407. Beyond the Mirror: Body Image, Athletics, and Healing with Whitney Otto

04/18/25 • 41 min

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Whitney Otto. In this conversation, Sandee Sgarlata interviews Whitney Otto, a US world rowing champion and therapist, about the complexities of body image, especially in the context of sports. Whitney shares her journey from being an athlete to a therapist, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing body image issues. They discuss how sports can shape personal development, the impact of societal standards on body image, and the necessity of compassion and support systems in overcoming negative perceptions. Whitney offers practical strategies for shifting perspectives on body image and highlights the importance of seeking professional help for those struggling with these issues.

Guest Bio:

Whitney Otto is a US world rowing champion and 2000 Olympic alternate who pivoted her skill and passion into helping individuals and teams achieve their goals through leadership development and clinical intervention. She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA in counseling psychology from Lesley University, and a Professional Coaching Certification from The Coaches Training Institute. Her clinical perspectives are informed by over a decade of experience treating eating disorders. Her inspiring and collaborative style was further honed through years of experience serving as a Master coach for physicians, elite athletes, entrepreneurs and C-Suite executives. Whitney serves as a Master Performance Coach and consultant at Valor Performance, and coach for R3 Continuum serving Senior level clients at Deloitte. Whitney also serves as Group Guide for CHIEF. She is the co-host of UNTRAINED, a podcast that launched in January of 2023 focusing on giving the tools and mindsets needed to help corporate executives “untrain” from toxic mindsets and perspectives that result in professional success at personal expense.

Takeaways:

Whitney Otto transitioned from athlete to therapist to help others.
Body image issues often stem from societal and familial pressures.
Compassion is crucial for high performers dealing with body image.
Negative body image can drain energy and affect performance.
Understanding body image is about perception, not just physicality.
Curiosity about feelings can lead to healthier body image.
Support systems are essential for athletes facing body image challenges.
Childhood experiences significantly influence adult body image.
It's important to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion.
Professional help can provide necessary support for body image issues.

Connect with Whitney:

Website: http://bodyimageinsideout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyimageinsideout/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneylpost/

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Guest Bio:

Takeaways:

Whitney Otto transitioned from athlete to therapist to help others.
Body image issues often stem from societal and familial pressures.
Compassion is crucial for high performers dealing with body image.
Negative body image can drain energy and affect performance.
Understanding body image is about perception, not just physicality.
Curiosity about feelings can lead to healthier body image.
Support systems are essential for athletes facing body image challenges.
Childhood experiences significantly influence adult body image.
It's important to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion.
Professional help can provide necessary support for body image issues.

Connect with Whitney:

Website: http://bodyimageinsideout.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyimageinsideout/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneylpost/

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Previous Episode

406. From Cult to Confidence: Dr. Robyn Lynette's Journey

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Dr. Robyn Lynette. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Robyn Lynette shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a cult to becoming a successful performance business psychologist. She discusses the challenges she faced, including brainwashing and self-sabotage, and how she learned to overcome them. Dr. Lynette emphasizes the importance of resilience, accountability, and making conscious choices to create a fulfilling life. Her insights on personal growth and the impact of our perceptions provide valuable lessons for high performers and anyone looking to break through barriers in their lives.

Guest Bio:

Dr Robyn, affectionately known as Mental MacGyver, is a former competitive beach volleyball player turned high-performance business psychologist and professional confidante. She did her graduate work in business psychology with a concentration in high performance and sport. She has been working in the space between executive coach, therapist and best friend for more than fifteen years and has designed her business to support ultra-busy clients who live excessively fast-paced and often global lives. Dr Robyn’s expertise has been showcased through her TEDx talk, Creating Success Out of Chaos, the seven books she has authored, co-authored or contributed to, her Five-Point Paradigm for Creating Success Out of ChaosTM, and her signature talk: Take Out the Head Trash: How to fight the demons keeping you awake at 3am. In her downtime she enjoys reading astrophysics for fun, gardening, hiking with her husband and teaching her dog Nebula to do circus tricks.

Takeaways:

Dr. Lynette's journey from a cult to independence is inspiring.
Understanding brainwashing is crucial for personal growth.
Resilience is about moving towards goals, not just stubbornness.
Accountability is key for high performers to break barriers.
Self-sabotage often stems from past experiences and perceptions.
It's important to articulate what you want to be different.
You can only help those who are open to receiving help.
Creating boundaries is essential for personal well-being.
Success can be created out of chaos with the right mindset.
Recognizing the limitations of others can improve relationships.

Connect with Dr. Robyn:

Website: https://MentalMacGyver.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRobyn

TEDx Talk: “Creating Success Out of Chaos” https://youtu.be/k7HKJn7NDZs

Keynote: "Take Out the Head Trash! How to fight the demons keeping you awake at 3am" https://youtu.be/Kx12TTCoojg

Nebula practicing circus tricks: https://youtu.be/LvbHNNHCVP4

Connect with Sandee:

Website: www.sandeesgarlata.com

Podcast: www.happinesssolved.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandeesgarlata

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsandeesgarlata

Next Episode

408. From Rockette to Resilient: Kelly Etter’s Journey Through Dance, Loss & Purpose

Happiness Solved with Sandee Sgarlata. In this episode, Sandee interviews Kelly Etter. In this conversation, Kelly Etter shares her journey of resilience after losing her home and Pilates studio in a wildfire. She reflects on her experiences as a Rockette, the challenges of transitioning from dance to Pilates, and the importance of faith and community in overcoming adversity. Kelly emphasizes the significance of self-care and movement in healing, and how building resilience is akin to strengthening a muscle. The discussion highlights the power of asking the right questions during tough times and finding purpose in supporting others.

Guest Bio:

With a lifelong passion for movement, Kelly has dedicated herself to making a positive, healing, encouraging and empowering impact on the world. Her purpose is being a teacher and facilitator. From a childhood marked by physical challenges to a 20-year professional dance career—Kelly experienced firsthand the power of perseverance. Transitioning from the stage, she found her calling as a certified Pilates trainer. Kelly has spent the last 24 years helping others find strength, alignment, and relief from chronic pain to achieve their fitness goals. Movement has been her refuge, guiding her through personal challenges and empowering Kelly to teach and inspire others with compassion and humor. Always on a quest for growth and the ability to more effectively be of service to and in support of her clients and community, Kelly recently became a Lisa Nichols Transformational trainer. She is excited about combining her expertise in nervous system support, healthy body mechanics, and self-care practices to empower clients to transform their bodies and lives. Through practical habits and transformative programs, Kelly fosters deep, lasting change for body, mind, and soul. If it is too long feel free to cut & paste as best supports the theme of the show.

Takeaways: