Today we’d like to introduce you to Merilee McKinley
Hi Merilee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started when I started my social media selling handmade jewelry while I was a full-time student in college.
I loved the aspect of social media because it allowed me to reach people I would never have met otherwise! Becoming an adult is difficult for everyone, and I found comfort in learning alongside others in similar situations. After getting my degree, I dove into my own self-love journey, which was helpful for both my personal life and my career. It had become important for me to learn how to love myself without needing to compare my appearance or accomplishments to others. So many doors have opened for me ever since i started sharing my journey online, and I only hope that my passion and dedication towards a positive mental image can be shown in everything I do! I couldn’t have gotten to this point without my loving family, supportive friends, and my incredible husband.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just like with anything, there were many bumps along the way, especially as a plus sized girl… Like I mentioned before, I spent a lot of time comparing myself to others, especially in the early stages of my journey towards self-love. Social media has made it easy for anyone to fall into a downward spiral, and it took me awhile to realize that not everyone’s path to success looks the same. We all may experience similar obstacles, but everyone’s road to healthier living and a better self-image is unique to the individual. Like most people online, I’ve had my fair share of “cyber bullies.” Overcoming negative comments became an important step in the process, and I learned to block out the noise and focus on the positive. Of course, it wasn’t always easy to ignore everything, but over time, I got better at protecting my peace and reminding myself of the importance behind the way I portray myself online. It’s been a tough process, but it has been worth it because every struggle has taught me something valuable and helped me grow as a person.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the Marketing Coordinator at ATX Float, which is an amazing local business that specializes in water tubes and float accessories; basically, anything to get you out in the water and having fun! What I love most about it is that it’s a small, Austin-based company with a great vibe, and I’ve enjoyed getting to explore my creativity in working on projects that people will love. Plus, it aligns perfectly with my own love for being around water – whether I’m just lounging in a tube or actively swimming with ocean life – being near water has always been my happy place, and I’m thrilled that my passion for that can spill over into my work. In staying true to the theme of “every body is a bikini body,” my successes in plus-sized modeling have made me recognizable for body positivity content, especially when I’m rocking a bikini of my own. I have grown incredibly passionate about embracing all body types and showing that you can be confident and beautiful in anything you’re comfortable in, at any size. I think what sets me apart is the combination of my self-love journey where I grew comfortable in my own skin, alongside the fun, laid-back vibe that I try to give off in my content. My work at ATX Float just adds to my image of living a carefree, water-loving life while still feeling a sense of confidence in my own body. The sense of pride in my accomplishments grew alongside the confidence in myself, and both have reached a new peak! There’s an immense sense of gratification knowing that something I put so much time and effort into is being viewed nationwide.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
For me, the dedication towards self-love and mental health became of the utmost importance because of the increase in anxiety and isolation. Everyone has their own trials to face, and with Covid-19 forcing everyone to face these struggles in silence, the stigma towards mental health became much more visible. It just highlighted the need for even more resources and support systems, and I hope my platform becomes a safe place for as many people as possible.
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