*TW - Eating disorders and suicide are talked about in this episode*
In this episode we head over across the ditch and I chat with Nicole from Governors Bay New Zealand - The founder and owner of Lulah Collective.
Lulah Co. is the creative expression of Nicoles dreams and values. It’s a manifestation of her devotion to supporting other women who have walked the same path she has, the journey towards true self-love and body positivity. She wanted to create an activewear brand that created a space for women to love their fuller figures through joyful movement and forged some fiery change in the plus-size fashion industry!
Why? It’s her dream to empower women to come to a space of love within and for their bodies. Nicole struggled with this for years, and still can be wobbly some days. When she was in a bigger body she was teaching yoga , but wasn't able to easily find a brand that catered to her curves....let alone nourished her soul. At this time all she saw was women who looked nothing like her "shredding" it at the gym in an attempt to prep their summer bodies. She thought that it would make her happy to look like them.She lost 50kg and life was easier. People treated her differently, the world was kinder... but the joy of this was fleeting as she still felt insecure and unhappy in her body. In the last year her body shape has changed again, becoming softer and more curvy. Nicole felt panicked and confused what body shape and size would ever make her feel happy and safe? This part of her story is what has brought her to the body acceptance and positivity movements- of learning to love her body through thick and thin. Of choosing moving her body to feel good, not to conform to beauty standard and fitspo bullshit. She see that the majority of activewear brands, though becoming increasingly size-inclusive, still advocate that movement is a means to change your size or shape. The movement towards a more body positive activewear industry is happening slowly, but why not speed things up?
Nicole wants to see body diversity represented by more activewear brands. She wants to see size-inclusive brands that go beyond a size 26 and most of all, she wants to see a strong body-positive message.
Lulah Collective is your size-inclusive and totally body-positive active-wear brand designed by curvy babes, for curvy babes. They empower gals to move their bodies from a place of joy and love, and to feel great doing it! They wanted to see an activewear brand that represented our bodies! Bodies with glorious curves. To see a brand that served gals with bounteous hips, thighs and bums. Babes who deserved to be celebrated and supported to move without limitation. And so here is Lulah Collective, created with heart, sass and soul, just for you! They are building a diverse community who embrace their curves- we hope that Lulah Co. will inspire you to love and nurture yourself through movement.
Check out Lulah Collectives podcast, The Body Posi Club for chats with real women and industry professionals on a range of inspiring topics through a body positive lens.
Nicole is also a therapist and will be opening her private practice in 2023.
To purchase her activewear or to contact Nicole:
Instagram: @lulahcollective
Website: lulahcollective.com
Podcast: The Body Posi Club Podcast
*If you are having a difficult time and need help please reach out to:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
24/7 support
