We pull apart what body image really is, how it’s shaped by culture, friends, media, and why trends keep moving the goalposts. We share a personal story about diagnosis and change, unpack bias around fatness, and end with practical steps to build steadier self-respect. • Defining body image as a mental model • Why compliments and jabs distort self-perception • Positive body image as protection and steadiness • Body neutrality and focusing on function • How body checking and comparison fuel s...