How Latoya Snell, aka Running Fat Chef, finds joy and release in movement

How Latoya Snell, aka Running Fat Chef, finds joy and release in movement

In October 2012, Latoya Snell felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her back and over the next “year from hell” was diagnosed with a series of spinal problems and immune system complications.

To cope with these increasing health issues, Snell turned to exercise to gain control of her physical and mental well-being. She eventually fell in love with running and lost 100 pounds in the process, but with that came disrupted nutrition.

“[I knew about] these types of eating disorders, but I had a hard time connecting them to myself,” she says. "Unfortunately, educational marketing about the dangers of an eating disorder doesn't think about marginalized people. Visually, I mostly saw materials with women with exceptionally small frames on brochures and didn't imagine my former 5'3" 165-pound body as a person with anorexia. When I add race and sexual identity[Snell identifies as bisexual and queer]it was different Kind of hell.” (See: What It's Like to Be a Black, Body-Confident Female Trainer in an Industry That's Predominately Skinny and White)

Snell calls this time a “dark spot” in her life. “I wanted to call myself an athlete, but I neglected to acknowledge that I was an athlete,” she says. "There is no uniform or pretense of being one. Showing up, respecting your boundaries and listening to your body's love language when you need to refuel or rest is how you become an athlete. This is the peace I have found with my body and how it works; I'm just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up."

Eventually, Snell found hard-earned self-love, and she uses her personal journey to help the rest of the world "catch up" by motivating others through her blog, The Running Fat Chef. In the process, she has not only regained her own health, but has also made a name for herself as a motivational speaker, advocate and athlete, having run well over 200 road, trail and obstacle course racing events since 2014. And in her latest endeavor — a collaboration with fitness brand Gymshark as part of their United We Sweat campaign — Snell is using her platform to empower athletes of all backgrounds to feel confident in their own skin.

“I adopted the pseudonym Running Fat Chef after becoming frustrated with how the word ‘fat’ was weaponized and used as an insult to people,” says Snell. “As a former chef [she formerly worked as a freelance food stylist, photographer, and within corporate dining and restaurants], I like to associate the word “fat” with taste, fullness and soul. And when I think about the term fat in relation to the human body, when fat cells release storage, that provides the body with energy. A few years into my fitness journey, I began to wonder why people whisper a description but conveniently misuse the terminology. To gain power over the word, I incorporated it into my blog business name.”

Initially, people thought the decision was "brave and slightly absurd," but Snell says she believes the brand's name forces people to confront their own prejudices about the term "fat" and its historically negative connotations. “For those who are plus-size and are embarrassed to be called that term, I want us all to see our power,” she says. "It's impossible to live without body fat, and I'm not ashamed of having a little more of it on my body."

Latoya Snell, The Running Fat Chef

Every time I move my limbs, I know that this act is a privilege. I am reminded by every conscious breath I must take during these movements that it is my right to be here and that I do not need to ask permission to exist or thrive in this world.

– Latoya Snell, the Running Fat Chef

Snell hopes her partnership with Gymshark will help bring the rest of the world up to speed. “I love the message and the common goal: to bring people together, celebrate our strength and bask in our victories,” she says. "For nearly a decade, I've wondered privately and publicly when I'll see a version of myself in fitness somewhere. I'm grateful to see more body diversity in sport - whether we're referring to race, size or ability - but I know there's still work to be done. Having the opportunity to join together with a large community to spread this message on a global scale means more to me than I can describe. One of the many Being faces on a campaign that is bigger than me makes me feel like we are working towards the inclusive fitness space that many of us want to see.” (Related: How to Create an Inclusive Wellness Environment)

While Snell has worked tirelessly to make progress in her own eating disorder recovery, her relationship with her body, and her role as an athlete, she acknowledges the countless obstacles and intimidation factor that may keep new exercisers on the sidelines.

For those who feel marginalized in the exercise world, she offers some words of wisdom: "If you want to start weaving fitness into your life, allow it to fill you with joy, purpose, and fun," she says. "Don't compare your movement to another person. Each person is a unique moving canvas and does not have to coexist the same way. Take your time with the process, start it as many times as you feel necessary, and don't stress about being the only person in a room who looks like you. If this is problematic, create your own tribe. Each group begins with one person meeting another with a common thought. I promise you, that you won't be the only person out there looking for community. And if you want to move alone, there’s nothing wrong with exploring yourself and creating your own adventure.” (Related: Black Trainers and Fitness Pros to Follow and Support)

As Snell looks to the future of making fitness accessible to all, she reflects on the individuality and diversity that are so central to making it a reality. “Your performance may not look like another person,” she says. "The way someone else moves is not meant for public consumption. While it's nice to be open and vulnerable about our athleticism, some are either still finding their way, building their confidence to share with others, or may want to keep it to themselves. Let's pay attention to some of our expressions when empowering others. When in doubt, ask if it's okay to offer help, an opinion, or even a compliment to insert. While I tend to believe that many of us have the best intentions, we are not fully knowledgeable about someone else's backstory."

And for those who may still fall prey to diet culture's pervasive messages that lead you to believe that pathetic workouts, restrictive eating, and other forms of self-punishment are the stepping stones to better health, Snell encourages more self-exploration and less obsessive rigidity. (Also read: The Intersection of Diet Culture and Racism)

“There are a lot of conflicting messages about health, especially when the diet industry is a multibillion-dollar business that preys on our insecurities,” she says. "At one point I equated weight loss with happiness and personal success. Incorporating fitness into your daily life serves a greater purpose than just the physical benefits... Some of diet culture's toxic messages are rooted in those who look like me. Well, I don't want or need to view my body as something that needs to shrink. I love taking up space without the permission of others.