Episode 185: Plus size body pride with Lauren Chan

The Diet Diaries

I am thrilled to share today’s episode with you featuring plus size model, former fashion editor and plus size clothing designer Lauren Chan.
Lauren was recently featured on the pages of the 60th anniversary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and she’s here talking today about her experience shooting for the magazine, the changes in plus size modeling over her 10 years in the business, how she manages her own body image and so much more.
I discovered Lauren through Sarah Landry of The Birds Papaya when she posted an unposed photo of herself at the end of her SI shoot day—and seeing my own body reflected in her photo was one of the most powerful and significant experiences I’ve had for my own body image.
Here’s a peek at what you’ll hear during our conversation:

• How and why we need to stop comparing ourselves to models and influencers
• The evolution of plus size modeling and body inclusivity
• The specific skills and tools Lauren uses to work on her own thoughts and body image issues
• A behind the scenes breakdown of everything that goes into the final image we see in a magazine or on social media and how to not compare your self to what you se
• Lauren’s experience of coming out and experiencing the female gaze vs the male gaze
• How Lauren navigated her body size and shape as a girl and young adult
• What does the word flattering actually mean and should we be using it?
• Lauren’s experience with disordered eating and how she has healed from it

This conversation is no question a top 5 moment of my career—I am incredibly grateful to Lauren for honesty and vulnerability. She reminds us that we are never alone in doing this work, that beauty is in bodies of all shapes and all sizes and how to truly learn to see and believe that.
Lauren Chan is a size-inclusion activist, having made an impact on the fashion industry over the past decade as a model (JAG), fashion editor (Glamour), and exited plus-size clothing brand founder (Henning, acquired by Universal Standard). In 2023, she became a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie and has since branched into television hosting. Chan identifies as AAPI and LGBTQ+; her pronouns are she/her.
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Lotte Van Ejk, the influencer Lauren referred to during the episode
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