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26 EXCLUSIVE FEATURE FROM PAGE 25 lens of what it can do and how it can feel, as opposed to what it looks like”. “I think that’s the big key here for people’s physical and mental wellbeing – that we’ve got to change the lens, because we must remember that we weren’t born into the world hating our bodies,” she said. “This is a learned behaviour. We’ve bought into the messages that tell us that we should be anything other than what we are. And we’ve got to push back against that because it’s done us all such a great disservice, with many of us having lost years of our life talking about our cellulite or that we’re fat or overweight or \\\\\\\[about our\\\\\\\] diets.” However, while Ms Brumfitt is passionate about self-acceptance, she says “embracing your body” is about being as healthy as possible. “I want to make it really clear that embracing your body also doesn’t mean eating 20 donuts on the couch,” she said. “Embracing your body is about moving your body, nourishing your body, respecting your body, but mostly, enjoying your body.” With acceptance, she adds, comes the obligation of spreading the message of diversity to help others find peace with themselves. “We all come in different shapes and sizes and we need to \\\\\\\[learn\\\\\\\] to feel OK about what we look like,” Ms Brumfitt said. “We need that rich diversity of shapes, sizes, ethnicities \\\\\\\[and\\\\\\\] abilities of bodies. We need that reflected back to us because that’s who we are. As human beings on the planet, we’re so diverse.” We often think of the body image issue as relating to girls and women, but it’s becoming increasingly prevalent among boys and men. Ms Brumfitt stresses the importance of including boys and men in the conversation to continue tackling body image issues. “I think the focus has been on women for such a long time, then it moved to girls,” she said. “And now the trend is heading towards men and boys – steroid use in young boys is off the charts. And boys are wanting to be ... muscly and big and strong. All of that has a raft of its own problems – that toxic masculinity. So, we make them part of the conversation. That’s what’s really important.” She continued: “The fundamental message is that your body isn’t an ornament. It’s a vehicle to your dreams. It’s a vehicle in life. So, remember how your body feels, as opposed to being so focused on how it looks.” Pharmacy assistants, the frontline in healthcare, have a major role and responsibility when it comes to promoting the message of body positivity and confidence, Ms Brumfitt says. “I’d encourage ... \\\\\\\[pharmacy assistants\\\\\\\] to consider focusing on how somebody feels, as opposed to how they look,” she said, advising PAs how to relate to their customers when recommending various OTC products: they need to “come back to the question of: does your body do what you want it to do and if it doesn’t, how can you support it to be where you need to?” “Your body isn’t an ornament. It’s a vehicle to your dreams ... So, remember how your body feels, as opposed to being so focused on how it looks.” “That’s probably the answer,” she continued. “Focus on helping your customers to concentrate on how they feel, as opposed to how they look. “Also, because I’m thinking about the beauty element, too ... there’s nothing in this movement that says that you can’t change your hair colour or have fun with makeup. I’ve got a cupboard full of different beauty products. But it’s about how much focus is put on them ... it’s about having the balance, and it’s about having fun with how you express yourself.” When asked about the key lessons pharmacy assistants should draw from the Body Image Movement, Ms Brumfitt says she wants them to know that “it’s not your soul’s purpose to be at war with your body”. “You have 28,000 days on the planet if you’re really lucky, so use them wisely,” she said. “That means, don’t talk about your cellulite ... or \\\\\\\[about\\\\\\\] your thighs. Stop it!” Recognising that the goal of attaining a positive body image and self- confidence may be easier said than done at times, Ms Brumfitt reminds PAs to be “kind to yourself”. “I was a very different person before learning to embrace my body \\\\\\\[compared with\\\\\\\] what I am \\\\\\\[now\\\\\\\],” she said, adding that the key is in “backing myself and being to kind to myself, and also not taking it all too seriously”. “If you’re someone who ... \\\\\\\[has\\\\\\\] something to say, and it’s going to help and service other people, then you need to get out of your own way and be that person – use your voice,” she continued. “Know \\\\\\\[you’re\\\\\\\] capable of so much more than \\\\\\\[you\\\\\\\] give \\\\\\\[yourself\\\\\\\] credit for. So, that little voice in your head that says you can’t or shouldn’t or you’re not qualified or whatever ... that’s just the part of the brain that wants to keep you small and hidden, and it’s not the time to be small and hidden. It’s time for us to speak up and use our voices.” What’s next for Ms Brumfitt and the Body Image Movement? “Well, \\\\\\\[we’re\\\\\\\] making the Embrace Kids documentary, which is so exciting,” she said, adding that the project’s “incredible team of executive producers” includes comedian and media personality Celeste Barber, politician and founding Chair of Our Watch – the national foundation to prevent violence against women and their children – Natasha Stott Despoja, and actress, writer and model Teresa Palmer. “So, we’re making that film and I’m writing another book, and getting into as many schools as possible to share the message of the Body Image Movement, because ... it’s liberating, fun and ... it’s a healthy way of living – embracing your body.” Appearing in a TEDx Talk video in 20172, Ms Brumfitt described her journey with body image issues: “I thought that my self worth on this planet was determined by how I looked. What I realised – now but not back then – was that it wasn’t my body that needed to change, it was my perspective.” Perhaps we all need a little bit of a perspective shift, to enable us to become all that we’re capable of being, and so much more. References 1. Fell J, 2017. ‘The before and after photo that changed everything for this woman’. latimes.com/ health/la-he-taryn-brumfitt-20170422-story.html \\\\\\\[Accessed 6.4.21\\\\\\\] 2. Stop hating your body; start living your life. Taryn Brumfitt. TEDxAdelaide youtube.com/ watch?v=LSMH3WABkwg RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021 For more information about the Body Image Movement, visit: bodyimagemovement.com