I am overjoyed to speak with Velvet, a fashion photographer and one of the first true plus-size fashion models. I had the honor and pleasure of being photographed by Velvet in Paris for her fashion magazine, Volup2. Volup2 is a publication that is truly dedicated to diversity in fashion.

Today, Velvet and I discuss what inclusive fashion means and how to include different types of bodies. We talk about the harm in tokenizing diversity and joke about glamorizing obesity. We talk about what it means to truly embrace our bodies and ourselves. We also talk about Velvet’s journey of breaking ground and being a first in fat advocacy in fashion. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(1:23) – Velvet’s journey to fat acceptance 

(4:19) What is fashion? 

(10:32) Genuine Inclusivity 

(11:45) Tokenizing diversity 

(14:09) Glamorizing Obesity 

(21:00) Refusing to be invisible even when designers won’t make clothes for diverse bodies 

(22:39) Ignoring other people’s opinions 

(29:35) My Body, My Choice

More About Velvet  

Velvet is an American plus-size model and fashion photographer, best known via the worldwide media coverage she received after her appearance in Jean-Paul Gaultier's 2007 Spring/Summer prêt-à-porter collection shown in Paris in October 2006. Standing at five-foot-eight and weighing three hundred pounds, she also made a catwalk appearance in John Galliano's prêt-à-porter showing entitled "Everybody is Beautiful" in 2006, and in the associated French Voguearticle featuring photography by Nick Knight.

D'Amour also featured in the title role of Avida, the 2006 French film directed by Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern, and produced by Mathieu Kassovitz, which was selected for the 2006 Cannes and 2007 Tribeca Film Festivals amongst others and has been purchased by CINEMA EPOCH for US distribution. In 2010, she participates in French TV show : "La Ferme Célébrités en Afrique" She has also recently launched a magazine called Vol-Up-2 that features her photography as well as other photographers and artists. As D'Amour experienced success as a plus model, she photographs many plus models for Vol-Up-2, such as rising plus model Clementine Desseaux.

View Velvet’s magazine, Volup2, here: https://www.volup2.com

Follow Velvet on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/volup2/

 I am over the moon to speak with Nancy King, a dietician who champions intuitive eating and health at every size. Nancy is the reason why I am actively combating fatphobia and working as a body liberator. She is truly one of the best body mentors. 

Today, Nancy and I discuss what health at every size means. We define what health is and think about what being healthy may mean to different people. We discuss weight, weight loss, and the struggles that we have because our society is obsessed with being skinny. We also talk about ways to embrace our ever-changing bodies. 

Key Moments in the Episode:  

(0:47) – Health at Every Size   

(3:39) – what does being healthy mean to you? 

(10:24) – is all weight loss good?  

(13:27) - whatever happens to the weight, happens to the weight

(21:19) - my body documents my life 

(23:24) why are we so resistant to our body’s changes?  

(36:29) love is a verb, not a feeling 

Find out more about Nancy’s work here: https://www.yourlifenutrition.co/

Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/your_life_nutrition

I am excited to speak with Tamar, a personal trainer who is an expert in human anatomy as well as exercise science. Tamar brings physical therapy-level expertise to her work. She looks at the human body and think about how the system of muscles, tendons, and nerves interact. 

Today, Tamar and I discuss the human body and movement. We talk about anatomy and a lot of the physiology of exercise. We also discuss body dysmorphia and how it’s very easy to get wrapped up in body image when it comes to exercise and how to untangle ourselves from that mess. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(1:31) – The human body anatomy and functional relationship to exercise 

(7:23) – Do you workout because you love your body or because you hate it?    

(14:54) – how to work out to love your body

(18:29) – If anything, work out for your organs 

(22:24) - be careful when we get professional advice

(26:15) – defining what a diet is 

(29:00) – our bodies should change, embrace it

More About Tamar here: 

 More About Tamar: Tamar is a physical therapist assistant, personal trainer, and human movement specialist with over 10 years of experience. She has a vast knowledge of how to help people get out of pain with a large success rate. Being a kickboxing/fitness coach, she knows more of the movement limitations that athletes undergo when injured and looks for a solution. On her free time, you can find Tamar back in the gym working on her own fitness because she practices what she preaches. She’s also an avid, experienced hiker who’s completed the John Muir Trail.

Follow Tamar here: www.instagram.com/tamartashdjian

I am excited to speak with Vilis Yore, whose drag name is Rocky Valentino. Vilis and I are both currently getting a master’s in clinical psychology, and we met in one of our core courses! Aside from being a psychotherapist-in-training, Vilis is also a drag king. A drag king is someone who performs as an entertainer in male drag.

Today, Vilis and I go in-depth about how drag has helped her get to know her body and her self more. We talk about how the body is such a central feature in drag and how our conceptions of what makes as good body is influenced by both our personal histories as well as our environment and society.  

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(1:02) – what is a drag king?  

(5:18) – Gender norms in Drag Kingdom   

(10:34) – The influence of the patriarchy in Drag  

(12:53) – how body shaming happens in drag 

(19:29) – Vilis discusses what it’s like as a black woman in drag 

(27:57) – body shame affects men too

(32:00) – Advice from Vilis

More About Vilis, aka Rocky Valentino King   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockyvalentinoking/?hl=en

Today, I get the honor of speaking with Christina Casey, a registered nurse and one of the few certified female WIM HOF breathwork instructors.  I attended Christina’s introductory WIM HOFF workshop in Los Angeles in 2022 where I learned not only the breathwork technique but also the science behind the methodology. 

In this episode, Christina and I dive deep into breathwork. We discuss the scientific and physiological reasons why breathwork is powerful. We also talk about the emotional and spiritual benefits of having such a practice. It truly is empowering for our bodies. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(1:45) – What is breathwork? 

(2:17) – WIM HOFF method  

(10:06) – Our Nervous System and how that relates to breathwork  

 (14:52) – Scientific benefits of breathwork  

(26:00) – Breathwork can bring up emotions, so we should go to therapy afterward to integrate what we experience.  

(27:49) – Future of breathwork  

(34:37) – Life begins and ends with breathwork.

More About Christina   

Christina is a Health-and-Wellness guide, registered nurse, Wim Hof Method instructor and wild woman.

Christina is dedicated to empowering people through a unique blend of evidence-based techniques, ancient practices, and pure enjoyment. Combining her expertise as a nurse, her knowledge of the Wim Hof Method, and her free-spirited nature, Christina's process aims to uplift individuals by providing them with tools and experiences that facilitate personal growth and healing.

 Find out more about Christina here: https://www.christinacasey.com/about

I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Patrick Falaniko, owner and creator of Goddess Studios in the UK. Patrick has a firm belief that every woman deserves to feel comfortable in her skin, and his work reflects that! Patrick and I met through social media and I have had the honor of having my photo taken by him!

Today, we are going to talk about Patrick’s passion, which is honoring diverse bodies, the divine feminine, and making people feel good in front of the camera. We discuss inclusion in the fashion industry, photography, and how we can find empowerment by becoming more confident and grounded in our bodies!

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(1:52) – When a plus-size lingerie company forgets to hire a plus-size model for their runway show.

(3:24) – Cultural diversity in the fashion industry

(8:00) – What happens when inclusion is a performance, not reality?

(19:38) – I am a man for woman’s body empowerment

(23:00) – Honoring my maternal lineage

(26:43) – Photography isn’t about how we look.

More About Patrick 

Patrick has been working as a creative ever since he left high school. He has always worked with female-led companies and brands. After a thirty-plus-year career in advertising and creative directing, he pivoted.  He created an art studio that became a boudoir studio called “Goddess Studio” where he creates images that capture women’s inner goddess. Find his studio here.

I am thrilled to have an in-depth conversation with Tammi Lee. Tammi and I have known each other since high school where she was my class president. Tammi is a fashion designer who has spent many, many years working in New York. She primarily works in athletic wear. 

Today, we are going to be talking about the fashion industry and why it is so difficult for that industry to become fully inclusive with fat bodies. We talk about the challenges behind manufacturing and designing for plus-sizing as well as how skinny-centric styling is! 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(5:50) What’s the best way to dress yourself 

(9:50) The different factors behind manufacturing and designing for plus sizes 

(23:29) Fashion greenwashing 

(34:49) What will it take for brands to invest in different bodies? 

(40:10) Social class’s influence on fashion 

(43:21) How pregnancy helped Tammi fall in love with her body 

Inclusive Brands we mentioned in the episode: 

Eckhaus Latta

Eckhaus Latta's inclusion is in their runway shows, where they feature plus-size models. Their clothing line is not inclusive at this time.

Marine Serre

This fashion house is mostly sustainable-focused. Their clothing line is not inclusive at this time.

Christian Siriano

This designer is haute couture for all body sizes. He has a range of designs for a variety of body types!

Other Inclusive Brands Not Mentioned in the Episode: 

11 Honore:  A fashion house that curates luxury, haute couture for plus-sizes.

Universal Standard: Everyday clothing for sizes 00-40. They have truly rewritten the rules on what inclusivity means for clothing.

https://www.glam.com/1088412/best-size-inclusive-fashion-brands/

More About Tammi 

Tammi Lee is a designer living and working in NYC, with a focus on activewear, lounge, and ready-to-wear.  Her skill set includes cut & sew, seamless knits, outerwear, soft wovens, travel products, and accessories. Find out more about Tammi's work here. 

I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Maddie Chun. Maddie is a journalism major who has written several articles about what it’s like being overweight, including one that spoke about how being overweight really affected her coming-out journey. 

Today, we are going to be talking about Maddie’s various experiences living in her body and how she came to terms with loving herself. We also talk about various issues that fat people face, including medical fatphobia, the trials of living in a skinny-centric world, and how we grow our self-worth as humans. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(3:50) Having friends that help us model empowering inner talk 

(6:05) We are living in a skinny world 

(13:20) Medical fatphobia 

(11:30) A woman’s self worth 

(17:10) Mental health is as important as physical health 

(20:55) The healing power of sharing our experiences 

(26:40) Fatphobia in the queer community 

More About Maddie 

Maddi Chun (she/her), originally from Medford, OR, is a senior at Emerson College in Boston, MA studying Journalism and Narrative Non-Fiction Storytelling. Maddi's writing interests include being plus sized, lesbianism, cannabis, and anthropology topics. In her free time, Maddi enjoys spending time with friends, crocheting, watching movies/tv, and building tiny rooms. 

I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Cassie Ramirez. Cassie is a skilled personal trainer who has been working in the field of movement and exercise for almost a decade. She not only helps people become pain-free and stronger, she also ignites a love of exercise for her clients. 

Today, we are going to be talking about exercise and what the experience is like for Cassie, as a trainer, to help her clients develop an authentic, empowered relationship with exercise that is far removed from the pressures of diet culture. We will also talk about Cassie’s personal struggles and how she powerfully overcame her own body shame. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(0:55) The powerful combination of physical therapy and fitness. 

(3:30) Interruption is a powerful tool 

(8:50) Practice and starting small is the way to start 

(10:35) What other goals are helpful besides losing weight? 

(12:30) BMI is outdated. Here’s why. 

(18:10) The power of strength training 

(34:55) Moving to the middle of nowhere to figure myself out 

More About Cassie 

Cassie's love for fitness intensified when she t ok a self-discovery trip to live in Australia. Living in the countryside and not knowing how to pass time, the gym is where she found her community. This solo trip worked wonders for her in creating her own stronger opinions and values without influences from home. Moving back home, she knew what field she wanted to pursue: FITNESS.

Since then she has been coaching CrossFit for 6 years. She has a focus of finding that fine balance between healthy lifestyle and treat yo’ self. She's keen on helping her clients develop a love for their body and the capabilities it has and can do, while teaching them functional movements to help them throughout their daily life. She specializes in rehab clients, but also just here to make fitness fun as she sees it often gets a bad rep for half the population.

I am excited to have an in-depth conversation with Kaleesha today about traveling! More importantly, what it’s like to travel in a plus-size body. Kaleesha and I have known each other for over 10 years. She has worn so many different professional hats from educator to educational leader and now, as an independent travel business owner! 

Today, we are going to be talking about what the travel industry is like, the joys and trials of traveling, and also the challenges of traveling in a bigger body. We will also talk about the relationship that Kaleesha has had with her own body as well. 

Key Moments in the Episode: 

(5:10) Being unapologetic about body size when traveling

(10:33) Weight struggles are class-related struggles. 

(13:00) The WORST thing that can happen to a plus size traveler…. Lost luggage

(19:00) Interesting challenging of traveling while plus size 

(24:00) Travel and be unafraid! Don’t miss out from experiences because of your body. 

More About Kaleesha 

Kaleesha Washington is an entrepreneur and business coach, helping other entrepreneurs build profitable businesses in the largest and sexiest industry in the world: travel! After spending over a decade as an educator, teaching children in a public school setting, coaching and developing teachers, and then leading schools, she has taken those skills to the next level by leading, training, and developing a team of well over 100 entrepreneurs. She has a dual Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from the University of Southern California, a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University, where she later returned as a professor in the Graduate School of Education, and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a self-proclaimed nerd who loves to learn, loves helping people, and loves having fun traveling around the world immersing herself in other cultures. She has been to over twenty-eight countries and counting. She is a mother of two adult children and a Bibi (grandmother in Swahili) of two handsome and intelligent grandsons, and her heirs are the reason she works daily to build generational wealth. Get connected with all things travel and Kaleesha here. Find out more about her travel company here.