Positive Body Image Symposium, March 14

The Positive Body Image Symposium, hosted on Thursday, March 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., will feature renowned researchers and lecturers with expertise in body image. The sessions will be held in the Pond Student Union Little Wood River Rooms, Pocatello Campus, and will offer CE’s (Continuing Education Credits) with certificates, $25.00 for the day’s sessions. (CE Payment Link) The symposium is free to the ISU community and the general public. RSVP is required.

Symposium Schedule

10:00 to 10:30 - Sign in and Welcome

10:30 to 12:00 - Speaker: Vergie Tovar, 10 Selfies That Will Change How You See Your Body

In this lecture and workshop, Virgie Tovar (plus-size body positive influencer, contributor for Forbes.com and author of The Body Positive Journal and You Have the Right To Remain Fat), will share how self-documentation (aka "selfies") helped her radically change how she saw her body. For most of her life, Virgie hated seeing pictures of herself. Why? When Virgie was just 5 years old, she was taught that she was "too big," and this led to negative body image, an undiagnosed eating disorder, and an obsession with trying to change how she looked. After learning about body positivity and fat activism, she began to use her phone to heal. Come out to hear her story and try some radical selfie therapy yourself.

12:00 to 1:00 - Lunch on your own

1:00 to 2:30 - Speaker: Lisa Kamen Nurturing Positive Body Image from the Comfort of Our Own Skin

Hear what Lisa Cypers Kamen and other experts have to say about the pursuit of sustainable happiness and well-being. This lecture will explore how body image has an impact on mental well-being and overall happiness. Lisa will conduct a gratitude exercise that will show the connection of gratitude to body image. Learn what it takes to sustain a healthy lifestyle, improve interpersonal relationships at home and in the workplace, and maintain true happiness.