then eat with granola and fresh fruit.

THE BENEFITS: They’re rich in essential nutrients, including: * omega 3, which helps you to concentrate * dietary fibre, which aids digestion and keeps you full * fats to keep you feeling satisfied for longer.

Colourful veggies

Every colour has different nutrients that feed your gut health, so embrace the rainbow! For convenience and cost, snap-frozen veggies are a great alternative to fresh.

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TRY ADDING: * frozen peas to pasta sauce or fritters * carrot and cucumber sticks to lunch boxes with smashed avocado or hummus * sweet corn to tacos and burritos * tomatoes to salads or eat them straight from the punnet * capsicum to fried rice, omelettes, stir fries or pizza.

THE BENEFITS: They’re packed with: * carbohydrates for energy

* dietary fibre, which aids digestion and keeps you full * vitamins and minerals that support the immune system and heart health.

Canned beans

TRY ADDING: * chickpeas to your Bolognese * black beans to tacos and fajitas * butter beans to soups * cannellini beans to stews * kidney beans to salads.

THE BENEFITS: This extra ingredient: * increases dietary fibre to support digestion and keep you regular * adds protein to keep you feeling full * is a great source of iron, which is necessary for brain function and a healthy immune system.

To ramp up the iron,

Nuts & seeds

TRY ADDING: * slivered almonds to muffins, salads and granola * pumpkin seeds to avocado toast * sunflower seeds to granola * sesame seeds to stir fries * tahini to salad dressings and hummus * almond meal to baking.

THE BENEFITS: * Dietary fat, which keeps you feeling satisfied and helps you absorb vitamins A, D, E and K * Magnesium, important for muscles and good sleep * Increased dietary fibre.

You don’t need to add everything in at once. Start with small changes – you might be surprised at how much you can pack in! theembracehub.com Embrace 73

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Embrace wellbeing

Can’t-be-bothered dinner ideas Who hasn’t found themselves on a Sunday with a hungry family, wandering the supermarket at 5pm? Here’s some quick fixes for when you can’t deal with cooking. They’re easy and most don’t need measurements … simply adjust for your crowd.

Bruschetta

1 IN THE ROUNDHOUSE PLATES, INTHEROUNDHOUSE.COM.AU

Poke bowl INGREDIENTS Rice Canned corn Canned edamame BBQ chicken (shredded) Grated carrot Kewpie mayo Sesame seeds Seaweed METHOD Cook rice (we love the microwave cups that cook in 40 seconds).

Rinse corn and edamame beans.

Throw chicken, corn, edamame, rice and carrot into a bowl.

Add a squeeze of Kewpie mayo, sesame seeds and seaweed (optional).

2 Scrambled eggs with avocado INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon butter Salt and pepper METHOD Crack eggs into a bowl, add milk and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Beat the mixture lightly with a whisk or fork.

Melt butter in a medium size fry pan on low heat. When it starts foaming, pour in eggs and leave for 60–90 seconds, then stir gently until it’s no longer runny.

Serve with avocado.

INGREDIENTS Tomatoes Fresh basil Minced garlic Sourdough (or any leftover bread) Olive oil Salt and pepper METHOD Combine the tomatoes, basil and garlic in a bowl and sprinkle generously with salt.

Toast the bread.

Add the tomato and basil mix to the toast.

Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with cracked pepper.

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Embrace wellbeing Fancy 2-minute noodles INGREDIENTS 1 egg 1 x packet of 2-minute noodles 1 cup of frozen peas and corn

Beef pho

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INGREDIENTS 1 x packet of pho noodle soup Extra rice noodles (optional) Bok choy Beef strips (thinly slice a fillet or porterhouse steak) Mint Chilli Spring onion Bean sprouts

METHOD Fill and boil the kettle.

Boil a saucepan of water and pop the egg in once it’s boiling. Cook for 6 minutes for a soft-boiled egg.

Place the 2-minute noodles in a bowl and cover with the boiled water from the kettle. Cover and leave for … you guessed it … 2 minutes.

Strain noodles.

Microwave the frozen peas and corn for 3 minutes and add them to the noodles.

Peel the shell off the egg and place it on top of your noodles.

Tip: Wear a rubber glove while holding the egg if it’s hot.

METHOD Place pho noodle soup in a medium saucepan and simmer for 2 minutes. Add extra noodles (optional) and chopped bok choy.

Simmer for another 1–2 minutes or until noodles are soft. Remove from heat. Add beef strips to the broth to cook. Serve topped with mint, chilli, spring onion and bean sprouts.

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Salmon, broccoli & rice INGREDIENTS Microwave rice Salmon fillets Butter or olive oil spray Broccolini Lemon wedges METHOD Cook rice in the microwave according to packet directions.

Gently pat salmon fillets with a paper towel, then add a small amount of butter or spray oil to the top side of the fish.

Place the salmon in a single layer in a microwave safe dish with a cover and microwave for 2–3 minutes.

(Cooking time depends on the size of the fillet. If the fish is not flaky and cooked through, pop it back in for another 30–45 seconds.)

Blanch your broccolini by boiling it for 1–2 minutes, then plunge it into an ice bath to stop it cooking.

Pop everything on a plate, add a squeeze of lemon, and enjoy!

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Pita pizza INGREDIENTS

METHOD Spread pizza sauce on pita bread.

Chop capsicum, cherry tomatoes, salami and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces and scatter over pita. Sprinkle mozzarella on top.

Place under the grill or in a hot oven until cheese has melted and pita is toasted (around 10 minutes).

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Squeeze of pizza sauce 1 piece pita bread Capsicum Cherry tomatoes Salami Mushrooms Shredded mozzarella

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9 Gnocchi with spinach & tomato sauce INGREDIENTS 1 x packet of gnocchi Olive oil Minced garlic Passata Baby spinach Parmesan METHOD Add gnocchi to boiling water and cook according to packet directions.

While gnocchi is boiling, add olive oil and garlic to a pan and sauté on medium-high heat.

Add the passata and heat for a few minutes, then stir through the baby spinach. Put gnocchi and tomato sauce in a bowl and add parmesan.

Platter

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INGREDIENTS Whatever’s in the fridge (doubles as a fridge clean out!) We used …

Celery Cherry tomatoes Cheese Cucumber Grapes Ham Carrot Capsicum METHOD Chop ingredients into bite size pieces and pop them on a plate.

Create a smiley face for kids, or just make your platter as colourful as possible.

Enjoy your edible masterpiece!

A convenience clucker, a handy hen, a bachelor’s handbag … whatever you call it, a barbecue chicken makes an easy, tasty meal for the whole family.

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Pesto chicken pasta Cook

any kind of pasta, stir through pesto and add shredded chicken. Add pine nuts and cherry tomatoes if you’re feeling fancy!

Chicken fried rice

Fry some onion in a pan with oil. Just add rice, shredded chicken, frozen peas and other veggies for some delicious fried rice.

Chicken salad

Mix chicken pieces and your favourite bag of salad in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing or mayonnaise.

Chicken curry Heat a jar of

curry paste in a fry pan with a little oil.

Add chicken pieces, veggies (like green beans or sweet potato) and coconut milk. Simmer for a few minutes and add chickpeas for extra protein.

Chicken taco or burrito

Use a Mexican spice mix or make your own with ground cumin, paprika and herbs. Heat taco or burrito, cook chicken in spice mix, serve with lettuce, tomato, corn, avocado, cheese and salsa.

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The UN-to-do list TURN E PAGE! TH

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There are things you just need to do. We get it. But perhaps there are one or two things on your list that you could delete or delegate without the world falling down around you. Often these are the things that have been languishing on the list for days or weeks. If they haven’t been done yet, do they really need to be?

Find something to NOT do

PUT THESE

Find a ‘sit spot’ outside It could be on your balcony, back doorstep or under a tree. Find a spot to sit with your cup of tea, pet or favourite person, and take 10 minutes to just … sit. Let your mind slow down, wander and relax.

Dance like nobody’s watching A mood-boosting, stress-busting groove does wonders for your health and happiness – and it’s as easy as a quick boogie in your living room! Not only are you expressing yourself and getting a little movement in your day, you’re also releasing endorphins.

Plus, you’re improving your balance, coordination, flexibility, memory and cognitive function by challenging your grey matter.

IDEAS ON YOUR LIST OF things to do TODAY!

As soon as you wake up, the to-do list starts coming for you: Your phone sends you a reminder, your calendar is jammed with appointments and your inbox is sitting at 500 unread messages. But the list of things to do is never done.

So, instead of racing through it, start carving out some time for ‘un-to-do’ moments, where you prioritise the need to pause, reflect and recharge … without any guilt.

Embrace wellbeing

Just 10 minutes a day of reading is like a workout and a day spa for your brain in one! Getting lost in a good story can melt away stress, improve your memory and cognitive function, boost your mood, expand your knowledge, and even improve your sleep, so never feel guilty about time spent reading.

Be a bookworm

If you normally walk and listen to music or podcasts, try going ‘unplugged’ for some of your steps.

Natural sounds like birds singing, leaves rustling or waves lapping help to calm your mind and focus on the world around you.

Take an ‘unplugged’ walk Normalise ‘no’

Not with technology – real world people! Spending time with loved ones is a major boost for your health and wellbeing. Good friends are like sunshine, brightening your day, and sharing problems makes everything easier.

Cherish those invaluable moments.

Get connected

It can be hard to go against the tide, but if you’re feeling pressure to keep up with the standards other people set, be brave enough to just say no. Your house doesn’t have to be pristine before people come to visit. Your kids don’t need a new outfit for the party. Just do your best and be real about it.

Chances are that other people are feeling overwhelmed too and will appreciate your reality check!

SO DITCH THE GUILT WHEN IT COMES TO CARVING OUT TIME TO LOOK AFTER YOU EACH DAY.

You CAN’T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP –

You don’t need to book into a spa to benefit from getting chilly! A quick jump in the ocean, pool, even a burst of cold water at the end of your shower has loads of upsides – releasing feel-good hormones and leaving you feeling refreshed and more upbeat. Plus, it calms your nerves, reduces inflammation and soothes sore muscles. When you warm up again, your blood gets a turbo-boost, helping you to heal faster.

Contrast therapy

Instead of being motivated by the fear of missing out (FOMO), recognise that there can be a whole lot of joy in saying no to that next invitation.

Busy isn’t better. If you don’t feel like going out, stay in (without the guilt).

Embrace the JOMO

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Embrace wellbeing Adult: Mama Movement Funderland Everyday Legging, 7/8-length, RRP $109; Funderland Be Free Hooked Sports Bra, $85.

Child: Funderland Bamboo Kids Legging, RRP $39.

Second Earth 2E ‘Connected’ Yoga Mat, RRP $124.95.

Lululemon Mini Belt Bag, $45; Crew Socks, RRP $19.

We’re all about comfy clothes and fun accessories you can rock all day, every day, so you can make every moment count.

Motivate your movement Puma Palermo Unisex Sneakers, RRP $150.

Lululemon Back to Life Sport Bottle 710ml, RRP $55. Swatch What If ...Lemon? watch, RRP $175. Jam the Label Crew Long Sleeve, RRP $65.

Left to right: Jam the Label Magnetic Hoodie, RRP $109; Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection watch (Bourgeois's Spirals), RRP $175; Nomad Eyewear Sparkling Sunset (Olympia) sunglasses, RRP $132.50; Nomad Eyewear Pitch Black (Magnum) sunglasses, RRP $125.

PRICES AND AVAILABILITY CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT.

Mama Movement bike shorts, RRP $95; sports bras, RRP $85; 7/8 length legging, RRP $109; 3/4 length legging, RRP $105.

Left: Under Armour Men’s UA Journey Rib Hoodie, RRP $120; Puma x Quiet Golf Club Dad Hat, RRP $50.

Below: Jam the Label Magnetic Buckle Overalls. RRP $159.

Moving your body is great for your overall wellbeing – and it feels damn good too!

Whether it’s a casual stroll or an impromptu dance party, every bit of movement boosts those good vibes. That’s why we focus on outfits that let you move freely. From morning coffee dashes to school drop-offs, doing the sports’ run or hitting the yoga mat, these pieces are designed to keep you moving seamlessly through your day while feeling effortlessly chic. theembracehub.com Embrace 81

Taryn’s book club

There are 1001 books on parenting, but it starts with nurturing yourself first. I hope some of my favourite reads inspire you to open your hearts and minds, just as they did for me.

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PHOTOGRAPH: TARYN BRUMFITT.

Embrace wellbeing

PHOTOGRAPHY: TINA SMIGIELSKI. STYLING: JAMELA EJJAMAI. NAZEEM WEARS H&M PANTS AND HOODIE.

Truth is, parenting ain’t easy.

We see you, we hear you, we’ve got you!