The Shape Campaign

In season 3, episode two of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with the Chazy, New York native, Anna DeMars to discuss a painful and bleak childhood that caused her PTSD at the hands of her abusive and manipulative father. With her living a somewhat compromised existence, Anna's pain became unbearable which almost resulted in her taking her own life. Now a champion at life, Anna talks us through her methods of overcoming a past that didn't seem to have such a promising future. With her dreams shining brighter than ever, Ms. "Sassafras" is determined that nothing will stop her!

Kicking off season 3, episode one of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Miss Exquisite Full-Figured North Carolina 2023, Terra Koger to discuss her rise to stardom in the pageant world after the sudden tragedy of the death of her beloved father and pastor; overcoming self-doubt and being told that she wasn't the right fit for a "full-figured" pageant. Terra expresses how something so tragic fueled her newfound passion for living a life she could have only dreamed of. Terra's pursuit of her new career in modeling is opening up undeniable doors, and she's not walking or strolling, but she's running full speed ahead.

In episode one of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Trina Caesar to discuss her newfound freedom after deciding to end her marriage of 22 years, along with her life-threatening health scare which prompted her to make some lifelong changes. She holds nothing back as she reveals her decision to go under the knife for cosmetic surgery after releasing 100+ pounds.

In episode two of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Arielle "Arie" Fisher to discuss her painful past of being bullied and contemplating the thought of no longer wanting to exist on Earth. Arie unpacks her troubled childhood trauma by revealing that she was raised by her beloved grandparents after her mother was murdered while she was a baby. Arie reflects on her life experiences as she discovers the strength within to realize her self-worth.

In episode three of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Eboni Cooley, to discuss her challenges with balancing her interpersonal relationships and the lifelong journey of discovering a more elevated version of herself. Eboni unpacks her challenges with her mental health and alcohol abuse while continuing to stay rooted in her faith.

In episode four of The Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Serina Johnson, to discuss her passion for dance and children while being faced with a hearing impairment due to underdevelopment as a baby that eventually resulted in her going completely deaf. Serina speaks of the importance of being represented in spaces where marginalized groups often can feel isolated and ostracized. Serina expresses the importance of being a representation for her students who too have hearing impairments.

In the final episode of this season's Shape Campaign Podcast, photographer, Raquez Rouse sits down with Pauline Uwandji, as she discusses being crowned Miss Full-Figured North Carolina "Plus", and the pressure that she's faced to live up to everyone's expectations of her. Pauline reflects on her challenges with accepting her skin tone due to the bullying she faced as a young child, while now feeling empowered to encourage other women to embrace their beauty, from the inside, out!