General Information

Name: Andrea Westbrook

Pronouns: She / Her

Age: 48

Job Title/Company: Founder - Andrea Westbrook Coaching

Education Background (if any): Certified Life Coach, Bachelor of Communications

In-depth Questions

1. Tell us a little about who you are.

Hi I’m Andrea and I’m a Plus-Size Life Coach and Size Inclusion Specialist. I work with groups, individuals and organisations to create environments and cultures where every person feels like they belong, regardless of their body size.

2. What sparked your interest in starting your business(es)?

I love coaching, mentoring and helping people to reach their potential and achieve their goals. I know that for curvy and plus-size women that we are expected to do a lot of “the work” on ourselves - to make ourselves more acceptable in order to achieve our goals. This is the result of weight-stigma and I’ve learnt that if we are going to achieve what we want, we need to educate employers and organisations about the impact of weight-stigma and anti-fat bias on individuals.

3. If applicable, tell us about your full-time job and/or any side hustles you might have.

I have what you might call a portfolio career at the moment. I am a HR consultant, I’m a Coach and I have my own business. I don’t consider my business a side hustle though, it’s my main gigi and my business allows me to work on my life mission. My other jobs are enabling me to do that!

4. Who are you most influenced by?

Women from marginalised groups who are pursuing their life calling without apology.

5. What was your first job and how long did you hold that position?

My first job was selling newspapers on weekends, I did that on and off throughout High School.

6. Can you share one of your proudest achievements with us?

Very hard to pin-point; lately I’m proud of myself for saying no to anything that might distract me from my goals. I’m proud of myself for starting conversations about weight-stigma, for standing up and honouring myself as a fat woman.

“Listening - there is nothing more empowering for someone than truly being heard, especially after a life-time of being told not to be seen.”

— Andrea Westbrook

7. What were your initial goals with your work? How have they evolved?

Initially I set out to work with curvy and plus-size women, but I have come to realise that I can create greater, longer lasting change by also working with groups and organisations.

8. What do you think is the most important life skill you learned through your work?

Listening - there is nothing more empowering for someone than truly being heard, especially after a life-time of being told not to be seen.

9. Where do you hope to be in five years?

Living on an island in Greece, guiding global companies to create size inclusive environments for their plus-size staff.

10. What is a typical day like for you?

It really varies and deends what I have on for the day. Coffee and a cuddle with the cat are my non-negotiables. I’d love to stay I mediate and journal, go for a walk. Some days I do, some days I spend the morning trying to work out Wordle! :-)

11. What was the biggest obstacle you’ve faced so far in the process of pursuing your goals?

Myself - managing my own mindset and recognising when I am getting in my own way.

12. What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Recently a mentor told me “You are ahead of your time”! While not advice as such, it has really helped me to keep going with my mission and my message, I know that people aren’t used to hearing it yet - it’s very new and there is a lot of emotion tied up in weight and body size.

13. When do you get your best ideas?

In the morning, usually when I go for a walk or when I’m doing something not related to work.

14. How do you unwind?

This is something that I am constantly working on, as years of patriarchal conditioning have made it hard for me to switch off. I’ve recently joined a choir, I love to read historical novels, swim at the beach, eat at good restaurants and I love a good margarita!

15. What did you want to be as a kid?

A journalist - I even made my own magazine and radio shows! Stay tuned because I’ve been tapping back into that!

16. What would you tell someone else who is interested in entering your field?

If this is where your heart is calling you, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. Find a reputable course that aligns with your values (look beyond the marketing) and build yourself a support network!

17. What do you hope people take away from your story?

I really hope that other fat, curvy and plus-size women read my story and know that they are worthy and deserving of following their dreams. That they don’t have to be held back my old stories that their body size means they aren’t good enough. Every fat, curvy and plus-size woman has something to offer and the world needs their voices too!