FAT People Are Successful Too!

THE VISION OF SUCCESS

If I asked you to close your eyes and envision a successful person, you will probably have a very distinct image of what success looks like. Your vision might resemble successful people that you have encountered in your life or maybe even a Hollywoodesque-looking individual.

For most people, the image of success is tall, attractive, well dressed, well-groomed, and most importantly FIT. And while there are many examples of successful people that defy most of these physical attributes, there is one expectation that is RARELY relinquished, the idea that a successful person should be FIT. The general sentiment is that FAT PEOPLE ARE LAZY AND UNDISCIPLINED, and success takes discipline, right?

SHE DOESN'T "LOOK" SUCCESSFUL

I recall several times during my career people saying or emphatically implying that my obesity was a bad look. I could hear the not-so-quiet whispers say "she doesn't look branding expert' or "I'm surprised she's so big at her level (of success)".

For a long time, I bought into the malarkey. I felt like I wasn't supposed to be successful. At least not until I was an "acceptable" size. So I worked hard at losing weight all the while hiding my face and my accolades.

For the first 5 years of my entrepreneurial journey, I hid behind the well-selected stock images I used to market my company. That was until the trend of "personal branding" high-jacked my marketing strategy. Eventually, I got up enough courage to use very well-edited headshots. But under no circumstances would I be pictured below the shoulders.

For more than a decade, I moved quietly in the shadows so as to not draw too much attention to myself. But sometimes your work will create its own spotlight. That's what happened in my case.

SUCCESS IS NOT A SIZE!

I never made any attempt to gain visibility or accolades. Yet, several major media outlets found me. I never applied for any accolades, yet I was recognized by some of the most prestigious organizations in the business community. I never wanted to be SEEN, yet important people came looking for me.

Then it hit me one day. SUCCESS is not a size. It's a mindset partnered with damn good results. Once I understood that and embraced my body, brand, and general badass-ed-ness. It was then that my client list and my cash flow exploded in ways that I had never imagined.

JUST IMAGINE

Imagine how much time I wasted hiding for fear of rejection. All the time there were people looking for me and ready to embrace every pound of imperfection that I carried. Think about all the opportunities that I missed because I was hiding behind my shame. Consider all of the happiness that I delayed because I didn't believe that I deserved it. Just imagine!

MESSAGE:

My goal in writing this message is the hope that someone who is hiding will find the courage to allow the spotlight to find them.

No matter your imperfection,

there is someone who sees you

as perfect for them.

Happy Branding! - Jai