I am thrilled to have Candace Molatore on the podcast today. I have followed Candace on Instagram for quite awhile now, and I have to say I’m obsessed! She is beautiful, with impeccable style, but more importantly- her words and writing speak to me so much. She’s like that calm, nurturing and honest friend that you cling on to every word she says to learn and do better as a person yourself.   Candace Molatore is a Self-Love Advocate, Branding Consultant and Photographer based in Portland, OR. With a passion for building community, Candace uses her photography and writing skills to broadcast the message of self confidence, body positivity and inclusivity online. She shares her interests, inspiration, tips and everyday life with her audience regularly through social media. With a modest but strong following behind her, Candace continues to spread the message of inclusivity and self-love with high-quality visuals, a strong work ethic and a mission to make everyone feel empowered in their own skin.   Today’s podcast sponsor is super special. When I approached Candace to come on the show, I mentioned a charity donation to support a cause that was important to Candace to say thank you for her time coming on the show. Candace also met my donation, and suggested that I share about the charity as the sponsor of the episode, and I thought it was such a brilliant suggestion!   So, today I am honored to tell you about the Jim Collins Foundation.    The mission of the Jim Collins Foundation is to provide financial assistance to transgender people for gender-affirming surgeries. The Jim Collins Foundation recognizes that not every transgender person needs or wants surgery to achieve a healthy transition. But for those who do, gender-affirming surgeries are an important step in their transition to being their true selves. However, access to gender-affirming surgery is impossible for most. Discrimination against transgender people is so prevalent that many transgender people struggle to survive, never mind save for surgery costs. Even for those who have health insurance, coverage is systematically denied. Many insurance policies contain a “Transsexual Exclusion Clause” which excludes all medical procedures related to a person’s transgender status. For many transgender people, access to surgery is out of reach. The Jim Collins Foundation raises money to fund gender-affirming surgeries for those transgender people who need surgery to live a healthy life, but have no ability to pay for it themselves. We recognize that for those people who require surgery for a healthy gender transition, lack of access to surgery may result in hopelessness, depression, and sometimes, suicide. The Jim Collins Foundation is a community-based initiative promoting the self-determination and empowerment of all transgender people. Click here to learn more about the Jim Collins Foundation and donate.   In this episode we discuss:  Candace shares her story and life’s journey leading her to the work she does today as a self love advocate, branding consultant and photographer What impacted Candace in the past with lack of self love and her tips for how she changed the narrative internally of her own self worth The origins of the body positive movement and how to respect its origins  How can we be more respectful to the challenges Black women face of feeling body positive and embracing wellness Candace’s tips on using social media as a way to uplift ourselves, rather than compare and judge ourselves How we can as a collective whole be more inclusive to all body sizes How we vote with our money, and choosing brands that are inclusive to all body sizes How Candace built a wardrobe and style that fits her body and represents her personality How Candace practices wellness without obsession   Learn more: Candace’s Instagram account Candace’s website Candace on staying confident in swimwear Candace on tips for confidence Brand mentioned in the episode, Girlfriend Collective