Mari Erika

What do you do?  I am an ace (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer independently running my passion project and business, Outlier Training, with a vision of a world where everyone has access to health and fitness. Outlier training focuses on providing accessible, long-term focused health and fitness services to marginalized bodies. I came to the fitness industry with the initiative goal of empowering folks like me who do not fit the boxes of conventional "fitness standards" and who face barriers in receiving quality fitness services. Mari Erika has a vision of a world where everyone has access to health and fitness: a queer, first generation immigrant, filipinx trainer forging spaces for healing/liberation of marginalized bodies through movement.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? It's important to be weight, size, ability, and/or disability-levels inclusive because the fitness/wellness industry is predominantly run by brands, coaches who are white, cis-male, able-bodied and speak to the same audience.

In conventional fitness, fitness is reduced as an individual responsibility. It is important to recognize that social disparities, inequalities and prejudice play a major role in receiving quality health and fitness services. Anti-fat bias and fatphobia runs deep in the wellness industry that produces a lack of weight and size inclusive services that has a negative impact on both individual and communal health. QTIBPOC, fat, disabled folks deserve a safe - space to move their bodies and to experience the benefits of movement in an environment where their needs will be listened to and prioritized.

Where to find Mari Erika (She/Her/They/Them)

Website: outliertraining.com

Instagram: @marieerika

What do you do?  I am a queer and trans south asian chubby neurodivergent

polyam therapist living working & breathing in the prairies. In my work, I focus on supporting the overall mental wellness of our queer and trans communities. I also specialize in supporting folks navigating the intersections between racialization and queerness and in navigating relationships with our bodies as we move through the world. My practice is trauma informed, integrating both EMDR and a narrative approach, holding space for peoples stories and experience.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? Weight and body inclusive care is essential to my work, because so much of the mental health care that I provide is supporting folks in unpacking the ways in which society controls and shames our bodies, minds and spirits. Part of honouring and holding space for peoples stories is also honouring their whole selves - I welcome my clients and communities to bring their bodies into our therapeutic space, in ways that feel authentic to who they are. This in itself is part of the therapeutic process.

Where to find Rohan Parikh (They/Them) 

Instagram: @shyne.counselling

What do you do?  I am a fat, queer, neurospicy, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and my main goal is to help people feel better through massage therapy. I take time to make people feel seen, heard, and validated in what is going on in their bodies. I strive to make a safe(r) space that allows any human to feel comfortable to get care, treatment and relief. I specialize in medium to deep tissue massages, cupping, tmj dysfunction, fascial work, and hot stone massage. I believe in creating a safe and inclusive space for any gender, sexuality and body type. I focus on helping people release tension and soreness in their bodies, relax the nervous system and be aware of their body. I also have a diploma in personal training, so i try to equip clients with knowledge of stretching and being mindful of movement.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? Have you ever gotten on a chair or massage table and wondered if it would hold you? Have you ever not gotten treatment or help because you are worried about people blaming your ailments on your weight? This is something i am not okay with. Everyone deserves care that is accessible and judgement free. We are all humans worthy of respect and kindness. I think weight inclusive pro fat care work is important in my work because it could open doors for humans to believe they deserve care. They can come in and receive treatment without the fear of judgement or scrutiny: to me, that means a table you feel secure on to get a massage, chairs without arm rests and blankets that can cover the whole body. It also means draping and asking for consent (which is mandatory) in every massage. 

Where to find Karlee Bryson (She/Her)

Instagram: @karleebrysonrmt

What do you do? My name is Parker Pothier and I am a counselling therapist in Edmonton. I see children ages 10 and up, as well as teens and adults. My primary areas of interest are in grief & loss and issues related to gender identity. I also work for folks with disordered eating, school troubles, phobias, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental disabilities like ADHD and autism.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? Taking a weight-inclusive approach in therapy is important to me, as a fat person myself. I grew up with mental health professionals unknowingly creating more problems for me by encouraging dieting and weight loss, instead of helping me develop a better and more functional relationship with food and movement. I see it valuable to teach clients to have a more weight-neutral perspective when working through issues related to their bodies, their gender identity, and other challenges that they experience in their lives.

Where to find Parker (They/Them)

Instagram: @parker.at.onetree

What do you do? My name is Kahn. I am a queer, trans, POC registered acupuncturist. I offer acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, electrostimulation, and tui na to address pain, sleep disorders, chronic disabilities, mental health, and trans health.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? Weight inclusion and pro fat care is important in my practice because fatphobia is still accepted in healthcare. Fat shaming prevents access to timely and appropriate care, as well as increases negative physical and emotional health outcomes. My role is to help people be grounded in their bodies and feel at home in them, especially bodies which are subject to any of the intersections of ableism, fatphobia, colonialism, transphobia, and/or racism.

Where to find Kahn (They/He)

Instagram: @acupuncturewithkahn

What do you do? My name is Ruby Smith Díaz, and I'm the founder of Autonomy Fitness, located virtually, and operating out of the unceded territories of the Stz'uminus peoples. 

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? My work as a Personal Training Specialist centers people who have been systematically marginalized by society and the fitness industry, whether it be because of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, body size, or ability. Autonomy proposes a paradigm shift within the fitness industry that is trauma informed, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and access centered. Weight inclusive practice and fat liberation are important to me because so much of fat hatred and diet culture is rooted in colonialism and anti-Black racism. As an Afro-Latina person, I refuse to replicate these norms within my work with my clients. It is also important to me however, to leave room for the tough conversations around the ways in which many of us have unconsciously internalized them, and to find joy along the way.

Where to find Ruby (She/Her/Hers)

Website: autonomyfitness.com

Instagram: @autonomyyvr

What do you do? Action Potential Fitness is a trauma-informed, body-affirming fitness facility based in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, its vision is to promote "fitness for every body and health for everyone by actively working to dismantle barriers to access and deconstruct socially oppressive narratives surrounding exercise, physical activity, health, and embodiment. Led by two award-winning, nationally recognized experts in fitness inclusion, Toni Harris (they/them) and Zita Dube-Lockhart (she/they), the APF team is proudly made up of highly educated, qualified, body-diverse exercise professionals, all of whom are actively committed to changing the social narrative of what it means to be healthy, strong, and active.

Why is weight inclusive care important to your work? At the heart of the APF vision is the belief that body diversity is a strength and a testament to humanity's adaptiveness and resilience. Fat liberation and weight inclusion are ingrained in this mandate and considered in every aspect of our operations. From our equipment and exercise selection to our marketing and hiring practices, we strive to create an environment that truly caters to all body types and abilities, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and supported. Our commitment includes offering education and training to combat weight bias, advocating for body-positive policies and systemic change, and pioneering an innovative, adaptive approach to traditional exercise strategies that celebrate every individual's unique journey toward health and well-being and underscores every person's right to dignity, belonging, and social justice.

Where to find Toni (They/Them) & Zita (She/They)

Website: actionpotentialfitness.ca

Instagram: @actionpotentialfitness