Yesterday I got an urgent call from a Seven Sharp producer asking me to come on the show to talk about gorgeous model Tess Holliday and to give some advice to two women who had entered a beauty pageant. Despite being on vacation with my family, I said I’d love to – because I think that any occasion to speak to the general masses about the importance of body positivity and versatility in the media is extremely important. They found a cameraman and a place for me to do a live cross, while I went home to wash my hair (because really, who wants to go on TV with greasy hair?) and answer a list of questions to help guide the interviewer.
Tess Holliday © Charlotte Hackett / MiLK Management
Imagine my surprise when I’m sitting in front of the camera speaking to Seven Sharp host Mike Hosking and he doesn’t ask me about the wonderful things Tess is doing, or anything about Natasha and Ashlee entering the Face Of The Globe beauty pageant. For those of you who missed it, here is a clip of the pageant feature and me speaking afterward.
A quick (nervous) pre-interview selfie
While I did get to speak about the importance of body positivity, I felt like a bit of a record on repeat because the interviewer clearly didn’t grasp the concept that body positivity is for all bodies. As my collaboration Both Sides of the Scales with fellow blogger Becca Jane Lee shows, body shaming is not limited to one size. It’s the same with a negative self image – women of all shapes and sizes (and men as well) express often their dissatisfaction with their weight, their figure, their features, their abilities, their worth… you get the picture. It’s not always about being picked on for being fat or being skinny; or for your large nose or the gap in your teeth. Sometimes it’s about internalised issues, and that can affect anyone regardless of age, race, or social status (even those people who you might look at and think that they have the perfect body, flawless makeup and not a hair out of place).
Encouraging a positive attitude towards your body, practising good self care (including but not limited to: eating in a way that nourishes your body to allow it to perform at it’s best, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and doing things that make you feel good), dressing with confidence and knowing that damn it – you look fabulous in that dress – is important. You deserve respect (both from others and from yourself), regardless of what you look like.
Do you have any suggestions on how to practice body positivity? Share them below!
GOD. We have so far to go. “How much is it an excuse?”
I can’t wait for the day when people realize that bullying and feeling ashamed of your body ISN’T NATURAL. It’s a completely learned bias that hasn’t always existed and needs to go. NOW.
Sigh.
Nice work lady. That was a tricky one;)
Thanks Jes! I find him so frustrating as an interviewer because it’s really obvious that he has his mind made up about things and isn’t open to actually hearing anyone else’s point of view – I feel like I’m just on repeat sometimes *sigh*
I really enjoyed you on TV too 🙂 You were a natural. I think part of body positivity is seeing yourself as a whole rather than focusing on parts eg you are not your thighs or your nose etc. We don’t have to love everything about our bodies, it’s natural to have parts of you that you like more than others, but we need to see ourselves as a whole and love ourselves for that. Also unfollow social media that makes you feel bad about your body. I’ve worked with many women who have found this has helped with their journey to body positivity.
Thanks Nicola! And some great advice – especially the bit about social media, so important.
Great work on the TV Megan – you were more composed than a lot of professional panelists – Nicely done!
Thanks Annie! I really enjoy speaking in person, whether it’s to five people or five hundred – television certainly is a whole different ball game (especially when it’s just you and a camera man in a room and you can’t see the person you’re speaking to!).
AGREED! So well done.
“there is no wrong way to have a body” YOU’RE THE BEST! I love this Meagan. Hosking isn’t my favourite by any stretch of the imagination but you were so well-spoken and articulate (& you looked gorgeous!) despite him not taking the message on board.
Thanks Elese! xo
Yes! That’s why I love your blog so much. You have a message that we all need to hear, not just people of a certain size.
Hi Meagan
You did such a great job on-air. Poised, articulate and awesome. You were up against that giant tosser Mike Hosking who clearly wanted to push his own views. He missed the point but your point came through clearly. Thanks.
Thanks Anna!