“I’ve always been a giant nerd and I’ve always loved learning, reading and writing. But when I tried many times to start my undergrad and it didn’t work out, I thought okay, I’ll give up on this idea, I’m never going to be an academic. I’ll go out and work.
Positive and happy: KB Heylen, pictured, did not let early set backs deter them from their plan to study for a PhD.
After a while, and a lot of good therapy, I thought let’s try this again. I did a Graduate Certificate and then a Master of Commerce. After that I thought let’s see if we can do research now. I’ve always wanted to be an academic but because of all those false starts in my twenties, I didn’t think it was going to happen. Now I am so happy!
I love life and I love myself. Being a fat person in the world is radical.
Before the pandemic I performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2020. Being a fat person on stage was life-changing for me and the audience. After the show I’d get women coming up to me saying ‘I’ve never seen a body like mine on stage before. I can’t believe you’re this beautiful fat person and you’re doing this'."
I am inspired by American singer and rapper Lizzo. Big time. She’s fat and black and amazing and just puts it out there with no shame and no judgement. She’s just living her absolute best life and role modelling for other people that they can be happy just as they are.
To me, fat is a neutral descriptive word, it doesn’t have any value judgment in it for me, it’s just how I describe my body. It’s not a negative thing, it’s a fact. I’m also tall, I also have pink hair. It doesn’t have to be a shame-filled thing.
I love life and I love myself. Being a fat person in the world is radical. You’re expected not to take up space and not draw attention to yourself, but it is important to know you do not have to change yourself. This is why representation matters; you need to see yourself reflected and on stage."
