This episode features Esther Taub. Esther is a colleague, a friend, and a body-positive personal trainer who created the largest online fitness program in Israel. We talk about the struggles and pressures of the fitness industry and how that influenced her body image when she first started her career. We dive deep into her journey towards body acceptance, body neutrality vs. body love, pregnancy, her relationship with food and movement, body insecurities, and even backlash and criticism that she has received for her body-positive approach. We share a lot of tips and mindset shifts that worked for us on our journeys as well.
You can follow Esther at www.instagram.com/esthertaubfitness
I would love to hear from you on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasigalaboudoir
This episode features Esther Taub. Esther is a colleague, a friend, and a body-positive personal trainer who created the largest online fitness program in Israel. We talk about the struggles and pressures of the fitness industry and how that influenced her body image when she first started her career. We dive deep into her journey towards body acceptance, body neutrality vs. body love, pregnancy, her relationship with food and movement, body insecurities, and even backlash and criticism that she has received for her body-positive approach. We share a lot of tips and mindset shifts that worked for us on our journeys as well.
You can follow Esther at www.instagram.com/esthertaubfitness
I would love to hear from you on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasigalaboudoir
Hello everyone. Welcome back to the Body Image Revolution. Today, I'm super excited. I have an incredible guest, Esther Taub, Who has. Been a colleague of mine for many, many years turned into a very good friend. Esther is a body positive personal trainer with over 11 years of experience. She actually runs the largest online fitness program in Israel called Lifestyle, and she trains over 300 women daily in it. Which is just amazing to see how far you've come on your journey and in your business. It's just so incredible. And what I love so much is that Esther is a believer in body positivity and neutrality and putting her client's health goals above the physical goals. Mm-hmm. so. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. It's gonna be a really great conversation, Esther and I whenever we start talking. Yes. Can not stop. Yeah, we have. It's always a problem you talk about, I'm always like, yeah, exactly.
Esther Taub:Anytime Rebecca and I talk, it's like, okay, we always have to like, Hey, you know, we can't be here all day. Like, we have to stop talking at some point.
Rebecca Sigala:But like, we always have had to say so it always feels like we're just trying to like fit in everything Exactly. That we need to say.
Esther Taub:And by the way, every time we talk we're always just like, oh my gosh, I wanna be on your podcast. We have to talk about, like, by the way, like we always talk
Rebecca Sigala:like collaboration.
Esther Taub:Amazing, right? We always have such amazing conversation and it's always just like, I feel like we should spread this to the world somehow. So I feel like it's, this is so exciting cuz finally we're like, you know, do like having a conversation where we can kind like publicize people and like Yeah. I really, my point is, Amazing conversation with you, Rebecca. So I'm so excited about this
Rebecca Sigala:Yes, me too. Me too. Yeah. I love this platform. Like I love podcasts because you can really get into things and really share your beliefs and your values and hopefully inspire people. So that's what this is all about today. So how did a hundred percent, how did we meet Esther? I'm like trying to remember.
Esther Taub:I honestly, I think I, okay. It was, I know this sounds crazy, but I think it was like 10 years ago, if I'm not mistaken now. We go way back, girl. Okay. We do Wait back. And this was definitely, I wanna say like towards more of like the beginning of my career when I was still like, and we're definitely gonna get into this of just like, yes, I used to be one of those people who were just like, only work. Only work, only work. Like my life was completely just work. And like with that I had also a mindset about my body where it was just like work, work, work. And anyways, we'll talk about that soon. But anyways, I, if, if I'm not mistaken, I think this is how we met when we first did a session together in Jerusalem.
Rebecca Sigala:Yeah. When I reached out to you to be my personal trainer. Yes. You're so right.
Esther Taub:And I'm pretty sure I like in soccer. Yes. And I really think it was. It was, I think you were one of the first clients I ever tried to do outside. I live in Givat Shmuel. Outside of Givat Shmuel, like me traveling far away client. Wow. And you were travel for client And it was definitely hard for us to both like find like, you know, the time, the location to get sopac, but we, you know, we made it work. It was definitely so awesome. I remember that first. You, I think I, I like, I remember telling you it was like, I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity. Like you're just so inspiring. And I'm like, Aww. I was like in your Facebook group already. And I just loved, loved everything you posted, but I still wasn't in that mindset yet. Like, I wasn't yet as a mindset of. Fully understanding body positivity and, and, and things like that. And like,
Rebecca Sigala:I, like, I can't even remember how I came across you online. I mean, obviously I connected with you enough to be like, be my personal trainer. That's like a big deal, you know? And I'm sure that like, wherever you are, your energy is just so infectious. I'm sure that I felt that wherever I found you, but I literally can't remember so long ago. But yeah. That's so amazing. And then, yeah, from there we, like, we grew so much as people in our business and hundred percent and different times we like collaborated with different things. Mm-hmm. And it was amazing. Just,
Esther Taub:I remember when I met you, Rebecca, I was like, this woman has power, like just a power within her that's like so inspiring and so beautiful. And I was like, I, like I just, we vibed right away. I was like, vibed, love this girl's vibe. Like, oh my gosh, like I really remember that. And yeah, it definitely, I'm so happy. It was the start of a beautiful relationship and
Rebecca Sigala:yes. You mentioned a little bit about the fact that you didn't always have a body positive mindset and mm-hmm. I'd love to hear, and I'm sure the listeners would love to hear a little bit about what that was like where you were at in your relationship with your body and with fitness. Like, I guess 10 years ago. Yeah. What was, how did that look? How did your life look then?
Esther Taub:So I think that is, I'm really happy, you know, you asked that and we're gonna talk about that. Cause I think that's the most important, honestly, like thing to talk about because a lot of people come to me all the time, like especially as they. You know, a body positive type of personal trainer. They're just like, I, I, I wish I could have that mindset. I wish I would. And like, it's like, it is, it is a definite like transition and it's hard to get to, but it is possible and I wanna like, explain how, and I also wanna explain how deep and how intensely I was. Like, the opposite, the opposite, opposite mindset of who I like.
Rebecca Sigala:Yeah. You're so right, by the way, like, that is my message too, that like, it is possible because Yeah, I, I did it. I'm like, if I can do it, you can do it. Do it. I lived it. Yeah. And I feel like people are just like, oh, like body positivity. Like, that's nice. For her, I'm happy for her.
Esther Taub:Exactly.
Rebecca Sigala:That will never be me
Esther Taub:Right. Exactly. So I hope my story can help inspire some people to be like, oh, okay. It is possible to kind of understand. So, okay. Basically I started out as a person, and this was kind of around the time that I had met you. Just I was a person who was, the word is literally obsessed. Okay. Obsessed with my body in a way that was unhealthy. Okay. So literally I was supposed to be preaching health and, you know, helping people with getting, you know, stronger or let's say, you know like it. But my point is it was just like I was this personal trainer and yet I was living such an unhealthy life. I would train literally 11 clients a day. Every day between eight and 11 clients, like from 5:40 AM till like 8:00 PM at night, just going from client to client. So, and in each workout, in each session, I would work out with the client In between the sessions of the clients, I would like,
Rebecca Sigala:oh my, my gosh.
Esther Taub:It was like insane. So insane. It was like, I, I say this out loud and I like have to like, almost like laugh, like, why did this make sense to me? But like, I didn't have a car yet. And I remember thinking like oh, let me burn extra calories by running to each client. And, and by the way, holding literal like kettlebells and weights and yoga and running to the next client's house, like across Givat Shmuel, like, like let's, that's another way to burn more calories. Like literally it was obsessive and it. Like I was just, I had this need to be smaller, to be burning more calories, to be, you know, getting skinnier. Cuz that in my head was just, that's how you equate health. Like you needed just be skinny.
Rebecca Sigala:Were you, were you always in that mindset even when you were like a teenager or a pre-teen? Like when did that start?
Esther Taub:I really did have like my family wasn't obsessed with fitness. I don't really know how, it just was my thing. But I think there was possible that there was a pressure on me. It wasn't necessarily, it wasn't my family. It was just like, I knew I loved fitness. I did, I still love fitness. I love everything about it. Yeah. You know, a personal trainer. But I think because I was a personal trainer, there was this external pressure when becoming personal, all that of just like, I'm a personal trainer, so I need to quote unquote, look the part and I need to quote unquote, be the strongest, be the best, be the skinniest, have the most chisel looking abs like,
Rebecca Sigala:Yeah. I mean, honestly, that makes a lot of sense. Yeah, it makes a lot of sense that that's when you would actually start being more obsessive about your physique.
Esther Taub:Exactly. So I think that it just like when I understood, I was like, okay, this is what I wanna be doing in life. I just had this, you know, mindset where it was like, well, you know, You literally exactly the opposite of what I assume now. But like, you know, if someone looks at me like I want them to, you know, say like, oh obviously she is, you know, a person.
Rebecca Sigala:I want her body so I'm gonna like pay to get her body pretty much.
Esther Taub:Oh my God. Exactly. If I want her body, I have to work out exactly. I have to do exactly what she's doing or she obviously knows what she's doing because of the way she looks, et cetera. and it's interesting cuz I actually also, like, I think this obsessive situation also like took place. And by the way, all that was like, in addition to my own workout, I came home and then I went to the gym. That's like literally just to understand how like unhealthy this was for
Rebecca Sigala:Oh my gosh. I was, I like that as actually,
Esther Taub:I definitely like my, whatever. We could talk about the eating also, but my point is I just like, I think it also came from a place where I was diagnosed with something called P C O S. And P C O S is basically something that like it's just so funny cuz I remember when I was di like when, when the doctor told me about it, like the main issue and like serious issue is that you know, generally women with P C O S struggle to get pregnant. Like there's usually more like struggles behind it. Sometimes there's IVF involved or more, you know, serious cases, et cetera, and Right. Anyways, my point is like, in addition to that, he also said, and it's harder for women with P C O S to lose fat or sometimes they gain weight, like easier. And it's so crazy how like that was the scariest thing as like, you know, 20 year old me or whatever. When I heard this, I was like, that was the scariest part for me. I don't know, like, you know, I don't think, yeah,
Rebecca Sigala:no, absolutely. I totally relate to that. Like, people said that about antidepressants and it was like, Oh my God. Like, yeah, in my mind at the time, which is such an unhealthy thought, but it was just like, mm-hmm. oh my God, I have to choose. Between being like mentally stable or Exactly. Exactly. Not thin. And it was such a big deal for me. Exactly. And it's so sad for me, like looking back, I mean I have a lot of compassion because it makes sense that we thought the way that we did that is like what society is like today and we have
Esther Taub:to go through it. But
Rebecca Sigala:we've come a long way. Yeah, exactly.
Esther Taub:A hundred percent. A hundred percent. So
Rebecca Sigala:we couldn't help people if we didn't experience that ourselves.
Esther Taub:Exactly. And exactly that's how we started the, the podcast today. Like, we are hoping to help others by, you know, explaining our own, our own process. And so yeah, have compassion on myself, but at the same time, like, it's like when you say it out loud, it's just like, oh my gosh, Esther. Like, you know. Yeah. But anyways, so so yeah, and, and whatever it was, I just remember like when I heard that, I think that also put me into overdrive of like, well, if I don't, you know, work out literally 13 times a day, then I'm, you know, I'm just gonna get fat and this, and, and my whole life is gonna be ruined. And It's like the things that, like your brain, just like, decides, like tells you or whatever. And, and I remember that was also like a serious drive for me. And, you know, part of like an anxiety for me of just like, well, like I hacked, cuz I knew it wasn't normal. I knew it wasn't normal to work out that much, like seven days a week, like being that obsessive. But like, I was like, but you know, but I'm a personal trainer so it's normal or like, I have PCOS so like, it's like I have to like, no.
Rebecca Sigala:Right. That is not healthy. You use it as like a catalyst for your obsession. That makes sense.
Esther Taub:Mm-hmm. Yeah. When you give yourself this, like, it's like, I feel like whenever there's something, I don't know, I don't know if this is always, but when there's something that you're doing that isn't healthy per se. You know, in this case for me it was over-training. It's like you, you need to give yourself an excuse for it, I guess, or not. I dunno if the word is an excuse or reason, like it has to make sense, like, right. And to me this makes total sense. Like obviously, you know, it's 10, 11 years later, I'm just
Rebecca Sigala:like, you actually thought you were doing the healthier thing.
Esther Taub:Exactly. I really, really did. And you know, and, and by the way, this is also what I was preaching to my clients. This was something that they, they would all like, aspire to be like, like wow. Like, you know, Esther's working out with me and she just worked out with the seven clients before me that she trained. Like, it's just, it's like so upsetting also to me that this is what I love. Yeah. It
Rebecca Sigala:was kind of like this go hard or go home mentality.
Esther Taub:Exactly. Exactly what I was a hundred percent.
Rebecca Sigala:Which is probably why I was like originally attracted to the personal training Cause I was in that mindset too.
Esther Taub:Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, listen, like I know about myself, I was always a nice person. I was never like a mean kind of trainer, but I know I ins I tried to inspire people to be like, let's know, like, yeah, exactly. No excuses, no excuses, exactly. Stuff like that. And so whatever it is, that was how it started. And eventually, years and years later so this is now four years ago. This is when I got pregnant with my first child and Ooh, so amazing. Um, and basically what what happened was, and again, this is years and years of just having this obsessive mindset of like, skinny equals healthy. That's it. Like you need to be skinny. That's the most important thing. And then I kind of, I guess I, I, I, I did mature a bit in life and also getting pregnant I think helped put things into perspective. And what do I mean by that? When I got pregnant, I remember thinking to myself like, this is a huge anxiety for me. Like, I'm the personal trainer that needs to always be fit, that needs to always have the, you know, chiseled like, you know, biceps and whatever. And like, I'm about to get big. Like no matter what I do, I'm in the, you know, nine months that are coming ahead of me. I am going to just keep getting bigger no matter what I do. And I thank God I was able to still be excited about, pregnancy and everything like that. But I remember there was this mindset that I had that was kind of just like Esther, If this is true, then I might as well just stop working out and just, you know, eat whatever you want dinner and, you know, things like that. And, and it won't matter cuz I'm just gonna keep getting bigger. Right. But no, my brain was like, absolutely not. Like I have a responsibility for, you know, this was just my mindset. Like there's a growing munchkin growing inside of me and like, I wanna make sure that they're healthy. I wanna make sure that my body is healthy, the home that I'm creating for them is healthy. And, and it just like, was like so important to me in pregnancy. Like, I just had this complete removal of like what I will be looking like physically and I still was like, I wanna still make sure I'm working out and, and, and, you know, putting foods that are nutritious and make my body feel good into my body as much as possible and things like that. And it was kind of just, Why it's just like this. I remember this smack in the face. I remember where I was standing, like on my porch outside, and I was like, wait, why is this so important to me to do only for, you know, the growing pregnancy baby inside of me? What about my bo Like, oh, cause my body's the home for this baby. What about my home? Like we are, you talk about whole time. About time. My body is my home, I live in this body too forever, not just for nine months, forever. So how, how do
Rebecca Sigala:you, it was almost like at first you had this like perspective shift because you went outside of yourself and you're like, oh my gosh. Like I'm growing a human being inside of me and I want this human being to be healthy and thriving and I'm gonna start thinking about my body in this way. Yeah. For the baby, right? And then you were like, wait, I have to do that for myself
Esther Taub:too. Yes. Ex It's literally, it was exactly that. I was like, I almost felt that, I was just like, that's so unfair of me. That was the word. I was like, that's not fair of me to do, to not like, have the same love for myself that I do for this growing baby inside of me. And like yeah, by putting
Rebecca Sigala:your health before Yes. Anything else.
Esther Taub:Exactly. And like, okay. Of course, like, you know, motherly instincts sometimes like, you know, we end up putting our kids for, of course, like that is definitely a lot of my life or whatever. But like there, there was just, there was zero of it. Like there was none. There was literally just like, I work out to be skinnier. That's it. Like you get skinny, you means you're healthy. But it was like, this is obviously not true. I'm gonna continuously get bigger in these next nine months and I still want to be healthy. So I have to be, you know, I want to make sure that I'm including like healthy foods in my life, or I'm including fitness in my life regardless. Did you start to do
Rebecca Sigala:like, research on body positivity and stuff like that? Like how did you start going about it professionally? how did it get implemented into your work?
Esther Taub:So that was when it really hit me on a personal level. I definitely had been already like following a lot of different accounts. Like, you know, I had definitely been inspired by it. You were definitely one of those people that I was totally inspired by and like, I wanted to have the mindset exactly who we spoke about. I was one of those people like, oh, I, I love that for her. But like, you know, like, I just don't relate fully yet, but it was something on my mind or whatever. But that was my moment where it just really clicked for me. Yeah. Um, and then, I kind of lived it and then went through an entire pregnancy where I just kept getting bigger naturally that should be happening. And yes, and yet was still prioritizing fitness and, and putting like as much as possible by the way, like, don't even get to start with the first trimester, like, oh my god, horrible. Like, I literally just had like bread, like
Rebecca Sigala:oh my gosh, stomach, same. I remember like getting like a plain bagel, like that's all I could eat.
Esther Taub:Oh my God. Just horrible. But anyway, it was so, I hated the nausea anyway. Me too. But yeah, my point is like, it's definitely something that was like, wait a second. As a professional in the in, like I literally, my job is to help women with their bodies. I have like a responsibility to learn more about this, delve more into this and be honest with everyone who's following me, you know, I have a big following. I have to make sure that these people, yes, like I have a responsibility to the people who are like listening to me to be honest with them and to, and to explain to them also like, what is important guys? Like what is the most important thing? And that's where this kind of like just kept snowballing, like focus on your health more than your looks.
Rebecca Sigala:Did you, did you ever have any fears about doing that? Because you originally started your business thinking, okay, I need to look a certain way so people will want me as their personal trainer and pay me money and mm-hmm. there's a lot of truth to that. Like that's not, that's not just something that was in your mind. Like that is the whole, the whole Right. The entirety of the fitness industry, you know? Right. And percent. So now you making the shift and like realizing how deeply important it is, did you think like, oh shit, this is gonna harm my business in some way.
Esther Taub:So I'm so happy you asked that because the answer is absolutely yes. Again, I thought you were gonna say not I dunno why. No, no, a hundred percent. It was a huge, huge, yeah, it makes sense. Huge struggle for me, in the beginning, but I'm actually gonna say why it, it, I think like I felt afterwards, like. Okay, I'll, I'll go through the process. Basically, it just kind of became, like, in the beginning, like, and, and I think still, like people kind of just look at, let's say before and after pictures, right? People are, yeah, that's a big one. And they say like, oh, like I need to see this before picture. I need to see this, but after picture, just see if this is a good trainer or not. Like, I only want her if she, but I kind of like
Rebecca Sigala:got, she's gonna help me lose
Esther Taub:weight. That's what I want. Exactly. And so I was very scared when I, you know, started talking about this stuff because I knew that that was gonna be, you know, part of it where I just was like, I was trying to teach people that everyone's different, that you know, You going through a health journey, like the end game quote unquote. The end goal is not an after picture. It's not like Right. Gonna be something necessarily that you could see visually. It's not something like, and at first I was very scared. And I do think it, like, at first, like had an effect on my business in the sense that like, you know, people would ask me things like how much weight do you think I could lose an x amount of time? And like, this was definitely a question I would get all the time. And, and when my answers started being to them, like, I actually won't be answering that because I a have no
Rebecca Sigala:idea.
Esther Taub:I b exactly. I have no idea. I can't promise you things. I'm an honest person and I refuse to guarantee you something that I can't promise. And also because I wanted to try to encourage them and say like, If you're coming to work out with me, our goal is not just to get skinny, it's to get strong, it's to get healthy. It's to feel our best, to feel more energized, to feel happy in your life, et cetera, and like,
Rebecca Sigala:right. It's not that you're not giving them any results, you're giving them incredible results, right? That you can almost even guarantee when someone starts to, you know, move their bodies. Right.
Esther Taub:It's kinda just like, what is the word result? It's kind of just like, is the result equating. Just physical things that you can, no. You know what I mean? And so that's where when I started giving answers like that, I do know, I, I know for a fact like there were people that were just like, uh, okay, no, I want someone who can get me skinny in three months. So sorry. And I'd be like, it's okay. This isn't a good match. And it's
Rebecca Sigala:just, that takes a lot. It took a lot, a lot. I know
Esther Taub:it really was scary. But I think when I started finding, uh, cuz it just, it doesn't feel good when you're not being honest with yourself. Like, I don't, I'm not a person that will ever, like, I, I, you know, I pride myself on being someone who's very accepting and I think I'm a very, you know I like to be very loving towards people and, even if someone has a different mindset than me, I'll never be like, shame on you for only wanting to lose weight. Right. I would never give people that impression when they're you know, approaching me even. Absolutely not. Like I'll always start by saying, especially cuz like, we've been there. Right. Like I'll just, I'll start by saying I respect everyone's wants, everyone's needs, but I need to be honest and say X, Y, Z. You know what I mean? So it definitely, like, I remember that in the beginning being like very nervous being like, But I need to be true to myself and I don't want someone to sign up with me, you know, whatever. Just because they're looking to just get skinny and, and that's it in like a small amount of things.
Rebecca Sigala:And then I'm just like thinking, I'm like, the opposite happened. Your business blew the fuck. Literally. Exactly. So
Esther Taub:like, yeah,
Rebecca Sigala:that's incredible. Like you were alive with yourself, your values this body positivity and it actually resonated with so many women. Maybe not every woman in the world, but your people, your tribe. So it's amazing. Tell me a little bit about that, about how your
Esther Taub:business, so it's, you literally took the words outta my mouth because that's how it started. It was like a fear of just like, shoot, am I really gonna be my honest self right now? Like, am I actually gonna do this? Like, I'm, I'm scared to affect my business, et cetera. I feel like, I don't know how else to say this. I know this is like so interesting cuz I don't think that everybody has this mindset. A hundred percent not. But I, I just felt like I found exactly like you were saying, like your tribe, but it just, it felt to me like, I was like, I feel like I cracked the code to helping women not be scared of fitness anymore. Yeah. Literally like, hear me out when I say that. It, it was the craziest thing. I really can't believe that this like, you know, I've worked with so many different women, like literally thousands of women out like over the years and it's like I've seen that sometimes when a person is just so intimidated or so sure that cuz they've tried every diet or whatever and they're so sure that they can't. You know, to this place where you have chiseled abs or skinny, skinny, or whatever it is, or where it's so depressing for them to do, or it's so not possible, punishing, happy, love style, orach. It's like you just can't achieve that or with being happy, or it's just not possible with their genetics or whatever it is, and, or it's just, it's so not fun. Like just everything about fitness is like this punishment and torturous thing. Yeah, of course you're not gonna work out, like of course you're not gonna want to include fitness or eat, you know, foods that are nutritious for you in your life if you are hating every second of it. And it just became this like, Window, I feel like that I opened to, like, I really, it was, it's not, it's not like simple when we say like, everything blew up in the best way. Because I feel like I just opened up this window where people are like, well, she's a personal trainer and yet she's saying that I don't have to work out for a whole hour. I could work out for, you know, 20 minutes and still be really proud of myself. Oh, okay. So, oh, she's a person said I could work out once a week, or, you know, and like, that's still fantastic. Instead of seven times a week. Okay, maybe I can achieve that. And like all of a sudden these women who are, you know, I can be healthy and not be super skinny. Okay, I'm gonna try that. Like, all of a sudden there was just so many more women that I feel like would have been too intimidated to even start working out or, yeah. had like, you know, an anxiety about it or had a horrible relationship with it because of like this intense, basically mindset about fitness. They all of a sudden were just like, Oh, fitness can be for anyone no matter what you look like, no matter you know what your lifestyle is, no matter what your goals are, whatever it is. And it's just like, I feel like I'm proud of myself, I really am. That I was able to open up this window to everyone. Everyone can work out no matter shape, size, age. And so that you opened
Rebecca Sigala:up a space for women to feel seen and appreciated for who they are and understand that they can lead with kindness and self-love. Mm-hmm. And that will actually lead them to a healthier lifestyle physically. Like physically. Yes. And everything we've taught, we've been taught the opposite, which is like, yes, be hard on yourself, be mean to yourself. If you're not critical of yourself, you're not going to stay motivated. But it's actually the opposite.
Esther Taub:Yes. Yeah. Listen, I really, really like, I'm so happy. there's so many women that I, I can think of off the top, like literally so many off the top of my head that I, I know that because of this mindset of like, Okay. How about we be kind to ourselves instead of mean to ourselves, throughout our health journey? Or how about we be accepting throughout it or whatever. because of having that mindset, they worked out at all, like, they never ever would've included fitness for health in their life if it wasn't for, you know, body positivity. Really. Like Yeah. It just crazy because there's, I know like, trust me, there's plenty of people who look down at me and it's like, how could you encourage, like, you know, obesity or whatever, how could you Yeah.
Rebecca Sigala:It's actually gonna ask you like, what kind of criticism do you
Esther Taub:get?
Rebecca Sigala:Does people actually say to you that you encourage
Esther Taub:obesity? Oh, I've definitely gotten those comments. Are you kidding me?
Rebecca Sigala:Wow, that is such bullshit. It's such bullshit.
Esther Taub:It's just comical. Like I'm just like, I just
Rebecca Sigala:also like, what is that even. what does that even mean To encourage obesity? I don't even think that's a thing.
Esther Taub:There's so much wrong, there's so much wrong with that comment. It's just everything wrong. Like I really at this point, like I laugh when I see things like that. I'm just like, Ah. But yeah, like I wish I could like have just like a chart of the amount of women that now work out or eat healthy or whatever it is, or include fitness in their life in any way, shape or form. Because of this mindset of like just, yeah, work out. No matter what you look like. It doesn't matter what you look like. That's not your end game. Like you can have stretch marks, you can have cellulite, you can have, you know, you can be like on a bigger body and yet you can still be healthy. You can still. Be working out. You could still be a boss, you know, the gym, whatever. It's, yeah. And like you don't have to look.
Rebecca Sigala:You also removed so many barriers for people to just start working out, not be critical of themselves, not need the perfect equipment, not need, right? Like you said, like be in your pajamas. You, oh my gosh, I loved that I did one of your workouts. And you're like, we have cookies in the oven afterwards. I'm so excited to eat them. And it just removes the barriers cuz people think I can only work out if X, Y, and Z and then they become so, Not motivated. So shameful of themselves and their body. And they're just thinking about hundred percent being thin the entire time. Mm-hmm. that's not sustainable motivation. No. And it's so mean to yourself.
Esther Taub:Yes, a hundred percent. And I feel like when people have this, it's really, I guess it comes down sometimes to like also overthinking. You know, people have this mindset where it's like, well this has to be perfect in order for me to work out and I have to look like this in order to work out and I have to be wearing the perfect workout clothes and I have to be, you know, I have to plan. And it's just like, I feel like a huge thing that I try to encourage is just like even five minutes of walking is better than nothing. Everything is awesome. let's remove this mindset of like, oh, it doesn't count, quote unquote, all forms of movement counts. It's all Yes. Beautiful. It's all amazing. And when we remove this mindset of like being mean to ourselves, being a literal, like dick to ourselves literally about everything, like we're just, it's so much easier to have a healthy long-term lifestyle because you realize, and you're like, I'm going to be creating, you know, just different opportunities for myself where I can include movement or whatever it is. And, and just stopping to have this mindset of I have to be perfect. Okay. And it's just,
Rebecca Sigala:it's the perfectionist mentality. Yeah. That's what I've said that I'm like a recovering perfectionist. Yeah. And it's so, so true. And sometimes I feel like, I start leaning towards that again, and then I have to bring myself back to myself. Do you ever have those moments where you start thinking about diet culturey stuff, or you don't have a good body image day and then have to come back home to
Esther Taub:yourself? So I definitely think that it's a good question because I don't think that anybody is perfect, and I think that some people, like I definitely have like those bo you know, bad body image days or whatever it is. Or sometimes I'll look in the mirror and I'll just be like, Ooh, okay. Like, You know, this is like, my, whatever it's called, like the muffin tops or whatever. Like, Hmm. That was that always like, bulging like that or like, things like this. Like I'll, I'll definitely have sometimes like a negative thought or two and then I'll bring myself, I think down to her. Like, I don't know. I really like, I know this sounds,
Rebecca Sigala:well, first of all, before you continue, I just wanna say thoughts are just thoughts,
Esther Taub:right? That's it. Right, exactly.
Rebecca Sigala:Doesn't mean anything about who you are.
Esther Taub:A hundred million percent. I just, I feel like I've gotten to this place where I feel like sometimes someone could say like, oh, like you've just given up. Like you don't care. Like, it's like, but it's the exact I
Rebecca Sigala:can't. Right. I know that I
Esther Taub:really, it's just ridiculous. But it's, it's the opposite. It's that I care so much. About my body that I've learned and I've worked so hard with myself and with others and you know, like when I, train all my, women in the lifestyle program, it's just, it's like even more encouragement for me. And it's, it's like I'm at such a place of peace with my body and it's like my worth is no longer just about what I look like physically. And I feel that so hard with myself. Like, okay, look in the mirror, let's say I'll notice that or have a negative thought about like seeing like, oh, there's like a belly bulge or whatever. And then I'll just be like, who? Like literally who the fuck cares Like, I really don't care. Like, I literally just like, I'm amazing. I literally stood around like, I'm awesome. Like I, you know, I'm, I'm talented or I'm smart, or I've achieved so much and I,
Rebecca Sigala:one thing that I
Esther Taub:noticed if I have like these, like this, you know, bulge at my belly or like, you know, I don't have a chiseled six pack or like, that's not what I, you know, I'm not equating my, it's part of who I am. My looks are part of who I'm, but it's not all of who I am. And I feel like I've achieved this mindset of like, I'm so much more than just the way I look now. In addition to that, I think I've gotten so used to not having like this obsession with having a chiseled six pack that like. I don't care. I really just, I don't, I don't know how else to explain it. Don't,
Rebecca Sigala:I feel like there's, a couple different approaches to this and I love that you see, first of all, our worth is sometimes so tied up into our appearance because that what's what we're taught from such a young age. Mm-hmm. And so I love that you've been able to like separate that. And then there's this other thing I hear people saying like, it doesn't matter. I'm so much more than my body. And they can't actually see the beauty in where they're at, like the physical beauty. Mm-hmm. were you able to shift how you see bodies like actually see the courier rounded body that you have had or whatever? Like are you, you able to see it as actually beautiful?
Esther Taub:A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Like, listen, I'm gonna be completely honest when I say like, I don't think I'm like at this perfect place where like, I think that we're, we're all, you're on a journey. Journey and I think I'm still on a journey as well. But
Rebecca Sigala:I, I think that's so important for people to hear, by the way. Yeah. Because like you exude positivity and self love and like people are so inspired by it, but, They're like, wait, is she like this all the time? Like so, oh, for sure. Bringing sure in that authenticity, like, I think will really help people be like, okay,
Esther Taub:a hundred million percent. Yeah. I know people like, listen, I definitely am a very happy person. I know that about myself, but I, I'm definitely a human. You know what I mean? Like I, I, yes.
Rebecca Sigala:Set the record straight. Esther, you're a human
Esther Taub:Yes, exactly. And I just, I feel like at the end of the day, like exactly me saying, like I'm on a journey. I think it's really important that people understand like, I definitely have gotten to a place where it's like I'm in this part of the journey where I'm learning about myself. Like I know I've gotten to the place where I'm no longer, like I don't beat myself up about it. I'm not like, oh my God, I don't even work out like three times today because
Rebecca Sigala:like, I like maybe it's like an acceptance or a neutrality.
Esther Taub:Exactly. I really feel like, which amazing. Beautiful, beautiful place of body neutrality, like a hundred percent. And I really do think I'm, you know, with so many different things, I think it's, like I said, it's a journey. Like, for instance, my stretch marks like, or you know, cellulite or mm-hmm. You know, or like there's certain places on my body where it's like, okay, like I remember like for instance, I know this is like so crazy, but I used to be obsessive over my armpit fat. Okay. And like, oh my gosh,
Rebecca Sigala:I remember one of your posts about this. And it actually really helped me. I loved it so much. I like, think about it sometimes I'm like, it's literally like you said something, you're like, it's literally skin. Like what are we obsess? It's literally your skin. Like, it's literally like part of your boobs. Like it's literally whatever. It's, but anyways, but either way, it's not even, let's say it wasn't, okay, let's say it wasn't, let's say it was literally, it's.
Esther Taub:On your body, right? And, and
Rebecca Sigala:Yes. Oh my gosh. Fat on your body.
Esther Taub:It literally does. It's a part of my body. and it's like, I just have kind of like started appreciating like the indent where like, you know, my like, armpit ends, my boob starts like, I used to hate that. And I'm like, wow, that's actually really beautiful. Like, so my point is I feel like there is, you know, there's certain parts of my body where I do feel like I have this love and then there's certain parts of my body where I'm still in this place of more like neutrality. Yeah. Um, so I can't say I'm perfect. I can't say I'm at this place where I'm just like, I like, you know, whatever it like. But I do think I've gotten to a place where I love my body and I can say that I am so content in it, and I don't feel like I, yes.
Rebecca Sigala:And loving your body doesn't have to mean that you love every single part of the way that it looks.
Esther Taub:Right. Exactly.
Rebecca Sigala:I think that's an important Definition.
Esther Taub:So. Exactly. I think that, you know, when we have the mindset of like, my body is my home, I live inside of this home, and it takes care of me. Like that's also something that I've just, I feel like has given me such a pathway to feeling this love for my body and not equating, you know, and giving this love purely to just the physical, the way it looks. It's like I noticed so much about my body, like how much it does for me Yeah. And how much I live my life because of it. And you know, I know some people can take that mindset and be like, okay, so therefore I have to like, work out. Like sometimes it, no. Think about it in a way of just like, so therefore I need to be kind to it. And sometimes that means not working out today. Mm-hmm. sometimes that means, you know, eating, ice cream for no reason on a Tuesday night like that. Literally, like there is parts of, understanding like, I live in this body, it has done and does so much for me every day. Like I know it sounds so whatever, but like you wake up in the morning and breathing the lungs in your body, like yeah, there, everything about you
Rebecca Sigala:is, it's a miracle,
Esther Taub:a literal, it's a miracle. It's really, and it's like everything about your body is designed, I say this all the time to, to my lifestyle athletes, like your body is very smart and. Everything about it is designed to help you feel good and help take care of you. Like, it's literally like, yes, I know. We're trained to think it's not, we're trained to not listen to it. We're trained to do everything we can to just get skinnier and, just like, you know, whatever. Like, yeah. I've had clients who like, you know, let's say they have like knee issues and like, but I could push past the pain. It's fine. I could push past the pain and like, you know, I just wanna make sure I'm getting these calories burned.
Rebecca Sigala:The pain is trying to tell us something.
Esther Taub:This is your body speaking to you. Like, yes, listen to it. It's, it's such a beautiful, beautiful thing that your body's saying. Maybe it's not a good idea to be, you know, using your knees in the SL right now. Maybe it's a good idea to make sure we're strengthening, you know, the muscles around and whatever to make sure we're fixing the, the joint, whatever. It's, we can go even more like simple than that. Like if your body is nauseous during a workout, that's your body speaking to you saying, oh yeah, you're working too hard. Like, take it easier. Or, you know, you need to be making sure you're prioritizing yourself more in a sense. Maybe you need more sleep, more water. You need to make whatever it is. And it's like, right.
Rebecca Sigala:And I think you know what that is, it's trusting ourselves and trusting our bodies more than the messaging that we're getting in the world.
Esther Taub:Yes, absolutely. Exactly. And like I feel like. This gratitude that I really like to preach to my lifestyle at these, which is like, that's like a big, big thing. Like no matter what your body looks like, like of course we want to feel beautiful, we want to understand that our looks are important, of course. But no matter what, like even if you can't be in the place of body positivity yet, if you can't feel positively about how your body looks yet, you can. That's okay. Feel grateful for it. Yes, it's okay and try to think about why you're grateful for it and what it does for you. And that gratitude is always
Rebecca Sigala:available to you. Yes, There's always something that you can be grateful for and if you sit in that. If you push yourself to. Just experience that gratitude, like even the tiniest little thing like, oh, I, like the way that my skin feels, or,
Esther Taub:right.
Rebecca Sigala:I love the way that this food tastes and my body allowed me to do that. Or I woke up today. Like literally. I mean, which is not a tiny thing, right? They're big things. Yeah. But if we kind of take a step back and see those things, it's really, Right. Powerful. I was, I'm kinda curious. Oh, go ahead,
Esther Taub:Well, just one more thing. Cause like, we spoke about before, we can talk forever. I'm like, Ugh, I'm loving this. But I, I feel like exactly what you just said, that's also sometimes an exercise I'll do with people where I'll say like, okay, you can't, like, sometimes people are just so far from even the gratitude, right? They're even like, yeah. Even take a step further than that. Like, some people are just like, I hate my body so much that I just, I can't even feel grateful for. I can't. So I'll even take a step back with them and say, even before you say like, I'm so grateful for my body for letting me wake up this morning, or, you know, for letting me taste this food fine. Okay. Before that, even, like literally I'll say, just start giving statements that are just facts about your body. Like literally just said, I have long. let's say. Okay. Mm-hmm. like facts. Mm-hmm. I have long brown hair. Fact, okay. Like just start pointing out things about your body that are factual and that sometimes can help lead people to, cuz sometimes they don't believe
Rebecca Sigala:other facts that are actually Yeah. Like something that they would be grateful for.
Esther Taub:You can't deny it like this is a fact. Okay. Like you have, like
Rebecca Sigala:this is a fact. Your body is de designed for pleasure. This is a fact that your body helped you wake up this morning. This is a fact that your body overcame an illness. This is a fact that beautiful. You are resilient and alive. Like all those things are fast Yeah. And how we see them.
Esther Taub:Exactly. Once they grasp, like, okay. The fact, then sometimes I've seen it like, helps people go one step further than like, okay, I'm not just stating facts by myself, I'm stating things that I'm grateful about about myself. Yeah. And then once you feel grateful about your body, it's easier to eventually love your body. And then there's just, you know, it's like, it's a process. It's like, it's, yeah. I like, uh, but
Rebecca Sigala:I really like that exercise.
Esther Taub:I mean like, like, gratitude. Like it really, like that's where I feel like I, I really, really like feel,
Rebecca Sigala:it's so cliche, but it's so true. Like, I know, that's why things are cliche. They're true right? Like it comes from somewhere. Yes.
Esther Taub:I, I, I interrupted you before. Sorry.
Rebecca Sigala:Oh, so I was just like curious. now that you've explained your story a little bit to me and how you came to this realization of body positivity and neutrality within yourself and that was during your pregnancy, I realized that I photographed you. In your Well, I didn't really photograph you your first pregnancy. You did that. Yeah. First Covid Covid times were covid and I had like these FaceTime sessions that I did for people that were just like so fun to cute.
Esther Taub:I mean, you know, I'm constantly impressed by you, Rebecca, but that was so genius. I like, it was such a great way to make women feel beautiful and amazing and like for you to still do what you love. And like the pictures came out gorgeous still. Like literally they're so good. Like I was like, how did you do this? Like
Rebecca Sigala:they were so good and it was so awesome and it was really about like someone like me coaching you through that process and thinking like I could even just take time out for myself to like feel beautiful or think about myself or pose my body in a certain way or just like be present in your body.
Esther Taub:You're so good at this. I need to just quickly interrupt and just. I need to accomplish my Rebecca. Guys, I wanna listen very closely. Okay.
Rebecca Sigala:Oh, Rebecca. Like, no, you can't stop me. I'll keep setting up.
Esther Taub:No, but I really just need to say like, Rebecca, you have such a beautiful, beautiful way of thriving in what you do, and that is making women feel incredible about themselves in their bodies. And also as just a photographer, like every time I do a photo shoot with you, I'm just like, how does she know? How does she know how to tell me? Like what, you know, like where my elbow should go, where I should, you know, like just, there's so many, it's just amazing. And like once you've like helped me through the post or whatever, there's just, you have such a beautiful, beautiful, also, It's like a mixture of power and calmness, combined. And it's just such a beautiful thing you have in your personality and who you are. And it just it's like you exude like just such a beautiful, I don't know. I just, I love, love your vibe and I love you. I'm just, I'm so happy that you do what you do because you're so good at it and it's so important for women. And it's just like as someone who's been photographed by you twice, right? Yes. Am I wrong? Yeah. Well, it's technically twice and a half. Cause you did some head shots I think once.
Rebecca Sigala:Oh yeah. So right. Cute.
Esther Taub:Three times. So really Three times. But my point is it's just every single time it's like, I feel so beautiful and I feel so confident, and you always have just such a beautiful, calming yet empowering vibe to you. So everyone,
Rebecca Sigala:thank you so much. And when you were saying like, I'm so happy that you do what you do, I was like, I literally could say the same thing to you, and that is why we have such a love affair with each other, But I was curious, like with the boudoir session, the actual boudoir session, you came to my studio, you got your hair and makeup done, and that was during your second pregnancy. Yeah, I don't know, like how did that feel in conjunction with your journey?
Esther Taub:So I, I do have to say like, I think that this is something that I don't know if some women can relate to. I think that as part of my journey, like I'm, again, I'm being completely honest, there's parts of my body that I'm still insecure about and of course, and you know, I'm definitely still working on, and I think a big, big, big, like for me, that main place for me that I'm like, just, I've always been insecure about it. Like whatever, it's always been this like, do I have chill sick packs or not? Like whatever it is. And so it's just like my belly area has always been a sensitive area for me and. I think that, and I'm being completely honest, I've now done two photo shoots with you both while pregnant, like when the ones in the lingerie, at least both while pregnant. I think that that has, is part of me, I wanna say, is like still hiding a little bit. Like I think that my pregnancy, like when I'm pregnant, it's like, of course I have this belly here. Like of course like whatever. But like I think it was, it was a
Rebecca Sigala:little easier to feel more comfortable in your body when you were pregnant because of that mindset of yeah, well I'm supposed to be this way. Exactly. And also someone outside of yourself, mm-hmm. it's not just about you, it's about this beautiful baby that's coming. Right, right. Exactly. And yeah, like also just this like societal,
Esther Taub:pressure. There's nothing. Yeah, hundred percent. It's not there
Rebecca Sigala:pressure, but like the societal message that Well, yeah, you're supposed to be big when you are pregnant and when you're not. You're supposed to be small so it's as small as possible.
Esther Taub:Justified. It's justified cause you're pregnant. So, and I think that that mindset, like I'm a very honest person and I think that a mindset is still there. I do think that I do have, like, again, I'm on a journey and I. Really, really, really want to improve. And I'm being very kind with myself throughout it and I'm not rushing it, but I know that's something I'm, I'm, I'm getting better with. But I think my goal is to eventually, you know, I wanna do a boudoir shoot with you when I'm not pregnant. And like, just feel,
Rebecca Sigala:I was literally about to say this. Anything, I think our brains are like on the same wavelength. I'm like, OK Esther, like now I know what needs to happen.
Esther Taub:Yeah. It's like I feel like I've al it's, it's really cuz I do feel like. it's like hiding behind this pregnancy almost like, okay, like, well, you know,
Rebecca Sigala:but at the same time it got you to where you are. Like actually with body positivity, it was like a stepping stone for you, which is so powerful. A lot of times people can't access that during their pregnancies.
Esther Taub:Yeah. Oh, Uhhuh, Oh, for sure. Forget about it. Old me would've like picked apart every part of my body. My thighs, my armpits, my armpit thighs. We talked about before, my arms look too big, my legs look too big. Like, oh, a hundred percent. This is a huge, yeah, huge improvement for me.
Rebecca Sigala:Did you do that when you got the pictures? Were you critical? like from the second boudoir session? No, I
Esther Taub:actually in my studio. I really, really didn't. I really like, I could say that fully, honestly. Like I really know that right now. Like I've gone to a place where it's like my stomach is like where I am. Still a little bit insecure about there, and it's like this, everything else. I'm just like, I don't know. I'm just like proud of it now. I, I, I, yeah, like I love it. I really do feel like, like my thighs touch.
Rebecca Sigala:That's amazing.
Esther Taub:Cares. Like, that's just not something.
Rebecca Sigala:My stomach was also like one of the last things that I shifted my perspective about. Mm-hmm. and I recently did a boudoir shoot in December and that was part of it. I'm like, I'm removing all the barriers, all the shields, like just stripping down authentically because yeah, I was of course preaching body positivities for so many years and then mm-hmm. I realized like even just in the last year, I'm like, there are things that I'm hiding behind. Yeah. And I, you. Know how to take a beautiful image of myself and even show things that I'm insecure about, but not the most insecure about Like certain, like
Esther Taub:lighting certain angles, like whatever. And
Rebecca Sigala:like, oh, I'll show you my stretch marks, but I'm not gonna show you my belly fat and like that kind of thing, you know? And I was like, I'm just, embracing it all. I really felt like I was at that point in myself, but it was still a little bit scary to show that outwardly.
Esther Taub:Yeah, a hundred percent.
Rebecca Sigala:And then did it and it was so fucking, freeing and amazing and just brought my relationship with my body and my self and self trust to the next level. but what I'm trying to say is I relate to that process Yeah. And I, you completely relate to that process.
Esther Taub:Love, love, love, love. And I think that also, I really relate to what you just said of. For instance, let's say with my social media and like, my reels and things like that, like I definitely, I don't know, there's something about like a boudoir session or essentially a photo shoot where it's like, I'm literally taking pictures of let's say like you're ho I don't know, like cuz I, I definitely, it's more vulnerable, right? It's a little bit more vulnerable and I feel like I, I like, again, I'm on this journey and I, I do, sometimes I'll post reels. I'm like, before I'm pressing posts, I'm like, you're beautiful. and like I have this, you know, belly or whatever it is, like in this video or something. I'm specifically even trying to emphasize and help others like, learn certain. And like, that's what I'll try to like remind myself like, this is so awesome. this is awesome that you've gotten to a place where you're confident enough in who you are and what you are and, what your body looks like and everything that's like. Just like, why am I, like, why am I equating like, you know, this doesn't matter.
Rebecca Sigala:And I hope, you know, I mean, I think you do. How much you showing up like that helps other women. Yeah. It's like when, and I think in general, when we can embrace our bodies, when we can show up authentically as ourselves mm-hmm. And show our quote unquote imperfections. Mm-hmm. people feel safer to be themselves.
Esther Taub:Hundred percent
Rebecca Sigala:100s people permission to be their authentic selves. So I love that you remind yourself of that. when you're about to post, it's, yeah. I am beautiful. Yeah. I am powerful. And also this really. You can see the ripple effect. And that is really motivating for me as well. So I just really appreciate that.
Esther Taub:by the way, this, as I said, like the journey I used, it definitely be the opposite. I would have, you know, this awesome picture from some awesome, I don't know, event or occasion or whatever it is, and I would be like, Nope, can't post that. You see my belly? Nope. Can't post that. Yeah, my like, butt looks too big or whatever. And it's just like, oh, that's so sad and so unfortunate that like I, didn't wanna share some things with such an important message or specialist special day because of just like the way I look like, Nope. That's like what's more important to me is to not, you know, show the world that I like Yeah. You know, have fat on my body or whatever it is. Like I'd rather hide that and it's like, I feel like I've gone so the opposite now where I'm now at a place like, so I, I just so badly want people to understand You can have fat on your body and still be healthy. thank God I do see myself as a very healthy person. I work out, you know, three times a week, pretty consistently, and I eat, rose healthy, healthy, whatever it is. Like I, I know I'm taking care of my body and yet, yes, I don't have a chiseled six pack. So it's like I almost feel this responsibility. Okay, maybe I'm not, In love at all times with you know, the belly fat that I'll have, but it's just like, it's just this responsibility. I feel like I have to make sure people see you can be healthy without being like looking like a chiseled, like body blanket. Like it's just, it's not,
Rebecca Sigala:you still love it, you're still taking care of it from a place of love. Yes. It's been just cause you, you know what I mean?
Esther Taub:Yeah. It's not just about health and hating yourself. Yeah. It's about like health means mental health too. And that's exactly a hundred percent. It's not just your physical health, it's, it's loving yourself too. It's, it's understanding in your mind, like, yeah, I'm, I'm having fun in my life. I'm enjoying my life. I'm happy in it. Not, and, and it's not being, I don't feel like I'm being punished constantly because I need to be healthy. Like, it's just this is my long-term lifestyle and this is something that I, yeah. I enjoy.
Rebecca Sigala:Yeah. That's like also something that I've really integrated as like, eating this thing right now that maybe I once thought was forbidden or quote unquote bad, which I'm so not using that terminology at all anymore. Mm-hmm. I would say to myself eating, this is actually healthier for me because I'm not restricting myself. Mm-hmm. and I can enjoy life more and I'm not gonna binge later and I'm not gonna be obsessively thinking about it. So me doing this now is actually benefiting my life, as a whole. And then that would help me the place where I'm today.
Esther Taub:Yeah, like imagine, and this is literally something I used to live, imagine going to, let's say, you know, I don't know, a wedding, okay. And having the mindset of like, well, I can only have 1,200 calories today. So, you know, and I already use, oh my god, my literally wanting to dance on the dance floor with your friend who's getting married and celebrating her or him or whatever. And like, you're literally too tired too, or you're sad. You're not giving your body enough fuel the whole right, skip the whole schmo because it doesn't fit in the calorie amount. Or you can't enjoy like, the yummy desserts that they brought out because no, it's not healthy. So like, like no enjoying your life. Like I think that's also something I do wanna touch on here, which is just, I find so frustrating, which the fitness industry has really, really taken out of proportion, I think, which is we, we have this mindset of Again, it comes down to just overthinking it. Like people sometimes are just obsessive about numbers and about, you know, just overthinking so much about everything. When it comes to fitness, To the point where they have this all or nothing mentality. Yes. And when you have the mentality of combining, you know, let's say less nutritious foods and more nutritious foods together in your life or combining, you know, working out in your life. And also not working out your life and resting when you're feel, things like that. Like when you combine it it makes this beautiful thing called a lifestyle essentially.
Rebecca Sigala:I love that. The name of your program,
Esther Taub:you know what I mean? Like, it's just, it's yes. Slack or white mentality. It's about understanding in order to be happy, in order to love your body, in order to be healthy, in order to do all these things. It's combining, it's enjoying ice cream and also going, you know, doing a workout like occasional we're not promoting here like eat ice cream, you know, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. No, we're saying you can have ice cream and not feel like you have to be punished for it afterwards. Yeah. Or like you're a bad person or like you, you know, didn't meet. It's okay. And it's possible. And it's almost encouraged, honestly, to include those foods that are, you know, less nutritious or, you know, to work out and like, go on just a walk as opposed to doing like a crazy, intense CrossFit, whatever.
Rebecca Sigala:sometimes it's the better choice.
Esther Taub:Yes. It's just, it's about sometimes it's for you, for your body, right? sometimes, like, I just seen these people where like, you know, and when I say these people, I mean, like, it again, it used to be me also. Like, it's just such an unknown thing where it's like, well, if I have ice cream or if I have a piece of cake, I ruined everything. I ruined Yeah. My, my day or my health day or, you know, and it's like you're not ruining things. or you know, it's like, Sometimes people have like a thing like, okay, my diet starts on Sunday. And like, that's the whole thing behind diets. It's just, it's this, it's extreme. And the issue with being extreme and having an all or nothing mindset when it comes to health is that you forget you're human. And yeah, it's just not possible to be so restrictive and so intense.
Rebecca Sigala:And I think, I think some people are like, they see it as a positive when they say like, I'm a perfectionist, or I have an all or nothing attitude. Mm-hmm. it's a, yeah, I for sure. Yeah. It's like a brag. It's like I'm so self-disciplined or something like that. And I used to be like that. I used to be an all or nothing kind of person and say it like a good thing. Like, I'm so intense, I can be like this for this amount of time. And I'm So happy and feel so free that I was able to shift that for myself. So I want people to know that, you know, if you're sitting there thinking well I am just an all or nothing person, that's just who I am. Mm-hmm. it can change if you want it to. and it does at first, start with that desire, which you had in the beginning of your journey of like, I want to be body positive. Mm-hmm. And that's so, so
Esther Taub:important. Yeah.
Rebecca Sigala:I want to know from you as like the last part of this conversation, What would you say to your younger self? Because I feel like so many people can relate to Esther 10 years ago and mm-hmm. I think that I would love to hear what, what would you say to her? Mm-hmm.
Esther Taub:So I, I think, first of all, I guess I'll answer this question first and say the most important thing is not the way you look, it's the way that you feel. Okay? It's the way that you feel in your heart. In your brain, in your soul. It's the way that you feel. The way that you look is not what defines who you are as a person, I literally could cry. Like I literally have to feel like a lump in my throat. Like I just, ugh. Like I feel like so many people need to understand that. And I needed to understand that younger me, like that was everything when it came to just everything. you know, when I was dating and when I was like, you know, there was just so much about my life that was just well, you know, guys only wanna date me if I'm like, you know, super skinny with like big boobs. Like, it was just like, that was like, there's just, there was so much about me that was like, I don't matter. My looks matter. Yeah. So that's the first thing I need to just say above everything, the way you feel. So much more important than the way you look. I'm not saying how you look isn't important. it's part of you. It's there too. And it's, of course, it's important that you feel that, that love and like we spoke about, that's a journey, et cetera, and everyone in their own journey. But the way you feel inside your body, and when I say that, I mean mentally and physically is so much more important. for the people that say, well, I'll only feel good if I look a certain way. I kind of like to say to people why, like, keep asking yourself why? Like, oh, because I wanna be skinny. Why? Yeah, because being skinny is prettier. Why? Because that's just what everyone else is. Why? It's like just keep saying why, keep asking yourself more things. Dig into that and really discover with yourself why is your, looks in your head. Why is that? the reason you feel, how you feel about yourself.
Rebecca Sigala:Right? And when you said like, sometimes looks do matter, it's not that looks matter. It's how you feel about the way you look.
Esther Taub:Right. Exactly.
Rebecca Sigala:You know what I mean? It's not that you have to change, right? It's, it's changing the way you see yourself. Right? You are already worthy. Yeah. You are already beautiful. Exactly the way you are. And what body positivity in this journey can offer someone is. Seeing that.
Esther Taub:Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. a hundred million percent. So yeah, literally that is something that I would say to my younger self and to just be kind to yourself, like to understand, you know, even if you're on a journey where you're not yet at a place where you can feel body positivity, if you're still, know, body neutrality, if you're not even there yet, to just not be mean to yourself throughout it. Figure out ways like we spoke a little bit about today, where you can speak kindly to yourself and find those even small, tiny ways where you can just. Be a nice person to yourself. Think about before you talk, would I say this to, you know, a loved one? Would I say this to my daughter? Would I say this to my best friend? Would I say this to my mother? Would, no. These are things that I, would never, ever, ever say or think about. Someone that I love would like a passion. So why would I say that to myself? Yeah, no, that's not fair. So speaking kindly to yourself is a huge, huge, huge tip. And yeah, that I feel like it's been really helpful for me and, and you know, especially also some of my, my lifestyle athletes and, you know, I guess like the, tip I'll also like say is understanding it's about having a long-term health journey. it's so easy when you're in this mindset of like, oh, all I need to do is, you know, equate everything to numbers and it, which is my weight, which is skinny, which is mm-hmm. you know, whatever it is. It's like, try to focus on the long journey. Okay. And the long journey might include, a month of not working out because it was and cleaning and this, and you're going crazy with, or some else of vacation with my family, or you're enjoying a, whatever it is. like it's not about just having this perfect, road, like look at it as a journey where you're going on the road. Bumps on the road, there's fun pit stops on the road. There's this that are interest. It's, it's a journey. And if you have this mindset, it's just like no stops, there's nothing, whatever. It's not going to be a long-term journey. And the goal is to figure out ways to love yourself to, you know, include health in your life long term. And so there's just
Rebecca Sigala:so many different ways and, and, and
Esther Taub:to be
Rebecca Sigala:like present in your life. I think something that we've mentioned over and over again in this podcast is obsessing over things or not being there at family events or with your friends because you're thinking about the numbers and you're thinking about your body and it's just like, yeah. This is our life. This is our life. let's live it.
Esther Taub:Yes. Yes. Enjoy your life. Be kind to yourself. Health is important and that includes mental health. And there's just, yeah. That's pretty much, that's what I would say. And I really, I, I was holding back tears like when you first asked me that because I, I really feel like I was that kind of person that was just the opposite of this. I really, really had the mindset where I was just so mean to myself. Like, yeah, you didn't work out, you know, twice today or whatever, like, you didn't work out today. Like you're not worthy or you're not taking care of yourself or whatever it is. And it's just like
Rebecca Sigala:we would've never imagined back then that we are where we are right now.
Esther Taub:Yeah. Hundred percent's. It's,
Rebecca Sigala:I have so much like. I'm so proud of you. And then I'm like, I'm proud of myself too. Like I'm proud of us. look what we've done for ourselves
Esther Taub:we're Yes. Yeah. Yes. It's not easy. And I, I do, I think that's also really, really important that we mention that. So for anyone listening, I think that's something really important. keep in mind what we're describing here, this is years and years and years of us, being so harsh on ourselves, working on ourselves and our mindset, and then getting to a place where, as I've, you know, explained to myself, I do not feel at all that I am, you know, fully there yet or whatever, but I'm definitely, whatever that even means fully there, I d know what that means. Exactly. Like, you know, full, I guess full body positivity, fully loving every inch of your body, whatever it is, whatever. I think that's a little bit of like
Rebecca Sigala:a, we can go in that, we can go into that in part two. Well, part two.
Esther Taub:Part two. But my point is I just, I feel like When we are at a place where we can just be kind to ourselves and understand it's a process and you know, don't think it's just this easy thing that you just snap your fingers and it's just like, wait, why aren't I getting there? How is it so easy for them? Like, be kind to yourself also in this kind of journey. Like it's okay.
Rebecca Sigala:Yeah. You don't just like wake up, I say this all the time, you do not wake up one morning and just love yourself. Exactly. Like that's not what this is about. This is an ever evolving journey and one that takes a lot of hundred percent of loving work and coming back to yourself over and over
Esther Taub:again. Yeah. So that's, I feel like something that. I hope everyone listening to this, like, I hope everyone knows how, how badly we want the people listening to this know how much we are also here for them. You know what I mean? Like, yeah. This is a hard journey and it's a complicated one. And I think like as people who experienced it, and you know, obviously like, this is what we do. Like, you know, this is what we do literally every day. I think that it's important for us to say, We're here for you also. And, and yeah. You, you're not alone. And, and it's a process for everyone. And no one is just a robot that could just like, in a day, just like thinks one thing and then think another. Like, it's just, it's, it's a process. We're here for you and Yeah. Yeah. That's, yeah. You're
Rebecca Sigala:not alone.
Esther Taub:That really hit when you said that
Rebecca Sigala:a hundred percent we're together. Hell yeah. Yes. I love you so much, Esther. Thank you so much for coming on here. Everyone here needs to
Esther Taub:go follow Esther. If you're not,
Rebecca Sigala:gonna bring so much positivity and love and light into your life. And thank you so much for being here and for really giving your heart and your honesty and just being who you are is so important for this world. So thank you. Thank
Esther Taub:you Becca. I love you. Thanks for having me. This was just beautiful. Really beautiful. Thank you so much.
Rebecca Sigala:Bye.