“People Wanted to Keep Me a Secret”: Plus-Size Woman’s Journey to Love and Acceptance

In a world where body shaming runs rampant, one woman defies the odds and finds love on her own terms. Meet Alex Aspasia, a plus-size model who inspires many with her unapologetic self-love and confidence. Despite hurtful comments, she has managed to rise above the negativity and focus on the positive aspects of her life. But that’s not all — she has also found love and recently made it public with her husband.

One date refused to hold her hand publicly.

Alex has faced a difficult journey towards self-love. In the past, she endured being hidden away by the men she once dated, with one even shying away from holding her hand in public due to her being plus-sized. These hurtful experiences left her feeling undeserving, inadequate, and devoid of beauty.

She said, “I used to see people who wanted to keep me a secret. Another refused to hold my hand in public because I was plus-sized. It made me feel unworthy. Not good enough. Not beautiful. I hit that low, and I remember thinking — ’I’ll never let anyone let me feel that way again.’”

Her husband showers her with love and affection.

Now, she has proudly shared her relationship with her new beau with the world. The couple’s TikTok clips showcase their affection for each other with cuddles, loving gazes, and sweet kisses on the lips. It’s a heartwarming display of love that reminds us all that size should never be a barrier to finding someone special.

They met on a dating app.

Alex Aspasia’s journey to finding love has been nothing short of remarkable. In the summer of 2019, she met her now-husband, Matthew, a digital marketer, on a dating app. And the two instantly hit it off. Their connection was so strong that they decided to tie the knot in April 2022, solidifying their love and commitment to each other.

Trolls called her husband “desperate”.

However, their love story hasn’t been without its challenges. Alex has faced her fair share of body-shaming and negative comments as a plus-sized model. Strangers on the internet have told her that she will “crush his legs” and that he is “desperate” to be with her. But despite these hurtful remarks, the couple remains smitten and unfazed by the negativity.

“It’s horrible. But we are 100 percent smitten with each other. I know my worth now. Just because you are overweight or plus-sized, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love. I want people to know you are worthy.”

The progress she has achieved would fill her younger self with immense pride and admiration.

Despite the cruel comments she receives online, this size 26 model has learned to love showing off her body. Reflecting on her journey, she remarks, “If you would have told younger me I would publicly be in a bikini at my size I never would have believed you.”

Unfortunately, her detractors have prompted her to cover up in the past, with her remarking that “My mum, she didn’t force me, but I had to wear those really ugly one-pieces, covering up as much as I can.”

“It’s okay to embrace your belly, big thighs, big arms — it’s there, it’s not going anywhere, it’s hot outside, and I don’t want to be in triple layers.”

She knows how to stand up to body shaming.

Alex has faced relentless criticism and body shaming online. She remembers how hurtful it was to be called a “beach whale,” sarcastically remarking, “They’re like ’spotted the beach whale.’ I’m like, ’That’s original, at least come up with something good.’”

Unfortunately, the negativity doesn’t stop there, as others assert that big women shouldn’t show their bodies, deeming big bellies “disgusting”. However, Alex stands proud of her body, recognizing that “This is a real woman’s body, real women have cellulite, stretch marks, rolls.”

She encourages plus-size women to never shy away from putting on their favorite bikini.

She passionately encourages others to embrace their bodies and celebrate their journeys toward self-acceptance. She firmly believes that anyone who is considering wearing a bikini for the first time should go for it, whether it’s in the privacy of their own home or in their backyard. She asserts, “Put it on, and just know your body is worthy — get it out.”

Alex realizes the significance of her actions and the impact she has on others, particularly women who share her body type. She exclaims, “Women who look like me, they feel like they can put that bikini on now after seeing me in it, that’s what’s important.”

While we come to the end of this touching journey filled with love and acceptance, a new chapter unfolds. Join us in this forthcoming segment as a plus-size model courageously addresses the hurtful sentiments that her partner is “out of her league.”