Havo 4 students challenge toxic fitness culture through a self produced podcast: exercise for yourself, not for the image
Do we exercise to be healthy, or to meet an unrealistic ideal?
From March to June 2026, the YoPA Netherlands team (Amsterdam) worked closely with the latest Action Team at Caland Lyceum in Amsterdam Nieuw West, a group of Havo 4 students who chose to tackle a topic deeply affecting their generation: toxic fitness culture and the pressure created by social media.
Building on insights from previous Action Teams, the students explored how influencer content, the “no excuses” mentality, and idealized body images shape young people’s understanding of health. They translated these reflections into a podcast titled Leerlingen havo 4 over toxic fitness culture.
Throughout the process, the students led the way: setting the agenda, defining the themes, and steering the conversations. Their work was brought together in three discussions about daily exercise, online pressure, and the impact of before/after photos. The highlight was an interview with their social studies teacher and politician Numan Yilmaz, where they engaged in an open dialogue about toxic fitness culture among youth, the role of TikTok, and what can be done from a political perspective.
This project demonstrates how youth driven research can lead to meaningful insights. By capturing how adolescents navigate digital fitness culture, the Action Team contributed valuable perspectives that support more grounded and responsive community actions.
🎧Listen to the podcast on Spotify: Leerlingen havo 4 over toxic fitness culture – Calandlyceum de Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
🧡 We are grateful to the students, Kavita Mathoera, Nanna Kassenaar, Annemiek Mi Jin de Groote, Podcast Tailor, and AICON for their creativity, openness, and collaboration. Stay tuned for more youth led stories from YoPA as we continue co creating healthier communities across sites.
