“I try to exercise and move my body. That's the quickest way for me to feel better and truly appreciate everything that my body can do. I also like to journal and reflect on how far I've come, and list my accomplishments so that I can boost my self-esteem, and become proud of myself. Or hang around those who love and support me and make me feel good about myself.”

“Wearing an outfit or bikini that complements and flatters my body. I always feel beautiful when I'm wearing something that I love and that radiates my confidence. Also, eating healthy meals and exercising daily makes me feel strong and so good in my skin!”

“Hyping myself up in the mirror before I leave the house. I love to look in the mirror and give myself daily self-love affirmations so that I can stay confident throughout my day!”

"Seeing the Kardashian family and other beautiful celebrities photoshop their photos and videos online. If people are dying to look like these celebrities, and these celebrities don't even look like themselves, then what is that really doing to our self-esteem and self-image?"

“Put the damn bikini on!! We only have one life to live, so don't waste one more year or second feeling insecure or bad about yourself.”

“Follow all the creators that make you feel beautiful and represented and unfollow anyone who doesn't! I love @mel.dlgn, @sydneylbell and @alvaclaire."

“[The pandemic] was not easy on anyone. We need to remember that our bodies are always changing, and we need to give ourselves some grace during this challenging time. If you wish to change your body in any way, do it for yourself — and only you! But remember to always come from a place of love and gratitude towards your body. Look at everything that your body can do and how amazing it is — that way you can have more appreciation of yourself.”

“What's really important to understand is that everyone has low days — you're not alone. To boost my self-love in those moments, I try to pinpoint why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling. Ninety-nine percent of the time I'm not actually mad at my body — my body is just the easiest thing to take it out on. Most of the time I'm having a rough day because I didn't eat properly the day before, I didn't get enough sleep, I saw or heard something that left me feeling triggered.

Once I know why I'm feeling that way, I address it by doing something to counteract it. If I didn't eat properly the day before, I'll grab myself my favorite lunch. If I didn't sleep properly, I'll make time for a nap. Or if I'm feeling triggered by someone else's words, I'll do some type of self-care action — a face mask, a bath, a walk, a girls’ night out."

“Allow the conversations to happen naturally and remember that it's about calling people into the conversation not calling people out. Body positivity is about education, growth, acceptance and respect. It's important that we treat those who require that extra help with the same respect. However, if you set boundaries and those around you aren't respecting them, you need to find the people who will.”

“No matter how far along in learning to love yourself, we all have low days. I respond very viscerally and emotionally to music, so I actually created a Spotify playlist I call "Pump Up" that I listen to when I feel myself slipping. The playlist is full of songs that inspire me, make me feel excited and hopeful, and maybe even a little bit defiant. Works like a charm.”

“Being in a swimsuit makes me feel good in my skin. It didn't always, it used to be the scariest thing in the world to show my body to other people. Now being in a swimsuit is like exposure therapy [to help confront fear], and I feel great. It's why I created Meekos, my big and tall swim line. I want big guys everywhere to find the freedom and confidence I found.”

“Audio books. I was never able to meditate or anything like that — my mind would never stop racing. With audio books I find myself immersed in the story, my mind quiets and my anxieties fade away.”

“Do something that scares you. For a lot of people, just being in a swimsuit in front of other people scares them. But what is the worst that could happen? Others might judge you? Their judgment is about them and their internalized biases and insecurities. If their judgments keep them from learning what a fun, kind and incredible person you are, that is their consequence, not yours.”

“Don't make it so easy for yourself to go down the rabbit hole. Turn off your notifications. Delete apps you use too much from your phone. Make social media consumption a conscious choice rather than an unconscious one. Then when you find yourself using social media, it’s with some sort of purpose or because you want to.”

“Be gentle with yourself. We all have just experienced a massive collective trauma, and your body experienced every second of that trauma with you. If your body is bigger, or smaller, slower, faster, different shaped, or textured or any other difference you love or hate, remember that that is how your body helped you survive and get through this trauma."

“There are so many incredible accounts on social media that helped me through my journey. @TheBodCon, @Chubstr, @thepowerofplus.co are incredible starting points.

If you are a book nerd like me, Body Talk by Katie Sturino is incredible. Podcasts I'd check out Fierce Fatty by Victoria Welsby or my old podcast Big Things with Zach Miko.”

“Sometimes family and friends are too close to you to see your advice objectively. In this case, lead by example. Be the best person you can be and learn to love yourself the best you can. Your actions will be a better example to those who love you than your words will ever be.”