FAT GIRLS TRAVEL TOO
RECLAIMING JOY, CONFIDENCE, AND BELONGING IN GLOBAL TRAVEL
For far too long, the travel industry has quietly decided who belongs in glossy brochures, luxury resorts, and dream destinations; and who does not. Fat Girls Travel Too (FGTT) exists to disrupt that narrative. Boldly. Joyfully. Unapologetically.
Founded in 2019 by Ashley and Natalie, FGTT is not simply a travel brand; it is a global movement rooted in visibility, advocacy, and liberation. Born out of frustration with the lack of size-inclusive representation in mainstream travel, the platform has evolved into a trusted community for plus-size women who refuse to put their lives, joy, or curiosity on hold while waiting for permission.
At its core, FGTT delivers a powerful message: adventure has no dress size.
Through authentic storytelling, curated group trips, destination guides, and candid conversations about the realities of traveling in a fat body, FGTT has become a vital resource for women navigating spaces that were never designed with them in mind. From airline seating and accessibility to safety, luxury, and cultural immersion, the brand addresses what others overlook without sugarcoating or shame.
Two Leaders. One Vision.
Ashley leads with calm, intention, and deep empathy. Her grounded presence shapes FGTT into a space where women feel seen, supported, and safe, whether they are boarding a plane for the first time or navigating a foreign city thousands of miles from home. She speaks openly about the challenges of plus-size travel while offering solutions rooted in self-trust, preparation, and self-worth. Under her leadership, FGTT is not performative; it is personal.
Natalie brings the spark. Her laughter, warmth, and fearless energy are the heartbeat of the community. Known for turning perceived limitations into celebrations, she reminds women that travel is not just about destinations, it is about reclaiming confidence and rewriting narratives around who deserves beauty, rest, and luxury. Her presence turns strangers into sisters and trips into life-altering memories.
Together, Ashley and Natalie balance one another effortlessly—intentional leadership paired with infectious joy. The result is a community that feels both empowering and deeply human.
Travel Without Apology
FGTT’s mission is simple and radical: everybody deserves to travel. The brand challenges the long-standing myth that travel is a privilege reserved for one body type by centering fat women in every conversation loudly and proudly.
Beyond social media inspiration, FGTT provides tangible tools: honest airline reviews, hotel insights, destination accessibility tips, and group travel experiences designed with inclusivity at their core. These trips are more than vacations; they are acts of reclamation. Whether dancing in Havana, strolling through Paris, or building sisterhood across borders, each experience is rooted in freedom and belonging.
The impact has not gone unnoticed. FGTT has been recognized nationally, with features in The New York Times and The Washington Post, applauding the brand’s role in challenging industry norms and redefining what inclusive travel can and should look like.
Measuring Success in Transformation
For Ashley and Natalie, success is not defined by follower counts or press mentions. It is found in the quiet, powerful moments:
The woman booking her first solo trip.
The traveler wearing a two-piece swimsuit without apology.
The group of friends finally seeing bodies like theirs reflected in travel media.
Fat Girls Travel Too is a declaration of worth. A reminder that joy is not conditional. And proof that the world expands when more women are brave enough to claim their space in it.
With wisdom, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion, FGTT continues to make the world bigger, brighter, and more accessible one trip, one story, and one fearless woman at a time.
QSM: Was there a moment early on when you ladies thought, “Okay, this is bigger than us”? What happened that made it clear FGTT wasn’t just a passion project anymore?
Ashley: There was not just one defining moment. Instead, it was a series of quiet confirmations. We began to realize FGTT was bigger than us when women consistently told us they felt empowered simply by seeing themselves represented traveling, exploring, and living fully. When women who had long believed travel “wasn’t for them” started booking trips, showing up confidently, and sharing how FGTT changed how they saw themselves, it became clear this was not just a passion project. It was filling a real gap and creating space where there hadn’t been any before.
Natalie: For me personally, that realization came when I saw a large photo of myself ziplining in Costa Rica published in The Washington Post. Seeing a plus size woman captured mid-air, fully present and unafraid, on a national platform made me pause. In that moment, I understood how powerful visibility really is and why FGTT matters beyond any single trip.
QSM: So much of travel marketing is about looking a certain way to “deserve” the experience. When did you ladies personally stop buying into that, and how did travel help you unlearn it?
Ashley and Natalie: We both loved to travel. It’s something that comes naturally to us and has always been a part of how we move through the world. As plus size travelers, we were aware of the added considerations and anxieties that often come with travel, and that awareness made it clear there was a gap in the market not being addressed. When women began seeing our travels and asking how we were able to do it, those conversations felt honest and familiar. We shared the same apprehensions ourselves, and it was no secret that we didn’t see women like us reflected in mainstream travel advertising. Knowing that we could acknowledge those concerns, move through them, and still fully enjoy travel is what empowered us to create a space for other women to do the same.
QSM: You ladies talk openly about the hard parts of traveling in a fat body, but FGTT still feels joyful and fun. How do you make space for the truth without letting it steal the magic?
Ashley: I learned that telling the truth actually protects the magic instead of stealing it. When I name the hard parts of traveling like tight seats, stares, and accessibility issues, I’m taking away their power. I don’t want anyone traveling with FGTT to feel blindsided or ashamed for needing accommodations. Once the truth is out in the open, there’s freedom. And freedom is where the joy lives. We show up fully because we’re not pretending. The magic isn’t about perfection; it’s about feeling seen, prepared, and confident enough to enjoy every moment.
Natalie: For me, joy and truth are not opposites; they coexist. I make space for the hard conversations so that women do not feel like they are alone. When you acknowledge reality, you stop internalizing it. That is when travel becomes a true experience. FGTT is fun because we’re intentional about creating environments where women can relax and be themselves. Once that safety is there, everything flows naturally. The magic comes from community, being surrounded by women who hype you up and remind you that you deserve amazing experiences exactly as you are.
QSM: Ashley brings the calm; Natalie brings the sparkle. How do your personalities show up behind the scenes when things get stressful or when big decisions need to be made?
Ashley and Natalie: Behind the scenes, our personalities balance each other in the best way. When things get stressful, Ashley naturally becomes the grounding force. She’s methodical, steady, and focused on logistics, problem-solving, and making sure everyone feels secure. Natalie brings the sparkle even in serious moments. She’s the visionary who reminds us why we’re doing this in the first place and keeps the energy light when it could easily feel heavy. When big decisions need to be made, we lean into that balance. Ashley asks the practical questions. Is this sustainable? Does this serve our community? Natalie pushes us to dream bigger and trust our instincts. Together, that calm and sparkle dynamic creates a harmony that allows Fat Girls Travel Too to move intentionally without missing a beat. We don’t rush decisions, but we don’t play small either.
QSM: What’s a misconception about plus-size travelers that still annoys you every time you hear it, and why do you think people cling to it so hard?
Ashley: One misconception that still annoys me is the idea that plus size travelers are less adventurous or less capable. There’s this assumption that our bodies automatically limit our mobility or desire to explore, and that simply isn’t true. Labeling our bodies as the problem is easier than confronting the reality that many travel spaces weren’t designed with us in mind. Plus size travelers aren’t lacking ambition or ability. We’re simply navigating systems that haven’t prioritized inclusion.
Natalie: The misconception that frustrates me most is that plus size travelers should be grateful just to be included, no matter the quality of the experience. That idea suggests we don’t deserve comfort, luxury, or intention. I think people hold onto it because it reinforces a hierarchy of who they believe is worthy of luxe experiences. Challenging that means confronting bias, and that makes people uncomfortable.
QSM: You’ve watched women arrive on trips nervous, guarded, or unsure, and leave completely different. Is there one moment with a traveler that still stays with you?
Ashley: One moment that still stays with me comes from our very first FGTT trip to Havana, Cuba. One of our travelers, Cinny, shared that it was her first time outside of the USA. Watching her go from nervous to openly joyful was incredibly powerful. She talked about how free she felt on that trip and how it opened her up to wanting more experiences beyond what she’d previously allowed herself to imagine. That moment reminded me how transformative travel can be when women feel safe and seen. What really stays with me most, though, is how many of these women continue their relationships long after the trip ends. The friendships, the group chats, the visits to each other’s cities remind me that FGTT is bigger than travel. It’s about freedom, confidence, and community that lasts well beyond the passport stamp.
Natalie: What stays with me most is how quickly women begin sharing parts of their lives that have nothing to do with travel. Somewhere between the excursions and the dinners, conversations open up about relationships, confidence, grief, joy, and personal growth. Watching women realize they’re not alone in experiences they’ve been carrying quietly is incredibly powerful. Those moments of vulnerability create deep bonds, and you can actually see walls come down in real time. That’s when FGTT becomes more than a trip. It becomes a space where women feel safe enough to be seen fully, connect deeply, and support each other beyond the destination.
QSM: As FGTT grows and bigger brands come to the table, what’s the non-negotiable for you? What will you never water down, no matter how big the opportunity?
Natalie: We truly believe in our brand and in the product we offer, and our non-negotiable is the experience itself. Every trip must feel intentional, immersive, and reflective of the destination. That means a thoughtfully curated itinerary with engaging activities, balanced with enough time to truly take in the city and country you’re visiting. We will never compromise on creating trips where women feel fully included and never limited by their size. Our experiences are designed so that women don’t have to question whether they will be able to participate. We have already done that work. Ensuring women can show up, feel confident, and fully enjoy the journey is something we will never water down, no matter how big the opportunity.
QSM: Can you share what an FGTT experience looks like? What can they expect when they book with you?
Asley and Natalie: An FGTT experience is intentional, inclusive, and thoughtfully curated from start to finish. When you travel with us, you can expect a well-planned itinerary that balances immersive activities, cultural experiences, and time to truly enjoy the destination. Each country and each experience has its own unique itinerary, designed to offer the very best that location has to give. We create opportunities to travel to various countries around the world, including France, Morocco, Egypt, Panama, Colombia, and Jamaica, with a focus on some of the most vibrant and sought-after cities. Our trips are designed so women do not have to worry about whether they will be able to participate or feel comfortable doing so. That consideration has already been made. What you get is a fun, supportive girls’ trip where you can show up as you are, feel confident, and fully experience each destination alongside a community of women who get it.
QSM: Now, how can people book an FGTT experience for themselves?
Ashley and Natalie: People can book an FGTT experience by visiting www.fatgirlstraveltoo.com, where all upcoming trips, itineraries, and booking details are available. We also invite you to follow us on Instagram at @FatGirlsTravelToo and join our private Facebook group, Fat Girls Travel Too, to stay connected, receive updates, and be part of the community.
Photos by Brianna Caskey
