Dear Beautiful Human,

Growing up, I existed in a world of conformity, where expressing individuality felt like a risk I couldn't afford. I stifled my true self, aiming to fit into the mould society had shaped for me. However, fashion became my refuge—a means of showcasing the vibrant, unapologetic identity I had kept concealed. Each bright lip colour and bold outfit choice allowed me to reclaim fragments of myself.

Even while pursuing a career in the fashion industry, I often felt like an outsider. My size limited my ability to wear many brands I admired and, more painfully, hindered my full acceptance in an industry I worked hard to join. This exclusion extended beyond clothing; it mirrored a deeper issue. I had spent years dieting, chasing an unattainable ideal, and neglecting my body—or attempting to alter it—to conform to standards that weren’t made for me.

In 2020 (after my last attempt at dieting), a powerful new thought allowed me to break free: “What if there is nothing wrong with my body?”

This shift prompted a deep dive into the relationship I have with my body. I found Internal Family Systems (IFS) to be a transformational approach that deepened my self-connection and quickly facilitated authentic inner change. As I healed, I discovered solidarity with others who face similar challenges, particularly within the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and eating disorder recovery communities. Becoming a licensed body image workshop facilitator in 2022 has helped me transform my experiences into a meaningful way of creating change for others.

Now, I am dedicated to leveraging my expertise in fashion to educate and empower my community. Together, we can address the systemic racism and colonial values ingrained in diet culture and perpetuated by Western beauty standards. These narratives have led many of us to believe we are broken and unworthy so that we will continue to aspire to the unattainable “ideals” that fuel our economic systems. What I have discovered is that we are not broken, we are simply living in a world of outgrown systems.

You probably know that mental illnesses are a significant contributor to premature death in Canada. However, it is less commonly known that eating disorders hold the highest overall mortality rate among all mental illnesses, estimated to be between 10-15%. For females aged 15-24, the mortality rate linked to Anorexia is 12 x higher than that of all other causes of death COMBINED. We cannot afford to do nothing about this completely unnecessary loss of life.

Even with 2.5 million Canadians being affected by ED’s, too many people with an eating disorder are never diagnosed and experience significant distress in isolation. Only 10% of sufferers receive appropriate treatment, and an even smaller proportion access early intervention services. The irony is that every single human on this earth knows this pain, yet we for some reason accept that this is what we must deal with, rather than choose to actively heal from.

By liberating ourselves from limiting narratives, we can reveal our authenticity to one another. This process of de-conditioning allows us to acknowledge our value, share our talents, and create true change in the world. My goal is to assist you in achieving this transformation by helping you recognize the beauty and strength that has always resided within you.