Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Harrod.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After years of self-loathing and yoyo dieting, I went on a trip to NYC only to come home and realize I couldn’t diet anymore. I had reached a breaking point. I deleted my fitness/weightloss IG and created The Self Love Squad.
I had spent over half my life believing that everything would be perfect once I got thin (a boyfriend, bustling social life, and a better job would just magically fall into my new smaller lap). But the truth is you can’t hate yourself happy. I now am on a mission to curate a big and fabulous life through humor, therapy, and honesty without trying to shrink my body.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to self-acceptance is sadly never smooth. Diet culture is such a huge part of our society, so trying to explain to people that I gave up dieting and was ok with my subsequent weight gain was not an easy feat. I also went vegan last year after a health scare and having to dismantle the idea that veganism is just another weight loss tool has been a struggle. Sharing your life on the internet means everyone feels they are allowed to voice their opinions.
Please tell us about The Self Love Squad. What should we know?
I consider The Self Love Squad more of a community than a business. If I had to pick what I’m “known for” I think it would be my humorous IG stories about my daily musings as a plus-size black queer vegan woman trying to love herself. That and my unhealthy obsession with the Kpop group BTS. (RM is my bias)
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are two groups of people who have helped make The Self Love Squad what it is today: 1) The people I knew from my old IG that followed me over to support me in this new journey and 2) All the amazing strangers who saw my page and connected with it. Oh, also my therapist for helping me sort out my heat and my brain. Love you all dearly!
Contact Info:
- Email: selflovesquad@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @the_self_love_squad
- Twitter: @selflovesquadig
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