Wake Up, I’m Fat! 

Thankfully, Camryn Manheim has never played by the rules. Her fierce determination to defy the beauty myth, the nay sayers, and casting stereotypes has resulted in one of today’s most remarkable and unique Hollywood success stories. Her groundbreaking role as Ellenor Frutt on television’s hottest drama, ‘The Practice’ has won her an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award - victories that are the culmination of decades of hard work, perseverance, and battles fought with her parents, lovers, the establishment, and herself!  

In her inspirational memoir ‘Wake Up, I’m Fat’ Camryn chronicles her journey from self-hating, ‘overweight’ teenager who desperately wanted to fit in, to a self-loving, fat activist who is proud to be a misfit. In the book, Camryn shares her intelligent, candid, poignant, and often hilarious stories of being fat in a society obsessed with being thin. Camryn takes us from her days as a motorcycle-riding hippie in Santa Cruz to her enrolment in New York University’s prestigious school of drama - where Pulitzer Prize winning Tony Kushner broke the unspoken theatre rules of size and cast her in the role of the ingenue - and finally Hollywood, where she dispelled the fallacy that large women can’t be portrayed as sensual, sophisticated, and confident. Camryn’s endearing honesty, sass, and razor sharp wit will appeal to all those who have ever felt like outcasts or yearned to make peace with their bodies.

From the book:
‘Wake up, I’m Fat’ by Camryn Manheim
ISBN 0767903625

Individuality!

At an early age, most of us are encouraged to be part of a group
- in the classroom and on the sports field!

Any deviations from the pack are often censured and criticised in the most embarrassing circumstances - so is it any wonder that we start to squash, hide and inhibit any unique abilities or special characteristics. Our desire to be accepted and loved for who we are - a truly unique individual, is starved of nurture and hidden in the dark. Over time the fear of rejection and the need for love and acceptance can slowly distort who we actually are.

In our early teens we might rebel and seek an outlet for attention in the way we dress and portray ourselves.... sometimes receiving just more harsh criticism and censure. Other times we might seek to hide the hurt and rejection we feel with layers of clothes and makeup... or even layers of added weight.

If a person lacks self-esteem and confidence, the natural attention received in pubescent years as part of the growing cycle....
might be unwanted and result in a person feeling uncomfortable.
In an effort to escape such natural attention, layers of weight are added to hide the cause of this unwanted attention - a uniquely, beautiful individual!

In most work environments we are encouraged to be a team player, and society dictates that the norm is marriage to a spouse and having 2.5 kids. A house with a bond, a garden with a pool, a dog to greet you with tail wagging and a cat curled up beneath a window in the sun. Dinner with friends on Saturday and lunch with family on Sunday!

As the seasons change and retail stores gear up to the current fashion trends... it’s easy to follow the fads and stay part of the crowd......

None of which is wrong..... unless it squashes, hides or inhibits the unique individual you are.

Being true to yourself and being the person you actually are is more challenging than being part of the crowd. As we learn and grow it takes courage to change and show our individuality.

Take courage....
Find clothing styles that suit you... in colours and sizes that fit you.
Explore your feelings and empower your emotions by expressing yourself truthfully and honestly.
Try something new.....
Be courageous.... Be bold....
Explore.... Experiment and Experience!

In any environment, in any circumstances and in any relationship...
it is your birthright to feel special and unique, truly individual -
because you are!

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