We recently connected with Fairen Kia and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Fairen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I am a self-published author, podcast personality, graphic designer, motivational speaker, positivity influencer, and the creator, founder, of Love Thy Belly. LTB is the premiere body positive organization committed to the representation of fat and large bodies in multimedia forms. Love Thy Belly was a passion project and labor of love I began as I healed from an abusive relationship. As a movement is is dedicated to promoting body positivity and self-acceptance, with a specific focus on cultivating a culture of love and appreciation for all body shapes and sizes. I strive to create a supportive community that fosters inclusive conversations, education, and empowerment, empowering individuals to embrace their bodies with kindness and compassion. Through advocacy, education, and awareness initiatives, I aim to challenge societal norms and stereotypes, fostering a world where every individual can confidently love and embrace their unique bodies As a body-positive activist, it is my mission and purpose to change the narrative of the word fat from a negative one to a positive one. Through fieldwork and experience, I place myself and many other plus/big/fat people in positions to be represented through fat positive work. Love Thy Belly, is currently working on securing a location in which to hold forums, workshops, conferences, and special events. Using the platform of body freedom activism, the mission is to be immersed in a community dedicated to helping all people foster and develop their leadership skills. Love Thy Belly, seeks to honor individuals during their process of self-development and building self-confidence. To encourage them as they grow through education, advocacy, and action. Through professional, volunteer, and college campus experiences, Fairen demonstrates the ability to impact all people at many stages of their lives. I would like to share my expertise to guide others on their personal journals by reaching as many people as I can.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For decades I refused to look at myself in the mirror. I rejected the idea of full-body photos. My physical appearance was a prison. I locked myself away and didn’t allow myself to feel or accept REAL love. So I never knew what it looked like. I allowed my body to be used and abused because I thought I deserved it. I listened to harmful words and told myself I was unattractive and my body was wrong. I reminded myself each day how flawed my body was. I wouldn’t allow love inside, I only knew pain.

It wasn’t until 2015 that I forced myself to see the beauty in WHO I am. I took control of my life, of my own narrative. I made a promise to myself that I would love my body in all that she was and would become.
I wrote a letter reminding myself of my value, that my life had a purpose. I empowered myself by listening to the narratives of others, sharing their own stories through art, literature, and music. I began to share my story, being vulnerable about my experiences with my body. Opening myself up to the ridicule and praise that would come.

I took control of my social media. I allowed images and stories that spoke positively about fat women and fat bodies. I watched movies and videos about body positivity. I accepted comments from those who saw the light in my message and wanted to use it to inspire their own truth. I shared my knowledge, my weaknesses, my trials, and more importantly my triumphs. I wanted people to see the darkest parts of my journey and know that there is another side, a loving side.

I am pushing to change presumptions about fat bodies. I seek to obliterate the use of the word fat with negativity. I work for there to be visual representations that allow big women to feel safe.
Big/fat/plus/curvy bodies are beautiful and sexy, not in spite of their size. This platform is to five fat bodies space to embrace their reflection, because of the times, I failed to do so myself.

My brand, #LoveThyBelly was conceived by the idea of loving one’s FULL self, to attain self-adoration and self-desire. I view the belly as the powerhouse of the body and the core of where self-love resides.
At any state your body is beautiful, even when you can no longer remember to see the beauty, I want people to be reminded that it is ever-present.
You deserve the most abundant love of the universe, open yourself up to it, allow it to flow through your being and into others.
BE the light that others would deny you of.
Free yourself from anything that would destroy you!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

For me as a creative supporting artists and cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem requires us to empathize with the challenges they face. Providing accessible financial support, affordable workspaces, and comprehensive arts education can significantly impact artists’ ability to pursue their passion and sustain themselves. Celebrating local artists through exhibitions and festivals, and advocating for fair copyright laws, shows our recognition of their talent and dedication. By fostering community engagement and providing essential benefits like healthcare and insurance, we acknowledge the value of artists’ contributions and support their well-being. Investing in technology and advocating for arts-friendly policies further enriches our cultural landscape. Empathy is key to creating an environment that values and empowers artists, ensuring a vibrant creative community for everyone to enjoy.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission of Love Thy Belly is dedicated to promoting body positivity and self-acceptance, with a specific focus on cultivating a culture of love and appreciation for all body shapes and sizes. We strive to create a supportive community that fosters inclusive conversations, education, and empowerment, empowering individuals to embrace their bodies with kindness and compassion. Through advocacy, education, and awareness initiatives, we aim to challenge societal norms and stereotypes, fostering a world where every individual can confidently love and embrace their unique bodies

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lovethybelly.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovethybelly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovethybelly1/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lovethybelly9
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovethybelly?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCxoZ2opcs9HtR5GPiGMWlw