Fat and Fertile

Episode Summary

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, Nicola Salmon dives into the practical—and emotional—realities of finding a fertility clinic that supports fat folks with compassion and without weight stigma. Whether you’re just beginning to explore fertility treatment or feeling frustrated by constant barriers, this episode is packed with actionable tips, thoughtful guidance, and much-needed reassurance.

Nicola shares the exciting news of her newly updated Fat-Friendly Fertility Clinic Guide, a powerful resource featuring nearly 150 community-sourced recommendations from fat people who’ve accessed IVF and other fertility treatments. She explains how to use the guide, what to look out for, and why it’s so important to have information upfront—especially when some clinics still impose harmful BMI restrictions or hidden costs.

She also walks you through her top tips for researching, interviewing, and choosing a fertility clinic that will treat you with the respect and care you deserve. From asking the right pre-consultation questions to understanding your legal and medical rights around weighing, diet talk, and treatment access, Nicola empowers you to advocate for yourself at every stage.

If you’ve ever felt disheartened by fertility clinics, this episode is a must-listen. Nicola reminds us that while fat-positive clinics might feel like unicorns, they do exist—and finding the right one can make all the difference in your journey.

Links and Resources

🧡 Fat-Friendly Fertility Clinic Guide – Download here

🧡 IVF for Fat Folks Course – Your step-by-step guide to navigating fertility treatment in a bigger body

🧡 The Fat Person’s Guide to Getting Pregnant – Free download

🧡 Fat Fertility Facebook Group – Connect with others navigating this journey

🧡 Reddit r/infertility – A moderated space with weight-inclusive policies

🧡 Join the Fat and Fertile Community on Ko-Fi – Exclusive Q&A episodes, community support, and bonus content

Get Involved

Nicola would love to hear from you! If this episode resonates, share your story, ask a question, or leave a review. Your voice matters and could help someone else feel less alone.

Support the Podcast

If you're enjoying Fat and Fertile, you can buy Nicola a coffee or share this episode on your favourite social media platform. Every share helps make this information more accessible to the people who need it most.

Follow Nicola on Instagram

@fatpositivefertility – For fat-positive fertility tips, updates, and behind-the-scenes support.

👉 Explore these resources and take your next step toward growing your family—without shame, without diets, and entirely on your terms. Nicola’s in your corner, cheering you on every step of the way.

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In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I sit down with Michelle, who shares her transformative journey from navigating societal expectations to embracing body positivity. Michelle opens up about the necessity of setting boundaries, particularly in medical scenarios, to safeguard one's well-being. Her insights into finding size-inclusive care and advocating for oneself during fertility treatments are truly empowering. We explore how she shifted from challenging experiences with body image and disordered eating to become an advocate and doula for plus-size individuals, supporting them in having positive pregnancy and birth experiences. I hope her story inspires you to stand firm in your choices and seek supportive healthcare that aligns with your needs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I open up about my journey from 2024 into an exciting 2025, sharing both personal and professional highs and lows. From grappling with neurodivergence and finding support to winning a prestigious fertility advocate award, it's been quite the roller-coaster! I hope this episode reassures you that joy and passion can be rediscovered, even amidst challenges, and inspires you to embrace self-discovery and empowerment on your fertility journey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Fat and Fertile, I’m diving deep into something I don’t talk about nearly enough—what fat positive fertility coaching actually is, and why it matters so much.

I’ve been a fertility coach for over seven years now, and while I often share tools, insights, and resources, I realised I haven’t really broken down how coaching works or what it looks like to be supported in a fat-positive, weight-neutral space. So that’s what this episode is all about.

I share how my own experience of being diagnosed with PCOS as a teen—and being told I’d never have children—led me to this work. And I explain how my journey through unlearning diet culture and stepping away from weight loss gave me the clarity and drive to support others doing the same, especially those navigating fertility in bigger bodies.

In this episode, I talk about:

• What coaching means to me (and why it’s not about “fixing” you)
• The unique challenges fat folks face when trying to get pregnant
• Why we deserve support that’s free from judgement and shame
• What it means to create safety in your nervous system as you navigate this process
• How to explore health-promoting behaviours without dieting
• And why separating your worth from your ability to conceive is a game-changer

I also explain what a fat positive approach really looks like in practice—how I work with you to move from where you are now to where you want to be, using tools that centre your autonomy, your lived experience, and your joy.

If you’ve ever felt like you're battling the system just to be seen, heard, or supported—this one’s for you. And if it resonates, I’d love to invite you to book a free 30-minute chat with me. No pressure, no pushy sales pitch—just a space to connect and see if coaching might be the right next step for you.

Resources & Links:

• Email me: [email protected]
• Find me on Instagram: @fatpositivefertility
• My book: Fat and Fertile – available via Amazon
• Join my community: Ko-Fi Membership

Thanks for listening, lovely. You absolutely deserve to feel supported, cared for, and full of hope as you navigate growing your family—exactly as you are. 💛

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