Plus-size models aren’t typically featured on the cover of fitness magazines (or most mainstream magazines, for that matter), but Women’s Running is changing that with this month’s cover model, Nadia Aboulhosn.
WR originally reached out to fashion designer, blogger and model Aboulhosn for a feature on fitness/fashion influencers. However, she had such a great energy that the WR team decided to put her on the cover instead. As a full-figured woman, Aboulhosn’s cover photo is a realistic depiction of an everyday woman running, rather than a professional athelete typically portrayed on a fitness magazine cover. This makes for a more inclusive representation to encourage all women to run and stay active. As WR editor-in-chief Jessica Sebor put it, “You don’t need to be an Olympic marathon runner to get the physical, emotional and psychological benefits of staying fit and healthy.”
Aboulhosn posted the cover shot on her Instagram page with a heart-warming and inspiring message. The caption starts with the story of her hilarious and adorable reaction seeing the cover for the first time. “I was in the airport last night flying from Florida back to LA and went in the store, saw it, and started crying. This elderly couple next to me was like…whats wrong? I’m like THIS IS MY FIRST MAGAZINE COVER AFTER WORKING NON STOP FOR 5 YEARS! I’m glad no one was around to see it Bc snot was every where, I was sweating.”
She then opened up about overcoming self-doubt and persevering even when things don’t go the way you plan. “When I got the email I still didn’t believe it was going to happen,” she confessed. “I for sure thought last minute something was going to happen and I wouldn’t be on the cover just solely off the fact that things have turned wrong for me so much of my life when I’m almost about to have something, I get disappointed or let down. I’m never satisfied and feel like I could always be doing more.”
She went on, “But seeing my cover made me calm down and enjoy this moment that’s such a milestone for me and my career.”
Not only does Aboulhosn look absolutely incredible, but she also inspires us to work hard for whatever we aspire to achieve.
Kudos to Women’s Running for featuring Abouldhosn as the cover model and giving her the ability to share her story. We can only hope that other magazines will follow suit and present more diverse body types on their covers, changing societal perceptions of what “models” should look like.