Speaking out while fat with Joshna Maharaj

Hello Body!

Episode 13 of the Hello Body! podcast with your hosts, Melissa and Katy. In this episode, we interview the incomparable Joshna Maharaj. Joshna is an award-winning chef, activist, public speaker and two-time TEDx speaker, and the author of the book “Take Back the Tray: Revolutionizing Food in Hospitals, Schools, and Other Institutions.”

She is at the forefront of a revolution in changing how we feed our most vulnerable members of society, and frankly the only reason we were able to nail her down to speak with us is because she also happens to be one of my oldest, dearest friends.

We talk to Joshna all about her work to change how we view hospitality and how large institutions prepare and serve food, and the ways in which we need to challenge the industrial food complex.

We also talk about what it’s like to be in the public sphere and to have big, loud, revolutionary ideas while existing in a fat body — especially when those ideas are about food and nutrition and how we feed ourselves and each other. And even though the overwhelming response to her work is positive, she talks about how the vitriol she has encountered and the unsolicited feedback she has gotten about her size can eat away at her.

TW: We do talk about the industrial food complex and the topics of processed food and access to food, and this can triggering if you have a history with orthorexia or if you struggle with the 10th principle of intuitive eating, which is gentle nutrition and honoring your health and taste buds above the ingredients of your food.

This episode is a bit longer than our usual interviews because we cover a lot of meaty issues and I know you’re going to love this conversation and hearing all about Joshna’s incredible work in this world.

Website: joshnamaharaj.com

Instagram: @joshnamaharaj

Buy the book: Take Back the Tray: Revolutionizing Food in Hospitals, Schools, and Other Institutions