Body Love, Not Bounce Back: A New Way To Feel @ Home In Your Skin (Win!)

In a city known for its wellness culture and curated aesthetic, Vancouver-based clinical counsellor Meredith MacKenzie is inviting women to take a different approach to body image. Through her upcoming One Body to Love retreat on May 3, Meredith is offering a space to challenge toxic beauty ideals, unpack the mental health impacts of diet culture, and reconnect with our bodies—not as projects to fix, but as homes to honour. We spoke with Meredith about what it means to truly feel at home in your body, and why self-compassion is the new self-care. —Noa Nichol

Vancouver is often seen as a city that prioritizes aesthetics and wellness. How do you think this environment influences women’s relationships with their bodies?

This comes up in my counselling sessions with women all the time. Vancouver’s culture places a strong emphasis on fitness, physical activity, and maintaining a particular “wellness” aesthetic—one that often aligns with thinness and high-end athleisure. While the average Canadian woman wears a size 16 or L/XL, you’d be hard-pressed to find these sizes widely available in local stores, especially from homegrown brands like Aritzia and Lululemon. My clients frequently share how this lack of accessible sizing makes them feel excluded. They want to dress in a way that feels expressive and put-together, but when clothing that fits them comfortably isn’t available, it reinforces the feeling that they don’t belong.

In a city as image-conscious—and as small—as Vancouver, many women feel like they’re not invited to sit at the “cool table” if they don’t fit the mold. This pressure extends beyond clothing. It’s woven into online dating culture too, where the ideal Vancouver woman is portrayed as someone who hikes on weekends and thrives in the outdoors. I’ve had clients tell me they feel like they can’t participate in dating because they don’t see their bodies reflected in that image.

It’s not just about fashion or fitness—it’s about belonging. When women can’t access the clothing, communities, or cultural narratives that reflect who they are, it takes a real toll on self-worth and confidence.

With the rise of social media and beauty standards constantly evolving, what are some of the biggest struggles women face when it comes to body image today?

One of the biggest challenges women face today is the constant pressure to measure up to curated, often unrealistic images of beauty and success online. As humans, we’re wired to compare ourselves to others—especially those who appear attractive, successful, and socially accepted. But what we see on social media is rarely the full picture. Most content is highly curated to showcase the best moments, while the messier, more human parts—like spending two hours scrolling TikTok or skipping a workout—are edited out.

Women are often comparing themselves to people whose lives are simply not relatable, whether due to different financial realities, access to childcare, or free time. That comparison becomes especially toxic when we don’t have the full story. For example, many influencers experiencing dramatic body changes may be using GLP-1 medications without disclosing it. Others have had non-invasive cosmetic procedures like filler or Botox, which over time have shifted our sense of what “normal” even looks like.

There’s also been a rise in “glow-up” content, where influencers share step-by-step routines promising transformation—usually backed by a long list of affiliate links. It’s the same old marketing tactic in new packaging: make women feel inadequate so they’ll spend money trying to fix it. All of this creates a deep sense of self-doubt, shame, and comparison, making it incredibly hard for women to feel at home in their bodies.

Many women feel pressure to ‘bounce back’ after childbirth or to maintain a certain appearance as they age. How can we begin to challenge these expectations and embrace the body we have?

We can start by naming these pressures for what they are: socially constructed ideals rooted in unrealistic standards. The idea that a woman’s body should remain unchanged by life events like childbirth or aging is both harmful and unattainable. We need more conversations—like the ones we’re having at the One Body to Love retreat—where women can share their stories without shame. Challenging these expectations means surrounding ourselves with people and media that value us for who we are, not how we look. It also means being gentle with ourselves as we grieve the pressure to look a certain way and build a new relationship with our bodies—one based on respect, not resentment.

Diet culture is deeply ingrained in our society. What are some of the subtle (or not-so-subtle) ways it impacts women’s mental health and self-esteem?

Diet culture teaches women from a young age that their worth is tied to their weight, size, or food choices. It’s in the way we compliment each other for weight loss but not for resilience. It’s in the guilt women feel after eating a cookie. It’s in the silent rules about what we “should” look like to be desirable, healthy, or successful. These messages create anxiety, self-doubt, and a chronic sense of failure. For many of my clients, these beliefs impact their relationships, social lives, and overall sense of peace. It’s not just about food—it’s about identity and self-trust.

One of your key messages is encouraging women to slow down and simply ‘be’ in their bodies. What are some practical ways to start this journey toward self-acceptance?

Start small and start slow. One simple yet powerful practice is checking in with your body throughout the day. Ask yourself: What do I need right now? Am I tired, hungry, tense, or calm? Giving your body a voice—outside of how it looks—is one of the most radical acts of self-care. It also helps to reduce or curate your social media intake—unfollow accounts that leave you feeling “less than” and follow people who make you feel seen and empowered. Lastly, surround yourself with people and experiences that remind you of your worth beyond your appearance. This is something we intentionally create at the retreat: a space where you can simply be without judgment.

How can we reframe body image struggles from a mental health perspective, rather than just a matter of aesthetics?

Body image is so much deeper than wanting to look good in photos. It often reflects our need to feel loved, accepted, and safe. When women struggle with body image, it’s rarely about vanity—it’s often about trauma, comparison, grief, or control. Reframing body image as a mental health issue allows us to move beyond “fixing” our appearance and instead get curious about what our bodies are holding for us. Therapy, community, and education can help us explore this with compassion and intention.

For women who have spent years battling their body image, what advice would you give to help them unlearn negative self-talk and replace it with self-compassion?

First, I would say: it’s not your fault. You’ve been living in a world that benefits from your insecurity. But you also have the power to choose a different path. One of the most transformative shifts I’ve seen in my clients is learning to talk to themselves the way they would speak to someone they love. Try noticing your inner dialogue without judgment—then gently ask: Would I say this to a friend? You can’t hate yourself into healing. True change begins with softness, not shame.

Your upcoming event, the One Body to Love retreat, is centered on shifting perspectives around body image. What can attendees expect from this experience?

Attendees can expect a warm, inclusive, and empowering space where they’re invited to be their full selves—no filters, no expectations. The retreat includes expert-led workshops, reflective exercises, community conversations, and opportunities for joyful movement. A nourishing lunch will also be served as part of a guided mindful eating experience, helping participants reconnect with their bodies in a supportive and intentional way. It’s not about fixing your body—it’s about learning to trust it, listen to it, and appreciate it as it is today. We’re creating the kind of weekend I wish every woman could have: one filled with connection, healing, and possibility.

What inspired you to create this retreat, and what impact do you hope it will have on the women who attend?

This retreat was born out of the stories I hear every day in my counselling and coaching work. So many women feel isolated in their struggles with food and body image—and I wanted to create a space where they could finally feel seen, supported, and celebrated. My hope is that every woman who attends leaves with a renewed sense of self—grounded not in how she looks, but in how she feels in her body and her life.

If there’s one takeaway you’d like women to have from your retreat and your overall message, what would it be?

You don’t have to earn your worth. You already belong, just as you are. The way back to your body isn’t through control or criticism—it’s through compassion, connection, and care. There is freedom on the other side of body shame, and you are so worthy of that freedom.

Win! 2 Tickets to the One Body to Love Retreat!

Congrats Remy D. of Chilliwack, BC, who will receive 2 Tickets to the One Body to Love Retreat! Each Retreat Ticket Includes:

• Full-day access to the One Body to Love Retreat — a transformative in-person experience designed to help women reconnect with their bodies, break free from diet culture, and build confidence from the inside out
• Engaging workshops led by experts in body image, intuitive eating, joyful movement, and self-compassion
• Catered lunch, snacks, and refreshments — all-inclusive and aligned with intuitive eating principles
• Access to exclusive vendor booths offering body-positive goods, services, and experiences
• A curated SWAG bag filled with wellness gifts, offers, and thoughtful surprises from aligned brands
• Guided self-reflection exercises and community connection activities
• Optional movement and mindfulness sessions designed for all bodies
• Professional photography moments throughout the day (yes, the vibe is immaculate)
• Access to exclusive retreat-only discounts on future coaching programs and offerings
• A chance to connect with like-hearted women in a safe, supportive, and empowering space
• Valued at $175 per ticket.

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.