The Evolution of Susan Powter

In Greek mythology, the firebird known as the phoenix regenerates itself when wounded, coming back even stronger, and with the added gift of healing others. There's something of the firebird in American fitness legend Susan Powter, who in the span of a twenty-year career has been hailed, vilified, saluted and parodied for everything from her hair to her take-no-prisoners language. Blunt? Yes, particularly when it comes to what she sees as a purposeful assault on the bodies and minds of female consumers. Powter's vigorous defense of women against fad diets, mass-marketed junk food, and industrial lobbyists is at the heart her most recent book, The Politics of Stupid, which she calls her proudest work to date.

At 51, Susan Powter has not only maintained the 130 pound weight loss that launched her career, but the health and energy that she credits for helping her get through some tough times, personally and professionally. Now with two grown sons and an eleven year-old, Powter is blissfully in love with comedian Jessica Kirson, and free from the many corporations that once ruled her fitness empire. She's also found a new calling on the internet -- and no small measure of happiness. "Everyday I get up and I'm thrilled at what I do for a living. I am amazed at my family, at my life, everything." Gratitude, combined with a mother's protective instincts, and a sincere outrage over America's food and diet industries, leaves Powter with a lot to say -- and she's saying it not only through books, but online -- through blogging, online videos, a line of fitness dvd's, a BlogTalk radio program, and even photography.

Citing the "boundary-less" nature of the internet, Powter sees the potential to reach millions of thinking consumers with her simple but effective creed of "Eat, Breathe, Move and Think". The evolution of her famous Stop the Insanity is a call for people to re-examine their habits and make conscious, long-term health choices. Powter is excited to be offering live, daily workouts on her site soon after the New Year.

"There's an energy of change that's huge in the atmosphere. Now I can be in my home, doing yoga everyday with my homemade candles....I do it differently everyday, for different reasons....and people can come work out with me. I'm giving that away for free, because I do it everyday anyway. Anyone can come." Powter's excitement comes from being able to connect one-on-one with the audience that she ironically missed knowing in the 90's, at the pinnacle of her success.

"I could never get to the people who wrote me thousands of letters. The papers ended up in some warehouse. There were 20 companies in the way of me getting my message out. It's changed dramatically." Now fiercely independent, Powter seeks to connect with and inspire women she sees as having been targeted by industries that cared more about the bottom line than the health of consumers.

"We are infected by advertising," says Powter. "The concept is to get the people well. Let's talk about the mothers, and the activists they become when they have a dime to themselves, a minute of time, and a body they are strong and well in. Give them health, and enough money to pay their bills, and women will help take care of the world with their next dime."

Part of the advertising infection, Powter believes, is the vortex of psychology surrounding food and wellness, including the propensity for women to self-flog for perceived diet failures, and to believe that they must have some emotional epiphany before they can be physically healthy.

"What's always talked about is 'falling off the wagon', which doesn't exist," says Powter. "Get out of that psychology, first and foremost, and include the reality -- the multi-million dollar ad campaigns. You're not a lazy slob. You're in a biochemical, habitual thing of sugar highs, sugar lows, and to break it takes a moment of time. If you reach for something and take a bite, put it down....you can put the damn fudge down. Nobody says that. Pick up something real and sweet, like why not an organic apple? And just do it -- I don't care if it's inspiring. Your body will get some real sugar, fiber, and water....and then you can think about what you want to do and make a choice. If you work with the biology and the reality, you have something. If you stay with the psychology, then what good has it done? None."

Powter also insists that self-love has nothing to do with burning fat. "I did not find self-love before I burned 130 pounds of fat," she says. "And there isn't anyone I know that doesn't have a childhood trauma, especially anyone who was raised in the 60's and 70's....we're all adult children of something. It has nothing to do with burning fat, increasing lean muscle mass, activating cardio endurance and strength, internally getting well....and when you do that, you can work your traumas out much better and far more easily."

The indomitable Powter, who freely discusses the "magnificently, unbelievably difficult" process of menopause on her blog, is already planning her next book, Mothering, Menopause, and Madness, as well as an exhibit of her art in New York city later this year. An avid photographer for many years, Powter has extended her repertoire of visual art to include bracelets, shelves, clipboard art, candles, kitchen tools, and more. In addition, she's making a movie with Jessica Kirson, "a behind the scenes, behind the curtain, hour and fifteen minutes of the funniest shit you'll ever see."

Kirson recently You-Tubed her "joy of yoga" as only a comedian could, but says she's not quitting -- even if she does feel like she's been beaten by a stick and lit on fire. "I don't, especially in personal relationships, impose my lifestyle," Powter says. "I mean if I love someone, I just love them, whatever....but I live my lifestyle, I don't compromise it, so that means that the cooking that I do, the yoga that I do, the stuff that I do affects the household. If it's there, and it's good, people eat it. And organically, the changes for Jessica....it's crazy. And she's hysterical when she talks about wellness."

Stronger than ever, fiery when she has to be, and passionate always, Susan Powter's evolution from the corporate ashes of the 90's to the independent truth-teller of today is a lesson in endurance, growth, and personal strength - a perfect reflection of the message she is sharing with the world.

Comments

[MiniBobcat]

Susan is someone I credit my losing 141Lbs between 2000-2002. I was miserable at close to 300 Lbs and had just left an abusive relationship. I remembered back to her inspiring infomercials and just grabbed the reigns of my life to the best of my ability. Yes; going Vegetarian helped greatly in this weight loss and lifestyle change-but it was Susan's inspiration and "can do" attitude that kept me going.
Great article-thanks!

[BGraham]

She can be hard to follow, but her advice is sound. I listened to her radio show last night and she's so much better when she's speaking live. She had a lot of good info for people who had gastric bypass. A few years ago, I almost got one, and I'm glad I didn't. I haven't lost as much weight doing it the old-fashioned way, but I feel good and there are no complications.

I think you have to start younger to look as good as Susan does at 51, but she at least really did make the changes. I hate when people like Dr. Phil write diet books. It's like every celebrity out there can, regardless if they were ever fat, or like Dr. Phil are still fat.

Susan's overweight period seemed to come from pregnancy and childbirth, so she didn't always have a problem, but then neither did I. I was just never skinny. Pregnancy 3x in a row though really took its toll, and I never lost the 80-90 pounds I put on through those years. Now I've lost 1/2 of it, and it's taken almost two years, but I'm doing exactly what Susan promotes, which is eating whole, real foods and exercising. Fat goes on a heck of a lot easier than it comes off!

[jillsond]

I love Susan Powter! I read all her books, the woman can transform herself beautifully. I'm excited for her, always loved her. Gonna check out her site. Doing yoga with Powter every day would be wildly inspiring. Great article...I was starting to get a bit bummed out there with the rest of the news...

[donnafaber8]

NO WAY! Susan Powter is a lesbian! How wonderful! I'm so happy about that! She looks fabulous, empowered, free and wreaks of creativity! I blogged about both you, Jane, and Susan. You know where to find me at blogger.

I loved this article!

D~

[PlantGod72]

Inspiring and insightful as always, Jane. And Susan's definitely got lots of wisdom on health to share with men as well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[maryhaze]

& it's not made of 20 yr old bimbos. we are tough, we are strong, & we have hot flashes! don't mess with us!!!!!!!

[annebonney]

The matriarchy is reforming...regear and rejoin, Women!