Cork broadcaster Laura O'Mahony hits out after 'sinister' unsolicited weight-loss offers

The podcaster was approached by personal trainers offering her a 12-week weight-loss programme in exchange for mentions on her social media channels

Laura O'Mahony criticised 'the pursuit of skinniness' and diet culture. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cork comedian, actress, and podcaster Laura O’Mahony has hit out at what she described as the “sinister” practice of personal trainers offering unsolicited weight-loss services.

Ms O’Mahony, who gave birth to her third child almost four months ago, spoke out after she was approached by personal trainers offering her a 12-week programme in exchange for mentions on her social media channels.

“How dare you? I am exactly how I would like to be and by coming into my DMs [direct messages] you are suggesting that there is actually something wrong with me, or that you need to fix the ‘chubby little dote’ — she’s grand!” she said.

Her comments came after Dancing With The Stars contestant Katja Mia revealed she had been targeted by online trolls over her body shape, prompting judge Lorraine Barry to hit back with a strong message during Sunday’s show.

“Katja is a beautiful dancer and all ladies and men, whatever shape or size, they have the right to dance. And if you have a problem with that, it is your problem,” she said.

Ms O’Mahony, who presents the Red Raw podcast with Olympian Rob Heffernan, told PJ Coogan on Cork’s 96FM the vibe she got from the most recent approaches was ‘we can fix you up after what you've kind of done to yourself’.

“I think it's actually very dangerous because it's a kind of a form of cold calling," she said.

These people don't know anything about my relationship with my body or with food.

“I think it’s quite a dangerous practice because if you've got on to somebody that was either suffering with an eating disorder or major body dysmorphia, it could send somebody into a spiral but in my case, it just made me absolutely allergic.

“I'm absolutely happy out with how I am thanks very much.” 

She also said there was a sense she was being offered a “mommy makeover”, and that you can’t be an amazing mother unless “you’re a twig”.

She expressed concerns these people could have a negative impact on a vulnerable new mother or someone with a low body image.

“It’s really quite sinister and I just don't think anyone should be allowed to make you feel that way when you're just going about your day. I can make your spiral,” she said.

Am I 100% body confident? Absolutely not. But do I need somebody sliding into my DMs and feeling make me feel bad? I don't. I think just think it's a bad practice amongst them.

She criticised “the pursuit of skinniness” and diet culture, and said: "You don’t have to be in love with your body. Obviously, there will be days when you don’t feel positive. And you don’t have to feel toxically positive about it. You can be neutral.

“There is so much more to me, to everyone, than what size or shape I am.” 

She encouraged people to take up their space in the world, whatever size it is, and not feel bad about it.