In my very un-NYC journey, I am learning that there are some pretty fantastic towns smack dab in the middle of the U.S. and one of them happens to be Kansas City. This place has defied all of my expectations with its mint green tea mocha lattes, Spanish architecture, little, enlightening yoga studios, and awesome sculptures everywhere. Oh, and laughing all day and night beside beautiful Cristina Pippa isn’t half bad either.

As soon as I landed a fierce soar throat took over, causing me to do some serious reflection on my own shtick about self-care and wellness. I did a “kettle stand,” as Nik recommended, and managed to push through the day of lectures and radio shows, but have spent the majority of the time here trying to really walk my talk, which translates into good rest.

The Women’s Center here in Kansas City is so supported–it was a real joy to see. They have great space, great buy-in from the rest of the university, and the capacity to bring in and create great events. After my evening talk I had some great feedback from college-age type ladies in the audience, including one who bravely told me that she had grown up as a boy and, therefore, had a very complex relationship to the idea of body hatred. Amen. Her candor was so informative for me. I wish she would write a book. Another young, woman thanked me for debunking the idea that old rich, white girls have eating disorders. She said the black women in her family had normalized abusing laxatives and she was so glad to hear a voice confirming her suspicion that this just wasn’t right. There were also plenty of mother-daughter pairs in the audience, which is always a joy for me to see.

Tomorrow it is off to South Bend, Indiana. No rest for the weary…