Megan in her own words: “I’m Megan (she/her) and I live in Portland, OR. I’m on a mission to inspire people to live their life without limits. I want to show people that you can do, be and live however you want AND that you can change your mind about what that means any time you want. Your mind has the power to climb whatever mountains your facing and I’m here to help guide you. I fell in love with rock and mountain climbing 4 years ago and struggled to find my place at first. Instagram played a huge role in helping me step into my power when I started following other plus size adventurers. I want to increase representation of plus size people in the outdoors, especially in leadership/guide roles. I want to see more people who look like me in marketing from outdoor gear companies. And I REALLY want to get better technical gear for bigger bodies so we can keep doing all the things outside safely (and even fashionably? What a dream).” Dr. Megan Banker practices from a Health at Every Size model meaning she teaches her patients how to improve their health without focusing on weight. Megan is a co-founder of Climb Big, an initiative to increase representation of plus size rock climbers. “My body is not an object for your actions or feelings to be directed. My body is not a thing that receives action or inaction. It does not exist for your fantasy, ridicule, attitudes, judgements, lust, admiration or hatred. My body is a subject. It is. It does. It moves. It breathes. It experiences. It loves. It is so much more than an object. My body is a subject.” - Shared by Megan on IG - 3rd April 2021. Content Warning: We talk about bullying and dieting at a young age. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Show notes 31 years old, Living in Portland, Oregon Being a plus sized climber Growing up in Central California Being the oldest of 3 girls Growing up in a bigger body Starting swimming at 4 years old Going to an academically intense prep school Taking up rugby in college Deciding to become a Doctor… Reflecting back on her teenage years Being put on a diet at 8 years old Yo-yo dieting Living in a bigger body Building self confidence through sport Why rugby is such an inclusive sport Stepping into her power as a bigger bodied woman Loving the physicality of rugby Joyful movement Getting into hiking in her late 20s Moving to Portland after Grad School in 2015 Joining Meet Up to connect with others Gaining new skills in climbing The Mazamas 8 week Course (Portland) Solo hiking and wild camping for the first time The biggest challenge Megan has had to face in the outdoors Being competitive with herself Putting pressure on herself Fat is not a feeling Becoming her own best friend Being kind to herself Not having a good experience while Snowboarding Feel the feelings Balancing the stresses of life Meeting husband The power of role models The women who inspire Megan in the climbing and hiking space Unlikely Hikers - A diverse outdoor community🌲, hiking group 🥾 & podcast 🎧 for the underrepresented hiker Jenny Bruso - @jennybruso Sam Ortiz - @samortizphoto INFJ 🦖PlusSize Latinx Mountaineer🗻Founder of @climb.big Adventure Photographer 📸She/Her 🏕 Sharing beginner tips for new hikers Mirna Valerio @themirnavator What PDX stands for Words she would have wanted to hear when she was younger Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder “Choose to be brave” Social Media Climb Big Website - A community for fat and plus size rock climbers. Stories, Events & Education www.climbbig.org Instagram @pdxoutdoorchiro @climb.big
