#ThisIsActive Q&A with Louise Green, Plus Size Fitness Coach and Author of Big Fit Girl
Our #ThisIsActive Q+As are part of an ongoing series to show how plus size women live their active lives. Share your active life with us on social media by using #ThisIsActive or send your story to social@junoactive.com for a chance to be featured.
Louise Green is a thought leader in creating a world where every “body” can realize their athletic potential, regardless of their size. After a decade of relentlessly fighting for change in our fitness culture, Green authored the new book, Big Fit Girl.
Green’s passion to share this message on a global level landed her on the TEDx stage, and is currently a monthly contributor at SELF Magazine. She has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Refinery 29 and Upworthy.
In her spare time you will find Green, crushing stigma and stereotypes at the gym, in the pool or at the race. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
1. What motivated you to write your new book, Big Fit Girl?
I was motivated to write Big Fit Girl because of my own experiences as a plus-size athlete and the lack of available information that pertained to my specific needs. After moving on to get certified as a trainer and after training plus-size women for the past 10 years the conversations were endless on how they wished relevant information was available. I just saw the gap in the industry and wanted to fill it.
2. Why is it important for plus-size athletes to gain more coverage in the mainstream media?
It’s essential to see more visual representation of diverse bodies in our media message because our media acts as an unspoken invitation. Right now, our fitness media is rampant with lean, ripped, young bodies excluding a great deal of the population. When we see plus-size women depicted in positive, healthy roles in society it gives plus-size women messaging that they too can achieve those ideals. But when you remain invisible it sends a message that your not included or worthy enough to be seen. Since 67% of American women are considered plus-size we need to depict the female population in a more accurate light represent what women really look like. How can we be what we cannot see?
3. What is your favorite way to stay active?
I am really into training for triathlons right now and love swimming, biking and (sort of) love running. I also love fitness that makes me feel powerful, such as bootcamp style programs where I can be really creative in how I design them. I offer my women boxing boot camps with a strength component. We use TRX suspension, heavy bags for flipping or we grapple with them. We also use agility ladders, free weights, battle ropes, med balls, you name it, we use it. It may sound intimidating but I make it work for every “body”. I am always looking for different ways to use equipment in unconventional ways to make it fun, creative and packed with power.
4. Who inspires you?
Women who step outside the norm and show up in all their talents and glory, they inspire me. An example of this is Chrissy Metz, from This is US. Chrissy is outside of the Hollywood “norm” but has amazing talents and just went for it. Women who have the courage to do it anyway, regardless of their aversions to the norm greatly inspire me. There are so many women doing this, my clients, other plus-athletes on social media, we are creating new conversations about what it means to be a successful woman.
5. What is one piece of advice for women who might not know how to start their new active journey?
Believe in yourself and just start. Sometimes you need to fake it till you make it. Use positive affirmations: I am a rock star, I am worthy, I am an athlete, whatever feels authentic and chant it every day in your mind. Drown out the negative banter. The day you decide to start, with whatever works for you, a walk, a swim, a run, a dance, could change your life — go slow and easy and be kind to yourself.