Who's Dat Phat Girl with Brooke Hoover

"You Gotta Get a Gimmick" can hold true for burlesque, cabaret and Broadway musicals but WHY oh WHY is it the case for health and wellness?

I used to be a sucker for a good marketing campaign. I used to be a sucker for anything that told me it would provide me instant relief, weight loss and enlightenment. I used to be a sucker for fat sucking (stay tuned to hear more).

And, after so much drama and too much money spent I am now OVER it. (Well, never say never.) In this here episode I'm telling tales about things that definitely did NOT work for me along my health journey from Living Social deals to doctors' recommendations.

Growing up in South Louisiana, all I wanted was a White Christmas and WASPy cut out sugar cookies with a perfect presentation. But, we were usually wearing shorts and t-shirts on Christmas Day and because my Momma is 110% Rajun Cajun, we never did those cute little holiday cookies. We made Cajun candy (pralines and gold brick fudge) which tasted great but looked like alligator poop.

After years of fighting my heritage and wanting something that looked like magazine perfection, I've finally learned to embrace it and share the candy (and love) with my "Yankee" boyfriend and friends here in New York and New Jersey.

Coach Rita Savoia and I talk about the importance of breath to help with stress and this season is arguably one of THE most stressful times of year so we could all use a little BREATH. Something so simple and yet many of us are doing it incorrectly - including yours truly! Learn some techniques to breathe optimally and to help find peace - even in the line at the airport or mall. We also tell tales about random things from Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” to Sunday dinners with Rita’s Italian family. Find out what makes Rita feel like a PHAT girl (Pretty Hot and Tempting).

USE CODE "BREATHE50" to save 50% on Rita's services mentioned in this episode - CLICK HERE to visit her site

The Universe, God and/or a Facebook Algorithm connected me with a kindred spirit, Shaele who lives completely across the US (Props to us for handling time zone conversions with ease.)

Initially, we connected because have both had success stories in our PCOS journeys, but we also realize throughout this episode that we have many more similarities as well. Sometimes, social media can be a good thing (and I think Martha Stewart would agree).

Shaele had success losing weight and keeping it off and most importantly dealing with her PCOS symptoms including brain fog by doing intermittent fasting. Shaele's intermittent fasting calendar is 23:1 meaning she ONLY eats for ONE HOUR out of the day!!!

You may be thinking : How is this possible? How is this healthy?

Well, she explains her journey. And, while neither of us are medical professionals, we are just two people who are sick and tired of the current state of healthcare in regards to our condition and we took matters into our own hands, I do suggest always consulting with your medical professional (be they a doctor, dietitian, naturopath, herbalist or acupuncturist) when beginning and throughout your journey.

Shaele's birthday is the week that this episode launches so show a fabulous Sagittarian some love by giving it a listen!

We've all heard of the concept of SPRING CLEANING but what about cleaning up and reorganizing that cave before a few months of hibernation ?!?! (Or, for my Louisiana folk, why not do something productive other than the usual holiday stuff between LSU Football and Mardi Gras?)

As an actor, I've had many "side hustles" but my main one is a PERSONAL ORGANIZER. I've seen a variety of types of situations - from hoarders to fashionistas and my goal is to individualize organization and help empower people to feel organized and know where all there things are as opposed to achieving perfection.

I'll share my TOP SEVEN ORGANIZATION TIPS for a good ole FALL CLEANING and tell some organizational tales of yore.

***MENTION THAT YOU LISTENED TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION COACHING OR IN PERSON ORGANIZATION SESSION. Email me at WhosDatPhatGirl@gmail.com***

Come trick or treat with me and play connect the dots (with all my face moles) in this week's episode, y'all!

Halloween inspired me to talk about one of my dirty little not so secrets - my chin mole (which sprouts hairs on command) that I'm not so proud of along with my other more strategically placed by God moles that I've come to accept.

I'm telling tales about moles through the ages and why it seems easier to accept some "flaws" while some will always be flaws (without the air quotes).

How do we (and by "we" I mean "I") come to accept something that's been (for so long) branded as belonging to a stereotypical evil woman? Can I use my magic powers to get some mole acceptance?

If you're like me and all the Basics, then you love FALL. Everything about FALL. Especially FALL FOODS. But, ain't it a shame that so many of the fall foods which naturally pack a lot of nutrients are full of inflammatory causing foods (white flour and sugar) that aren't good for insulin resistance ?!?! If you want to enjoy that apple cider donut or that PSL, go for it !!! NO SHAME HERE - EVER! However, add these principals to the long-haul because you can eat them every day without spiking your blood sugar which can lead to all weird kinds of feelings whether you have PCOS (like me), are a Basic B or not!

So, here are many of my hacks on how I'm savoring the fall flavor, getting those dense nutrients (hello fiber, antioxidants and protein!) and NOT adding sugar, white flour or bullshit.

I'm not saying you can't have a pumpkin spice latte...but switching to pumpkin rooibos is going to be a better bet to get us through the long-haul and help us beat those winter colds. I'm talking about the benefits of apple, pumpkin and all the wonderful fall spices. I'll share my "hacks" that are quick, friendly on the wallet, simple and cleaner than most of the fall foods surrounding us right now.

While we're in that back to school time of year, I thought I'd tell some tales about my uniform woes in school. While navigating wearing a uniform (and all the criteria that came with it) while being a FAT girl wasn't easy, I learned some uniform loopholes to make my uniform more fitting for a PHAT (pretty hot and tempting) girl. We all still wear uniforms in a sense even after we graduate from school. My uniform of choice nowadays, in the school of life, has one criteria : It can't show camel toe.

Salads : For so long, they've been seen as a diet food and almost a punishment. But, I say, they're a party. (Unless you're my dad back in the 90's who nearly needed stitches from a salad.) Let's transform the way we think about foods. I'm talking about some ways to jazz up your salad (I am from Louisiana after all) including easy and affordable tricks.

You can always watch or read an episode at www.brookehoover.com/podcast

I transcribe the episodes myself so that you can read how I actually talk without any typos (versus using AI to type it.)

Too skinny to be fat? Too fat to be skinny? Nah, just too PHAT to fit in is what I'll keep telling myself until I believe it. Not fitting in (literally and figuratively has been my theme). So is THAT my elevator pitch?

While I take supplements because I aim to avoid prescription drugs at all costs because I am terrified of their side effects, the "au naturel" things can come with their own baggage and cons as well. But, there's also so much good. In this episode, "SUPPLEMENT JUNKIE" I'm telling tales about my journey of relying on a supplement as if it were a magic pill to understanding the positive and negative effects and learning to listen to my body. I share the supplements that I've taken, what's worked and hasn't and what I'm currently taking on my journey to PHAT-dom.

Want a transcript of this episode to read? I personally transcribe ALL of my episodes and they're available within five days after air-date HERE:

www.brookehoover.com/podcast

Having PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) has caused me to deal with unwanted facial hair ever since I was a freshman in high school. I knew I was a Carnie folk in a past life, I just didn't want to be The Bearded Lady. Then, I was asked to audition for the role of The Bearded Lady...twice. And instead of focusing on the craft, the acting, being in the moment, I allowed being called "Sideburn Lady" in high school take precedence over being in the moment. I learned my lesson and am still dealing with unwanted facial hair. Hell, I'm still actually learning all the lessons.

Being someone who used to be 100 pounds heavier, one of the FAQ's I get is : HOW DID YOU LOSE THE WEIGHT? HOW CAN I LOSE WEIGHT? There's no magic answer. There's no magic pill (and, in fact, beware the magic pills, y'all.) The most important thing is to approach it from a gaining your health and adding in nutrition standpoint, from a positive perspective as opposed to something that society tells us you SHOULD do. And to LISTEN to your body and mind. This is my trajectory told in a somewhat timeline standpoint.

Tales about how a lil magical medicinal mushroom tincture is saving my life (or at least, helping me live with less anxiety and lowering my blood pressure). If you've ever been interested in mushroom tinctures but hesitant to try, here I am, your Phat Girl Guinea Pig talking about my experience and results.

Throwing together a last minute Halloween costume (a baby) teaches me a valuable lesson that sometimes "your good", NOT your best is more than good enough.

I'm joined by the one and only MOMMA ANNE, my partner in crime and maker of all of my Halloween costumes as we discuss my Flapper Costume when I was 8 or maybe 9 years old and trying to feel our fabulous selves all the while breaking free from the constraints society has placed on us or worse, that we have placed on ourselves. 

FOR FULL TRANSCRIPTS TO READ AND DOWNLOAD, PLEASE CLICK HERE

A little trip with my friends to Judaculla Rock in Western, North Carolina and getting my '95 Ford Mustang literally stuck in a big rut taught me a thing or two about letting go, having faith and giving up control.

Note: Y'all, this is a secular (or shall I say no religion pushing) podcast. This is no attempt to push anyone into Christianity or any other religion. It's actually an attempt to make us all stop pushing, in general.

TO READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT, CLICK HERE

Ah, coffee. Iced. Hot. Decaf. Caffeinated. Laced with chicory. Served with powdered creamer. I wanted it however I could get it. Until I realized like the bad boy the good guhl tends to chase after, it wasn't right for me (and my anxiety). So, I'm telling tales on my journey of CUTTING THE CAFF and giving up coffee for (almost) good.

Stressing over New Year's Eve Plans and New Year's Resolutions is SO 2021, y'all. I'm over the pressure, I'm over the stress but I'll never ever be over the New Year's Day superstition of eating black eyed peas for health and greens for wealth. Let's tell some tales about how I finally kicked the pressure of having a fabulous New Year's Eve to the curb, told New Year's Resolutions to F-off and how I'm embracing entering into the new year with health, wealth, clarity and 8 hours of sleep under my belt - instead of a raging hangover.

FULL TRANSCRIPT LINK AVAILABLE HERE

What happens when Hollywood or the Holiday Season expect JOLLY from you when all you want to do is relish in your resting bitch face ?!?! It's time to give ourselves a break and a bit of grace from having to put on a jolly face just because you feel like you "have" to. Who's with me?!?!

For me growing up in a larger body, the whole menswear fashion thing wasn't a choice but a necessity. I dove into my dad's closet because plus size clothing was FAR from cute and FAR from mainstream. Leave it to my dad's swimming trunks, mesh lining and all, to be the Godsend for my thigh rub and 1990's fashion woes. 

How am I managing my ANXIETY ?!??!?! With gratitude y'all. Gratitude is higher on the emotional guidance scale - so high that it's Number 1 along with Joy whereas frustration and irritation are a Level 10 (which in layman's terms, ain't so great). Something I tell myself is that Anxiety is worrying about WHAT IF whereas appreciation is focusing on WHAT IS. I hope y'all find what I'm teaching myself helpful.

If you need more mental health resources, please check out SAMHSA.GOV

Want to know where my PHAT all came from? Maybe, just maybe it's with a last minute extra fabulous fallen angel Halloween costume where Brooke gets her groove back in senior year of high school. The third (and final) part of the childhood Halloween Saga but the first part of learning to go from FAT to PHAT.

In an honest attempt to get me out of my Halloween costume (and body confidence) funk, my dad brings me to the Shrine Circus...where I have to dress up like a clown. Instead of being a barrel of laughs, I tell myself that now not only does my body need to be covered up, my face has to be masked as well. Will I EVER get out of this self deprecation rut? Tune in next week (airing Halloween 2022)

My favorite homemade Halloween costume of all time - the Sexy Harem Girl AKA Genie - was actually the first time I experienced body shaming at the age of 7 and it was from then on out I gave up my self confidence. THAT, y'all is scarier than Michael Meyers, Jason Voorhees or Chucky combined. In this three part Halloween Saga of costumes inspired by my solo show "PHAT GIRL COSTUMES" I tell tales about losing my confidence and hopefully gaining it back with homemade Halloween costumes (hand-stitched by the one and only Momma Anne) as the through line. Travel back in time with me y'all...

When life gets you down, how do you get back up again? For me, it's remembering my Cajun ancestry, the things my Momma has taught me and making some quiche, beans and scrapping wrought iron along the way. 

In honor of the U.S. Open going on in New York, I'm talking about one of my favorite past times - TENNIS. And, come to think of it, it's perhaps the ONE physical activity endeavor where I didn't let competition with others or especially within myself get in the way. I didn't think garbage thoughts like "my body is too fat to do this, people are judging me, I won't be good at it so I shouldn't even try." while suited up in a super cute Adidas tennis skirt and bad ass bloomers. I just picked up the racquet and swung (for the most part).