This conversation is filled with laughter, tears, and the kind of raw honesty that makes you feel like you’re catching up with a dear friend. From childhood pain to Hollywood red carpets, Chrissy shares how she continues to show up, authentically and wholeheartedly.

From Little Girl with Big Dreams to Emmy-Nominated Actress

When Jen launched the Plus Mommy Podcast back in 2018, Chrissy Metz was one of her dream guests. And now, here she is.

“I’m literally just a regular girl…trying to figure out this life thing,” Chrissy says humbly in response to Jen’s excitement.

Chrissy believes in the power of putting your dreams out there and watching them manifest—something she’s done again and again, even when she had just 81 cents in her bank account before landing This Is Us.

Chrissy spoke candidly about her childhood, including growing up as a “sad little girl” navigating divorce, blended family dynamics, and feeling unseen. “If she was seen, it was that she was too much,” she reflects. But through it all, her grandmother—affectionately known as Gram—offered her love and spiritual guidance. “I really believe that things happen for us, not to us.”

Kate’s Story Was Her Story—And Ours Too

The impact of Chrissy’s role on This Is Us cannot be overstated, especially for those who had never seen a plus-size woman portrayed with such care and complexity.

“I’m a big girl, and I don’t see big girls represented,” Jen shares, reflecting on how much it meant to watch Kate’s storyline unfold.

From a powerful miscarriage storyline to navigating fertility and motherhood, Kate’s experiences mirrored the real lives of so many—especially plus size parents who have often felt overlooked or blamed. Jen shared a deeply emotional moment from a blog post she wrote, We Need To Talk About Kate’s This Is Us Plus Size Birth Story, during the show’s run:

“Kate’s loss was my loss, and once again, I felt seen. This Is Us writers gave plus-size loss moms a gift when they didn’t blame Kate’s miscarriage on her weight. Through my tears, I was cheering.”

Chrissy recalls the care that went into crafting that storyline. “There has to be a gentleness to it and compassion around it,” she says. She also shared how cathartic it was to portray a daughter loved unconditionally by her on-screen father, Jack—something she never experienced herself.

“Jack loved Kate in every single way… I never knew that kind of love, and certainly not from a father figure.”

Behind the Scenes: Healing, Humor, and Real Talk

Despite playing such an emotional role, Chrissy found moments of humor and healing behind the scenes. She shared how acting alongside Chris Sullivan (Toby) helped her push through moments of self-doubt: “He looked at me and said, ‘You can.’ And I did.”

Chrissy also talked about what it was like to go from being cast in roles like “Chunk the Cheerleader” to wearing a fat suit on American Horror Story—and how that impacted her relationship with her body.

“When I took off my costume, I was still the chubby girl. Still the big girl.”

It was both a mind trip and a powerful reminder that while others could remove their prosthetics, she was living her experience in real life.

But through it all, she held onto her dream of performing—and found her way back to music and writing.

On Writing, Faith, and Big Feelings

Chrissy’s latest children’s book, When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings, is a follow-up to her first book When I Talk to God, I Talk About You. Inspired by the emotional conversations she had with children during readings of her first book, Chrissy knew this second story had to focus on feelings.

“I didn’t feel heard or seen as a kid, so this is going to be very healing and cathartic for me.”

Co-authored by Bradley Collins and illustrated by Lisa Fields, the book features a diverse cast of animal characters and subtle nods to inclusion, reminding children that all feelings are valid—and that everyone is worthy of love.

Accompanying the book is a new album titled Big Feelings, where each song focuses on a different emotion. “We have a sad song, disappointed, mad, excited, happy… all as a way to help kids name and process their emotions.”

A Life of Authenticity and Grace

Throughout the conversation, Chrissy offers so many gems of wisdom. One story that stuck is when Chrissy made a mistake at the studio gate and felt the shame spiral begin. Instead of letting it eat at her, she turned the car around, went back, and apologized.

“That was a very big moment for me in my life… You don’t have to feel bad forever. You can fix things.”

When asked to share a final word of encouragement, Chrissy left us with this powerful reminder:

“Nothing is personal.”

“We don’t know what people are going through… When we remember that, we can offer more grace to others—and to ourselves.”

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 225

Transcript happily provided upon request.

Resources Mentioned On The Show

• Connect with Chrissy via her website, Instagram, and Facebook
• When I Talk to God, I Talk About Feelings
• Actor Jen Ponton Dishes About Dietland, Fat Activism, And More
• Freebie: We Can Do Hard Things: Audio Support for Your Appointments

This episode is brought to you by the Size-Friendly Birth Course—an online training for birth and postpartum professionals ready to provide size-inclusive care for people in larger bodies.

You’ll get:

• 🎥 Over 6 hours of video lessons
• 📘 A 115-page editable PDF workbook with guided activities
• 🕒 6 contact hours for professional development
• 📜 A certificate of completion
• 🌐 Bonus: Access to the Plus Size Birth Circle—our exclusive online platform and mobile app for on-the-go learning and community support

Use code PLUSMOMMY for 20% off at plussizebirth.com!

The post Chrissy Metz Talks Fame, Faith, and Finding Her Way appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Please start by reading our 15 hard-earned lessons, as they might just echo your own experiences!

Then, tune into our latest podcast episode, where we dissect these truths, bare our souls, and share the kind of stories that life’s composed of — unfiltered and upfront.

15 Lessons of Love from a Plus Size Couple

1. The Role of Humor

Laughter has been our refuge, our connector, our shared language in the best and worst of times. It’s the undercurrent that’s kept us sane and bonded.

2. Get Vulnerable

Transparency, in fear and love, has been our fortress. We’ve learned that in showing our authentic selves, our relationship has only solidified.

3. Body Positivity Journey

We’ve navigated the murky waters of societal beauty norms and chosen to set our own standards. It’s a journey of self-love and mutual appreciation, and it’s ongoing.

4. Unified Parenting

It’s us against the whirlwind of raising humans. We’ve clung to consistency, support, and a united front, even when the storm seemed unending…or really stinky now that we have a teenager.

5. Handling External Pressures and Opinions

We’ve countered stares, unsolicited opinions, and biases, especially as a plus size couple. Our armor? Unwavering respect and support for each other.

6. Navigating Financial Ups and Downs

Money matters, and so does how you handle it. We’ve weathered financial storms by staying informed, prepared, and, above all, open with each other. Crucially, we’ve learned that maintaining a savings account, even with the smallest safety net of funds, can be a financial buoy during unexpected storms.

7. Facing Health Challenges

From skin cancer to vision struggles, we’ve been each other’s rock through health scares, providing strength and advocacy when the other needed it most.

8. Mental Health Realities

We recognized our mental health as a critical piece of our family puzzle. Open dialogue, support, and getting help when needed has only made us closer and stronger.

9. Dealing with Loss

Grief reshaped us, and together we found ways to endure, honor, and continue forward by giving one another time while also having open communication.

10. Adapting to Change

We’ve taken life’s curveballs — relocations, career changes, personal evolutions — and turned them into our shared adventure.

11. Conflict Resolution

Disagreements are inevitable, but we learned to argue effectively, keeping the problem at the forefront and our relationship at the core.

12. Keeping Romance Alive

Romance flourishes with self-love, acceptance, and honesty. As we’ve embraced our bodies and our truths, we’ve seen our love story deepen and grow.

Carving out time for each other has been the cornerstone of maintaining our intimacy. Whether it’s seizing the opportunity for day-dates while our kid is at school or orchestrating those rare but special getaways, we’ve learned to cherish and maximize every moment we share.

13. Maintain Individual Identities

Our separate interests and personal spaces aren’t a divide; they’re a crucial part of our shared journey.

14. Friendship at the Core

Our love story has friendship at its core, a base that has kept us anchored in ourselves and each other.

15. Sagging Gracefully Together

Aging isn’t just growing older; it’s collecting stories, laugh lines, and memories. Together, we’re embracing each new chapter, whether it brings crow’s feet or silver strands, celebrating them as badges of a life well-shared.

Now, dive into this intimate conversation with us. It’s not just about sharing our narrative as a plus-size couple; it’s about connecting with a story — our story — that could very well be yours. No pretenses, just life as we know it.

But before pressing play, we want to thank Pechanga Resort Casino for making our 15th wedding anniversary nothing short of magical! Every moment at this incredible place was everything we needed, from the delectable meals to the serene hours by the pool and even the thrill of the slots. What stood out most, though, was the thoughtful, size-inclusive environment. The little things—comfortable seating everywhere we went, the spa anticipating our needs with 5XL robes—made all the difference. We felt seen, respected, and valued. Pechanga isn’t just a resort; it’s a haven where every body is celebrated. To all the plus size couples out there: add Pechanga in Temecula, CA, to your must-visit list. Trust us; it’s the getaway you deserve.

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A post shared by Jen McLellan (@plusmommy)

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 211

Transcript happily provided upon request.

Resources Mentioned On The Show

• Resources and quiz for size-friendly birth professionals!
• Helpful Tips for Flying while Fat
• Will My Doctor Fat-Shame Me? 4 Game-Changing Advocacy Tips

The post Plus Size Couple Unscripted: Lessons from 15 Years of Love appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Her Instagram stories started receiving a lot of feedback, so she pulled the content together in a post.

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A post shared by Raffela Mancuso (@raffela_mancuso)

It went viral!

We should absolutely celebrate all body shapes and sizes! But, with that said, a thin person showing one roll when they lean forward shouldn’t be the prime example of what body positivity looks like online. And for so long, that has been the case.

As a result, influencers in smaller bodies often get brand partnerships and exposure that plus size people, especially BIPOC fat activists, don’t receive.

Raffela received a lot of praise for speaking up, especially from fellow plus size people who shared her frustration.

She worked so hard as an aspiring influencer to get her voice out into the world. And it was finally happening!

Yet, as she watched her Instagram following explode, she also faced tremendous harassment, including people creating YouTube videos to rip her apart.

In the end, a lot of good came from calling attention to how we view body positivity online.

During episode 161 of the Plus Mommy Podcast, Raffela Mancuso shares what it was like to go viral. She talks about the good that came from her speaking up, the harassment she received, and her hopes for continuing this conversation. Raffela also discusses her passion for destigmatizing mental health struggles and her love of plus size fashion.

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 161

Transcript happily provided upon request. 

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with via Instagtam and Patreon.
• Beyond Before And After With Sarah Nicole Landry Of The Birds Papaya

Raffela is a mental illness and fat liberation activist who uses social media to center people who are living in marginalized bodies, while also sharing about her own personal journey. You can find her on practically any social media platform at @raffela_mancuso or sign up to her Patreon at Patreon.com/raffela

The post Changing What Body Positivity Looks Like Online with Raffela Mancuso appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Following the birth of her daughter, Emory, Adiba found herself in the throes of postpartum depression. While struggling silently, she wrote humorous articles about motherhood.  

After finally reaching out for support and getting therapy, Adiba opened up to her community about her depression. In turn, so many women came forward with shared experiences. This wasn’t the first time Adiba used her voice to help others feel alone, and it sure wouldn’t be the last. 

Adiba’s first book, Meet ClaraBelle Blue came out in 2013. This book was born out of frustration that she didn’t see her daughter represented in children’s books during a fateful trip to a book store. 

She searched for children’s books featuring characters with disabilities and couldn’t find any featuring children, let alone a Black girl on the cover.

After finding one Little Critter book featuring a character who was disabled, Adiba said, “My kid is not a critter. What about the kid who is looking to be included?”

And in true Adiba Nelson fashion, she rage-wrote a children’s book featuring a Black girl in a wheelchair in ten minutes! 

Related: What Happens When You See Bodies That Look Like Yours Represented

At first, she thought this book was just for her daughter. But, once her cousin read it, he knew it needed to be everywhere and connected her with an illustrator. 

She went on the hunt for an agent, but everyone turned her away. One publisher even said the world wasn’t ready for this story. So, Adiba self-published on May 4th, 2014. Meet ClaraBelle Blue has sold over 6,000 copies and is in many countries. 

Along with writing, another passion of Adiba’s is burlesque. And for over six years, until she recently retired, she proudly took the stage to help celebrate more diverse bodies. 

When she started, she didn’t see any Black plus size women who looked like her performing burlesque in her hometown of Tuscon, Arizona. So, she felt deeply called to represent herself and her daughter. As Adiba wanted to learn to fully love her body to teach her daughter how to love herself – and burlesque did just that! 

From the burlesque stage to the TedEx stage, Adiba moved hearts and minds. 

Related: Actor Jen Ponton Dishes About Dietland, Fat Activism, And More

In 2018, what she thought would be a two-minute interview turned into a documentary about her life called The Full Nelson.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think this documentary would become an Emmy nominee. Let alone an Emmy award-winning documentary!

And now, her debut novel, “Ain’t That A Mother”, drops in May of 2022. 

Listen as Adiba shares her story in her own words and hear excerpts from her book, thanks to Blackstone Publishing, during episode 159 of the Plus Mommy Podcast. 

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 159

Transcript happily provided upon request. 

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with Adiba Nelson via her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Learn about Meet ClaraBelle Blue.
• Pre-order “Ain’t That A Mother” from Blackstone Publishing.

Adiba Nelson is an author, screenwriter, retired burlesque performer, disability rights advocate, and most recently, subject of the Emmy winning documentary, The Full Nelson. She wrote and self-published her first children’s book, Meet ClaraBelle Blue in 2013. Adiba’s memoir, “Ain’t That A Mother”, is currently available for preorder and will be available everywhere books are sold May 3, 2022.

The post Adiba Nelson – Inclusion And Empowerment From The Stage To The Page appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Heather Brooker Tells Her Story

Heather attended Oklahoma State University with a theater scholarship to study her passions for acting and storytelling.

By her sophomore year of college, her focus shifted to journalism. And following college, she became an anchor and international correspondent.

Heather enjoyed her job and traveling the world. Yet, there was something else she felt called to do – make people laugh! She realized it was becoming harder and harder to tell stories about murders in fires.

“One of the people in my improv group in Tulsa was like; you should really go out to LA to be at the Groundlings because you’d be so good on Saturday Night Live. And I was like, I do want to do that. So we packed up everything we did the Grapes of Wrath move from Oklahoma to California.”

While Heather still got a job in news, she stopped being on camera. By doing this, she had the free time to pursue acting.

She took acting classes, went on auditions, and started doing background work.

“Eventually, I got an agent and joined the union. My first major TV role was on a show called Monk with Tony Shalhoub. And I just was like; I want to do this forever!”

Related: Actress Reid Cox Talks About Fat Shaming And Skinny Shaming

Following becoming a mother, Heather looked for a community of moms like her who worked in the industry.

She didn’t find what she was in search of, so she launched her Motherhood In Hollywood podcast!

“I started my podcast as a way to invite and reach out to moms in the industry who I wanted to either get to know better. Or just meet and hear their story and sort of glean whatever advice I could from them.”

Heather never imagined her decision to start a podcast would lead her back to being in front of the camera!  

Her boss listened to her show and saw the social media following she grew.

Heather was presented with an opportunity to be an entertainment reporter for KNBC in Los Angeles. This was a huge honor!

“I never imagined when we came out here, this part of it, I never thought I would be reporting again. I never thought I would be the first plus size reporter at my station, or possibly even in the LA market, because there’s no other reporters that look like me.”

As a plus size woman, Heather has never allowed her size to hold her back from any opportunity or audition.

Over the past 16 years since moving to Hollywood, she has seen positive shifts. As Heather shares, “When it comes to plus sized women, they have made incredible strides over the last five years, I would say. But they still have a long way to go to be inclusive for plus size women.”

Related: Jisela Delgado of MTV’S The Challenge Shares Her Fascinating Story

The only time she was told her weight limited her was early on in her career with her second agent.

“I told him I want to be on Saturday Night Live – that’s my goal. That’s why I trained at the Groundlings. It’s why I do improv and sketch comedy five nights a week. I want to be on Saturday Night Live! And he said to me, they are never going to hire a plus sized person on Saturday live.”

A few years later, Aidy Bryant joined the cast. Heather was happy for Aidy, but it was a tough blow.

While Heather has enjoyed many minor roles, she still dreams of becoming a series regular on a TV show.

For now, she loves her job and podcast that brings so many amazing people into her life. Plus, she gets to make people laugh all the time!

Listen as Heather tells her story in here own words. She also shares her thoughts on how Hollywood views plus size people, and her tips for being confident at any size.

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 149

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with Heather Brooker via Instagram, TikTok, and Motherhood In Hollywood website.
• Heather’s IMDB videos mentioned during the episode.

Heather Brooker is an actress, Emmy Award-winning journalist, comedian, and host of the popular podcast, Motherhood in Hollywood. She’s appeared in over 40 films and TV shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Office,” “Fresh Off The Boat,” “The Mindy Project” and more. 

Heather is also in the trailblazing role of multimedia entertainment reporter for KNBC in Los Angeles, where she regularly interviews celebrities and influencers in Hollywood. On her podcast, Heather discusses her two passions — parenting and show business — and has a hilariously addicting, tell-it-like-it-is personality. In the five years since creating Motherhood in Hollywood, Heather has built a community of nearly 1 million followers across her social media and online platforms. She recently spoke at the GirlUp Leadership Summit alongside Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Meghan Markle about gender equity and body positivity. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Chris, 8-year-old daughter Channing and internet famous cat, Gracie I Love You.

The post Emmy Winning Journalist And Actress Heather Brooker Tells Her Story  appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Jisela Delgado The Challenge

On April 1, 2021, The Challenge reality TV show aired a new season called All Stars with many longtime fan favorites, including Jisela Delgado.

A noticeable difference with this new season is how cast members have aged.

Along with wrinkles, we also see cellulite – and we are here for it!

It’s refreshing to see larger bodies on reality TV. Including Jisela, who completely dominates the first episode!

As Jisela shares, “Weight has always been a part of my persona. And I was always very proud of my body. And I always talked about, you know, I talked about my hips and my butt because I knew it was like the elephant in the room.”

It’s hard to believe she was considered larger back in the early 2000s. But she was, and now that she currently exists in a plus size body, she doesn’t allow it to define her or her body’s abilities.

“I didn’t allow it to intimidate me. So one of the greatest things that I’m going to tell you, and I don’t think other people know, Challenge houses don’t have mirrors. We only have one mirror, and it’s in your bathroom.”

The lack of mirrors helps keep the cameras out-of-site and allows cast members to focus less on their outer appearance.

Related: Project Runway Winner Ashley Nell Tipton Tells Her Story

Jisela’s first experience with reality TV was The Real World/Road Rules Casting Special in 2000. She applied to be a cast member to support a friend who wanted to be on the show.

While Jisela thought she wasn’t in the running, she was selected first to be a cast member for the 10th season of Road Rules.

This was the first time Road Rules had a new rule – if the cast lost two challenges in a row, they had to vote someone off.

Jisela went down in history as the first cast member ever voted off the show.

Related: Christina Wells America’s Got Talent Semifinalist Tells Her Story

She would go onto appear as a special guest during the Real World Season 10 and be a cast member during three seasons of The Challenge; Battle of the Seasons, Battle of the Sexes, and The Gauntlet 2.

The Gauntlet 2 ended in 2005, and Jisela turned down other casting opportunities until MTV stopped calling.

That was until this year!

Listen below, or via your favorite podcast app, to episode 144 of the Plus Mommy Podcast. Jisela Delgado looks back in time and talks about her journey! She also provides helpful tips for people who are struggling with body image.

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 144

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with Jisela Delgado on her Instagram and Twitter.
• The Challenge All Stars airs on Paramount Plus on Thursdays.
• The Real World/Road Rules Casting Special

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

Use coupon code PlusMommy to receive 20% off the My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide that covers everything you could want to know about having a plus size pregnancy.

The post Jisela Delgado of MTV’S The Challenge Shares Her Fascinating Story appeared first on Plus Mommy.

In November of 2017, Megg Boggs started a blog to share her birth story with close friends and family.

She never imagined she would become an athlete, author, and highly sought-after Instagram influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers.

In the beginning, Meg wanted to set a good example for her daughter by learning to love and appreciate herself.

Meg starting sharing images of her exposed postpartum belly, and began speaking openly about her struggles with mental health.

Because of that, major parenting sites displayed Meg’s images all over social media. Meg grew a loyal community by never shying away from the tough motherhood topics!

In January of 2018, she started powerlifting and immediately felt like she had unlocked something within herself.

To Meg’s surprise, her powerlifting and exercise content continued to receive a ton of traction!

Related: Champion Powerlifter Becci Holcomb Shares Her Pregnancy & Birth Story

She worked hard to move away from diet culture and break a life-long connection between fitness and weight loss. Above all, Meg knew dieting impacted her mental health.

Meg started noticing the traction her powerlifting content received and asked her community if they wanted to see more. To her great surprise, they did!    

Subsequently, the more she shared, the more her community grew.

Unfortunately, she found her content stolen by people using her body to sell weight-loss products. In addition, Meg could not escape from countless fat-shaming comments and private messages.

To this day, she looks out for her mental wellness by journaling and taking short breaks from social media as needed.

In January of 2020,  Meg attended an event Under Armor put on for athletes and influencers.

Immediately, Meg noticed she was the only plus size athlete. However, she still decided to go all-in and give the experience her everything.

Thankfully, everyone made her feel like she belonged here, and Meg made wonderful connections. Not only that, she spoke up about the lack in plus size clothing options, and Under Armor listened.

That experience changed her!

After that experience, Meg returned home and added athlete to her bio.

A few months later, she wrote her book, Fitness for Every Body: Strong, Confident, and Empowered at Any Size.

Ready for more? Listen below as Meg Boggs shares her story and great inspiration!

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 139

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with Meg Boggs via Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and her website. 
• Pick up a copy of Meg’s book – Fitness for Every Body
• Listen to our first podcast episode with Meg as she shares her pregnancy and birth story – This Is Postpartum With Meg Boggs

Meg Boggs is an author, athlete, mother, and self-empowerment advocate. From mental health to fitness inclusivity promoted alongside body-positive imagery, Meg continues to spark discourse about fat bodies and the experiences of plus size women. Meg has been celebrated by CNN, The View, Good Morning America, People, Health Magazine, Shape, and PopSugar. Her debut book, Fitness for Every Body: Strong, Confident, and Empowered at Any Size is out 4/27/2021.

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

This episode is also brought to you by Plus Size Birth! Use coupon code PlusMommy to receive 20% off the My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide that covers everything you could want to know about having a plus size pregnancy.

The post Meg Boggs Shares Her Journey To Becoming An Athlete And Author appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Content warning for disordered eating, abusive relationships, and talk of weight loss.

Victoria Welsby

Victoria Welsby grew up in poverty in the UK. Her mother struggled with body image, so Victoria picked up on messages early on that her body wasn’t okay.

Food could be scarce at times, and Victoria occasionally felt guilty for eating.

By high school, she decided that she was unattractive, so she had to win people over with her dazzling personality.

By the time she finished school, she was popular but believed she’d never have a boyfriend.

At the age of 17, her mother moved away, and Victoria convinced her that she’d be fine living independently.

And soon, Victoria found herself homeless.

In turn, Victoria felt even more worthless.

To go from bad to worse, Victoria jumped into an abusive relationship with a man who was thirteen years her senior.

For two years, this man controlled her and heavily monitored her food.

Victoria developed an eating disorder.

This relationship ended with her needing to get a restraining order against him, and then she moved away.

Sadly, this didn’t end Victoria’s story of dating people who treated her poorly.

Years later, she found herself in a relationship she thought was healthy, but later learned he had three other girlfriends at the same time!

After befriending two of these other girlfriends, Victoria realized these women were pretty neat.

Her ex was attracted to fabulous women, so she must be pretty great too!

Victoria realized she had to change how she viewed her body and stop hating herself.

Related: Fat, Fierce, And Fearless With Corissa Enneking Of Fat Girl Flow

With the support of therapy, Victoria processed through a lot of trauma. Yet, her drive to “fix” her body was stronger than ever.

She still believed she had to lose weight to live a full life.

Until one fateful day, when she happened upon Ragen Chastain’s blog Dances with Fat. Victoria read that it’s okay to be fat and her eyes opened wide.

Victoria dove head-first into all the fat-positive messages and books she could find.

It changed her life!

Victoria started a blog to share self-love messages and is now a body acceptance coach.

Listen as she shares her full story during episode 130 of the Plus Mommy Podcast, including what it was like presenting in front of 2,600 people on the TEDx stage!

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 130

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Connect with Victoria Welsby via her Fierce Fatty website, podcast, and Instagram.

The post Becoming A Fierce Fatty With Victoria Welsby appeared first on Plus Mommy.

Boudoir photography is for people of all sizes.

When you’re plus size, you can have some unique concerns holding you back from booking your first shoot.

We hope to put your fears at ease and encourage you to take the leap!

Plus Size Boudoir Tips

What Is Boudoir Photography?

Boudoir photography is a photographic style that’s intimate and sensual.

Often when we think of boudoir, we picture a woman wearing lingerie. 

But there are no rules! 

Putting on something sexy isn’t a requirement for taking sensual images – a partner’s t-shirt can be just as sexy! 

How To Find A Boudoir Photographer

Word of mouth can be one of the best ways to connect with an outstanding photographer. 

Start by asking your friends, especially any friends who have taken boudoir photos while plus size. 

You can do a Facebook post or post in a local mom’s group if that feels too intrusive. 

With or without any referrals, spend some time on Google searching for local boudoir photographers. 

Please pay close attention to the models featured not only on their website but on social media pages. 

Do they display bodies of all sizes? Or just one look? 

The photos they choose to share say a lot! 

Once you select a photographer who might be the right fit, don’t just book online. 

Milk bath boudoir photographer Melissa Mullins encourages people to hop on a call or set up a Zoom date to make sure you feel a connection with your selected photographer. 

Feel comfortable enough to express any insecurities you may have and your vision for the shoot. That way, your photographer can be on the same page as you on the day of your shoot.

The Day Of Your Plus Size Boudoir Photo Shoot

Long before the day of your shoot, you’ll want to select what you want to wear, from lingerie, including plus size maternity lingerie, to a special t-shirt.

The night before your special day, pack your bag in advance. Then be sure to get a good night’s rest.

The morning of your shoot, drink lots of water to help prepare your skin for makeup. And be sure you’ve had something to eat, especially if you’re planning to pop some bubbly.

Hopefully, your photographer will provide you with helpful information before your shoot to allow you to feel even more at ease.

Now it’s time for you to show up!

Go in with an open mind, and entrust the person you’ve selected to create magic!

Remember, this is supposed to be a fun experience, and hopefully, you’ll walk away with not only gorgeous images but an empowering experience! 

“It’s amazing what happens when you’re willing to strip down and push yourself to do something that feels terrifying at first. Find something that feels right to you and go for it!” – Jen McLellan

Photos by: melissamullinsportraits.com
Makeup by: larkmervine.com

Learn even more about what it’s like to take boudoir photos when you are plus size by listening to episode 128 of the Plus Mommy Podcast. Jen McLellan shares her invigorating experiences and interviews photographer Melissa Mullins.

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 128

Resources Mentioned On The Show:

• Plus Size Boudoir Photo Shoot – My Liberating Experience
• Causing A Stir With My Plus Size Boudoir Milk Bath Photo Shoot
• Connect with Melissa and see her work via her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

This episode is also brought to you by Plus Size Birth! Use coupon code PlusMommy to receive 20% off the My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide that covers everything you could want to know about having a plus size pregnancy.

The post What It’s Like To Take Boudoir Photos When You Are Plus Size appeared first on Plus Mommy.

If you’re a fellow member of Club 40, I hope you’ll glean some familiar insights.

If you’re in your 20s or 30s, buckle up, buttercup!

Before You Turn 40

A quick note before the fun begins; these are my experiences.

Some of these topics might be things you’re already doing or have no interest in whatsoever. That’s perfectly okay!

I’m sharing in hopes some will felt seen, and others will find inspiration. So take what you want, and leave behind what doesn’t sing to you.

1. Focus On Health, Not Weight

I spent all of my 20s and a lot of my 30 battling a number on the scale.

The harder I fought, the more weight I gained.

The harder I fought, the more I hated myself.

So in my mid-30s, I stopped fighting.

I jumped on the body love bandwagon in search of a new way of living – and I found a lot of freedom in no longer living my life tied to a scale.

I ate what I wanted.

Drank whatever I pleased.

Only, I missed the memo on intuitive eating and focused more on eating all the things I had deprived myself of for so long.

I don’t regret letting go of holding my worth to a number on the scale.

I just wish I would’ve paid more attention to how I fueled my body.

And since turning 40, that has become my focus!

I’m continuing to tune into my body by listening to what my body wants and needs. Not just eating all the things – as I’ve seen how that impacts my overall health.

It’s a balance, and it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it!

2. Acknowledge Mental Health Struggles

As I’ve tuned in to my body more, I’ve also paid attention to my mental health.

When I look back on the past few decades of my life, I realize I’ve always struggled with anxiety. But I never talked about it openly until I turned 40.

Now I talk about it often, openly, and without shame.

I talk about it because each time I do, it feels a little less like a burden and more like a part of me I can accept.

I can’t control it, so I might as well embrace the struggle and learn how to cope in healthy ways!

3. Your Underwear Drawer Gets Nicer

Period panties became a thing of the past in my 30s. I started investing in myself by committing to only wearing cute undies.

Now, I’m a mama on a budget, so I didn’t just throw out all my underwear and start fresh.

Over time, I started slowly replacing my panties when I’d see sales or get a gift card.

What changed in my 40s is that I started paying attention to what materials I prefer. So it wasn’t just about having something cute; it also was about comfort.

You might be a cotton girl. It turns out I’m a big fan of modal!

4. Closet Upgrade To Quality Over Quantity

In my mid-twenties, I moved from Denver, Colorado, to where I grew up in Southern California.

I quickly realized you could never really come home again because you’re no longer the person you were before you left.

Yet, I desperately wanted to fit in. I had spent my whole adolescence trying to fit in and went right back to old habits.

I maxed out a credit card or two on clothes.

Lots and lots of clothes.

Clothing became an obsession, and that lasted well into my 30s as shopping brought me joy.

Flash-forward to my late-thirties. During a move from Colorado to New Mexico when I did a big purge.  

If I hadn’t worn an item all year, it went into the donation pile.

And one pile became many.

My whole living room was full of piles of clothes – some were hard to part with, but many that I didn’t remember ever wearing.

I committed to being more mindful of purchases!

And like my undies, I’ve found myself paying attention to not only the style but also the material.

5. You Start Taking Up Space!

As a plus size woman, I spent most of my life smooshing my body.

Smooshing into clothes that no longer fit, and into booths and chairs that left marks.

Smooshing my body on flights so thin strangers could stretch out with ease.

I’ve stopped smooshing!

I buy clothes in my size and donate items that don’t fit me anymore.

At restaurants, I ask for chairs I can comfortably sit in without a moment’s hesitation.

And when I board planes, I smile and as for an extender before even heading to my seats. Yes, two seats so I travel comfortably without encroaching on anyone else’s space.

I unapologetically take up space, and it’s liberating!

If people have a problem with my body – it’s their problem and not mine.

I hope you start taking up space long before you turn 40!

6. Sex Gets Better

I’ve been with the same partner for over twenty years; you’d think there would be no mystery left. It’s so easy to get into a sex rut or not have sex often.

We’ve had droughts – long, painful droughts.

While I don’t have it all figured out, I’ve learned that you have to be willing to work on your relationship and your sex life.

You see, I might not have the same flexibility I had in my 20s – and positions are limited with my big booty. But sex is better.

SO MUCH BETTER!

Sex is fantastic in my 40s because I now ask for what I want and how I want it!

Hours not minutes.

Pleasure.

Vulnerability.

Lights on.

Clothes off.

Fantasies I’ve been too embarrassed in the past to share have come to life.

And so much more!

The difference is communication and being far more comfortable in my skin – the sagging skin he kisses without me pushing him away.

It’s amazing!

7. Set Stronger Boundaries  

Boundaries are sexy – that’s my life’s motto!

I learned how to set boundaries in my 30s, but I set them without apologies in my 40s.

Boundaries, while challenging to set, are vital.

Without boundaries, you get pushed to a point where you either implode or explode – we’ve all been there!

Boundaries give you far more freedom than you realize, so start setting them today.

Here’s how to set boundaries!

8. Friendships Grow Deeper

Growing up mom always said, “you are who you hang out with,” and she’s right!

It’s so important to surround yourself with quality people – that means people who love you for you and you for them.

Friendships aren’t always perfect, but they shouldn’t be a burden.

The older I’ve gotten, the less close friends I have, and I’m good with that because the people I have in my bubble are amazing!

Once again, quality over quantity.

9. You Realize How Quickly Life Goes By

All of a sudden, it’s as if someone hit the fast-forward button on my life.

At first, I tried fighting it – surely there has to be a pause button!

But then I realized this is my MY LIFE.

It’s going to pass by faster and faster, so I might as well LIVE IT to its fullest and be mindful of the choices I’m making along the way.

Because my life, full of mistakes and boundaries, is beautiful!

Recording & Show Notes: Plus Mommy Podcast Episode 127

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

This episode is also brought to you by Plus Size Birth! Use coupon code PlusMommy to receive 20% off the My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide that covers everything you could want to know about having a plus size pregnancy.

The post 9 Things I Want You To Know Before You Turn 40  appeared first on Plus Mommy.