I am all in for body positivity. The people who inspire me the most is not the ones with the thinnest, most muscly, least fat, most something else, least something else bodies. It’s those who inspire people to be positive, to be the best version of themselves – to strive for a healthy mind and body.
It’s those who realize that everyone deserves respect no matter what they look like.
Here’s some of the people I think rocked at being body positive in 2015.
Matt Joseph Diaz
I’ve followed Matt on tumblr for a while now, and he’s amazing. In march he posted a video showing his excess skin following a 270 lbs weight loss. But he isn’t just inspirational because of the viral video – he is an advocate for body positivity and self love and is continuing to make helpful videos and blog posts. He’s very eloquent his thoughts are worth listening to.
The Dancing Man
In a better world this story wouldn’t exist. The Dancing man was shamed online by group of people “Spotted this specimen trying to dance the other week. He stopped when he saw us laughing.“. Before you lose all faith in humanity, you should see how people responded – especially a group of 1700 women in LA who threw him a dancing party!
By the way, his name is Sean
Valerie – Big Gal Yoga
Instagram // Tumblr // Website
There’s isn’t a single event that makes Valerie awesome. She is that by showing you that you can be big, do yoga – AND be amazing at it. She often hosts monthly yoga challenges, and her beautiful pictures continue to motivate and inspire me.
Jessica Kane
Jessica Kane is on this list for not being brave. She excellently explains why she shouldn’t be called brave in her instagram post below
Erica Schenk & Womens Running
You can be fat, exercise and look fab at the same time. Hopefully that doesn’t come as a surprise to you. But for some reason, the women featured on the cover of fitness magazines are always very slender. Thankfully, Women’s Running changed that by featuring Erica Schenk on the cover of their august issue. More of that, thanks!
Meet our August cover runner, Erica Schenk. Our August issue hits newsstands on Tuesday! http://t.co/iN0tddy9eG pic.twitter.com/70fTyxYyVw
— Women's Running (@WomensRunning) July 16, 2015
An honourary mention goes out to the fabulous Gabourey Sidibe.
This list is far from complete – each day there is more and more people rocking body positivity. There’s still a long way to go, but I still hope that someday the body positivity movement won’t be a movement any more – because it will be so ingrained in the way we think. There’s always a reason to hope, right?
Who do you think should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments!

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I loved this post! I am getting fit and healthy this year so this was fab to read, the dancing man gave me so much love last year he was adorable and loved how everyone loved him so much! Just shows size doesn’t mean anything! Xx
OliviaCheryl.com
Yes, all people of all sizes deserve love and respect! Have a great (& fit) 2016 Olivia x
I love seeing people who aren’t the typical thin white girl doing yoga! Fantastic.
Corinne x
Thanks Corinne!! x
Great post!! I am so happy you are showing that all body types can enjoy fitness and feel confident while doing it x
http://ellaelizabeth.co.uk/
Thanks Ella! I feel like it’s a really important thing to do, and I’m glad you enjoy reading x
The dancing man looked so sad! I was so angry when I read about that and it gave me so much hope for this messed up world when I read about the women throwing a party for him.
On one side it’s so sad how people think it’s funny to laugh about others and make them feel bad about themselves, on the other side I’m enormously glad that there are people in the world who care and try to lift the victims of these attacks up.
I’m also glad about all these people showing that you don’t need a model body to be beautiful, active, fit and have a great life. For 2016, can more people accept that, please? Can we be more accepting and stop judging people for what they are or what they look like?
Great post, Anne! 🙂
Sassy xx
Loved this post! I also ❤️ Kathryn Budig. Check out : http://www.mindbodygreen.com/revitalize/video/i-am-a-real-woman-so-is-every-other-woman
Thank you Hanna! I’m currently 4 minutes into the video, and I already love her!!
Oh I know!! I watched it at least three times!
I’m checking that out too! I love the title <3