60. Breaking Barriers: Surfing, Gear, and Body Neutrality with Move Fat Girl

Working on your cross-stepping or noseriding? 👉  Learn more about the Noseride Blueprint"What would 10-year-old me do?” That exact question led Kim Merrikin, founder of @movefatgirl, to reconnect with the hobbies she’d tucked away as a young girl. After feeling fat-shamed out of sports, Kim ignored her interest in physical activities for decades, believing there wasn’t a place for her in these spaces. But today, she's rewriting that story—pursuing surfing, hockey, and advocating for inclusivity in sports despite the severe lack of size diversity in available gear. Her journey is proof that sports and outdoor spaces are for everyone, no matter their body size.Kim’s honesty and determination highlight both the barriers and beauty of getting back into sports, especially for women looking to surf and thrive in a world that often feels body-exclusive. If you’ve ever questioned where you fit in, her story will speak to you.In this episode of Confessions of a Surf Lady, the first women’s surfing podcast, we chat with Kim about what it took to reclaim her athletic identity, the body stigma she’s faced, and the frustration of finding gear that actually fits. Kim’s candor is a breath of fresh air—she’ll have you thinking twice about what “inclusivity” really means, and she encourages all of us to see the ocean (and any sport we love) as a place that’s ours to enjoy no matter what size or shape you come in.Main Themes:Reclaiming Joy in Sports Despite Societal Barriers"What would 10-year-old me do?" became Kim’s guiding question to reconnect with the sports and hobbies she loved but set aside. Her journey reveals the deep joy and confidence that come from reclaiming sports spaces as a plus-size woman and challenges the idea that only certain body types "belong" in these spaces.The Challenge of Gear Accessibility in SportsKim opens up about the lack of size-inclusive gear in the surfing and sports industries, sharing her frustrations in finding essential equipment, like wetsuits and hockey pads, in plus sizes. This conversation highlights the need for size diversity in gear to make sports more accessible for everyone.Body Neutrality and Creating an Inclusive Ocean SpaceMoving beyond body positivity, Kim talks about embracing body neutrality—focusing on what the body can do rather than how it looks. She encourages a view of the ocean and sports spaces as accessible to all, fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for women of every shape and size.ResourcesFollow Kim: Get inspired by Kim’s journey and advocacy for size inclusivity on Instagram at @movefatgirl.Shop Dip and get 15% OFF with the code "confessionsofasurflady" at checkout at Dipalready.comJoin our global women’s surf community — The Surf Société — and start your free 7-day trial today. 🔗 Click here to join nowShop Dip and get 15% OFF with the code "confessionsofasurflady" at checkout at Dipalready.comHost Laura Day: Connect with me at @confessionsofasurfladySend us Fan Mail! Be sure to put your contact info in the message :)Support the showConfessions of a Surf Lady, women's surfing podcast, is supported by The Surf Société, our unique digital women's surfing platform where we come together to Learn More. Surf Better. Live Happy. Learn more at Surfsociete.com