talk was often easier than walking the walk when it came to pushing his boundaries . “ It was more so a hypothesis , like , ‘ I ’ m pretty sure I can do it , but what will the results be ?’ And so , by challenging myself to do it , and then actually being able to do it , I consistently kept surprising myself … that ’ s where that resiliency came in .”
Another detail viewers might pick up on while watching the show ? Jenkins isn ’ t the run-of-the-mill travel host . “ It ’ s the magnitude of me being one , a person of color and having a travel show , that ’ s one thing ,” said Jenkins . “ But then , to be a person of color and plus-size , that ’ s a whole other thing to where it ’ s just rarity on rarity .” That representation is important . “ I can tell you I get some kind of message every day about it ,” said Jenkins . “( They say ,) ‘ I didn ’ t even think I could do this ,’ like , ‘ your show just showed me that I could go out and do this .’ ( The show ) is now motivating and inspiring and encouraging people that look like me to travel around the world .”
While “ Never Say Never ” is a fantastic example of inclusivity in the travel space , the fight doesn ’ t stop there . It ’ s Jenkins ’ hope that we will continue to see more efforts on social media and in marketing through sizeinclusive imagery . However , that doesn ’ t mean resources don ’ t exist . Jenkins noted AllGo as a great source for plus-size stock photos and Fat Girls Traveling , Unlikely Hikers , Plus Size Travel Too and Unicorns of Diving as great communities for inspirational plus-size content and experiences .
Advice to Advisors When it comes to ways travel advisors can advocate for their plus-size clients , Jenkins says there are several things they can do . But first , they need to evaluate their mindset . “ One , don ’ t put limits on people and their experiences and what they can and cannot do ,” said Jenkins . “ A lot of times there are these biases that are there … for me , I ’ m a person that , I ’ ll be ok with it , but for other people , you ’ re limiting them from being able to even have that experience or even make their mind up about doing it .”
For advisors looking to broaden their perspective , Jenkins suggests a few things : 1 ) talking to plus-size people , 2 ) doing research
Jenkins faces his fears and scales Notch Mountain in Wilmington , N . Y .
Jenkins trains with a young wrestler at the dojo for his
Sumo match . on the challenges plus-size people face and 3 ) learning about the different options for plus-size people while traveling . “ Things like ( saying ), ‘ You might not be able to do this , but you can go do this ,’ or ‘ You might not be able to do the zip lining , but I have all these other activities that you can do ,’” said Jenkins . Additionally , advisors have the advantage of knowing the ins and outs of the industry . “ You also have the opportunity of identifying companies , tour operators , countries and hotels that are making strides to making their destination , their hotel , their excursion plus-size friendly or plus-size inclusive ,” he said . “ So being able to identify that and then sending plus-size people to those places is a great recommendation on how to help .”
As for the number one thing he wants advisors to know , Jenkins said this . “ That we ’ re human .” He then shared a story . “ My uncle asked me , ‘ Why don ’ t you teach people how to lose weight and then you won ’ t have to have this platform ?’ And I told him , ‘ There are so many other platforms out there that are teaching people how to lose weight , I wanna talk to the person where they ’ re at now .’” Regarding advisors , he said , “ You ’ ll be surprised how many people will probably attach themselves or take that trip because you ’ ve opened up the options a lot of plus-size people don ’ t feel like they have , that ’ s why they ’ re not traveling as much . And my show has proved that … Now there ’ s more people who are like , ‘ I can get out there and do it too .’”
PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE : COURTESY OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR DISNEY / JON KROLL
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