The Culture Of It All Melanie Knights

In this penultimate episode of our summer series, I’m sharing one of my favourite past times with you; reading. I’ll be sharing not only my passion for reading, but exploring the importance and power of fat representation within the stories I read. I’ll share a few wonderful plus size reads from this summer from cosy romances, to dark paranormal relationships. And because I have so many recommendations, I’m sharing a few more with even more diversity and representation amongst their pages. Th...

In this episode, I’m sharing five practical summer self-care tips for folks in larger bodies. We’ll be exploring the definitions of self care, and what self care practices can mean for folks in larger bodies. We’ll also discuss the barriers that marginalised bodies face in accessing self-care and the need for allies to challenge these barriers.Key TakeawaysExploring self care through the lens of diet cultureChallenging the status quoCreating simple self care practiceHow to stick with your sel...

The body positive rhetoric that shows up at this time of year is failing folks in larger bodies. So in this episode, I’m rewriting the narrative, and sharing 7 ways in which you can prioritise joy and honour your needs, especially during the uncomfortable summer months. We’ll explore the difference between joy and happiness and some of the ways I struggle with the concept of joy in a larger body. I encourage you to think about what you enjoy about the summer and to focus on those activit...

In this episode, Melanie shares five summer survival tips from the perspective of a fat girl. She emphasises the importance of managing expectations, practising taking up space, embracing joy and comfort, starting with small steps, and checking in with oneself. Melanie also encourages journaling as a way to reflect and navigate the summer season.Chapters00:00 Empowerment and Self-Discovery: A Plus-Size Journey07:18 Tip One: Manage Your Expectations10:41 Tip Two: Practice Taking Up Space14:52 ...

We’re kicking off our summer series with what I believe to be the BIGGEST turning point in my personal anti diet journey: body image. More specifically, how body image affects self-advocacy and what is possible when the perspective we have of our body shifts into a more positive area of the Body Appreciation Spectrum.We explore the body appreciation spectrum, which includes body respect, body acceptance, body neutrality, body appreciation, body peace, and body confidence, and discuss the impo...

Our Summer Series Starts May 28th!There are many negative anti-fat stereotypes associated with the summer; from sweat, and thigh chafe to wearing weather appropriate clothing or having skin showing…I am a cold weather person to my soul, and whilst I’m dreaming of pumpkins, cosy socks and apple cider in June – I cannot control the weather. The summer isn’t going anywhere, and it’s probably going to get hotter.So whilst I reserve the right to be vocal about my discomfort when it’s as hot as sat...