A Fresh Story, season 2, episode 18 Model, entrepreneur, and opera singer, Alex Frankel grew up in San Francisco, where the definition of “hotness” was dictated by “beautiful” people in popular magazines and TV shows. His entire childhood, he felt trapped in his fat body and hated how he looked. That was until he realized what he had been taught his whole life was a lie. Hotness was more than perfect abs and bulging biceps, it was an attitude. And that he had! Fast forward, and now Alex is a successful plus-size model with Wilhelmina, and a body acceptance advocate and role model to fat guys all around the world. He created the Hot Fat Guy Club to dispel the myths around diet culture, fatphobia, and other fat-people stereotypes. He wanted a community where people are celebrated, not shamed, for their body type. We has an amazing conversation with Alex, about everything from his career as a professional opera singer, his entrepreneur journey founding The Hot Fat Guy Club, childhood bullying and how it changes us on a cellular level, his pandemic pivots in the entertainment industry, relationships, his foray into the big and tall modeling industry, toxic masculinity, raising sons in today’s cultural climate, body image and mindset - and so, so much more. Alex is brilliant, hysterically funny, compassionate, and out to change the world for the better with The Hot Fat Guy Club. We know you’ll enjoy this conversation about fresh starts, using your voice, and finding your way back to loving yourself. You can follow Alex on Instagram, TikTok, and learn more about The Hot Fat Guy Club! Mentioned in this episode: Join the Fresh Starts Collective! Whether you're an ambitious entrepreneur, a dedicated student, a heads down writer or simply striving to achieve your professional goals, the Fresh Starts Collective is here for you. We believe that surrounding yourself with a supportive community can be the key to unlocking your full potential. The Fresh Starts Collective offers daily community gathering - whether it’s VirtualCo-Working and Body Doubling, Open Office Hours or Accountability Hour - community support and growth, networking opportunities and access to marketing, design and writing professionals to bounce ideas off of, pick the brains of or crowd source some ideas. The Fresh Starts Collective is $35/month. Fresh Starts Collective Become a Fresh Starts Expert! What is the Fresh Starts Expert Membership? The Fresh Starts Expert Membership is a business membership for entrepreneurs, experts, and small business owners to support them in business development, marketing efforts, public relations, networking, and community engagement. The membership includes a standalone profile on Fresh Starts Registry's website, weekly virtual coworking, open hours business coaching, and accountability groups, as well as exclusive press and media opportunities, workshops, seminars, a content and video library of resources, a podcast episode, and so much more. Membership is $55/month. Fresh Starts Registry is the first and only support registry platform for people to access the items and experts they need during life transitions. Fresh Starts has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Today Show, and more. It was founded in 2021 by sisters Olivia Dreizen Howell and Genevieve Dreizen. Who can be an expert? An...