BODY IMAGE SPEAKER / DIETITIAN/
FREELANCE WRITER

Thea O'Connor inspires and challenges her audiences to cultivate both inner attitudes and outer practices that generate physical and mental well-being. To accomplish this, Thea has committed herself to freeing people, especially young women, from the dangerous illusion of the 'perfect' body.

Sometimes provocative, always entertaining and honest, Thea equips her audiences with practical and compassionate solutions to help them accept, enjoy and take care of their bodies.

Thea is a qualified Dietitian, Masseuse and Health Writer, specializing in the inter-related areas of body image, eating behaviour, weight management and wellness. She is a current member and the previous Director of Body Image and Health Inc, a Victorian not for profit organisation committed to the prevention of body image and eating problems.

Thea consults to the Victorian government's public health and education sectors on body image issues for young people, and sits on a number of expert reference groups for Commonwealth-funded childhood nutrition projects.

She lectures on body image at Deakin and Monash Universities and regularly provides body image education to students, parents and teachers.

Thea has devised a selection of presentations stemming directly from her years of experience. Her vibrant personality and engaging manner make her an excellent role model for students.

Topics include:

- Learn to Love the Body You've Got
- Free Yourself from the 'Myth' of the Perfect Body
- Detect and Protect Yourself from Media Manipulation
- Inner Cosmetics: How to Give Your Self-Image a
Makeover Without Spending a Cent
- Positive Body Talk for Girls: From Body Complaints
to Body Appreciation
- Eating Well under Stress
- Diet-Free Eating
- The Truth about Body Weight and Shape:
what you can and can't change
- Fostering a Positive Body Image: Professional Development
Workshops and Parenting Seminars

"Whether addressing a forum of 500 people of all ages, conducting workshops with staff or working in a classroom, Thea's presentations have always been exciting, professional and inspiring. Thea engages her audiences immediately, her style, depth of knowledge and sense of fun create an ideal learning environment."

- Mary Gingold, Beth Rivka Ladies College.

"A fantastic speaker, Thea was funny and the material was very useful in my role at school."

- Student, Grad Diploma, Centre for Adolescent Health