Ep. 044: Rachel Estapa on Wellness in the Body Positive Space - a podcast by Jessi Haggerty, RDN, CPT

For years, Rachel Estapa felt that, in order to get people to like her, she needed to change her body. Comments like, “you have a big belly,” or “you’re not graceful” defined who she was in the world. In college, she successfully pursued a weight loss journey that she thought would open up more opportunities that were previously off limits due to her body size. When this didn’t happen, Rachel felt angry and betrayed by both herself and society. In a moment of grief, Rachel cried to her husband, “there has to be more to love about me than this!” Thus was born, More to Love Yoga.

As soon as Rachel embraced herself as a person, that’s when the opportunities began to open up for her. Rachel’s first experience with yoga was challenging as she unknowingly took a hot yoga class and wound up outside in the middle of a Boston February, grateful for the cold air. But, she kept going until she found a yoga class that, in yoga’s true and authentic form, allowed her to just be. No judging, no comparing, no overthinking. After that, she chose to study at Kripalu, learning yoga skills specifically for teaching to larger bodies.

Rachel currently teaches weekly yoga classes in Somerville, MA and offers an online WELL by MTL wellness program. She aims to educate and support plus size people on body acceptance and self-worth. Tune into the whole episode to learn more about Rachel journey to ditching diet culture, embracing her body and learning to live an authentic and abundant life.

Resources:

• Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Audio Guide
• Jessi’s Intuitive Eating Support Group
• Rachel's Website
• WELL by MTL

Further episodes of The BodyLove Project with Jessi Haggerty

Further podcasts by Jessi Haggerty, RDN, CPT

Website of Jessi Haggerty, RDN, CPT