To put it simply size inclusivity matters.
Despite the fact that 68% of American women wear a size 14 or above, plus-size clothing makes up less than 3% of the selection at major retailers. Thankfully, Hunter McGrady is on a mission to change that. The model and body positivity activist has added designer to her already impressive résumé and launched her own fully size-inclusive clothing line, All Worthy, with sizes ranging from XXS to 5X.
Of course, this is just the latest move from the model and dedicated body positivity advocate who first made headlines as the first plus-size woman to appear on the cover of a bridal magazine and as the curviest model to appear in “Sports Illustrated.” Needless to say, she has dedicated her career to spreading the message that everybody is worthy of feeling loved, beautiful, and confident, regardless of size, shape, and background.
Below, McGrady fills us in on how she got to where she is today and shares her best advice for cultivating the confidence to go after your dreams.
How did you make your first dollar and what did that job teach you that still applies today?
I made my first dollar nannying when I was 14 years old. It’s what I did before modeling and then in between when things weren’t so busy at first. I have always valued and appreciated the work that goes into making any money. My parents taught me the value of a dollar at a young age. It feels different spending it when you have worked so hard to make it, and I think about that today still. I am not, by any means, a frivolous spender and consider myself smart with my money, which I learned very young!
Take us back to the beginning—what was the lightbulb moment for your career and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I had always grown up around “the business;” my dad is an actor and my mom was a model. I was always enamored with this side of things and wanted to model from a very young age after seeing all of my mom’s modeling shots. It wasn’t so easy for me though in the beginning as I started off as a “straight-sized model” at around a size 2/4. It wasn’t something I could attain so I took a few years off. Then, I vividly remember seeing the cover of Italian Vogue that my now-friends Candice Huffine, Tara Lynn, and Robyn Lawley were on and a light bulb clicked. I, too, could still fulfill my dream all the while honoring my body exactly as it is and exactly as it had grown. I went into a modeling agency two weeks later and got signed as a plus-size model. Then, it was off to the races!
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
It’s interesting because I had to really shift a lot of my life in 2020. I launched an entire brand with QVC in April of 2020 right in the throes of the pandemic. I had to realign my goals, my strategy, and my vision of what I wanted this line to look like. It was challenging, but it really prompted me to think like I haven’t thought before and step outside my comfort zone in order to take on this change that we were all inevitably feeling.
How are you making a difference and pushing your industry forward?
I would like to think I am being loud. I haven’t always felt like my voice was being heard but always encouraged staying loud and making my presence known. For me, success is seeing this industry move forward and seeing diversity so wildly present. I won’t stop what I am doing until everybody feels they are being heard.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
Confidence is not something that has come naturally for me! I always say confidence is not a destination, rather a very bumpy road, but a beautiful one at that. I’m human, we all are, we have good days and bad days! That is okay! Honor your bad days but know that they do not define you; it is simply a day and then you move past it. I encourage women to pursue everything and anything they want. Even if the path ends up looking different than it did in your head, there is always a way to get it done. You have the power to do whatever you want to do. Dig deep and look inward and ask yourself what is stopping you.
What’s the most pivotal risk you’ve taken, and how did it change your path?
For me, it was moving to New York. I knew it was where I had to be for what I wanted to do. I had about $2,000 in my bank account and a one-way ticket to the city. I was determined to make it work, I didn’t have a plan B! Low and behold, I got to New York, found an apartment, and started booking work immediately. It was a huge leap of faith, but I knew in my heart of hearts that it would be ok. Sometimes, the things that scare us the most are the things that will change our lives forever.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
In my line of work, I have a lot of letdowns, so I have gotten used to it. At first, I took everything extremely personally and thought that whatever wasn’t working out was because of me. I learned over the years that wasn’t the case and I rewired the way I thought about my losses. They were merely things that weren’t meant for me, things that maybe would have put a wedge in something else I was supposed to be doing.
What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson?
I think the biggest mistake I made was not speaking up on certain things sooner. When I first started in this industry, I would listen to what everyone was telling me what and who I was supposed to be even if I felt uncomfortable with it. After a while, I learned that speaking up is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself. Often in the past, women were told to sit down, look pretty, and don’t cause a stir! I am so glad that that antiquated and horrendous way of thinking is behind us. We are strong, we are valuable, we are worthy, and we will speak when we want.
What is the #1 career or money book you always recommend and why?
“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey! I was given this book at a young age and didn’t pick it up until I was about 18 years old. It is a great book on achieving your goals and figuring out what he calls your “True North” which is essentially where you belong.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now—what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to not be so hard on myself! I find that a lot of us are our worst critics. We are oftentimes the ones standing in our own way. I would tell myself to enjoy the journey, bumps, and all. No one gets through this life unscathed.
Fill in the blanks:
To be successful, you need to be…
Honest.
If there were more hours in the day, I would…
Study criminal justice.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
The lack of diversity.
My perfect day begins with…
Snuggles with my pup Stella.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Pose naked in nothing but body paint for “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.”
