Meet Dr. Supatra Tovar

We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Supatra Tovar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Supatra, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Finding my purpose was a journey shaped by both personal challenges and professional aspirations. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, I was fortunate to live a healthy and active lifestyle without major concerns about health or body shape. This changed dramatically when someone close to me struggled with an eating disorder. Witnessing their struggle planted a deep-seated desire in me to understand and help those battling similar issues.

My initial academic pursuit in pre-med biology at CU Boulder was driven by a broad interest in health, but a shift to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles exposed me to new pressures. For the first time, I experienced significant weight gain, which was distressing. I fell into a cycle of disordered eating, characterized by restrictive dieting and excessive exercise. This period was a critical turning point; I realized that while I could manage my physical fitness as a Pilates instructor, I was not equipped to address the psychological and nutritional aspects of disordered eating that many of my clients faced.

Determined to fill this gap, I pursued further education in nutritional science at CSULA. However, I soon recognized that addressing disordered eating required a deeper understanding of psychological processes. This realization led me to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology. Through my academic and personal experiences, I came to see how intertwined our mental health is with our nutritional habits and overall wellness.

Today, I run a thriving private practice where I integrate these insights, helping others heal their relationship with food and their bodies. I also founded ANEW (Advanced Nutrition and Emotional Wellness) and authored “Deprogram Diet Culture: Rethink Your Relationship with Food, Heal Your Mind, and Live a Diet-Free Life.” This book and my online course are extensions of my commitment to fostering a holistic approach to health that empowers individuals to live without the burden of dieting and disordered eating.

Each step of my journey—from Boulder to Los Angeles, from pre-med to psychology—was guided by a desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This path has not only defined my professional career but has also deeply fulfilled my personal aspirations to contribute to a healthier, more understanding world.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

“Deprogram Diet Culture: Rethink Your Relationship with Food, Heal Your Mind, and Live a Diet-Free Life” was born out of an urgent need identified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This period, marked by unprecedented global stress and isolation, significantly exacerbated issues related to eating disorders and disordered eating. Observing this surge, I felt compelled to harness my expertise and reach to address these challenges on a larger scale.

The pandemic underscored the pervasive impact of diet culture, which perpetuates harmful norms and unrealistic expectations about body image and eating behaviors. As people found themselves isolated, many turned to the internet for community and guidance, often encountering the toxic influences of diet culture that promote restrictive eating and unrealistic body standards. This environment created a perfect storm, where the lack of routine and increased anxiety led to heightened concerns about weight, body image, and control over food.

Recognizing the destructive cycle that diet culture perpetuates, I was driven to create a resource that could reach people broadly and provide them with the tools needed to reject these harmful norms. Thus, the concept of “Deprogram Diet Culture” was conceived—aimed at sparking a revolution against the toxic effects of diet culture. The book, which launched on September 9, 2024, serves as a comprehensive guide designed to empower readers by encouraging them to become their own best experts on their health and well-being.

The core message of the book and its accompanying online course is to promote self-compassion and empathy, encouraging individuals to listen to and honor their bodies. It’s about shifting away from external validations and restrictive practices, and moving towards an intuitive, respectful relationship with food and oneself. The approach integrates principles from psychology, nutrition, and wellness to help individuals understand the psychological triggers that contribute to disordered eating and to develop healthier coping mechanisms.

My deepest desire with “Deprogram Diet Culture” is to cultivate a community where individuals are equipped to challenge and reject the toxic narratives imposed by society about dieting and body image. I aim to inspire a profound and lasting change that not only transforms individual lives but also shifts societal perceptions, fostering a more supportive environment for body positivity and genuine health.

As this book launches, it represents not just the culmination of professional endeavor but also a personal call to action for everyone to rise up against the constraints of diet culture, to tune into their own bodies, and to embrace a life marked by greater self-care and understanding. This is more than a book—it’s a movement towards liberating ourselves from the shackles of unhealthy norms and celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of every body.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that empathy, compassion, and mindfulness have been the cornerstone qualities that not only propelled my personal and professional development but also greatly enhanced the way I engage with others, particularly in a world that often feels dominated by negativity and toxic cultural pressures.

Empathy has allowed me to genuinely understand and connect with others’ experiences and emotions. This quality is especially crucial in the fields of psychology and nutrition, where one often encounters individuals struggling with deep-seated issues related to body image, self-worth, and health. Cultivating empathy involves active listening and truly placing oneself in another’s shoes. For those early in their journey, I recommend seeking diverse experiences that challenge your worldviews and preconceptions. Engage with stories, people, and communities that are not your own to broaden your understanding and deepen your capacity for empathy.

Compassion extends empathy further into the realm of wanting to alleviate others’ suffering and contributing positively to their well-being. In practice, compassion has motivated me to develop resources like “Deprogram Diet Culture” to address and mitigate the pain caused by toxic societal standards. To nurture compassion, start with oneself. Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness and care you would offer a good friend. This internal practice is crucial; it not only enhances your own resilience but also empowers you to extend genuine compassion to others more freely.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with the current moment, without distraction or judgment. It has been a transformative tool in managing my own stress and in teaching others to do the same. Mindfulness can help dismantle the automatic negative reactions we have to cultural pressures, allowing for a more considered and healthy response to life’s challenges. For those developing this skill, regular practice is key. This could be through meditation, mindful walking, or simply by cultivating a habit of checking in with oneself at various points throughout the day to observe thoughts and feelings without attachment.

Actively integrating these qualities into your daily life can be transformative. Seek learning opportunities through formal education, workshops, or self-study to expand your knowledge base around these topics. Practice regularly as all three of these qualities grow stronger with use. Regular engagement in activities that require empathy, compassion, and mindfulness will make these responses more natural and effective. Reflect consistently to cement learning and adjust your approach as needed, enhancing not only your well-being but also enabling you to be a positive force in the lives of others. Navigating today’s culture with these tenets as your guide can provide a buffer against negativity and toxicity, enhancing not only your own resilience but also that of your community.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client—or reader—is anyone who has struggled with their weight, body shape, or their relationship with themselves and food. This person may have experienced the frustrating cycles of dieting and weight regain and is now motivated to embrace a change that is not only effective but sustainable for a lifetime. They are individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that influence their eating behaviors and are ready to invest in a holistic approach to well-being.

The characteristics that make someone an ideal client for my practice and readership include a readiness to explore and challenge deep-seated beliefs about health, diet, and body image that are perpetuated by society. They are open to learning new ways to connect with their body and food that prioritize self-compassion and mindfulness over punitive measures and restriction.

Moreover, an ideal client is someone who is not looking for a quick fix but is committed to a journey of growth and self-discovery. They value a science-backed approach that integrates the principles of psychology, nutrition, and fitness to foster genuine and lasting change. This individual is eager to develop a relationship with food and their body that is based on respect, balance, and an appreciation for their unique needs and experiences.

In essence, the ideal person, whether they engage with me through my practice, my writings, or taking my online course, is someone who is driven by a desire to break free from the toxic cycle of diet culture to reclaim a sense of agency and joy in their lives. They are motivated to develop a healthier, more fulfilling path that honors their body and mind, ensuring a quality of life that is rich and sustainable.

Contact Info:

• Website: drsupatratovar.com and anew-insight.com
• Instagram: @drsupatratovar, @my.anew.insight
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drsupatratovar, https://www.facebook.com/my.anew.insight
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsupatratovar/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@my.anew.insight
• Other: ANEW Body Insight Podcast
  https://anew-insight.com/anew-body-insight-podcast/
  ANEW Body Insight aims to revolutionize the way we think about health and wellness. By exploring the symbiotic relationship between nutrition, fitness, and emotional well-being, this podcast seeks to inform, inspire, and invigorate listeners, encouraging them to embrace a more integrated approach to health. With its live recordings, ANEW Body Insight not only captures the vibrant energy of Los Angeles but also fosters a sense of community among its audience, making every listener a part of the journey towards holistic health.Co-hosted by Dr. Supatra Tovar, a clinical psychologist, registered dietitian, and fitness expert specializing in Nutritional Psychology, and founder of the holistic health educational company ANEW (Advanced Nutrition and Emotional Wellness). Dr. Tovar created the revolutionary course Deprogram Diet Culture that aims to reformulate your relationship to food and heal your mind so you can live diet-free for life.

  Co-hosting with Dr. Tovar is Chantal Donnelly, a seasoned physical therapist, and bestselling author of Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World and founder of the wellness company Body Insight, a company dedicated to finding solutions to many of your body’s physical ailments. Chantal created the videos Pain Free at Work and Strong Knees.

Image Credits

Matt Harbicht, profile photo