We were lucky to catch up with Kellie Ramos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kellie, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I’m the oldest of three to my mom and the middle of nine to my dad. Growing up, life wasn’t easy—my dad was physically abusive to all of us. But when I was eight, my mom made a brave choice: she left him. She told me I could change my name to whatever I wanted, and in that moment, I realized something powerful—I could be whoever I wanted to be.
Knowlasia is a beautiful name, and I wish I could love it, but it carries the weight of my trauma. To heal, I became Kelly (yes, like Kelly Kapowski!) and eventually blossomed into the bold and unapologetic persona of Kellie Pink.
My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader, fully supporting my “extra” personality. I was the kid who lit up singing contests, theater programs, and any room I walked into with my vibrant eyeshadow. I’ve always been chubby—the “chubby one” in the family—but my mom made sure I never felt different or less than.
One Christmas when I was 10, my great-grandma gifted me a turtleneck in a size 4X. I tried it on, swimming in fabric, though I was only a medium at the time (thanks to a C-cup growth spurt that summer). I remember my mom going off on her because she saw the hurt in my eyes. That moment stayed with me, showing me how fiercely she protected me.
From then on, I vowed to live as loudly and proudly as possible. My wardrobe, makeup, sexuality, and beliefs are all part of my truth—and no one gets to dictate how I live. To live inauthentically feels like a crime, like being a prisoner in your own mind with the key in your pocket. I couldn’t imagine being anything but unapologetically me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m currently building a beautiful community of plus-size women who come together for fun activities like brunches, hot girl walks in Central Park, and even anti-gravity yoga. Over 2024, I’ve been on a wellness journey that’s not about losing weight—it’s about feeling comfortable and at home in my body.
To be honest, I’m often the fattest person in every gym class I take, but instead of letting that hold me back, I started a fitness page called “KelliePinkGetsFit.” My goal is to show others that it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone, even if you’re feeling insecure. I feel so grateful every morning when I get out of bed and accomplish things most people wouldn’t expect from someone in a fat body. Sure, some days I get anxious about what people might think, but then I give myself this little pep talk:
“You paid for this membership, you got out of bed, you showed up—so why not just go for it? You’ll probably never see these people again!”
That mindset keeps me going, and I want to share that energy with others. Life is about so much more than what we have right now—not in terms of material things, but in new friends, new experiences, and new adventures. This mindset has done wonders for my mental health, and I want to help others find that joy too.
Since 2020, I’ve been working on becoming an influencer. At first, I thought being an influencer meant having a huge following, lots of money, and endless new clothes and makeup. But after years of soul-searching, I’ve found joy in the life of a micro-influencer.
I don’t need people to buy a product with my coupon code—I just want them to watch my content and think, “If she can do it, then so can I.” I’m not rich; I live paycheck to paycheck in NYC. But when someone messages me to say I gave them the confidence to wear a skirt they were insecure about, or they tried a new class at the gym and surprised themselves, or they noticed me on the street and loved how I restyled an old outfit—that feeds my soul.
My day job pays the bills, but content creation and influencing are what truly light me up inside. For me, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing up, living authentically, and inspiring others to embrace their own journey.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
“Fake it ‘til you make it” might be a cliché, but it’s one of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve ever embraced. Growing up, it became my secret weapon. Sure, I dealt with anxiety and moments of insecurity, but I wasn’t about to let anyone see it. People don’t know what you don’t show them! I wore the boldest, sometimes questionable outfits to school, and even if the fit didn’t match the image in my head, I walked those hallways like I was on the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Loving myself was the game-changer in my confidence journey. I think my confidence stemmed from that deep self-love. Did I have things I disliked—like my curly hair, my name, or even my eye color? Of course. But I always told myself, “You’re literally the most beautiful girl in this room.” Call it delusion, but it worked! Wherever I went, people complimented my style, my confidence, and my looks. I firmly believe it was because I walked in carrying my own love and security, and that energy was impossible to ignore.
A positive attitude is another secret ingredient. And no, I don’t mean being nice all the time. I mean believing that what’s meant for you will happen. It’s about accepting failure as part of the process, knowing you’ve survived your hardest moments before and can do it again. A positive mindset also means protecting your energy and not letting external negativity sway you.
If I could give one piece of advice to plus-size women looking to build confidence, it would be this: It’s easier than you think. There’s no magic formula. Confidence isn’t about living to impress others—their opinions are just that: theirs. At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to go to bed with yourself. As long as you feel secure and proud of who you are, no one can tell you otherwise.
Confidence is simply knowing you’re enough, just as you are—and showing up every day like you believe it.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m on the lookout for amazing collaborators who are ready to build a community of bold, badass individuals who love taking up space unapologetically! I want to connect with people who are eager to learn how to dress for their body type, try out that activity or event they’ve been too scared to attempt, and just embrace life to the fullest.
I’d also love to create content with real, everyday people who have a passion for storytelling—whether it’s seen by the whole world or just our little corner of it. Let’s inspire, empower, and have fun together!
If this sounds like your vibe, come find me on Instagram and Threads: @kelliepinkkk Let’s make magic!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kelliepinkkk
- Facebook: Kellie Pink plus size fashion
- Linkedin: Kellie Ramos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelliepink6179
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
