We’ve all seen the traditional before-and-after transformation photos. They usually follow a formula: heavier on the left, thinner on the right, with a proud caption about weight loss. But what if the most powerful transformations don’t follow that script? What if gaining weight was the turning point—toward confidence, freedom, and healing?
For these ten models and influencers, that’s exactly what happened. They didn’t chase skinny ideals. They walked away from harmful habits, embraced their natural bodies, and shared their truth. These aren’t just stories about size—they’re about reclaiming joy, rewriting self-worth, and showing the world that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Video: The New Supermodel Won’t Be Retouched Without a Fight: Iskra Lawrence
Iskra Lawrence: Celebrating Imperfection
Iskra Lawrence has been a longtime champion for body positivity, using her platform to dismantle toxic beauty standards. During National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, she posted a side-by-side photo showing her journey—from restrictive dieting to radical self-acceptance.
“My body is mine. Perfectly imperfect. My home to be cherished,” she wrote.
That message? It hit millions right in the heart.
Video: Iskra Lawrence on How She Learned to Love Her Body
La’Tecia Thomas: Bigger Body, Bigger Confidence
La’Tecia Thomas didn’t find happiness at a size six. In fact, she felt the opposite. Once she stopped punishing her body to fit the mold, she found peace—and power—in her plus-size frame.
“I had so many insecurities,” she said. “Now? I feel unstoppable.”
It’s not just about liking how she looks. It’s about owning her space in the world—and loving the person she’s become.
Allison Kimmey: Worthy at Every Size
Allison Kimmey’s message is all about self-worth, regardless of size, status, or circumstance. In a world eager to judge based on appearance, she claps back with something louder: joy.
“You are worthy of love, respect, and opportunity—no matter your size.”
Her posts radiate empowerment, reminding followers that growth happens from the inside out.
Dana Patterson: Mental Health Comes First
Dana Patterson’s journey is deeply personal. She opened up about her experience with an eating disorder and how weight gain was a necessary part of recovery.
“Recovery isn’t linear. But it’s worth it. And you are never alone.”
For Dana, gaining weight meant gaining freedom—from obsessive thoughts, from shame, from control. Today, she shines as a model and advocate for mental health.
Video: Hotel Strike Outtakes – Tabria Majors, Dana Patterson
Tabria Majors: From Loathing to Loving Her Curves
Tabria Majors didn’t always love her body. She admitted to once hating her reflection. Now, she flaunts her 220-pound frame with pride and confidence.
“I’ve never felt sexier. I’ve never loved my body more.”
Her transformation isn’t about numbers. It’s about how she carries herself—and how that energy attracts admiration far beyond the runway.
Aliss Bonython: Recovery with Honesty and Humor
Aliss Bonython didn’t hold back when she talked about her eating disorder. Her “before” photo didn’t show ribs or a skeletal frame—but she was miserable. Her “after”? Stronger, fuller, happier.
“I may have gotten fat, but I’m HAPPY.”
And that’s what counts. Aliss now advocates for self-love and mental health in a world obsessed with appearance.
Megan Jayne Crabbe: Body Positivity with Bite
Megan Jayne—also known as @bodyposipanda—built an online empire from honesty. She battled body dysmorphia and recovered from disordered eating. Now, she spreads radical self-love to millions.
When someone accused her of ruining her body, she shot back:
“I didn’t ruin anything. I just stopped torturing myself.”
Her bold, colorful content reminds us that self-acceptance can be revolutionary.
Jolene Jones: From Fit to Fulfilled
Jolene Jones once had a chiseled body from years of bodybuilding. But behind the abs was exhaustion. She walked away from the rigid lifestyle and found peace in softness.
“A six-pack didn’t make me happy. Your body is your home—it doesn’t need to be perfect to be worthy.”
Today, she shares wisdom about joy, nourishment, and letting go of unrealistic pressures.
Maggie Greene: Embracing Change with Compassion
Maggie Greene’s transformation came slowly—about 30 to 35 pounds gained over two years. But that shift changed everything emotionally.
Her journey was less about visuals and more about healing her relationship with food, her body, and herself. Maggie’s story reminds us that transformation isn’t always dramatic—it’s often quiet, but deeply felt.
Jovana Fit: Prioritizing Health Over Image
Jovana Fit was once praised for losing 100 pounds—but what people didn’t see was the spiral it caused. The obsession, the burnout, the eventual wake-up call.
“I became addicted to the praise, not the health.”
When she started gaining some weight back, it was a sign of recovery, not failure. Now, she focuses on strength, balance, and mental clarity.
These women challenge the idea that gaining weight is always negative. For them, it was the beginning of self-acceptance. These aren’t stories of letting go—they’re stories of letting in.
So why do these stories resonate so deeply online?
Because they feel real. Because they say what so many of us feel but are afraid to admit: Thin doesn’t always equal happy. “Fit” doesn’t always equal free. And gaining weight doesn’t mean losing value.
Letting in nourishment. Letting in joy. Letting in a body that doesn’t need to shrink to be loved.
Social media has given space for these voices to thrive—and for people everywhere to say, “Me too.”
These ten women didn’t just gain weight—they gained perspective, confidence, purpose, and joy. Their stories aren’t just inspirational. They’re essential reminders that healing doesn’t always look like losing pounds.
Sometimes, becoming your best self means taking up more space—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
So if you’re on a similar path, know this: Your journey is valid. Your worth is not tied to your weight. And your story might be the one that helps someone else begin their own.
