In a world obsessed with fad diets and calorie counting, Jo Sebastian and her mantra, "You deserve to eat," resonates through her TikTok channel, echoing the message that everyone should be allowed to nourish their body and live life to its fullest.
From battling negative body comments as a young ballerina to becoming a registered nutritionist, and now a content creator helping people to heal their relationship with food, Jo's journey is inspiring and transformative, challenging the diet norms and offering hope to those facing struggles.
Personal Struggles and Transformation
Jo Sebastian's personal struggles with food began during her time as a ballerina. Constant comments about her appearance and body image issues triggered a negative relationship with food. She tried on various restrictive diets, including the infamous "no rice" diet and calorie counting. It was these experiences that initially sparked her interest in the field of nutrition. At first, her motivation was simple: she wanted to lose weight. Her dream was "to eat everything without gaining weight." But as she delved deeper into the field of nutrition, she realized that it was a complex concept, than she initially imagined.
Jo's realization that she had much personal growth to achieve planted the seeds of her transformative journey. Her interests began to merge into a profound message emphasizing the right to eat and the importance of nurturing one's body. She believed two food philosophies: "You always deserve to eat," and "everyone should be allowed to nourish their body and achieve the full potential of their life."
Challenging Diet Culture One Bite at a Time!
Jo recognized that a hyper-focus on nutrition, food, and fitness could sometimes lead to unhealthy behaviors. She observed that people often downplay their struggles, believing they are "not that sick" when caught between the spectrum of intuitive eating and eating disorders. The guilt and anxiety surrounding eating, she highlighted, significantly hinder one's quality of life.
Her message emphasizes the importance of giving oneself permission to eat, treating one's body with kindness and care, and acknowledging that food is a part of life, not the center of one's existence. It's a message built on curiosity rather than judgment, focusing on progress and small transformations instead of overnight change.
Jo's journey toward a healthier relationship with food involved small but sustainable steps. She began by slowly eliminating habits that were draining to her mental and physical well-being, such as weighing herself daily, ultimately achieving a sense of freedom, spontaneity, and an ability to enjoy meals with friends and family.
Empowering Through TikTok
Jo's journey from an aspiring ballerina to a content creator focused on nutrition and wellness was a natural progression. Her initial TikTok content centered on beauty and fashion but, eventually evolved into a platform for educating and inspiring. It was on TikTok that she realized the abundance of misinformation about nutrition, fitness, and body image, which led her to reevaluate her focus. Instead of asking how to attain abs or slim down, she started asking, "How can I make people feel more comfortable and free around food? How can I make people feel safe about eating?"
Jo's Advice and Future Goals
Jo's advice to those seeking a healthier relationship with food and nutrition is simple: start slow and sustainable. She advocates against striving for perfection and highlights that health looks different for everyone. Health, in her eyes, should be something enjoyable, and it is essential to educate oneself not only about scientific concepts but also about one's own needs and desires.
Unlike restrictive diets, Jo emphasizes the importance of fostering curiosity instead of judgment. Food, she believes, should not be demonized or restricted. Good, consistent meal patterns are key to preventing later binge eating. The challenges she often observes in her followers include feeling restricted, yo-yo dieting, and the all-or-nothing mindset.
Her TikTok videos serve as a reminder that our bodies are normal, and eating is a normal, healthy part of life. Creating a community dedicated to raising awareness about disordered eating, eating disorders, and building a healthy relationship with food and one's body is what she currently foresees. She envisions programs and large-scale events to further these goals.
Jo Sebastian's mantra – "You deserve to eat" – is like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold day. A comfort and a breath of fresh air after years of hearing ‘no of these’ and ‘less of that’. It reminds us that food and nutrition should enhance life, not control it. If your life revolves more around food than fun, it's time to rethink your menu. Truly, Jo's journey is more than a story to tell, but an inspiration to rekindle our relationship with food.
