For many people, social media is a significant part of life. While it may seem like something that doesn’t carry too much weight in the world, it most certainly does in our day and age. The pressure to conform to society's standards and the harmful effects of body shaming can be challenging for many. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Ireland, author of "The Shape of Us," to delve into the inspiration behind her novel and explore themes of friendship, chronic illness, and weight loss surgery. We discuss the need for education and acceptance of weight loss surgery as a tool for managing chronic diseases and the harmful effects of body shaming. Lisa shares her insights on the obstacles faced by those struggling with obesity when trying to exercise and her latest book, "The One and Only Dolly Jamieson," which tells the powerful story of a homeless woman in her late 70s to early 80s. Join us for a thought-provoking and empowering discussion that sheds light on the realities of weight loss and offers inspiration and hope for those on their own journey. Episode Highlights: The inspiration behind "The Shape of Us" and its focus on the journey of friendship and weight loss surgery How women perceive themselves and the pressure they face to conform to society's standards Psychological and relationship changes after weight loss surgery Advocacy for education and acceptance of weight loss surgery as a tool for chronic disease management Importance of making a major change, such as weight loss, for oneself rather than for the benefit or pressure of others Understanding that not everyone who is overweight is unhappy and that genetic factors can contribute to obesity Harmful effects of body shaming and the concept of healthy at any size Obstacles faced by those struggling with obesity when trying to exercise Overview of Lisa's new book, "The One and Only Dolly Jamieson." About Our Guest: Lisa Ireland is an Australian writer of contemporary women’s fiction. After working as a primary school teacher for many years, Lisa is now a full-time writer. When it comes to her books, she follows where the characters lead her. And it just so happens they've led me to rural romance, women’s fiction and, most recently, to dual timeline modern historical fiction. But the one thing all her books have in common is that they’re about complex, strong women and the relationships that shape their lives. Her novel, Feels Like Home, is an Australian Bestseller. In 2015 Lisa was one of Australia's Top Ten Debut Fiction Authors. She has five books published to date, and her seventh novel, The One and Only Dolly Jamieson, will be released in JANUARY 2023. When she’s not writing, Lisa can be found running (okay, shuffling), drinking coffee at her favourite cafes, or perusing the shelves of her local bookstore. She loves eating but not cooking, is an Olympic class procrastinator, and (most importantly) minions to a rather large dog. Connect with Lisa Ireland: Website | www.lisairelandbooks.com/ Facebook | www.facebook.com/lisairelandbooks Instagram | @lisairelandbooks Goodreads | www.goodreads.com/author/show/8226276.Lisa_Ireland Resources Mentioned in the Episode: The One and Only Dolly Jamieson: www.lisairelandbooks.com/the-one-and-only-dolly-jamieson/ The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan: https://www.lisairelandbooks.com/the-secret-life-of-shirley-sullivan/ The Shape of Us: https://www.lisairelandbooks.com/the-shape-of-us/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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