4 Black Plus-Size Outdoor Influencers You Should Be Following
Interview responses have been edited for brevity and clarity
Nature knows no size; so why are most outdoor models and athletes below a U.S. size 16? Historically, the face of outdoor recreation has been limited to white, straight-size people, but this is changing—thanks to the hard work of diverse plus-size influencers. These four content creators, and many like them, are increasing representation and telling their own stories of what it means to be Black, plus-size and outdoorsy.
1. Kanoa Greene
Photo credit: Andrey Montoya
“We deserve to be in these spaces.”
Wherever you find consistent surf and offshore winds, you’ll spot Kanoa Greene popping up on a surfboard with a warm smile. Kanoa is a Black, Hawaiian, and Filipino plus-size influencer who began her outdoor journey in 2016 after permanently losing vision in her right eye. Surfing and movement provided her with an outlet to adjust to her new reality. She has since become a certified fitness trainer, yoga instructor, and aerial yoga instructor – the friendly face she needed at the beginning of her journey. After her first few outdoor excursions, she got a different perspective on the joy that movement could provide.
“It was the first time where I looked at movement as more than just exercise or a space where I was being judged for existing in my body,” said Kanoa, who has gained a following of over 31,000 people online. Her content features a range of activities, from surfing to aerial yoga and gym sessions to paddleboarding.
“There’s this whole narrative of how I’m supposed to move as a plus-size person to shrink my body or to lose weight,” said Kanoa, “I wanna see what my body can do and where it can go in the outdoors.”
@kanoagreene I founded #nakoaadventure to create space for #plussize ♬ original sound - KanoaGreene
In doing so, she wants to inspire others to do the same. She created NAKOA Adventure, an adventure travel company that helps plus-size people explore outdoor recreation in a safe, accessible space. Nakoa means brave or daring in Hawaiian. “For me, Nakoa Adventure was about sharing a space for plus-size people created by a plus-size person,” she said.
Eight years in, Kanoa is genuinely changing the industry. In 2016, no brand had size-inclusive surfwear, and “size inclusion” really meant straight sizes only. By 2018, Kanoa was on a modeling campaign for the first size-inclusive brand, and today, over a dozen brands are offering extended sizes, with Kanoa providing insight and support for many of them. Her influence has only grown by working with major brands like Nike, Muscle Milk, Propel Water, and Fabletics.
Kanoa notes that while things are moving in the right direction, it is still hard for plus-size people to find inclusive sizing and inclusive outdoor communities. “We deserve to be in these spaces,” she added. “Our bodies can do anything, but we also need the gear, the equipment, and the spaces to do these things.”
She’s still excited to see what her body can do and to help others experience the same. “For me, a lot of the focus is on what my body can do versus what it looks like,” Kanoa reflected.
2. Parker “Kween Werk” Bushman
Copyright owner: Parker Bushman
“...I have found so many good things just being in the skin that I’m in.”
New Yorker turned Coloradan Parker “Kween Werk” Bushman didn’t grow up thinking of themselves as “outdoorsy.” After all, the Bronx hasn’t exactly branded itself as a hub for outdoor recreation. That said, they walked, climbed trees, and generally enjoyed being outdoors.
After moving to the southern U.S., they saw that the outdoors was always a part of them, but the things they liked weren’t necessarily considered outdoor activities. “I am outdoorsy, I have always been outdoorsy, but I didn’t have that representation,” said Parker, who started posting about their hiking experiences a few years ago along with social justice and environmental justice content. Their combination of honesty, insight, and dance moves on the trails has attracted close to 273,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.
Parker recounts how their leadership and experience have often been undermined by fatphobia. When they taught kayaking, they were made to feel like an imposter. As a bike guide, they were harassed with questions about their ability to keep up. “I created these programs,” Parker recalled. “I would do these programs. But then I would step to the side for more straight-size people to lead it because I constantly got messages that I was less than because I was plus-size.”
Despite these setbacks, they forged ahead. “I’m trying to push through because I want people to see me and to have that connection that ‘I can do that too,’ and ‘This is the space for me.’” In a fatphobic and ableist society, many have bought into the narrative that self-love, movement, happiness, and acceptance are reserved for straight-size people. Parker’s outdoor experiences show a different way.
“I have found love,” they said, “I have found community, I have found success, I have found so many good things just being in the skin that I’m in.” Parker’s journey proves that love and contentment surpass size and body shape.
Ultimately, Parker wants to provide representation, content, and tools for people to create safer and more inclusive outdoor spaces, whether they are experienced adventurers or starting at the beginning. For Parker, you don’t have to climb a mountain or hike to a waterfall to be considered outdoorsy. “I want to provide representation for people who have been given those messages that they don’t belong, or that this is not for them, and for those who want to be welcoming,” said the nonbinary content creator. “A strong connection with the natural world creates conservationists who will fight to protect it.”
3. Nelson Holland
Photo credit: Bennet Gore
“Finding this community that supports the way that my body looks, and maybe even celebrates it, has helped me grow to be a more positive, coming-out-of-my-shell type of person,”
“To me, if it’s outdoors, I’ll probably try it,” says Nelson Holland, a Brooklynite living in Colorado. Nelson began his outdoor journey after falling in love with bison and other Colorado wildlife.
Growing up in New York, he didn’t know anyone who was particularly outdoorsy. On the other hand, the scenic Rocky Mountain views kept him coming back to the Mountain West state. Today, he’s documenting his love of the outdoors for his 136,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram. “It’s like an addiction,” he reflected. “I like to say that it’s the healthiest addiction that I can think of.” For Nelson, spending time in nature helps to spark the creative process and keeps him grounded.
Nelson’s content centers on all things Colorado wilderness, from hiking to rock climbing to, most recently, skiing. Nelson believes that the only limits are the ones we place ourselves. The community he has built throughout his journey constantly encourages him to try new things, which has helped him grow as both an introvert and a plus-size person. “Finding this community that supports the way that my body looks and maybe even celebrates it has helped me grow to be a more positive, coming-out-of-my-shell type of person,” said Nelson. “I never even really knew what representation was coming out of New York, but now I understand and am a champion for it.”
Because his community comes from a place of inclusivity, he overwhelmingly receives love and works to put that back into the world. However, as a plus-size public figure, he is not entirely exempt from trolling. “On my worst days, it’s easy to focus on the ‘not love’ that I get,” said Nelson, “But on my better days, and most days, the community has been so positive.” With positive encouragement, he has met many other creators who have become his friends and allies in the outdoor space.
Nelson encourages other plus-size folks to get outdoors. “No matter how you’re getting outside, be sure just to start doing it,” he said. Starting small and going wherever your interests take you are also good strategies. “Not every hike is hiking a mountain,” he added.“I want to be a conduit to get more people outside and show off the amazing natural beauty that is nature.” He is doing just that with his platform, showing off beautiful views and championing inclusivity, conservation, and accessibility.
4. BJ Griffin
Photo credit: Dustin Furlow
“I don’t share things for people to like them; I share things for people to be affected”
Not convinced that merfolk exist? It’s probably because you haven’t met BJ Griffin. The free diver and musician is making a splash in the outdoor influencer space—literally. His online content shows that plus-size bodies belong everywhere in Nature, including underwater. He doesn’t just free dive, he spins gracefully—arms outstretched—while slowly kicking a pair of long black fins. His diving is a work of art and he pairs the video content with voiceovers as a way to spread positive messages to his 123,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.
BJ, who identifies as “juicy,” has always been a beach person who enjoyed spending time in the water.
On a trip to Devil’s Den, a popular scuba diving and snorkeling destination in Williston, Florida, he first fell in love with the sport. “I remember walking down into the cave and feeling the energy of the water,” he said. “It definitely changed my life. It started my journey of outdoor adventure.” Diving introduced BJ to other outdoor activities like camping as he continued to explore dive locations in the southeastern United States.
As a child, BJ used to feel uncomfortable in his skin, but thankfully, his mother helped instill a positive self-concept. “I became this confident human, no matter what,” he recalled, while describing how he carried her lessons into adulthood. “I really didn’t worry what people thought.” This mentality has served him well, as there are few other Black plus-size free divers.
BJ has still faced challenges with regards to the lack of size-inclusive gear. Despite this, he is still getting out there and making it known that plus-size people are just as capable. “It’s important to share because not many people know that a plus-size person can free dive, let alone dive as deep as I am,” he reflected. BJ has since become an assistant free diving instructor and is working toward his scuba license. He hopes to inspire even more people to chase their goals by continuing his education and expanding his outdoor skill set.
BJ has dealt with his share of offensive comments on- and offline. Mostly, he chooses to respond with kindness and compassion. “I don’t share things for people to like them; I share things for people to be affected, whether it affects them positively or negatively,” he said. The state of my energy in what I share will ring true with them, no matter what their reaction is.”
In deep waters, he restored his soul with a tranquility that can only be found when the rest of the world goes silent. Through freediving, he learned that facing his fears could improve other aspects of his life. “I believe that if you fear it, it’s something you need to attempt,” he said. “We build this reality of fear in our heads that really doesn’t exist…once you’re doing it, it’s nothing but bliss.”
BJ dives around the world and hosts retreats with Dive for Peace, an organization he helped found which promotes inner peace through freediving. Plus-size people deserve to experience the freedom that comes from being underwater, and BJ hopes to help others do just that.
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