We’re excited to see more and more women embrace a body positive mentality, empowering themselves and others to love the skin they’re in (we’re all made up of the same stuff after all, and that stuff is pretty incredible). Katie Horwitch, founder of Women Against Negative Self Talk, is on a mission to set fire to the conversation. Peek below as Katie introduces us to seven inspiring women who exemplify a non-standard of self-esteem in a real, beautiful way…
The body-positive movement is officially mainstream, and we couldn’t be more jazzed. In a year where sometimes it seems like we’re more divided than we are connected, it’s more important than ever that we fiercely support other women looking to make a difference in the world. And it starts with showing that one size doth never fit all, especially when it comes to the way we look. Because body positivity isn’t just about waist size, it’s about loving yourself just as you are – and helping others do the same along the way. Because we can’t change the world until we change the way we talk to ourselves.
Here are seven body-positive role models we’re obsessed with right now…
OUR body-positive heroes
Taryn Brumfitt | You might remember Taryn from 2013, when her unconventional Before + After photo went viral. People’s reactions to that now-famous side-by-side photo got Taryn thinking. Today, she’s busy talking about it in her new must-watch documentary, Embrace, which uncovers why poor body image has become a global epidemic and what women everywhere can do to have brighter future.
Tess Holiday | How do we love Tess Holiday? Let us count the ways. One, she’s a fierce feminist who uses her visibility to make a difference. Two, she’s the founder of @EffYourBeautyStandards, one of our favorite no-nonsense body-pos Instagram accounts. Three, she transitions from proud mama to model to business mogul (she’s got her own clothing line, too!) seamlessly. And four? This is a woman who speaks her mind. If you’re not following her, you should.
Kathryn Budig | We’ve been fans of Kathryn’s for years, and our love is only growing stronger. While many yogis will post crazy gymnastic poses that rival Cirque de Soleil and call it a day, Kathryn doesn’t hold back when it comes to discussing yoga injuries and how to practice in a way that’s in alignment with who you are, not what you see on Instagram. Plus, her authentic tone and quirky sense of humor make us feel like we’ve been friends for eons.
Ashley Graham | Ashley Graham is becoming one of the most high-profile models of today – and no, we don’t mean one of the most high-profile plus-size models. We mean one of the most high-profile models. Period. This is a huge step in the body-positive movement: The sooner we recognize and showcase a wide variety of bodies in the media, the sooner we can all realize that every body is a beautiful body.
Gabi Gregg | Gabi Gregg aka @gabifresh is the body-pos bestie we all wish we had. Upbeat and positive while always keeping it real, Gabi continuously encourages us by reminding us that body confidence is a journey, not a destination. And her new swimwear collection, Swimsuits For All, is making us do the unthinkable: actually look forward to bikini season.
Lynn Chen | Don’t let the name of Lynn’s blog, The Actor’s Diet, fool you. Lynn is an actor, but she’s definitely not on a “diet.” Started as a sort of journal in order to help Lynn make peace with her food after years upon end of eating disorders, The Actor’s Diet became a way for Lynn to not only dispel the myths surrounding what an “actor’s diet” needs to be, but propelled her into the kind of body image activist work (she’s an ambassador for NEDA) that makes her a force to be reckoned with, in Hollywood and beyond.
Denise Bidot | We love this model’s Instagram account for her stunning photos, adorable selfies with her daughter and captions that make us grin from ear to ear. But we are obsessed with everything Denise does because she is unapologetic about all of it. Her self-love campaign, There Is No Wrong Way To Be A Woman, encourages women of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes to own their unique beauty and reclaim their strength.
