Just a few of the incredible athletes proving that fitness has no size.
Flexibility with Vera would be nothing without community! We owe it to all the plus-size athletes around us who keep us inspired, cheer us on, and show us that fitness looks different on everybody.
With this in mind, check out this list of 5 athletes making space in the fitness industry for people of all sizes!
- LaToya Shauntay Snell (iamshauntay)
LaToya Shauntay Snell (She/Her) is a multi-talented athlete from Brooklyn, NY. She is a road and trail runner, obstacle course racer, and amateur road cyclist. But that’s not all, by trade Snell is also a chef and food photographer. Snell is the founder of Running Fat Chef, a blog about fitness, food and her experiences as a plus size athlete of color.
In addition to her blog, Snell contributes to other publications, and has gained recognition for her viral article in The Root titled ‘I’m a Plus-Size Runner and I Got Heckled at the New York City Marathon’. You can read it here.
- Sarah Taylor (the.sarahtaylor)
Sarah Taylor (She/Her) is a Toronto-based Plus Size Personal Trainer, Coach, Model, motivational speaker and blogger.
Fitness was always an important part of Taylor’s life, but after a difficult journey out of an abusive marriage, she realized just how impactful fitness was, not only for her physical health, but for her mind and spirit, too.
Since then, Taylor has launched a fitness app geared toward helping women grow their self-love and confidence, both inside and outside of the gym.
- Ilya Parker (decolonizingfitness)
Ilya Parker (He/They) is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, ACE-certified Medical Exercise Specialist, Writer, Educator and the Founder of Decolonizing Fitness, a platform that aims to highlight the complexities and barriers that Black, Trans, and folks in larger bodies face in mainstream fitness culture, while also building more supportive systems to replace them.
Parker’s platform, Decolonizing Fitness, holds discussion panels on topics at the intersections of fitness, health and the Trans and BIPOC experiences, as well as workshops, and written guides on topics from “Developing a Balanced Relationship with Movement” to “Self Massage Guide for Scar Care After Top Surgery”.
Decolonizing Fitness is currently raising money for a physical space! You can read more about it as well as donate here.
- Damali Fraiser (damali.fraser)
Damali Fraiser (She/Her) is Senior Kettlebell Instructor, a Certified Pre/Post Natal Trainer, and a Nutrition Coach from Brampton, Canada.
Fraiser first entered the fitness world through Muay Thai, but her coaching has since evolved to Kettlebell training, body positive fitness, and sustainable nutrition.
In addition to running her own private studio, Lift Off Strength and Wellness, Fraiser has worked collaboratively with the Peel District School Board, University of Toronto, Body Positive Alliance, canfitpro, and more to offer restorative healing practices to people from all walks of life.
- Christa Janine (christajanine)
Christa Janine (She/Her) is a Personal Trainer, a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and a Certified Life Coach. Christa currently teaches for Alo Moves and Pop Sugar, and has also launched a successful virtual fitness studio.
Janine grew up playing sports, and used physical activity as a form of mental health support. In 2010, Janine discovered yoga and meditation, and never looked back. In addition to teaching, she now hosts Trauma and Triumph, a podcast where she holds conversations with guests on similar journeys of healing and self-discovery.
Janine has worked with brands from Alo Yoga to Lululemon, and this past September spoke at NYFW on a panel discussing the topic of “Mindfulness in Fashion”.