Friend and Fashionista Jacqui Getz is telling tales with me today about her journey from high school principal to personal style curator. (You may have seen her on Vogue's Street Style Series - if not click HERE !) Jacqui went back to get her SECOND master's degree in her 60's. Jacqui also has studied at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and she now specializes in helping women over 50 find and own their personal style. If you ever thought that you don't have style, if you ever thought that you can't do something because of your age, if you ever let fear try to stop you, this is the episode for you (and by "you", I also mean me). To me, Jacqui is true blue New York cool and she's also the kindest, most uplifting person. I am so grateful for our mutual friend Anna for introducing us. I thought Jacqui would be a perfect guest for Who's Dat Phat Girl and I think you will, too. To learn more about Jacqui and to inquire about her services (a fun time is guaranteed) please visit www.TheDetailsofStyle.com And, as always, if you want more of this podcast or to learn more about lil ole phat ole me (Brooke) please visit www.brookehoover.com/podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

I've you've ever experienced chronic pain (which is most likely, considering over 51 million Americans experienced chronic pain just last year) then you know is a real pain in the YOU KNOW WHAT. Today, I'm speaking with Mandy Ryle, a Chronic Pain Specialist and a Certified Nutritionist. Mandy has been a movement instructor for nearly two decades and it is her mission is to empower individuals challenged by persistent pain to reclaim their vitality and independence. Mandy takes a holistic approach that combines nervous system re-education, mindset cultivation, nutrition coaching and exercise in order to help her clients move through their pain. I shed some (kinda unexpected) tears today when I talk with Mandy about her pain journey, my pain journey and those of her clients. If you want Mandy to help YOU on your journey, please visit: https://empoweredself.me/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

"You Gotta Get a Gimmick" can hold true for burlesque, cabaret and Broadway musicals but WHY oh WHY is it the case for health and wellness? I used to be a sucker for a good marketing campaign. I used to be a sucker for anything that told me it would provide me instant relief, weight loss and enlightenment. I used to be a sucker for fat sucking (stay tuned to hear more). And, after so much drama and too much money spent I am now OVER it. (Well, never say never.) In this here episode I'm telling tales about things that definitely did NOT work for me along my health journey from Living Social deals to doctors' recommendations. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Today I talk with long-time friend, fellow actor/writer/comedian Ken Perlstein about his road to recovery. Ken and I met two decades ago when we were part of an improv troupe called 8 Is Never Enough during the Bush Kerry era, doing political and non-political comedy sketch, improv and standup. I admire Ken for his fearlessness in being vulnerable about his recovery journey and his ability to help others. We are talking about Ken's success as an actor/writer/comedian today but also as someone who's overcome so much and is an awesome dad, husband, friend and human. Listen to the whole thing if you want to hear some fun impersonations from some of your fave (or maybe not so fave) political figures. Learn more about Ken by clicking HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

While Café du Monde in New Orleans is known as the OG of making and selling beignets (fried leavened dough that becomes a golden angel's pillow topped with powdered sugar) and café au lait (coffee with hot milk), there's another beignet place that I hold near and dear. I grew up having beignets (a fried dough treat, native to Louisiana) every Sunday with my dad after early morning church at Coffee Call in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. But then on my weight loss and PCOS health gain journey I told myself that I could give two shits about beignets. And I (almost) forgot all about them. Hear tales about how I rekindled a healthier relationship with food, one specific food, and with myself. Learn some donut and Louisiana history and fun facts - stay for the feels. To READ the TRANSCRIPT of this episode or any prior episode, please visit www.brookehoover.com/podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

New Year, New You Yadda Yadda Yadda If your New Year's Resolution has gone by the way side already then, yay! Welcome to the club - wait I haven't done a resolution in YEARS. (Side bar, did you listen to the Season 2 Episode 28 about New Year's Words Vs. New Year's Resolutions???) Here are FIVE EASY and TANGIBLE organizational tips that are OH so January - and that are easy enough to do in "chunks" that'll leave you feeling organized, accomplished and refreshed instead of overwhelmed. For me, tackling things that are very hands-on often helps with this time of year which can be SUPER heady and inner worky and jerky for me. Transcripts available by clicking HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

I set out to do this podcast in order to share, entertain and inspire. I didn't realize it'd also help me bring up some of my own sh*t including trauma and patterns. Losing the literal weight, the 100 pounds, has only been a minuscule part of the healing journey. The journey (for all of us) gets easier when we start realizing that the physical and the mental health aspects go hand in hand. I think we are always on a healing journey. Wouldn't it be nice to go through that healing journey with a guide? In this episode, I'm speaking with new friend, kindred spirit and healing guide LEAH DREW about healing the past and breaking unhelpful patterns in order to live in the present. Leah Drew is a Mind/Body healing guide whose goal is to inspire you to seek more awareness, empowerment & healing in your life. WORK WITH LEAH - CLICK HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Ah, the new year, 2024 is upon us. For SO long, my new year's resolution was "I will lose weight this year" or "I will not eat cake this year". Too vague, too much punishment and, at the end of the day (at the end of the year?) would those resolutions really make me a better person? So, I started choosing a "word of the year" instead of a New Year's Resolution. Last year, my word of the year was "embrace" which felt SO not-me that I forgot the damn word. This year, I'm choosing something in the vein of embrace but something that feels more gentle and less phony at the same time, "acceptance." Do you want to join me in choosing a word of the year? Let me know what your word is, y'all. I am genuinely curious. Let's follow each other on Instagram and keep the conversation going! Click HERE Transcripts available by clicking HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Growing up in South Louisiana, all I wanted was a White Christmas and WASPy cut out sugar cookies with a perfect presentation. But, we were usually wearing shorts and t-shirts on Christmas Day and because my Momma is 110% Rajun Cajun, we never did those cute little holiday cookies. We made Cajun candy (pralines and gold brick fudge) which tasted great but looked like alligator poop. After years of fighting my heritage and wanting something that looked like magazine perfection, I've finally learned to embrace it and share the candy (and love) with my "Yankee" boyfriend and friends here in New York and New Jersey. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Coach Rita Savoia and I talk about the importance of breath to help with stress and this season is arguably one of THE most stressful times of year so we could all use a little BREATH. Something so simple and yet many of us are doing it incorrectly - including yours truly! Learn some techniques to breathe optimally and to help find peace - even in the line at the airport or mall. We also tell tales about random things from Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” to Sunday dinners with Rita’s Italian family. Find out what makes Rita feel like a PHAT girl (Pretty Hot and Tempting). USE CODE "BREATHE50" to save 50% on Rita's services mentioned in this episode - CLICK HERE to visit her site --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

The Universe, God and/or a Facebook Algorithm connected me with a kindred spirit, Shaele who lives completely across the US (Props to us for handling time zone conversions with ease.) Initially, we connected because have both had success stories in our PCOS journeys, but we also realize throughout this episode that we have many more similarities as well. Sometimes, social media can be a good thing (and I think Martha Stewart would agree). Shaele had success losing weight and keeping it off and most importantly dealing with her PCOS symptoms including brain fog by doing intermittent fasting. Shaele's intermittent fasting calendar is 23:1 meaning she ONLY eats for ONE HOUR out of the day!!! You may be thinking : How is this possible? How is this healthy? Well, she explains her journey. And, while neither of us are medical professionals, we are just two people who are sick and tired of the current state of healthcare in regards to our condition and we took matters into our own hands, I do suggest always consulting with your medical professional (be they a doctor, dietitian, naturopath, herbalist or acupuncturist) when beginning and throughout your journey. Shaele's birthday is the week that this episode launches so show a fabulous Sagittarian some love by giving it a listen! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

We've all heard of the concept of SPRING CLEANING but what about cleaning up and reorganizing that cave before a few months of hibernation ?!?! (Or, for my Louisiana folk, why not do something productive other than the usual holiday stuff between LSU Football and Mardi Gras?) As an actor, I've had many "side hustles" but my main one is a PERSONAL ORGANIZER. I've seen a variety of types of situations - from hoarders to fashionistas and my goal is to individualize organization and help empower people to feel organized and know where all there things are as opposed to achieving perfection. I'll share my TOP SEVEN ORGANIZATION TIPS for a good ole FALL CLEANING and tell some organizational tales of yore. ***MENTION THAT YOU LISTENED TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION COACHING OR IN PERSON ORGANIZATION SESSION. Email me at WhosDatPhatGirl@gmail.com*** --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Come trick or treat with me and play connect the dots (with all my face moles) in this week's episode, y'all! Halloween inspired me to talk about one of my dirty little not so secrets - my chin mole (which sprouts hairs on command) that I'm not so proud of along with my other more strategically placed by God moles that I've come to accept. I'm telling tales about moles through the ages and why it seems easier to accept some "flaws" while some will always be flaws (without the air quotes). How do we (and by "we" I mean "I") come to accept something that's been (for so long) branded as belonging to a stereotypical evil woman? Can I use my magic powers to get some mole acceptance? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

If you're like me and all the Basics, then you love FALL. Everything about FALL. Especially FALL FOODS. But, ain't it a shame that so many of the fall foods which naturally pack a lot of nutrients are full of inflammatory causing foods (white flour and sugar) that aren't good for insulin resistance ?!?! If you want to enjoy that apple cider donut or that PSL, go for it !!! NO SHAME HERE - EVER! However, add these principals to the long-haul because you can eat them every day without spiking your blood sugar which can lead to all weird kinds of feelings whether you have PCOS (like me), are a Basic B or not! So, here are many of my hacks on how I'm savoring the fall flavor, getting those dense nutrients (hello fiber, antioxidants and protein!) and NOT adding sugar, white flour or bullshit. I'm not saying you can't have a pumpkin spice latte...but switching to pumpkin rooibos is going to be a better bet to get us through the long-haul and help us beat those winter colds. I'm talking about the benefits of apple, pumpkin and all the wonderful fall spices. I'll share my "hacks" that are quick, friendly on the wallet, simple and cleaner than most of the fall foods surrounding us right now. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

(or, Woes of a Private School Kid & Her School Cafeteria) For years, my momma brought me my school lunch HOT AND FRESH every day - EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Until I changed schools to the school of hard knocks which also had a cafeteria whose food was DEFINITELY NOT Louisiana caliber. When Momma's invited to my school cafeteria to "see how bad the food really is", will I have to eat my own words? Listen to the tale and find out, y'all... SIDE BAR : Griping about school cafeteria food is a completely privileged thing to do. I hope you understand I'm making fun of my own drama while not undermining how we as a society need to help make sure NO KID goes HUNGRY. Please donate or share if able by clicking HERE --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

I'm telling tales with one of my best pals who's also a yoga teacher, Amy Fulgham!!! Amy and I met at 4:45 in the morning en route to a brothel over a decade ago (Well, the SET of a brothel) 'cause we were portraying HOOKERS in a beloved HBO show about the Prohibition Era (name to remain anonymous due to the SAG-AFTRA strike) and we've been friends ever since. Amy has transitioned from actor to yoga instructor and I've been #blessed to work with her as a private student and on her Zoom classes. (More about that below!) In this episode, we'll learn more about Amy's health journey, tell tales about the importance of rest and the different types of yoga from Vinyasa Yoga to Yin Yoga to Yoga Nidra and talk about making yoga practice your own, no judgments attached. There's that expression, "They've found their calling." Well, every time I see Amy teach yoga or talk about yoga, I get chills. Because, I know this PHAT girl has found her calling to help others inhabit their bodies and relax their minds. Amy has an upcoming YIN YOGA / YOGA NIDRA series on Sundays (8pm EST) starting 9/24 and going for Seven Weeks - SEVEN WEEKS FOR SEVEN CHAKRAS! (No class on Sunday October 8th) LEARN MORE / CONTACT / FOLLOW AMY : Email : AmyFulghamYoga@UnderTheSameMoonYoga.com and/or AmyFulgham@aol.com INSTAGRAM --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

While we're in that back to school time of year, I thought I'd tell some tales about my uniform woes in school. While navigating wearing a uniform (and all the criteria that came with it) while being a FAT girl wasn't easy, I learned some uniform loopholes to make my uniform more fitting for a PHAT (pretty hot and tempting) girl. We all still wear uniforms in a sense even after we graduate from school. My uniform of choice nowadays, in the school of life, has one criteria : It can't show camel toe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

For me, working as a Standardized Patient became more than a good side hustle for an actor or a way to make a quick(ish) buck and definitely more than that episode of Seinfeld, it is how I learned to see doctors as human and how I got over (or at least learned how to handle) my fear of doctors. If you prefer to READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT of this episode, I transcribe them all myself and they're available for download at: www.brookehoover.com/podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Salads : For so long, they've been seen as a diet food and almost a punishment. But, I say, they're a party. (Unless you're my dad back in the 90's who nearly needed stitches from a salad.) Let's transform the way we think about foods. I'm talking about some ways to jazz up your salad (I am from Louisiana after all) including easy and affordable tricks. You can always watch or read an episode at www.brookehoover.com/podcast I transcribe the episodes myself so that you can read how I actually talk without any typos (versus using AI to type it.) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support

Too skinny to be fat? Too fat to be skinny? Nah, just too PHAT to fit in is what I'll keep telling myself until I believe it. Not fitting in (literally and figuratively has been my theme). So is THAT my elevator pitch? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whosdatphatgirl/support