My mother, the president of the Ontario Black History Society and a driving force behind the establishment of Black History Month in Canada, has been a constant source of inspiration and wisdom. In this article, I reflect on seven invaluable lessons from her. 

Lesson One: Embrace Your Roots

From a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of embracing my heritage and cultural identity. She taught me that our history is a source of strength and resilience, and that by honoring our roots, we empower ourselves and future generations. 

One really impactful piece of our history that my mom shared with me, is when she discovered that her father’s family had been in Canada since 1783. 

This is part of her story, our story, our family's story, and because my moms generation was never taught Black History in school, this sparked her advocacy work to ensure Black History was more central for all of us.

Lesson Two: Persistence Pays Off

Watching my mother navigate the challenges of advocating for Black history recognition in Canada, I learned the power of persistence. She was a volunteer who became the President of the OBHS (for 22 years). 

There she was able to build on the work of the founders of the Ontario Black History Society, and getting Black History Month recognized after many years. More recently, in 2022 she was able to get Emancipation Day recognized after 15 years of advocacy.  

I can’t imagine the amount of challenges she faced. In that, she never wavered in her commitment to the cause, reminding me that perseverance is key to achieving success in the face of adversity. She was honoured for her work and received the Order of Ontario. 

Lesson Three: Celebrate Black Excellence

Through her enduring advocacy work, my mother taught me the importance of celebrating Black excellence in all its forms. From literature to art to science, she showed me that Black achievement knows no bounds and deserves to be recognized and celebrated. 

A moment we often reflect on is that my mom was the only non-elected person on the platform to address the nation on the occasion of the first national celebration of February as Black History Month in 1996—an empowering moment that, at age 10, I was able to witness with so much pride. 

Lesson Four: Find Joy in the Journey

Despite the obstacles she faced, my mother always found joy in her work and her community. In her words: “Joy is active resistance, and knowing who you are while freely being able to share that.”

She taught me that happiness is not a destination, but rather a mindset, and that by finding joy in the journey, we can navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience.

Lesson Five: Lift Others as You Climb

One of the most valuable lessons my mother taught me is the importance of lifting others as you climb. She led by example, using her platform to uplift and empower those around her, and instilling in me a sense of responsibility to do the same. 

This applies to my work around allyship and teaching others how to support marginalized communities. I have always chosen impact over numbers, and that lesson is truly rooted in what I saw my mother accomplish growing up.

Lesson Six: Knowledge Is Power

As the president of an organization dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of Black history and heritage, my mother was a fierce advocate for education and knowledge-sharing. It’s actually one of the reasons she kept her maiden name; to ensure her children weren’t negatively impacted by her advocacy. 

She taught me that knowledge is power, and that by arming ourselves with the truth, we can effect positive change in our communities and beyond. As well as being a voice for others, inspiring much of the EDI (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) work I do today. 

Lesson Seven: Lead with Love

Above all, my mother taught me to lead with love in everything I do. This is my mantra in life, business, and everything in between. 

Whether it's fighting for social justice or simply navigating everyday life, she showed me that love is the most powerful force for change and that by leading with empathy and compassion, we can create a brighter, more inclusive world for all.

And now, I bring to the stage my powerhouse of a mother, Rosemary Sadlier, to ask a few questions surrounding Black joy, excellence, and advocacy. 

Q1: You once said in an article that Black joy is when a person can enjoy, and “be”, and celebrate who they are in their own reality. When do you feel JOY?

“When I can freely be my true self. Without having to over explain myself, or defend my identity or existence. As well as when I can see people around me flourishing, and feel that I also have the opportunity to flourish. That is Black joy.”

Q2: If you could talk to your 5-year-old self, what would you say to her? 

“I would say you are on the right path, trust yourself, treat others as you would want to be treated. Listen to your mom, she has some good ideas.”

Q3: What are you most proud of (besides me, your favorite child, of course)?

“I’m proud of ALL my kids, they are the true reason I began to do this work first. I’m proud of my publications. I’m proud of the numerous commemorations I have been able to support and see come to fruition.  

“Most of all I am proud of myself, for moving  through some of the challenges that this particular path came with. Lastly, of course I am so proud of my middle kid, Raia, and it's been beautiful to see her follow in some of my footsteps. I hope I can inspire her as much as she has inspired me.”

She’s an entrepreneur, a mom, a fierce advocate of women’s health and sexual violence prevention, a film producer, and, of course, a Y2K style icon. 

As of late, she’s also been crowned Knix Global Brand Ambassador—and star of the Knix for Life campaign, which aims to tell the true story of every body. That is, the story of bodies that are ever-evolving, in a constant process of change that should be celebrated at every juncture.

“Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve been outspoken about, this body has done it all with me. Every body has a story,” voices Gabrielle Union in the unrestrained campaign video. 

When I hop on a Zoom call with her on a cloudy afternoon in early March, she’s as uninhibited (and, may we say, unapologetic) as she seems onscreen. There’s no topic of discussion too taboo, no issue too big to speak to with a sense of unvarnished sincerity. 

From first-period blunders to flipping the middle finger to ageist expectations, read ahead for insights into our candid conversation with the multi-hyphenate actress.

She Gets Real About Periods

Stars, they’re just like us: they, too, have been failed by lack of education surrounding female anatomy. 

When I ask Gabrielle about a time when she had to learn to embrace bodily changes, she immediately flashes back to the early days of puberty and periods. “I remember the horror of when my period would come, that I was going to be exposed as having a period because of these accidents at school,” she tells me. 

She recalls, in particular, the pang of getting her period while swimming with friends as a young teen. Just like that, she felt landlocked—until a friend encouraged her to use a tampon for the first time. 

After struggling with its application, her friend broke it to her: she’d been targeting the wrong hole with the tampon, and with pads prior to that. The mystery of her dreaded accidents had been solved, just like that, with access to the right information about her own body. 

Aside from this being a story of genuine friendship (we could all use a friend like that), it’s also a story of knowledge as empowerment. Ever since, Gabrielle says she’s prided herself on being the friend that’s like, “Girl, let me tell you what’s really going on.” 

“I was finally empowered with information so I knew how to put a pad or tampon in,” she says. “That gave me the confidence at that stage of life because I didn’t know—no one gave me the particulars that would help me stop having accidents.” 

It’s a sense of confidence she’s carried with her since, including her diagnosis with adenomyosis, a painful condition—similar to endometriosis—caused by tissue growth on the muscular wall of the uterus. “I can take control of this, first and foremost with information” she remembers thinking to herself. “I’m not crazy and I’m not imagining these things.”

When You Gain Knowledge, You Lose Shame

If there’s a theme that emerges throughout our chat, it’s that knowledge is empowering.  

For Gabrielle, breaking free from misinformation and learning more about our bodies isn’t just a means of self-empowerment, but an important form of collective empowerment. 

“Knowledge is power, and you can take control of your life with information in community and the sharing of resources and solutions,” she says—the strong will she’s known for piercing through. Even further, she relays that withholding information—especially knowledge of our bodies—is a form of oppression. 

When we tap into knowledge, we also often tap into community. Experiences we once thought made us defective, we realize, are being experienced by so many others. In seeking out information and self-discovery, don’t be surprised to find a well of support waiting on the other side. 

“We’re waiting. We’ve got a welcome basket,” says Gabrielle.

Just as her teenage friend exemplified earlier, when you tap into knowledge, you become a resource to your community. Something that seems as simple as sharing information on how to insert a tampon can have striking ripple effects. 

“I think it’s hard to be impactful under the shroud of shame, secrecy, embarrassment,” she shares. “The more we learn about ourselves and the more we realize there’s other people experiencing similar things, the [more we] can plug into community.” 

When it comes to understanding your body, its functions and many phases of life, no one should be relegated to the shadows. Knowledge takes out the guesswork—and community offers a much-needed dose of support. “We’re here,” says Gabrielle. “You don’t have to be alone and you don’t have to guess.”

Thongs Are Always Age-Appropriate

In case it wasn’t already clear, Gabrielle won’t be adopting the coastal grandma aesthetic anytime soon—but don’t be shocked to find her oceanside flaunting a thong bikini.

As someone who’s long been in the public eye, I ask how she navigates social pressures and expectations surrounding body image. “By blowing up people’s ideas of what’s appropriate for a 51-year-old,” she says, bluntly. “I’m going to wear the thong. Yeah, you’re going to see it.” 

For her, joy and freedom are fruits born from self-assurance—why would she care about the opinion of someone who’s never known the joy and freedom of being true to yourself?

“When I stopped caring about what everyone thought and everyone else’s opinion, the good times started rolling in,” she tells me. “I’m not going to be shut away into a closet to sit in a rocking chair in a sweater set. I’m going to be me, every day.” 

Conforming to the construct of what’s deemed “age appropriate,” in her view, is a disservice to ourselves if it means compromising the bliss of living authentically. What that looks like is up for us to define.

In Gabrielle’s words, it comes from “owning ourselves, our stories, and our bodies.” And when it comes to Knix, “you feel important at every stage and at every age.”

—

Shop Gabrielle’s looks, designed for the reality of our bodies and the demands of real life.

Period underwear, in particular, has revolutionized the period game by introducing unrivaled comfort. What once was bulky (we’re looking at you, pads) is now barely there (shout out to our new UltraThin Leakproof Underwear). 

At the same time, advocacy and activism in the realm of period justice and equity have helped lessen stigma around menstruation. According to research by Plan International, there's been a significant shift in attitudes towards menstruation in recent years, with more and more people embracing it as a natural part of life that can be discussed openly. 

In an attempt to fully understand the magnitude of change in the period space, we invited Helen Forbes (whom we affectionately refer to as Grandma Forbes), to chat about shifting attitudes towards menstruation and the period products she wishes were around when she was a teenager. 

We also had the absolute privilege of introducing her to period underwear for the very first time. 

Here's to bridging generations, breaking taboos, and embracing periods with pride. Below, we keep the conversation flowing in our interview with the lovable Grandma Forbes. 

What’s your earliest memory of getting your period?

I was a late bloomer in that department. I was probably about 13-years-old, but I was small for my size at that stage. All my friends had already had their period, so I knew a lot of information from them, but my mother was very good to me too. She was able to explain a lot of things to me.

She told me that, one day I’ll probably just go to the washroom and there will be some blood—and not to worry. Nothing has happened, this is quite a normal sign of womanhood. She told me she would help me in that department when the time came. 

Growing up, what was the perception of periods—was it talked about openly?

As far as periods were concerned, I knew what to expect because I’d been told by my friends already—plus my mother. I wasn’t worried about it, but I did have a lot of cramps when it did happen. And that happened regularly after that. So, I did suffer a lot with it. 

When you were a teenager, what kind of period product options were there? 

When I first started my period, I didn’t even know about those products. My mother used diapers, believe it or not, and cut them. I’d attach them with safety pins to my panties. Then, when it was time to change them, my mother had a bucket of water down by the laundry with bleach in them. 

She would wash them and we would reuse them—and they were pure white every time. It’s funny because I happened to mention to my friend that I was coming here to Knix—and she’s eight years younger than me—she said, oh well we used rags. 

That’s what we referred to them as, but that’s really what it was in some cases too. I didn’t really know about pads until I started working, and they had dispensers in the women’s washroom. I thought, oh what are those?

I remember you could buy an elastic band that went around your waistline, it had a piece of elastic in the front and a piece of metal so you could hook the rags on each end instead of using safety pins. That’s what they started off with. 

It wasn’t until I started working and I saw there were dispensable type products—I thought, hm, I’m going to buy one and see how it works. After that, that’s when I started buying pads. And, of course, now there’s so many options. 

How has your perspective and attitude towards period products evolved over time? How has the way you discuss periods with friends and family evolved?

In first year high school, in health class, we did see a film all about menstruation—but everybody kind of cringed. Everyone was sort of embarrassed to look up at the screen. A few people just had their heads down. 

But a few of us had already been told, so we were lucky that way. But I remember that class very vividly, how it was sort of embarrassing for a lot of the girls.

I’ve learned more in my 70s and 80s from my daughter who teaches health and physical education. My friends and I have thought to ourselves, how did we get through all this without knowing all that stuff?

We didn’t refer to it as a period, most of the time it would be “I got my friend.” You never said menstruation or anything like that. You’d just say, I got my friend so I’m feeling miserable, or something. Things have changed. 

Have you heard of period underwear before?

I hadn’t, until this collaboration with Knix came about. I was surprised, but of course it would be more comfortable to just pull on a pair of panties without worrying about safety pins and the bulkiness and everything else. I think it’s great. 

There’s actually a pair of period underwear sitting right in front of you. What are your first impressions?

Oh, you’re kidding. Well, I have Knix underwear on now, but I guess they have a different liner than this, of course. 

Oh my gosh, that’s amazing. What a relief it would be to wear these. Just wearing the Knix underwear itself, you don’t even know you have them on. These are so light and silky, they feel luxurious—and, of course, the pantyliner is obviously absorbent. 

I would wear them in a heartbeat. I don’t need them anymore, but I guess I could use them for when you’re laughing and smiling and unexpectedly can’t hold your bladder. 

There you go, they’re the answer to everything for us women.

Do you think having period underwear growing up would have been a game-changer?

Oh my, of course. There’s no doubt about it. Oh my gosh. Yes, that would have been amazing if we had those—never mind worrying about safety pins and belts. You just put them on like ordinary underpants. 

I think it’s wonderful because it alleviates a lot of worrying about when your period starts. You’d be prepared right away, you wouldn't have that embarrassing moment that happens to some of us.

I think everyone would be pleased to try them. You wouldn’t know the difference between period underwear and regular underwear.  

With the launch of Leakproof UltraThin No-Show underwear, we’re changing the period game (again) with new products and absorbencies that feel more lightweight than ever. This is all, of course, with the aim of helping you feel uninhibited on your period, so you can live unapologetically free (from bulky underwear). 

Whether you’re a period underwear enthusiast or novice, we’re here to help you find the best period underwear for your lifestyle and flow. Ahead is everything you need to know about our new absorbency classifications and which styles best suit whatever phase of life you're in. 

Oh, and psst, if the packaging on your glossy new undies doesn’t totally match up to this guide—don’t worry, we’re working on that. 

Lightest Absorbency 🩸

For your lightest period days—you know, when you’re spotting and kind of just want to forget you’re on your period altogether—there’s Light Leakproof No-Show Underwear. This range is designed to be your best friend on light flow days and can be worn with tampons and menstrual cups as backup leak protection. To that we say: go ahead and wear the white pants. 

Absorbency: Absorbs 1 to 1.5 tsps of menstrual fluid, discharge, and sweat—which is about the equivalent of 0.5-1 regular tampon. 

Styles: Light Leakproof No-Show Bikini, Boyshort, High Rise, Thong, High Rise Thong, Cheeky, and Mesh Thong.

Best for: Wearing solo when you’re spotting, backup protection on regular flow days, and mildly sweaty workouts. 

Light Absorbency 🩸🩸

Among our Light Leakproof assortment are slightly more absorbent underwear styles that can be worn in combination with tampons and menstrual cups as backup protection on regular flow days—or on their own on days when you’re wondering hmm…is my period actually over or am I still spotting? 

Absorbency: Absorbs 1.5-3 tsps of menstrual fluid, discharge, and sweat—which is about the equivalent of 1-3 regular tampons.

Styles:

• Light Leakproof No-Show Mesh High Rise and Bikini.
• Light Leakproof Luxe Modal Bikini and Boyshort. 
• Light Leakproof UltraThin No-Show Thong.
• Light Leakproof No-Show French Cut.

Best for: Your first time trying period underwear, wearing as backup protection (with a tampon or menstrual cup), days when you’re spotting, working up a sweat. 

Medium Absorbency 🩸🩸🩸

Looking for more than just backup protection? For regular flow days, there’s period underwear that can be worn solo all-day long (or as a backup when your flow is heavier). If you want all the absorbency but none of the bulk, opt for the newest Leakproof UltraThin No-Show styles. 

Absorbency: Absorbs 3-6 tsps worth of menstrual fluid, sweat, and urine—which is about the equivalent of 2-3 super tampons.

Styles:

• Leakproof UltraThin No-Show Bikini, French Cut, and High Rise.
• Leakproof Front-to-Back Liner Bikini and High Rise.
• Leakproof Cotton Modal Bikini and High Rise. 
• Leakproof Cotton Bikini and High Rise.
• Leakproof CoreLove High Rise. 
• Leakproof No-Show Thong.

Best for: Wearing solo on medium flow days, backup protection on heavy flow days, and light bladder leaks. 

Heavy Absorbency 🩸🩸🩸🩸

If we had a dime for every time we soaked through bedsheets or our favorite pair of pants, our bank accounts would all have an extra comma. Super Leakproof period underwear styles were designed with heavier flow days in mind—because who wants to wake up early to change their tampon? 

Absorbency: Absorbs 6-11 tsps of menstrual fluid, sweat, and urine—which is about the equivalent of 3-6 super tampons.

Styles:

• Super Leakproof No-Show Bikini, Boyshort, High Rise, and French Cut.
• Super Leakproof Cotton Boxer Brief.
• Super Leakproof Dream Short. 

Best for: Your period’s heavier days, overnight protection for sweet dreams, and sneaky bladder leaks when you cough or sneeze.

Ultra Absorbency 🩸🩸🩸🩸🩸

Our Zones+ Ultra absorbent period underwear are not messing around when it comes to leak protection. These heavy-duty styles leave period and bladder leaks shaking in their boots. And for good reason—this is our most absorbent assortment of period underwear to date, featuring extended coverage zones for targeted protection where you need it most. 

Absorbency: Absorbs 13 to 17 tsps of menstrual fluid, sweat, and urine—which is about the equivalent of 7-9 super tampons.

Styles: Ultra Leakproof Zones+ Bikini and High Rise.

Best for: Wearing solo on your heaviest period days (and nights), as well as light bladder leaks during postpartum, menopause, and life’s other phases. 

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For the full scoop on updated absorbency levels and product names, check out this comprehensive guide. 

“This is just the way it is,” we're told by our teachers, coaches, co-workers, friends, mothers and even our doctors. “Now, stop whining and get back to your day!”

And for the most part, that's what we do. From the moment we start menstrual periods, we grin and bear the pain through clenched teeth. We take deep breaths through paralyzing cramps and do our best not to show it. We often don't even talk about it in the fear that it could make other people uncomfortable.

And that's the problem. 

A lack of research on menstruating bodies paired with the “periods are taboo” mindset create a space in which pain is belittled to normalcy. So when that pain actually is abnormal, how are we to know the difference? 

The first time I'd ever heard the term ‘Endometriosis' was when my friend described the long and horrific journey she took to getting an endometriosis diagnosis. She discussed how the chronic pelvic pain that started developing in adolescence worsened to a point where she couldn't leave the bathroom floor for days during her periods. She would be sick to her stomach throughout her cycle, and was dismissed by handfuls of doctors until she found one who actually listened. 

Endometriosis (or “endo”) is a disease in which endometriosis tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus to form lesions, cysts, nodules, scar tissue, and other growths. Because the location of these growths vary, symptoms of endometriosis can look different for every single person who develops it. 

It is estimated that endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and unmeasured numbers of trans and gender diverse people. As we head into Endometriosis Awareness Month (March), let's stop normalizing painful periods and educate ourselves on symptoms of endometriosis, paths to getting endometriosis diagnosed, and where to find support.

Identifying Symptoms of Endometriosis

While the symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person, the most common can include: 

• Painful menstrual cramps/pelvic pain
• Lower back, pelvic or abdominal pain
• Painful intercourse
• Painful bowel movements or urination
• Bloating, nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Extreme fatigue  
• Ovarian cysts
• Internal scar tissue 

For a more detailed list of endometriosis symptoms, visit The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. 

How to Treat Endometriosis

While there's currently no cure for endometriosis, there are many ways to help treat endometriosis pain and relieve symptoms. If you're experiencing severe symptoms, a great place to start to seek a medical professional or endometriosis specialist.

A qualified medical professional can perform a pelvic exam, detect endometrial cells or abnormal tissue, and potentially diagnose endometriosis. Early treatment can help slow or even cease the progression endometriosis tissue and lesions, while reducing the long-term symptoms.  

It's extremely beneficial to research health care providers who have direct experience working with patients with endometriosis. This may take some time, so try to be patient with yourself by asking for support from friends and family and continual self-advocacy. On average, it takes 5 years for people in Canada to get a diagnosis.

Online resources like The Endometriosis Network has compiled a list of health providers with direct endo experience. They also include helpful questions to ask during your appointments! 

Medications (like anti inflammatory drugs nsaids) and birth control options (like oral contraceptives) are also options that many folks find helpful, though it depends entirely on your own health needs.

Excision (where the entire endometriosis lesions are removed) or ablation (which treats the surface of the endometriosis lesions) surgeries are considered to be highly-effective and minimally invasive surgery option to treat and remove endometriosis tissue—especially for those with severe endometriosis.

Other forms of hormone therapy, too, are possible treatment options that can help manage pain and new scar tissue from forming.

Exploring Alternative Remedies

But what can you do to help treat endometriosis symptoms and lessen severe pain? 

Keeping track of your diet and taking note of any changes to your symptoms based on the foods you eat can be helpful, especially during your menstrual cycle.

If you know which foods cause you to flare up, you can search for anti-inflammatory alternatives. Drinking lots of fluids and picking fiber-rich foods can also help keep you regular to avoid constipation and uncomfortable bowel movements.

Light exercise like yoga and stretching can help with pelvic pain relief during menstrual periods, and it's encouraged to research relaxation and meditation techniques that reduce stress. Heating pads, warm baths, pain medications, and cramp ointments can help soothe muscles and ease cramping.

Finding Relief in Community Support 

Because an endometriosis diagnosis can be very isolating—as can painful menstrual periods—consider reaching out to people who offer safe spaces for you. Though friends, family, and spouses may not know exactly what you're going through, sharing your experiences and feelings with them can be therapeutic and calming.

Alternatively, research different support groups so that you can speak with people who are going through a similar journey. The more people talk about painful periods, the more research and education will come from shedding light on this chronic disease that impacts the lives of so many.

If you know someone suffering with endometriosis, the best thing you can do is listen. Let them share their story with you. Explore their support options with them. Offer to help with chores or tasks if they're struggling. Let them know that you're there for them 100% of the way. 

Unfortunately, we live in a society where menstruation has been downplayed, dismissed, and (in many cases) completely ignored in the world of medical testing and treatment. Because of this, asking questions and addressing concerns can feel awkward. It can even feel downright uncomfortable! But, painful endurance and silent resignation are not the way ahead. 

Endometriosis advocates and allies have been proving that through their strength and persistence. It's only by sharing in the stories of our pain and pushing back against dismissal that we can move forward by saying, “Actually, no! That's not just the way it is anymore!” 

Sources:

https://msmagazine.com/2023/01/23/menstruation-clinical-trials-research-women-periods-covid/

https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis

https://www.yourperiod.ca/endometriosis/what-are-the-symptoms-of-endometriosis/

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis

https://endoact.ca/

https://endometriosisnetwork.com/

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometri/conditioninfo/treatment

https://www.endofound.org/advocacy

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We hope you found this post informative—but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition.

We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.

Brimming with hand-picked goods from Black-owned small businesses (including some of our very own Knix Ambassadors), these boxes were gifted to some special folks within our community. 

Guided by the theme "Unapologetically Black," Ambassador Coordinator, Raven McKenzie Newman, says "I wanted to speak to the brand and our philosophy of encouraging women to live unapologetically free, and combine that with the recognition every Black woman deserves."

In her own words, "Unapologetically Black is the statement I wanted every woman to be reminded of, and hope this empowers each and every one of them to show up in this world confident in exactly who they are—melanin and all!"

But just because you weren't among the lucky few to receive this special gift box doesn't mean you can't shop the curated selection (and we're not ones to gate-keep). Ahead, you'll find all the community creations we can't get enough of. 

Frizz + Co

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Frizz + Co founder, Daphné Eastmond, always struggled with her hair—until she decided “made for all hair types” just wasn’t good enough. In developing her own product line for textured hair, she discovered how to embrace her natural curls. And with her foray into entrepreneurship came the advent of the ultimate hair repair mask, so everyone can have day-one hair every day. 

Curly Prints 

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Speaking of curly hair, this sister-duo is dedicated to celebrating and representing curls. That’s why their comfy, high-quality loungewear features bold and vibrant prints inspired by a diversity of curls. Whether your hair is wavy, frizzy, or full of ringlets, sisters Candicia and Camilla invite you to wear it proud and join the Curly Gang. 

Noire Girls Plant

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Noire Girls Plant founder, Jordianne Beckford, discovered her love of plants gave way to a form of healing and community. Once a plant mom, she now likens herself to a botanical concierge who helps others cultivate the restorative pleasures of growing plants. This uplifting brand provides helpful resources for those looking to nurture their mental health through nurturing the natural world—so that we may all blossom. 

Kerl Beauty 

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Kerl Beauty founder, Natasha Sheppard, was born to girl-boss. Even as a kid, her entrepreneurial resume included everything from selling clothes to starting a dog-walking service. Things took a curly-haired turn in university when she began the journey of embracing her natural tresses. Today, she’s a curly queen with a line of affordable hair care products aimed at helping others discover the power of making every day a good hair day. 

London Ivy 

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Simplicity is at the core of London Ivy’s natural and organic self-care assortment. Using nothing but the highest quality natural ingredients, founder Monique London is all about creating products that lead to clearer skin and hydrated curls. Handcrafted and cruelty-free, the brand’s lineup of hair and skin care products prove you don’t need a 12-step routine to feel your best.

UNBTHRD Fashion

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This gender neutral clothing brand is all about protecting your peace. UNBTHRD reflects its founder, Sol Williams, ethos of challenging social norms and rising above negativity. As inclusive as it is comfortable, the brand’s joggers and crewnecks are adorned with affirmations that make for everyday statement pieces. 

Slay the Mic

Public speaker, coach, and self-proclaimed mic-slayer Jam Gamble brings energy and connection to every room she steps into. She also shares her gift by helping others tap into the ultimate superpower: their voice. Her dynamic public speaking programs are geared towards transforming your communication skills and honing engaging storytelling. Whether you’re looking to slay-the-mic at your next work presentation or to captivate a keynote audience, Jam knows how to help foster your inner-speaker.

However you choose to celebrate (or not celebrate), there’s hardly a better time of year to foster deep bonding and connection in your romantic relationships. And if your partner is seeing red for non-love related reasons (they’re on their period!), then what better way to show you care than nurturing them through their menstrual cycle? 

If your partner’s period is fraught by cramping, discomfort, mood swings, or the slew of other not-so-fun symptoms associated with menstruation, chances are your gestures of love will go a long way. 

Aside from the onslaught on dismal side effects often brought on by this hormonal phase, people who menstruate also face inequality at almost every level of society. In the workplace or at school, your partner may not be able to take time off or reduce their workloads when experiencing period-related symptoms. 

Even within the medical system, chronic pain and other health conditions related to menstrual health (like endometriosis, PMDD, and PCOS) often remain under-researched, misunderstood, and mistreated. 

Social stigma, too, contributes to expectations of secrecy and discretion surrounding periods. Which is to say, not only might your partner be experiencing period-related discomfort, but it’s also likely they feel external pressure to hide it. 

The past few years have been marked by progress in the period arena as women-led brands, online activists, body-positive influencers, authors, and academics push to lessen stigma and raise awareness. 

Still, sometimes the most meaningful progress can be affected in the comfort of home, through our intimate relationships. Ahead, you’ll find helpful tips on how to support your partner during their menstrual cycle.  

Educate Yourself

Think back to your high school biology or sexual health classes. What (if anything) do you remember learning about periods? If the answer is not much, you’re among the majority. 

Even when sex ed delves comprehensively into female reproductive health and hormonal cycles (there are actually four distinct phases) curriculums don’t encompass how to care for someone with a menstrual cycle. 

So, if you’re in a relationship with someone who menstruates, one of the best things you can do is educate yourself. But where to start?

Consider starting with the biology of menstruation—that’s to say, how does it actually work? From there, you can work your way up to understanding the fundamentals of hormonal phases, cycle syncing, the signs and symptoms of certain period-related conditions, and the best products and treatments that can help provide relief. 

Once you’ve soaked up all that knowledge, apply it to your relationship. How does your behavior or shared environment impact your partner’s period? From cooking up iron-rich foods during their menstrual cycle to getting familiar with everyday endocrine disruptors that may be lingering around your home, the opportunities to support your partner are virtually boundless. 

Ask Them What They Need 

Once you have a baseline understanding of the menstrual cycle and how your partner’s body changes throughout the month, the best way to offer support is to ask them what they need. 

This may seem simple, but it’s also incredibly powerful. Asking about their particular needs will give your partner the opportunity to connect more deeply with themselves in identifying their needs, allowing them to share an important—but often overlooked—area of their life. 

Those needs will look different in every relationship. For instance, your partner might appreciate you taking on the bulk of the cooking and cleaning so they can focus on rest. For others, support might look like being extra patient and loving because their emotions are more charged. 

Create a Period Care Package

Whether or not gifting is one of your partner’s love languages, if you want to go the extra mile, consider creating a period care package for your sweetheart. First, you’re going to want to find out their favorite comfort snacks and meals—dark chocolate? Salty munchies? Carbs on carbs?

You can also inquire about their go-to pain relief remedies and self care rituals. From cramp cream to epsom salts for a hot bath, there are near endless possibilities to provide much-needed comfort. 

Of course, comfortable and reusable period products, like Period Underwear, are also a game-changer—and we’re sure your partner’s top drawer could always use an extra pair. 

For nights of deep rest and sweet dreams, the Super Leakproof Dream Short is a period must-have. Designed with extra absorbency for overnight flows, these dreamy sleep shorts know there’s no better sleep than a leak-free sleep. 

Accept That You Might Not Understand 

If you don’t menstruate but your partner does, it might feel challenging to not entirely understand what they’re going through. This natural cycle is experienced by half the population, yet, it’s also incredibly intimate and varies from person to person. 

Some experience minimal symptoms during this phase, while others experience intense discomfort that can disrupt their day-to-day activities. While the male hormonal cycle operates on a roughly 24-hour loop, the female hormonal cycle is complex and ever-fluctuating—just as your partner’s needs likely are. 

If you can’t entirely relate, that’s OK. The best thing you can do is be open to learning and providing support in whatever way you’re able to by meeting them where they are in any given phase. 

Women who followed their original instructions and passed down the teachings of our creations story. Women who bled and birthed deep in the woods, by firelight or moonlight, and always surrounded by midwives—or as we would say: mashkikiiwikwe (Medicine Woman). 

The teachings of birth are highly revered within my community. They come to us, as women, when we get our first period or “moon time.”

When I was a young woman this time was very special for me. I was 13 years old when my grandmother (my first period) visited me for the first time. It was February 17, 2000.

I remember this date because it is my niece's birthday, and my mother announced the occasion to the entire restaurant that evening at her party. I remember how hot my cheeks got when I was singled out for having bled for the first time. 

This feeling would visit me often as I grew through my teenage years. See, in my house, periods were never something to be ashamed of, to hide or shy away from. Especially if you knew your teachings.

The berry fast gives you the teachings of life, of life bearing and creation. It speaks of sacrifice and responsibility and the care that must be taken to protect life and our sacred vessels as women.

I did not eat berries for one year. Harvesting the berries each season, but not eating them was a lesson in community—to think beyond yourself and see your role amongst others.

At the end of that year, I served the berries I had harvested and offered gifts I had made to my community and, in turn, they welcomed me as a new woman. My roles and responsibilities changed and the teaching I was offered transformed me.

I felt the weight of my ancestors on my shoulders and the strength of them in the earth under my feet as I walked through my teenage years.

The pressure of being a woman in this world is mighty. I felt that pressure. I had to learn to love my body and keep my spirit safe. I always felt like I was walking in two worlds. 

I felt like a target and never felt safe outside my community, especially amongst men. So the teachings of life helped to protect me as I navigated the clash between western, colonial views of women's rights and responsibilities, which are mostly to serve men and create a family.

I rebelled against the ways women were lifted up in colonial society, mostly because it caused me so much pain and my body too much harm as I grew into womanhood. 

To be more blunt, being seen as an object—just a body to be desired—was alarming and earth shattering for me. Especially in times when women were increasingly standing for self determination and equal rights.

My mother, a feminist, fought hard for me to walk proud and carry myself in a positive way. So, when I say my roles and responsibilities changed, I’m talking about the responsibility to carry life, to care for life—my own life at the center as a priority.

In my lodge, I became a buffalo dancer and that asked me to take on the responsibility of caring for others; to use my gifts to heal and care for community.

As a woman, I hold the responsibility of carrying on the ways of my ancestors. It is a choice to follow in their footsteps.

Honoring my moon time, that sacred time every month to sit with my grandmother, to be slow and considerate of my body is following in those footsteps.

It is a time in my house when I am left to rest. It is a monthly reminder for self care and caring for one's own spirit vessel (body). Each month, when my moon time comes, I honor her visit. 

This evolved as I became a mother. As you try to carry life, you come to watch your periods. Then, you  pray for your grandmother to allow new life to come to you. 

For nine months, she doesn’t visit you as you carry and care for life. For me, it was over three years that my grandmother didn’t come to visit (I didn’t get my period) while I carried and cared for life. 

I got so busy and so distracted, I didn’t realize how much I missed her—and her teachings of kindness and strength. Her teachings brought me the ability to carry life and prepared me for each step of the way. The years of blood shaped me.

My big sister Selena is doing her berry fast again, this time with her young daughter who just started her berry fast. Selena is in the change of life now (perimenopause). 

She’s in the opposite moment of her daughter’s burgeoning reproductive life. Her grandmother visited her for many years, gifted her with two beautiful children, and now will leave her to transform into a grandmother herself.

This change of life is happening to all my big sisters right now. It’s a beautiful moment for me as a new mom. To bask in the teachings of life and all the ways they manifest to hold us.

I have always looked to my big sisters to prepare for what is to come. I also hold the memories of what it was like to become a young woman as my own mother went into menopause. 

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I remember so clearly her discomfort, and the physical manifestations of transformation. She didn’t get to have a ceremony, like the berry fast to welcome the next stage of life. 

Her role in community, however, shifted. She is an elder, healer, and knowledge keeper for the people. She has spent her life picking up teachings that were stolen; rekindling the fire of creation amongst the people.

She brought three women up in this world and raised a young nation of proud Anishinaabekwes.

She allowed our blood memory to flow, hold its reverence, and lift us up into the power and protection every woman deserves. These are the teachings of women, of nationhood, of creation.

We bleed. We carry and care for life. This is the work of grandmothers of many generations. Since the very beginning of life itself.

Though it’s been shrouded by ageist remarks, sexist headlines, and quiet whispers, perimenopause is as routine as puberty or your monthly period. But what happens when that familiar period stops? Or becomes irregular?

Starting as early as your 30s, those in perimenopause can experience up to a whopping 34 different physical and mental health-related symptoms—including hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, and muscle aches. 

Lack of knowledge and awareness are barriers to women speaking openly about their experiences. Left to internalize pain and discomfort, we often suffer in silence. 

In reality, there are tons of effective tools, coping mechanisms, and treatments available. If only we could recognize the signs and say them out loud. 

Well, we’re talking about perimenopause out loud. Shouting it out loud, actually.

The Invisible Period is a campaign film created by Knix to shine light on a period of people’s lives that receives so little attention that 90% feel unprepared for the perimenopause journey. 

Directed by longtime Knix collaborator, Soleil Denault, the film is a portrait of life's natural patterns. It explores the routine periods that make up the rhythms of our lives, and the big, life-altering periods (or missed periods) that make up many of life's losses and milestones. 

We live with these periods for decades until, one day, The Invisible Period catches us off guard. 

Featuring Knix founder, Joanna Griffiths, content creator and activist, Sarain Fox, as well as members of the Knix community, the project aims to change the narrative around perimenopause. 

In school, we learn about puberty, periods, and pregnancy but perimenopause remains obscured. This even though, according to the National Institute on Aging, more than one million US-women experience menopause each year. 

Far from uniform, perimenopause affects everyone differently, and at different stages of life.

Notorious for its pesky symptoms—everything from anxiety to brain fog—many women enter this often decade-spanning phase without even knowing. 

When those symptoms don't receive the support they deserve, people are often left feeling alone; women leave the workforce in droves, thinking something is wrong with them, or muscle-through discomfort when they don't have to. 

This simply reinforces false notions that menopausal women are in decline, that their social value has somehow depreciated. 

This couldn't be further from the truth: perimenopause is a new chapter, a transition full of changes that can be empowering with access to the right support and resources. 

It's not just a talking point for women, either. Everyone—including men—are invited to help change the narrative, participate in discourse, and offer support to the perimenopausal folks in their life. 

We’re shedding the shame, cultural taboos, and misconceptions surrounding menopause and helping give it the rebrand it so desperately needs. Because from your first period to your last, we've got you covered. 

And no, I didn’t have a baby — rather it was me who was reborn when I came out as Transgender on my 19th birthday.

It was 2013 and, to my dismay, there were virtually no positive representations of transgender people in mainstream media. In the years since, lots has changed — both in the mainstream and on a personal level. 

Now, 10 years later, I’m celebrating how far I’ve come. For years, I struggled every day with the gender I was assigned at birth, fighting constantly to express myself without coloring outside the lines. 

With my birthday and trans-anniversary celebration on the horizon, I’m reflecting on my decade-long journey to becoming the truest version of myself, and who I was born to be.

The Early Days of Self-Discovery 

Growing up, my mom and dad always supported my interests, but like many parents, tried to protect me from society. 

Despite clear signs and protests that there was something more beneath the surface, they made sure I went to school dressed for my assigned gender. 

One fateful day, 19-year-old me came across YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous’ first I am Transgender video. With just one click, I was introduced to a new world — one with vocabulary that accurately described what I hadn’t been able to put into words for so long.

And with that, my journey to gender freedom began. 

Not only did I gain mental clarity, there was also an explosion of trans faces making their way into mainstream spaces. Orange Is The New Black made its Netflix debut and Laverne Cox — an open trans actress — played a trans role in the series. 

It was groundbreaking. And, as time has gone on, more and more trans folks have appeared at the forefront, their stories finally being shared.

Despite the challenges trans people face daily, representation in mainstream media can help aid personal development. In retrospect, when I was growing up, representation was severely lacking.

Trans voices have always been there, that’s nothing new. But the rise in trans public figures has generated a level of visibility that creates space for other trans folks to embrace being themselves, to know they’re enough and never alone (cliché but necessary!).

Becoming the Representation I Needed 

Even as a little kid, my love for fashion, beauty, and entertainment knew no bounds. 

In 2016, I began blogging about fashion trends and style, and dove into work as a freelance model. While it was fun to explore these passions, it was also difficult to navigate my gender dysphoria as a trans girl.

Deep down, I always knew my dreams of working in fashion were tangible, I just had to keep believing in myself. 

As brands evolved and became more inclusive, I remember finding it refreshing to see less singular forms of feminine beauty: women from different walks of life, cultures, and body types. 

It felt like there was more opportunity for me to model and create — including the opportunity to feature in Knix’s “Love Your Shape” campaign. 

As a trans woman, modelling shapewear and underwear in a space that’s typically reserved for cisgender women of a certain body type was a barrier-breaking moment. It has empowered me to live out my dreams, while embracing my body and of my perfectly imperfect flaws. 

These experiences have been liberating, something I thought could never happen for someone like me. It’s this newfound confidence that allowed me to overcome the mental and physical hurdles that weighed on me since coming out. 

Finding Agency and Doing the Inner Work

After years of feeling tormented by my appearance, feeling trapped every time I looked in the mirror, I worked up the nerve (and, of course, finances) to book a tracheal shave surgery.

While there are many different opinions on elected surgery, it’s a personal decision and the prerogative of each individual trans person. For me, it’s a subtle change that brings me peace every single day. 

Did the surgery improve how I feel about my outward appearance? Absolutely. Did it put a stop to the negative internal dialogue in my head? Definitely not. 

Inner work in the form of therapy and daily affirmations in the mirror have also been crucial to building up my confidence. Mental health is a long, nonlinear journey that involves uncomfortable conversations and daily work. 

But, as much as self-work is a constant, sometimes you have to pop a bottle and look back on how far you’ve come. 

After a decade of navigating life as a trans woman, and learning to accept and love myself for who I’m meant to be, my upcoming birthday and anniversary is such a special milestone. 

I’m grateful for the trans community and our collective efforts to create space and opportunity for multiple trans identities to exist, and for our stories to be told from our own perspectives.

As I enter the last year of my twenties, I’m grateful to be surrounded by diversity, doing work that’s changing the narrative around trans identities, and chasing my dreams. 

Who knows what’s in store for me as I enter this new chapter, but if I’ve learned anything: sky’s the limit.

Aside from the fact that it sounds kind of fun, for all the times we’ve been poked and prodded by an underwire, there are a few bras we wouldn’t mind seeing go up in flames. 

Radical and bad-ass as it may sound, the whole bra-burning feminist thing is largely a myth — one that was concocted by sensationalist media outlets of eras past, looking for grabby headlines and to undermine the second wave feminist movement. 

It’s a legend that rewinds us back to the 1968 Miss America Pageant, where the Women’s Liberation Movement rallied to disrupt the narrow representations of female beauty and womanhood being put on display at the televised beauty pageant. 

The iconic demonstration featured a “Freedom Trash Can,” where women were invited to toss anything they viewed as symbolic tools of patriarchal oppression. As women stepped into their power, tubes of lipstick, women’s magazines, mops, and heels were hurled into the trash can by the dozen. 

Then, fatefully, some women unhooked their bras and slinged them into the trash, freeing their breasts from the constraints of their underwire shackles. The only kind of burning that took place, however, was purely symbolic. 

Against the backdrop of the feminist revolution, bras — with their metal wires and restrictive fabric — were increasingly seen as an oppressive garment. But, today, have we fully escaped the grips of the cone-bra, metal corset, and its latest iteration: the underwire bra?

With the advent of bras made by women for women, with the aim of being comfortable and not (necessarily) for the purposes of stoking male desire, we’d say there are some pretty revolutionary bras out there today (read: our lineup of aptly named Revolution Bras). 

The underwire bra has been deemed passé and the female gaze (and wireless bra) has stepped onto the scene — but the story of how we got here warrants more exploration. 

For one, bras have been around for a long long time. Garments used to hold up breasts have existed for basically as long as, well, breasts. 

Within the mosaics of a Sicilian castle that dates back to 4th century AD are depictions of women wearing supportive fabric while engaging in sport. 

But there’s a pretty wide gap between those makeshift garments and the modern, double cup, adjustable bra we know today. 

Notoriously rigid, restraining, and made from bone, ivory, and metal, corsets aimed to mold women’s bodies and emphasize a narrow waist. 

The corset reigned from the 16th century until 1889, when feminist Herminie Cadolle had the ingenious idea of cutting the undergarment in half for more freedom of movement — she coined it the “corselet-gorge.” 

In 1913, the modern bra made its first appearance when Mary Phelps Jacobs DIY-ed a piece of lingerie out of two silk handkerchiefs and some ribbon. Inspired to fashion it when her corset kept peeking out from her plunging neckline, she sold them to women in her community before selling the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company for $1500. 

We can’t help but roll our eyes knowing the company went on to garner over $15 million in sales from the bra over the next few decades. 

By the time cup sizes and hook-and-eye fastenings came around, it was the 1930s. With metal being in high demand during wartime, the corset fell into oblivion while bras crafted for the male gaze gained ascendence. 

Popularized by stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield during the Hollywood golden age, the bullet bra — with its cylindrical padding — made an impact on the evolving feminine ideal. 

Padded, and even inflatable bras were all the rage as full busts and cinched waists infiltrated everything from Christian Dior runways to movie screens. 

It’s no wonder by the time the 1960s came around, women were ready to throw in the towel (or throw the bra into the trash can, as the story goes). 

As women connected and rallied over their shared oppression (which, notably at this time lacked intersectionality) the bra became one of the many targets of pushing back against enforced femininity. 

Changing notions of gender and sexuality, inspired by the second wave feminist revolution, gave way to more organic shapes and functional fabrics. Women everywhere let out a giant sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, the reprieve was short-lived. Having abandoned centuries of restrictive, male-focused undergarments, the 90s and early-2000s marked a resurgence in performative sexiness. 

The same logic that was used to sell corsets and bullet bras to housewives in the 1950s was at work again, this time in the form of the underwire push-up bra. Designed to constrict and contort, lingerie was sold to women under the guise of self-empowerment. 

Rooted in male fantasy and pleasure, angel wings, slender frames, and seriously uncomfortable bras dominated the decades. 

While the bra seems to be here to stay, we’ve mostly stepped out of the dark ages of bras as symbols of female torture and into the golden days of comfortable, functional, and wireless bras — ones that women have designed themselves, based on their own needs and desires.

As women stake a claim on their sexuality, undergarments are less focused on seduction and increasingly prioritize how women want to look and feel. 

We don’t have to live between the dichotomy of “sexy” or “practical” — our undergarments can reflect our mood, personal taste, and style. 

Still, we can’t help but want to reclaim the image of the bra-burning feminist. It’s an enduring persona that was devised to trivialize the feminist movement, and it’s due for a rebrand. 

We’re all for the Revolution Bras of today that provide barely-there comfort and support, and ready to set our underwires ablaze — if only metaphorically. 

As feminist and journalist Lindsy Van Gelder, who’s famed for reporting on the 1968 Miss America Pageant protests once wrote: “I never burned my bra in the sixties, but I wish I had.” 

Thin was in, and I and every other adolescent I knew was busy internalizing the narrow beauty ideals that dominated the decade—a mission that every magazine ad, commercial, TV show, and music video seemed intent on conveying. 

When I discovered Knix would be collaborating with early aughts pop prince (and Knix friendly) Shawn Desman on a music video for his newest release “Love Me With The Lights On,” a wave of nostalgia took hold. Was this an opportunity for a mini do-over? 

What I hoped would ensue was a dance anthem that combined Y2K charm and shower-singing potential with the representation that era so desperately lacked. 

Unsure what to expect, on the day of the music video shoot, I was giddy to find Shawn’s 1-2-step in full effect, the spotlight surging with a diversity of underwear-clad folks strutting their stuff. 

The final product delivers the slow-motion captures, close-ups, saturated palette, glorious wind machines, and other Y2K-proclivities I’d hoped for—except it features everyday women.

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Behind the scenes, a chorus of folks cheered each other on as they stepped on camera for the first time. The warm and whimsical ambience suggested the shoot was, for many, an exercise in healing their inner-child.

“Conceptually, the whole thing is about empowering people to just be comfortable in your own skin,” Shawn tells me between takes, his eight-year-old daughter in tow. “I wanted [my daughter] to be here because I wanted her to see and hear all of this.”

Motivational speaker and music video star Jam Gamble describes the experience as “surreal.” 

I ask about the music video’s potential effect on young people. “I think I just know how I felt at that age. I didn't see myself in music videos,” she says. “The thought of somebody watching me and not feeling the way I felt back then is really powerful.”

For Victoria Chiappetta, growing up with a physical disability meant trying to dim her light to fit in. “It was [during] COVID that I started to see the world in a different light, through social media I started meeting people and was like, you know what, maybe there is space for me,” she says.

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She describes taking part in the music video as a full circle moment. “When you’re growing up and you don’t look like anybody, you’re really questioning your purpose and role in the world.” 

“I’ve been listening to Shawn since I was younger and growing up,” she continues. Being a part of the project—“it sounds cliche”—feels like a strange coincidence that has altered her perception of beauty. 

Representation means “seeing people like me, the girl with the prosthetic leg” and its powerful influence exceeds the personal, reverberating and inspiring others to step into their own light; to be seen and heard. 

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Everyone on set had their own story and motivating force for taking part in the music video, including Shawn, who wrote the song as an ode to his wife after health complications left her feeling self-conscious about her body.  

But if Shawn’s new certified bop is any indication, desire is no issue for the “Love Me With The Lights On” singer. 

Beyond its love ballad origins, the song and music video challenge traditional notions of beauty—asking the music video stars and audience alike: what does beauty mean to you?

Whether it’s moving through the world with confidence, refusing to shrink yourself to fit in, or being the representation you never saw growing up, the answer is free form and for you to decide. 

For three years, I kept my battle with breast cancer somewhat private — I genuinely believed it wasn't significant enough to warrant sharing. It wasn't until I crossed paths with a remarkable group of young women that my perspective changed. 

They stressed that it didn't matter what stage I was, the extent of my treatment, or even the absence of it. I’m young and I have breast cancer; every day, this is my reality. 

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I now believe the more I share my story, discuss my experience, and help educate women my age, better are the chances I can help others identify potential issues and make it through. 

Sharing my personal experience, wherever and whenever I can, can make a huge difference. That includes highlighting warning signs, providing tips on how to do self-examinations, and inspiring others to become advocates of their health.

Regardless of how many times a doctor may dismiss our worries with empty assurances, we must advocate for ourselves and refuse to accept dismissive answers. 

That's why I'm here — not to seek sympathy or attention for my own situation — but to be bold and brutally honest, hoping to help as many people as I possibly can.

Becoming Accustomed to My Ever-Changing Body

Over the past five years, I've undergone multiple lumpectomies — and now I’ve reached the unfortunate stage where I need a double mastectomy. 

While the lumpectomies were certainly unpleasant, I had almost gotten used to them. I had learned to manage the pain and even found helpful products, which made a world of difference as my breasts recovered. But now, I’m facing a much more difficult challenge. 

The mere thought of having my breasts surgically removed is terrifying, but somehow the idea of losing my nipples is even more daunting. I’m not sure whether it’s the physical pain and recovery that frightens me most or the concept of permanently altering my femininity. 

Surgery no longer scares me — I've become accustomed to it. What comes afterwards, both the healing process and living my life with a different body, is extremely difficult to wrap my head around. 

Finding Inner Strength

I have a family history of breast cancer, so at a young age I was tested for certain genes linked to high occurrences of breast cancer. I was positive, which led to me and my doctors to be careful about monitoring my breasts for lumps.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, I highly recommend getting your genes tested. When I began getting lumps, I knew what the end result could be. 

Still, I was angry and scared when my doctor finally said the fateful words: “Let’s do your double mastectomy.” How could I be a 30-year-old woman without breasts? How could this happen to me? 

I realized then I hadn’t really believed it would come to this. It shook my world, and for a while, I could barely keep myself from screaming.

But with time comes more perspective, and even a few weeks helped me start to accept that this was the right choice. I’m not alone in this, I reminded myself. 

People like my grandmother, aunt, and friend have all gone through what I will go through. If they could do it, so can I.

If my grandmother could overcome cancer multiple times with unwavering strength, survive 10 years after being told she had three months to live, and still stand here today as strong as can be, then I can make it through, too. I’m a survivor, bred and born. 

Starting a New Chapter

Unlike a Disney movie, the reality is this story can’t simply end on that uplifting note. 

I won't sugar coat it; the fear remains, and this process is far from pleasant. I can't say I wish I had done it sooner, and I certainly can't claim to be happy about it because, truthfully, it sucks big time. 

What I am looking forward to, however, is closing this chapter of my life. I’m excited for reduced worries — not just for myself, but for my loved ones as well. I’m excited to put an end to my breast pain. 

Instead of frequent breast appointments, I hope to have them just once a year. Maybe then, once everything is behind me, I can find a greater sense of happiness and live a more stress-free, in-the-moment life.

Finally, no matter your age, I want to highlight the importance of getting familiar with breast cancer symptoms, doing self-exams, and communicating concerns with your doctor, which can potentially lead to early detection and make a world of a difference in terms of long term outcome. 

Like me, it could even save your life. Just taking the time to read my story could help you or someone you love — I hope it does. 

—

Dedicated to my grandma, Joan Hart — the strongest woman I know.

For behavioral health scientist and director of maternal health at the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), Kanika Harris, that means “you have the support to take care of yourself and [your] growing baby,” she says. “It means that whatever brings you joy in this experience of bringing life into the world, you have the right to that.” 

Whether that looks like giving birth at home, being surrounded by friends and family, settling into an intuitive birthing position, or incorporating cultural rituals, there should be space in the birthing experience for autonomy and joy.

Why then, within the current framework, do safety, support, and empowerment remain firmly out of reach for so many burgeoning families? Kanika, who’s policy and birthing justice work champions health equity for Black women, stipulates “I think for us in this country, birth is not feeling safe anymore.” 

It’s a heart wrenching declaration — and one that’s supported by heaps of evidence. Despite the progress being made by BWHI and other birthing justice organizations, the stark reality is that birthing experiences and outcomes vary drastically based on racial identity, income, and social status. 

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These inequalities are a driving force in Knix’s decision to join forces with BWHI and to launch and sustain the NOURISH Program, a doula training program designed to meet the intersectional needs of Black birthing families. Taking a grassroots approach, the program is helping push the birthing justice movement forward. 

This movement, as defined by the University of California San Francisco, calls for safeguarding “the rights of birthing people to make decisions around their pregnancies, including seeking abortions, and to have children in safe and supportive environments.” 

It’s a reasonable ask and, yet, Black and LGBTQ2S+ folks, as well as immigrants, those who are low income and not able-bodied face mounting inequality, often struggling to access adequate care. 

The maternal mortality rate among Black birthing people in the U.S. remains disproportionately high, while thousands of others experience unexpected labor and delivery outcomes with complicated health consequences. It’s especially troubling if you consider 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are completely preventable. 

“Every mother, everywhere, regardless of race or background deserves to have a healthy pregnancy and birth,” reads a social post from world class athlete Serena Williams in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. 

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After welcoming her daughter via emergency C-section, she suffered a pulmonary embolism, among other health complications — an eye opening example of how structural racism and implicit bias can affect even the most privileged women of color. 

As organizations and advocates alike work towards eliminating barriers to health equity for Black women and birthing people, knowledge and education are key to empowering women of color to pursue the best health decisions for themselves. 

This looks like challenging the insidious forces of racism, sexism, and inequality at work within the health and reproductive care system. It also involves restoring knowledge to the Black birthing community by offering person-centered care and support from traditional birth-workers, like midwives and doulas.  

“I think having doulas present is providing continuous support and care, and providing a way for families to feel safe,” says Kanika. “[It’s] so critical that you have someone that’s helping you or providing you support throughout that journey.” 

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To date, the NOURISH program (which is scholarship-based and free of cost) has trained 38 full-spectrum doulas who have gone on to provide 160 Black birthing families with the physical, emotional, and informational support needed to manage the transition into parenthood and the postpartum phase. 

“The NOURISH program really came out of this idea of restoring autonomous communities that understand birth and have that knowledge for them and their families,” says Kanika. 

While the program provides postpartum doulas with the knowledge and resources needed to support birthing families, its grassroots approach also allows women to advocate for themselves, as well as circulate knowledge within their families and communities at large. 

Knix’s donations to the scholarship program have grown to over $200,000 — thanks, in part, to the $1 donations from every item purchased from our Maternity and Postpartum Collection. 

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As NOURISH continues to expand, it’s heartening to know that doulas — empowered with knowledge and person-centered care — are transforming the lives of those in their communities. And, in no small way, are driving the birthing justice movement forward by improving the health outcomes of birthing people. 

The crux, however, remains that how women show up to birth is just one component of an overarching system in which social determinants continue to negatively impact women of color on the whole (pregnant or not). 

When the health needs of women of color are being met, “then you don’t have to worry about how pregnant women show up to birth,” according to Kanika. 

“Maternal health is the number one indicator of the health of a nation,” she tells me. “Birthing justice means you have sovereignty and autonomy to live your life on your terms, get all the resources you need to provide for your family, [and to] live out your passions — whatever that means.”

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We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.

So, why does visible allyship seem limited to certain timeframes? What’s the difference between changing a logo to reflect the rainbow colors versus impacting authentic change? What does showing up mean, who benefits from it, and why is it important?

Allyship is more than just a buzzword — it has the power to transform the experiences of Queer folks, to create a sense of belonging, and allow people to discover and embrace their most authentic selves.

Queerness Isn’t a Phase

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I was 15 when I first officially came out to my parents, and it was a terrifying experience. I was grounded and caught sneaking on a device I wasn’t supposed to have. Can you guess what I was doing? I was texting a girl I liked, of course. 

It felt like my life was about to be over. Not only did I get caught, but now they were going to figure out I was gay by way of those messages. I decided to rip off the band-aid before they did and broke down in front of my mom — I had something to confess, I told her. 

I thought I had been sneaky, but my mother saw right through my veil. As her firstborn, she told me, she knew more about me than I knew about myself. My father’s reaction was one I’ll never forget: “I understand, boys aren’t that pretty anyways.” It was very on brand for my father, who, to this day, has remained my fiercest ally. 

Falling outside of the norm can be an incredibly isolating experience for Queer youth. It’s funny, some will say exposing kids to 2SLGBTQ+ people or media will make them Queer. I couldn’t even name a Gay public figure — and, yet, I was Queer-er than a three dollar bill. 

It didn’t take long to figure out I was different; I could already identify my otherness from my peers and siblings. I was what you would classify a “tomboy.” I hated dresses, only played with “boy toys,” and was always roughhousing with the guys instead of playing nicely with the girls. 

Various family members commented that it was a “phase” I would grow out of — that when puberty hit, I’d be all makeup, dresses, and boy-crazy. Fast forward years later, I was still that same tomboy, even less concerned with male validation, still roughhousing, and avoiding dresses at all costs. 

Support Through the Trials of Self-Identity

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I’ve always been one of the first openly queer people in any of my circles. I was truly blessed to have a support system that allowed me to do so. My friends not only accepted me without question, but created space for me to become more comfortable with my masculine side. 

My first girlfriend was in seventh grade, and I dated my best friend for over a year. I remember all my friends helping me ask her out, being supportive of our relationship, and never excluding us from events just because we happened to be Queer. There was no awkwardness, no change in our affection for one another. 

Coming out can be a terrifying time for people; you may think you know someone or think their love for you is unconditional, only to find out there are conditions. As people navigate these trials of self-identity, allyship and support are crucial in making folks feel that they truly belong. 

Though, at the time, I still identified as Bisexual (compulsory heterosexuality is one hell of a curve and a topic that warrants its own article), I had the same support years later when I finally felt confident identifying as a Lesbian. 

Self-discovery is an ongoing journey throughout our lives. Some may be able to swiftly step into their true identity and never sway. In contrast, others’ identities may evolve and fluctuate — neither experience invalidates the other. 

I have friends who change their names every couple of years, one who no longer identifies with the gender they presented as when we were kids — it’s all just a part of life. We grow, we learn, and we make new discoveries. 

Showing support through these natural evolutions is when allyship truly shines.

Let Your Allyship Shine Bright

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I was able to come to terms with being Bisexual then, later in life, identifying as a Lesbian because of the support around me. Support and understanding from allies in the lives of Queer folks can make this journey to self-acceptance less daunting. 

Be that person who uses the correct pronouns, affirms people’s choices, allows them to change, and doesn’t project your own ideas onto others. Strong allies don’t just happen, in the same way that finding confidence in my Queerness didn’t happen overnight. 

Allyship takes a conscious effort to develop the necessary understanding to be a solid support system for Queer folks. Take time to listen, learn, and be okay with being a beginner. It also means extending your allyship beyond Pride month and committing to year-round efforts. 

Seek out resources from Queer folks, stay informed on events and news for your local area, but don’t expect to place the burden of education on Queer folks in your life. Professors and experts are paid to share their knowledge, which is labor you should keep in mind when interacting with Queer people. 

Cultivate your active listening skills, foster compassion, and, most of all, always approach things with love.

Among the recipients of a Knix Fund grant is Moon Time Sisters, a flagship project of True North Aid and organization supporting Northern menstruators.

As the only Indigenous-led period equity group in Canada, Moon Time Sisters — soon to be Moon Time Connections — takes a decolonized and menstruator-centered approach to addressing the unique challenges facing Northern and remote communities by providing cost-prohibitive period products to those in need completely free-of-cost. 

Most recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with organization founder, Nicole White, to chat everything from gender equity to Indigenous wisdom.

Can you tell me more about Moon Time Sisters, your mission, and what inspired you to found the organization?

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We've been around since January, 2017 and that was as a result of reading a story about menstruators in Northern Saskatchewan missing school because they didn't have access to menstrual products. 

When you read stories about the North, there’s a deficit lens to it and I didn’t want to add to that. I started calling my community across Saskatchewan. What started off as a small one-off project has manifested into a national organization, which I’m so proud of. 

We’re one of the only Indigenous-led menstrual equity groups in Canada. Part of our mission that is quite unique is that we provide the full spectrum of products. I’m just thrilled to have Knix on board in such a meaningful, powerful way and to be able to provide a reusable product. 

I feel like a central part of menstrual equity is empowering people to make whatever choice works best for their body or circumstances. What are some of the unique period-related challenges facing Indigenous and Northern communities?

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I’ll lay out a few things that we hear often from our communities. Access to clean water is a major issue and a number of communities have been under water advisories for, sometimes, their whole lifetime depending on where they live. 

So having that full spectrum [of products] is really important. I know sometimes donors reach out and say, “you know what these girls really need,” and there’s this kind of paternalistic nature to it. So we have focused on hearing the needs of the community and have really strived to meet those needs. 

During the pandemic there were tampon shortages we had to navigate. We had major issues with transport to Northern communities because a number of airlines were no longer running North during the pandemic. So, we’ve strived to pivot when we can and focus on different ways to get product North. 

I guess the other piece when it comes to Northern and remote communities, we frequently hear about food costs being three, four, or five times what we pay in Southern communities. That [applies to] period products, too. 

I talked to one mom, she picked up some pads at their shelter and said, “you know, my girls and I have never actually had [period] products before.” They only ever used socks. The idea that we are giving [period products] is a simple and powerful way to provide people dignity.

There may be different challenges they’re navigating every single day, and if one thing they don’t have to worry about is a period product, I’m very proud to be a part of offering that to them.

Do you see period equity and gender equality as going hand in hand?

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It’s deeply interwoven. When we talk about body autonomy and somebody’s personal journey around menstruation, it’s all interconnected with gender equity. I think you actually hit the nail on the head because when somebody is missing school, that reduces their ability to graduate and their ability to get a great job down the road. 

There’s all sorts of things connected to deep isolation that I think all of us have navigated these last few years. We have just finished up a study — for the first time ever — on menstrual equity [that involves] hearing the voices of Northern menstruators in Canada. 

I’m really excited to showcase some of the things Northern menstruators are navigating. I think we need to have a deeper conversation around menstruation and how it impacts our quality of life every single day. I think I'm passionate about talking about it and de-stigmatizing menstruation anytime we can. 

What do we stand to gain from integrating Indigenous wisdom into discourse surrounding period equity? 

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As an organization, we’ve really tried to look at the call to action and try to incorporate our mission statement into a medicine wheel of support. I do have Elders I access and ask questions to. We don’t have a formal [elder] connected to our organization yet, but hopefully that will come in the future. 

Really honoring people’s journey — I think that is at our core. Because of the personal nature of menstruation, we prioritize body autonomy in asking communities, “what do you need?” Saying “this is the only product we’re going to send to you because we know best,” that’s paternalistic and colonial in nature. 

We really strive to work for community and with community. If you check out our social media, I think we’ve really strived to create a bridge to provide education to settlers and provide education in a meaningful way that connects menstrual equity and Indigenous ways of knowing. 

One of the things we’re working on internally is looking at a rebrand and renaming. I worked closely with a group of two-spirit Elders and down the road, within the next year, we’ll be changing our organizational name to Moon Time Connections to honor our two-spirit and trans menstruators. 

It’s been a really intentional journey and we have been doing some deeper work to decolonize our organization. I live, I learn, and we always strive to do better. 

With "Moon Time" in mind, I’d love to know more about Indigenous wisdom surrounding the connection between menstruation and the natural environment — which is often obscured in colonized discourse around periods.

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A lot of Indigenous cultures have rights of passage ceremonies — moon time — that honor the coming of age. When you first start to menstruate, there’s a ceremony that occurs where everyone in your life surrounds you with a circle of support and helps you transition to this next phase of life. 

I think it’s a really beautiful way to honor that rite of passage and honor the fact that we are supporting young menstruators, increasing educational outcomes, and helping them continue to be connected to community and support while they’re navigating menstruation.

Like many art forms, it has the power to evoke, inspire, and be profoundly political. And the star of our latest Get Ready With Me segment, Gay Jesus, channels all of the above into their drag persona and performances. 

We recently caught up with the fabulous drag king and burlesque performer — who's a force to be reckoned with on the Canadian drag scene — to talk spreading trans joy, what it means to cultivate an authentic drag persona, art as a catalyst for social change, and so much more. 

From acting to theatre to drag performances, it seems like you have a lot of spinning plates these days. Tell us about what you’ve been up to lately!

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As I type this out I’m actually recently returned from Winnipeg as of two days ago. I was there for two months working with Prairie Theatre Exchange on the world premiere of Volare by Elio Zarrillo.

It was my second time visiting, as my first was just last summer when I flew out to perform in drag for the Cluster Festival and Canada Pride. It’s incredibly special to me to be able to center my communities in the work that I do and to be invited into ones outside of my own is always very moving to me. 

I knew from early on in my work as an artist that I wanted the messaging in my artistry to push for social progress and to celebrate intersectional queer visibility, but I think the more I do it, the more amazed I am that this gets to be my job.

There were a lot of moments when I was told that this wouldn’t be possible, that even just being out would wreck my ability to work. But it’s actually given me the ability to connect so deeply with my community and to collaborate with artists whose morals and values reflect and even inspire mine.

This past year, I got the chance to play Arrow on the CBC and HBO Max original series Sort Of, and if you told me that would’ve been my future when I first started my career, I don’t know if I would’ve even been able to imagine what that looked like.

I feel very similarly about drag. Performing as a drag king and as Gay Jesus has always felt very sacred to me. But since returning from lockdowns, the best way to describe the level of joy I feel is to tell you that my job involves me looking into a sea of happy queer people. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Last year, you performed virtually (due to COVID) for Knix HQ’s Pride party. How does it feel to be performing in person once again? 

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Ah, the virtual Knix HQ Party was one of the highlights of my Pride last year! Being back to in-person performances brings so much joy to get to see community in the flesh, however I must admit that there’s also an undercurrent of fear that’s constantly running through me.

Realistically speaking, Covid-19 is still very much present and threatening people’s health. If I’m totally honest, I’m constantly wondering if we’re all about to get sick and I’m constantly looking at rooms and wondering who’s missing.

There’s so much life in every room I get to step into, but I can’t help but think about how many people should still be here had this pandemic been handled differently and noticing who in our community is still unable to come out because of the lack of precautions in place.

There are many disabled members of our community and people who are immunocompromised or people who live with loved ones who are immunocompromised who’ve expressed frustration and their inability to come back to community spaces.

So it’s a mixed bag. There’s joy, there’s deep frustration, and there’s a lot of work left to be done.

As a drag artist and burlesque performer, you seamlessly weave together masculine and feminine elements. How have you cultivated a drag persona that feels authentic to you?

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I think three major elements that have allowed me to cultivate a drag persona that feels authentic to me have been listening to my gut instincts no matter how absurd they may seem, constantly learning, and giving myself permission to evolve.

Everyone has different things that excite them, different songs that give them chills, different favourite shades of lipsticks, different tastes for food. The same can apply to art and to creation.

As Gay Jesus I get to have full creative control over my creations and performances. No matter what’s around me and what I may perceive to be good or right, I’ve learned that I really have to lean into what excites me and what piques my interest.

It’s like when you hear a scientist get excited talking about their specialty. I’ve learned that I have to give myself permission to dive into my strange little interests even though they may seem off, or not necessarily correct. Those are always where the exciting bits live.

When we think of refining a craft, it’s often viewed in an academic sense, but as an artist I think of it more so in the ways we absorb the world. There’s so much I don’t know and the more I feed my brain, the more it has to play with and the more it can be inspired by.

Then there’s giving yourself permission to evolve. It’s something we do on a daily basis whether we want to or not which means that, because we’re changing as people, our artistry is also perpetually in flux.

It can be jarring sometimes to change parts of your work that feel foundational, but I think it’s important to honor who you’re becoming. I will say though, that the part that’s helped me re-find my center throughout these evolutions, has been returning to my roots and asking myself why I create art and perform drag in the first place.

The answer gets to change depending on where I’m at, but it’s always what helps me grounds my performances no matter where they may be growing toward. 

Drag is political — and with the influx of anti-drag and anti-trans legislation taking place down south, it feels like that has never been more true. Do social politics feel central to your work? 

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Social politics are absolutely central to my work. Politics were actually my main interest when getting involved with the arts in the first place.

Art, in its many forms, is a huge catalyst for social change, social commentary, and for activism. I’ve found that incorporating conversations about human rights, social change, and injustice into drag as a form of performance art and as a form of protest actually helps in tearing down barriers in terms of who feels they can be a part of those conversations.

Drag performance has the potential to transcend class and language in a way that makes these conversations accessible. It not only allows people to feel heard and seen, but it lets them know that they, too, get to be empowered in their voices.

What we’re seeing in regards to anti-drag and anti-trans legislation in America, and knowing the increase in protests and violence against 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada, it makes me sick.

This idea that children need to be protected from drag artists and from trans people is incredibly transparent. Drag performers and trans people do not threaten the safety of children.

People and politicians who seek to control the bodies and educations of citizens in order to strengthen propaganda that targets the eradication of a marginalized group of people are the threat. Violence this severe needs to be called out for what it is and it needs to be stopped in its tracks.

How can folks — community members and allies alike​​ — push back against these injustices and offer support?

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This is such a big question but I think there’s a variety of things that can be done. I think firstly reaching out to your local government is extremely important.

We often forget, in the day to day, that our government works for its citizens. It’s fully within your rights to write and/or call your municipal, provincial, and even federal representatives.

Let them know that the protection of queer artists and of 2SLGBTQ+ rights is important to you. Ask them where they stand on it, what they’re doing to protect the queer community against current attacks, and what their steps are moving forward to prevent an attack on human rights.

Secondly, I think getting active within your community is super important. Learn the queer history of where you live and look into what community groups and organizations are there that you can contribute to. Learn from local activists and listen to what they’re asking for on a local level.

The more queer voices and perspectives we take in, the more it also allows ourselves to dismantle the pre-conceived notions that we may have internalized over time while also supplying us with the information it takes to open these conversations with friends, loved ones, and co-workers.

That’s where the potential discomfort comes in. Sometimes it’s hard to face some of the notions we hold, but we do need to confront them if we want to build a stronger society overall. Additionally, sometimes one on one conversations are really hard to have, but it’s in letting it slide that we allow these violences to build over time.

And finally, if it’s new to you or depending on your history with protest, it can be hard to put your body on the line and show up for protest and/or counter-protests. But I think it’s important to remember, whether it’s as allies or as queer people, that it’s Black and Latinx Trans Women that we have to thank for the rights we have today.

People who were sex workers, people who were poor, people who were Mad. People who lived in the most marginalized sector of our society who stood up and said no more.

I think that part of how we honor the work they did is by standing up and saying no more as a community and in a way that protects our most marginalized so that we’re able to achieve progress in a way that is supportive and equitable for our entire community.

On a lighter note, how are you planning on spreading trans joy this Pride?

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BY SMILING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. That sounds so silly, but it’s truly part of my plan. I love my job, it’s honestly such an honor to get to do it every day. Part of how I plan on spreading trans joy this Pride is by celebrating and uplifting the trans people in my life on a personal level.

On a public level and on an artistic level, this year I’m thinking a lot about what it means to share the notion that it’s entirely possible to have a future as a trans person and to grow super amazingly old.

I turn 30 this year which is super young but, as a trans Latinx person, that technically means I’m entering my years as an elder. There’s nothing right about that, and I think a lot of our youth know that.

I think a lot of our community at large feels that very deeply across the board. But recently, while working with Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg, we had some GSA’s come and see the play and we got to read feedback from some of the students. There were a couple of them who spoke about how seeing a trans actor onstage gave them hope for their futures and for the world.

It reminded me of my wonderful friend and legendary activist Lezlie Lee Kam. Lezlie does this beautiful thing, where they wish for you to become a queer elder one day. The day they imparted that to me entirely changed the course of my life because it told me that I had a future, that I had the option of getting old.

It’s been a gift that I cherish very deeply. I hope that I can honor them and that teaching by making it known that trans futures are entirely possible. That our lives get to be lush, and exciting, and complicated, and loving, and full, and long.

Controversial question: if you could only perform one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

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HOW DARE YOU. Weirdly, even though I have yet to perform it in person, the only song that’s played in my head every time I’ve read this question has been No Me Queda Más by Selena.

I sometimes like to think that I’m very chill and not dramatic and then I remember that I’ve been singing passionate heartbreak songs in Spanish since I had baby teeth. This song carries so many memories for me from moments shared with my family, to moments alone, to moments with the chosen family I get to have in my life today.

Additionally, it embodies such a richness of emotion. It carries deep love, it carries extravagance, it carries rage. But I think the thing that gets me about it is that it’s so brutally honest.

In our day to days, we don’t always like to admit how we feel, and this song not only voices it, but it makes no apologies for the levels at which it loved and the levels at which it’s lost. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things in the world. 

Is there anything else you want our readers to know?

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THAT THEY’RE AMAZING?! Yes. That they’re amazing. It means so much to me that anyone would take interest in my art and what I do, so it means a great deal that Knix reached out to me and that your wonderful readers would take the time to get to know me through this interview.

If they’d like to follow more of my adventures and come visit me throughout Pride events, the best place to find me is on Instagram.

I’m so grateful for what I do for a living, but I’m most grateful for the people that drag and burlesque has brought into my life and the ways they’ve deeply impacted my relationship to the world and my relationship to myself.

When I was trying on my new Knix garments just now, I looked in the mirror and smiled and it made me think of all the people that have made it possible for me to love myself while standing in the mirror in my underwear.

I hope today that you take the time to look in the mirror, whether you’re in your skivviest skivvies or just knowing they’re hiding under your outfit, and give yourself a smile.

You deserve every ounce of it.

Can you believe it? Coming out during a pandemic while we were all locked down — it's ironic, isn't it? 

For the past five years, I've been on an incredible body positive journey, a journey that all started with me quitting diet culture. I started stripping down to my underwear at iconic locations worldwide with huge groups of people through my perfectly imperfect social campaign. 

I want to show everyone that their body is beautiful, no matter the shape or size. Funny thing is, I started this project during Pride month in Toronto's gay village when I still thought I was straight. 

Life has a way of surprising us, doesn't it? But that's the beauty of it — I wanted to prove that we all deserve respect and dignity. 

Breaking Free From Diet Culture

When I made the life-changing decision to quit diet culture, it was time to embark on a journey of self-love, self-discovery, and emotional healing. I carried so much internalized fatphobia and self-loathing that I couldn't see beyond it. I was never satisfied. 

That's when I knew I had to do the emotional work, seek therapy, and unpack the trauma that held me back. I had to allow myself to be vulnerable, even if it meant sitting in fear and discomfort. 

It was during this process that I began openly questioning my sexuality for the first time in many years — that's when everything started to change. That’s when I started to come out to myself and publicly. 

My coming-out-journey wasn't a straight line (pun intended). I remember questioning my sexuality all the way back to childhood — we’re talking pre-k folks — but for the sake of this story, let's bring it back to university. 

In university I remember telling my boyfriend I might be bisexual. Wanting to explore that part of myself, I went to a gay bar hoping to flirt with a girl. But the experience didn't go as planned.

I realized that in terms of heteronormative standards, I displayed more masculine energy — initiating conversations, buying drinks — and my friends were unsupportive, almost mocking me. 

I didn’t fit into the heteronormative standards of being the more feminine one, and it scared me. Alas, I quickly retreated back into the closet, not to come out again until years later when I discovered my pansexuality and, eventually, embraced my identity as a lesbian. 

Coming Out 

Coming out can be scary — whether it's coming out to yourself or to the world. The truth is, you don't have to come out publicly if you're not ready. Your safety and well-being come first. 

But once you do come out, even if it's just to yourself, a tremendous sense of relief washes over you. It feels like a massive burden has been lifted from your chest, allowing you to finally breathe. 

The relief of knowing who you truly are — of no longer being confused and questioning your sexuality — brings a sense of calm and peace.

For me, coming out was terrifying. I thought for sure I was going to be rejected and abandoned. Initially, I came out as pansexual, which I don’t think my parents truly understood. 

In fact, my family thought it was funny to put pans in my bed for me to wake up to the following day. Hahaha, get it: PAN-SEXUAL?! 

Coming out as pansexual didn’t seem like a big deal, but coming out when I had a girlfriend, now that scared the hell out of me. That’s when it felt real. Though, the notion that I wasn’t truly queer before my first same-sex relationship is a total fallacy. 

In truth, the moment you come out to yourself as queer, your sexuality is valid. 

Embracing Evolution

Coming out isn’t linear — like any other facet of your identity, it’s likely to evolve over time. I consider my big coming out moment to be when I came out as a lesbian later that year. 

I remember thinking “there’s no going back.” I grieved the life I thought I would have. The life with the husband and children, you know the one with the white picket fence. It was in those days and months, hell, even today that I grieved what I thought my life would be and learned to embrace what it’s going to be. 

There are also the challenges of homophobia, gender pay gaps, discrimination, and prejudice to contend with. As anti-2SLGBTQ+ legislation takes hold in many parts of the world and, specifically, the United States, there’s newfound grief to contend with. 

Not to mention, these challenges of homophobia aren’t just taking place in the public sphere, but are happening right at home for me. Another layer of my journey involves living in an environment that’s extremely homophobic.

From being told that I can’t hang a Pride flag to having to withhold my identity from certain family members, it’s disheartening to say the least. My hope is that, in time, they will slowly start to accept me. 

Love Outshines Prejudice

As you reach the end of this article, I invite you to join me in a moment of reflection, sprinkled with a touch of personal insight. 

I firmly believe that every individual deserves love, dignity, and respect, regardless of their appearance, identity, or whom they love. And that's precisely why the queer community resonates with me so deeply. 

They cherish authenticity, shattering gender norms, and embracing diverse sexualities without hesitation. Their core values revolve around love and acceptance. It breaks my heart to think of those who still cling to homophobia, trapped in rigid and archaic beliefs. 

It stems from a lack of understanding, maybe even past trauma or overwhelming anger. But here's the thing: you don't have to subject yourself to that toxicity. Your happiness matters, and living authentically is the path to fulfillment. 

I made the brave decision to step into my truth and embrace my big, beautiful lesbian self — and you can do the same. Don't feel obliged to stay in an environment that isn't safe for you. Find your community, your chosen family who will love and support you unconditionally. 

Seek out conversations with like-minded individuals, even if it's online. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of queer culture. Above all, don't miss out on Pride, the celebration that reminds us we’re not alone and that love will always triumph. 

Coming out was the best decision I ever made and I could never go back to a life in the closet. I finally know what it feels to be gay and proud.

Your journey to self-discovery begins now, and I'm cheering you on every step of the way.

It's also an opportunity to show Indigenous-owned businesses some love — both this month and year-round. In honor of this month's celebrations, we had the pleasure of curating a special limited edition gift box, featuring Indigenous artisans and entrepreneurs across North America. 

Inspired by nature and often sustainability-focused, each purveyor brings unique elements of Indigenous culture and storytelling to their craft. 

Cheekbone Beauty 

“We are trailblazing the creation of a circular economy within the cosmetics space, not only through the selection of packaging but also through our formulas. At Cheekbone Beauty, we take great care when selecting materials and ingredients, making sure they reflect the latest scientific research.

We have strict in-house standards for packaging that prioritize recyclability, refillability, compostability, and biodegradability where possible. We encourage our suppliers to use recycled materials and aim to choose options that promote circularity. 

Our next step is to incorporate even more circular-friendly ingredients. We're excited to explore up-cycled and by-products from other industries to maximize circularity. Right now, our Illuminating Primer Stick features pentylene glycol sourced from an off-product of the food industry: sugar cane bagasse. It's a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional sourcing methods.

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Currently, we can't stop obsessing over our new refillable packaging for our Sustain Lipstick. Not only is it sustainable, but it also allows our customers to switch up shades depending on their mood. And by reducing waste going into landfills, it's a win-win for both you and the planet.

Our Sustain Lipstick features ethically sourced shea butter and other sustainable ingredients. Plus, they're locally made right here in Canada, minimizing their impact on people and the environment.

What we're really proud of is that each shade is named after an Indigenous word for "earth" or "land" in different Indigenous languages. As an Anishinaabe woman, representation and ensuring every Indigenous youth feels seen and heard is crucial to our brand. That's why using different Indigenous languages is so important to us.”

Kokom Scrunchies

“My name is Mya Beaudry and I am 12 years old and Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi. I am the creator behind Kokom Scrunchies, which I started in the fall of 2019. Kokom in my language means grandmother because they used to wear floral scarves on their heads when they worked outside. 

Starting Kokom Scrunchies was a result of me wanting to give back to the youth in my community. Since I started this journey, I always make sure that all my Kokom Scrunchies are handmade with love in Canada. 

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I have also named each of the original Kokom Scrunchies after Indigenous role models in my life as a way to give back and honor them. The Kokom Dana is my favorite because it’s named after my auntie Dana. 

She is the one who inspired me to give back and she also plays hockey just like me. Kokom Lola is the next one to highlight because she is my grandmother and I love her very much. She has taught me many different skills.”

Sequoia

“My name is Michaelee Lazore. I grew up in Akwesasne, NY (Mohawk Territory) where I developed my love for sciences and an appreciation for my Indigenous culture.

I spent my summers in Pyramid Lake, Nevada (Paiute Territory) with my grandmother who inspired my love for art. I currently live and operate in Kahnawake, Quebec (Mohawk Territory) where I really learned business.

What inspired me to start Sequoia was that 20 years ago, there seemed to be no women's products made for Indigenous women and I wanted to ensure such scents as sweetgrass, red clover, and sage were part of what we could use at home.

In fact, we put an actual blade of sweetgrass into every bar of our signature Sweetgrass Soap. 

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What makes our products so special is that Sequoia is a true representation of myself. The products are a mix of my art, science, and culture and allow me and my all Indigenous staff to tell our stories through our products. 

Great examples are Turtle Island Soap and our Canoe Candles. Turtle Island Soap is inspired by the Iroquois Creation Story and creation of North America. The soap is my interpretation of what it may have looked like from the Skyworld.”

Land of Daughters

“I originally started my candle company using vintage containers that I purchased from thrift stores. I wanted to give new life to something, and I've always loved candles and all things cozy so it seemed like a good fit. 

That went so well that I couldn't keep up with demand for my products, so I decided to rebrand into the Land of Daughters company I have today. Doing this allowed me to be able to get my products in the hands of everyone that wanted them.

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I think Land of Daughters products are special because we put a lot of effort into making unique scents. You can get basic scented candles anywhere, so we try to take a regular scent and put our own spin on it. We also make our products beautiful, so they double as home decor. 

The little things are the big things! Each day is made up of a bunch of little things, right? So I think we can transform our days by doing those little things that we love. Lighting a candle, spraying a linen spray, if those are the kind of things you're into, then those are the kind of things you should be doing every day.”

Fit Beside Me

“My name is Chelsey and I’m a wife, mom of two boys, and a small business owner. I’m also a pregnancy and postpartum fitness and nutrition coach. Exercise has always been important to me — after having my first baby, it became essential. 

I was so excited to go back to working out again after giving birth. As soon as I had my 6-week postpartum check with my OB, I signed up for a stroller class at my local rec center. Class was hard. I expected it to be challenging, but so many things felt different. I felt confused, sore, and unsupported. I pushed through the class, and then I didn’t return.

After my second baby, I knew I needed to do things differently. So I did what many moms do. In the middle of the night, feeding a newborn, I started googling. This led me to reputable, evidence-based information and certifications. I got certified and started my own business, all while on maternity leave. 

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I help moms with young families restore their core and pelvic floor, and find ways to make exercise fit into their lives without taking over it. With the majority of my programs being offered online, I’m able to work with moms from anywhere. 

Pregnancy brings a lot of change to a mom’s body. Much of that change is hard to see and accept, especially with the way the fitness industry typically is. Pregnancy is temporary, but postpartum is forever. 

Some of these changes are permanent. It took time for your body to grow and birth your baby, and it worked really hard to do that. But for some reason, we are made to feel like we need to immediately erase all the physical proof that we carried a child.

Moms have so much on their plates, every single day, the last thing I want them to worry about is the number on the scale or the size of their jeans. I want moms to feel strong and confident so that they can do whatever they want or need to do throughout the day without pain and without worrying about peeing their pants.”

This month, I had the opportunity to curate an Asian Heritage Month-themed box in partnership with Knix. It’s so exciting to shine a spotlight on creative makers and authors who share my heritage. 

Though this special box will only be shared with a select few within the Knix community, anyone can support the talented business owners and creatives who have poured elements of their background and culture into their creations. 

We’re fortunate to live in such a diverse community and I’m grateful for the opportunity to show some love to these Asian-owned businesses. 

Kami Food

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From Montreal, Kami Food was founded by Knix ambassador Mica Peng. Her superfood adaptogens blends — which include Turmeric Glow, Matcha Energy, and Cacao Calm — can be added to oatmeal, lattes, smoothies, yogurts, and desserts.

Make Nice Company 

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Make Nice Company aims to reduce the world’s consumption of single-use plastic waste with an ultra-concentrated Solid Dish Soap that replaces up to three bottles of traditional dish soap.  

All their soaps are 100% natural with vegan ingredients that are paraben-free and palm oil-free, and handmade in small batches in Vancouver. In 2022 alone, they diverted over 35,600 plastic dish soap bottles from landfills.

Three Ships Beauty

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Legend has it that the Fountain of Youth was discovered not by some impressive fleet, but just three ships...in other words, great discoveries can be made with limited resources. Taking this concept of simplicity, Three Ships believes that by using simple, naturally-effective skincare, you won’t need a 12-step routine or convoy of complicated products. 

Mystic Moon Creations

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Fill your space with crystal-inspired creations from Mystic Moon Creations. From handmade jewelry to suncatchers, fill your space with sparkle and good vibes.

Crafted Van

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CraftedVan specializes in magnetic bookmarks, magnets, and cards. From sushi characters to bubble tea and pho, all their bookmarks are designed with a smile, and designed to make you smile too. 

As they say, their characters cheer you up and always stay where you've last left them. Your new CraftedVan bookmark would be perfect for marking the pages of the three books we’ve included in our Knix Asian Heritage Month box. 

…and finally, for your reading enjoyment, we’ve also curated three books by Asian and South Pacific authors.

Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo Caribbean Fiction 

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Two Times Removed brings together a curated collection of 16 short stories written by the new generation of Indo-Caribbean storytellers. Together, these writers explore adolescence, relationships, trauma, family, identity and more, bringing to life the experiences of the modern day Indo-Caribbean. 

The Light of Eternal Spring 

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Amy Hilton, born Wu Aimee in the tiny Chinese village of Eternal Spring, has been living and working as a photographer in New York City for so long she’s started to dream in English.

When, in the fall of 1999 she receives a letter from her sister written in her birth tongue Manchu, she needs to take it to a Chinatown produce vendor to get it translated. And so it is this stranger who tells Amy that her mother has died of a broken heart…

Dear Divya 

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After a challenging year, Dear Divya follows 14-year-old Anjali Singh who is determined to change her reputation and social status as she enters her first year of high school. As the school year begins, Anjali finds herself having to navigate a new world of having Brown, Black, and Asian friends for the first time, meeting boys, and transitioning from old to new friendships. 

With a strict mother watching her closely, and a father who’s distant, Anjali proudly looks to her older sister Amara who is breaking intergenerational rules.

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If you were one of the lucky recipients of Knix’s Asian Heritage Month box, feel free to tag @ModernMixVan as you unbox the gift and enjoy the items inside, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

As the CEO of Know Your Lemons, a non-profit saving lives through creative breast health education for early detection, her aspirations for good design eclipse the embellishments you see on consumer goods. 

“Design is about understanding problems facing people and creating design solutions that beautifully address people’s needs,” she tells me. In her case, the design solutions in question revolve around inspiring people to take charge of their breast health in the hopes of increasing the odds of early breast cancer detection.

When discovered in its earliest stage, breast cancer survival rates are nearly 100%. When symptoms chronically go unnoticed, however, the odds of overcoming late stage breast cancer are nearly insurmountable. 

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That’s the vital difference between early and late detection. And, most often, it’s a distinction that comes down to knowledge and education — which is where Corrine’s organization gets its hands dirty creating powerful designs that educate, empower, and transcend. 

Worldwide, roughly 50% of the population have breasts. And, yet, only 2% of women are familiar with the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. While Corrine is quick to point out that men are also afflicted by the disease (take, for instance, Beyonce’s dad), it remains somewhat rare (1 in about 100 cases). 

“Our main thing is encouraging people to get the app because it answers all the questions, helps people remember to do their self exams, and give people all that knowledge,” says Corrine. 

The Know Your Lemons app is a free resource that provides information about potential breast cancer warning signs, how to perform self-exams, what to expect during your first mammogram or ultrasound, as well as tips on how to speak to your health care practitioners. 

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Corrine was just beginning a master’s degree in graphic design when she lost her grandmother to breast cancer. Having lost both her maternal and paternal grandmothers to the disease, she was left with a cascade of questions. “I started to think, what does this mean me for me as someone in their early 20s?,” she says. 

Curious about the affects of her family history and the warning signs she should be wary of, she headed to the library of a local cancer hospital. Unsure of how to advise someone of her age, she was handed pamphlets and directed to multiple websites. 

Text-heavy and brimming with stock images of women smiling, the material was dense and dissonant. “I realized I didn’t know anything about breast health,” she remarks. “I started wondering why I didn’t know this information.” 

The shortcomings of high school health class, and the stigmatization of breasts, are partly to blame — “In school we learn about every part of the body except breasts,” she says. The sexualization of breasts in tandem with the fear associated with cancer makes for a lethal combination, making for breast cancer resources that are difficult to digest.

Leaving with more questions than she had going in, she resolved to dedicate her master’s project to visualizing breast cancer myths. Using design to circumvent stigma, she ventured to find a stand-in for breasts that could bypass social barriers in a friendly and engaging way. 

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Melons, jugs, cones, and other objects were used euphemistically to communicate breast cancer symptoms. Then, she discovered lemons.

One day, during a research-based mammogram, she asked the technician: “What does a cancer lump feel like?” It was hard and immovable, like a nut or lemon seed, she was told. “Then the whole metaphor came together and that’s when I started visualizing everything using lemons.”

Determined to communicate her project on a global scale, she moved to the UK to undertake a PhD in design. Corrine’s burgeoning non-profit remained a side project, until the loss of a childhood friend to breast cancer prompted her to quit her job and use her savings to jumpstart the charity as a newly single mom. 

When I press her about what it was like to take that leap of faith, she tells me it was the possibility of educating people that kept her going. “I knew the power of design could be useful in this space,” says Corrine. “No one else was thinking about design as one of the solutions to breast health education.” 

Today, Know Your Lemons is credited with helping many get diagnosed early through accessible design that helps folks conduct self-exams, spot potential symptoms, and advocate for themselves. “That confidence and knowledge can make all the difference in being able to get diagnosed,” according to Corrine.

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Since, globally, most women self-detect their breast cancer, the emphasis on education has never been more vital.

With resources translated in 33 different languages (soon-to-be 34 with the addition of Urdu) and 700 trained volunteer educators across 60 countries worldwide, the organization is opening up discussions in a way that’s unprecedented.

“We can communicate equally to men with our visuals as we do women or people who are transgender or don’t identify as a particular gender,” says Corrine. By recognizing taboos and barriers, they’re able to overcome cultural hurdles that might otherwise make it difficult to communicate information about breast health. 

“When people ask what I do, I’m like, I save people’s lives through design,” she says. 

For those seeking purposeful work, she recommends combining your talents with whatever fills your cup — no matter how disparate those interests may be. “Think about what you’re passionate about and combine it with a cause that’s close to your heart.”

When we first entered the scene, exclusivity seemed to dominate the lingerie and intimates space. Inclusive sizing and body diversity were hard to come by and tall, lanky models reigned catwalks and glossy billboards.

While other brands touted exclusivity and profited off of insecurities spawned by impossible beauty standards, we knew from the very beginning Knix would stand for something different altogether. We're a club not a clique; our bras and underwear (and, eventually, so much more) would be for every body. 

We dared to talk openly about periods, smash taboos, and feature real, everyday people in our campaigns. From shining the spotlight on women over 50 to talking about blood, sweat, and pee on national television, we can't help but feel proud of our trailblazing antics. 

To celebrate, we're looking back at our most iconic campaigns of the past decade — and we're just getting started. 

Age Doesn’t Matter

“This Underwear Brand Doesn’t Give a F*ck About Age,” reads a 2020 headline from AdAge. And, well, they’re not wrong. The premise behind our Age Doesn’t Matter campaign was simple but poignant: mainstream media tends to neglect women over a certain age. 

“We want to celebrate women of all ages and really honor the fact that we’re beautiful at any age,” said fearless founder and Knix President Joanna Griffiths. The commercial and social media campaign featured women spanning their 50s to 80s and starred only casting call customers. Confronting ageism in the lingerie space has never looked so good. 

Confidence Tour

If you cast your gaze to the fall of 2022, you’ll recall we invited 40 customers (and their besties!) to have their own supermodel moment at our Confidence Tour. Mothers and daughters, lovers, a mom breastfeeding her baby (literally iconic), and so many other memorable moments took place on the catwalk where attendees got to strut their stuff. 

“Growing up, my body was always criticized. So I owe this experience to my healing journey. Today, I was able to share my body confidence as a new form of self-love,” a participant, Vena, remarked. The campaign stemmed from our belief that one single night has the power to connect, transform, and empower. Confidence really is contagious.

Life After Birth

What began as a photography exhibit that tackled taboos surrounding the birthing and postpartum experience morphed into a movement and, ultimately, a book. Life After Birth: Portraits of Love and the Beauty of Parenthood, published by Rizzoli, draws on the collective stories of 750 everyday people (and big celebrities) and offers a raw, unfiltered look at the birthing journey and early parenthood. 

To this day, all proceeds for the book are donated to the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) to support the NOURISH program — a Postpartum Doula training program created in partnership with Knix that supports the needs of Black birthing families.

Big. Strong. Woman.

Look, we made a movie! In celebration of International Women’s Day (the 2022 edition), we championed living unapologetically free — free from gender norms and social conventions — with our short film Big. Strong. Woman. The campaign, starring Ashley Graham, was an ode to female strength. 

While girls and women are scarcely encouraged to embody characteristics like “big and strong,” we have no choice but to be. When confronted with glass ceilings, gender barriers, and the strength it takes to bear life, we chart our own paths and choose to love ourselves anyways. 

Every Body in Leakproof 

Remember that time we made a rap video about blood, sweat, and pee? In case you missed it, the Every Body in Leakproof campaign was as playful as it was disruptive. Our goal was to change the conversation around women’s bodies — natural bodily functions like sweat, periods, and bladder leaks are nothing to shy away from. 

The rebellious video is full of euphemisms, like red paint splatters and splashy drumming against a yellow glow. Above all, its message is loud and clear: women shouldn’t have to apologize for their bodies. Oh, and Leakproof Underwear? It’s for everyone. 

Toronto Streetcar

Redefining what it means to be strong, beautiful, and badass starts with being seen. And we couldn't think of a more creative way to draw attention than giant billboards and city streetcars bearing real people with real stories and scars. 

"My surgical scars, tattoo art, beauty marks and healing heart are part of God’s portrait of me. Since confidence is currency, I need nothing else to take me to my destiny. The skin I am fits me perfectly," said home-grown talent and billboard superstar Jully Black. 

Of course, no transit billboard moment would be complete without recreating Carrie's infamous Sex and the City moment (sans splash). 

Every Woman Is an Angel

At the height of a certain lingerie brand's popularity, we launched the #EveryWomanIsAnAngel campaign to celebrate the fact that all women (trans women included) are angels. We closed off one of Toronto's busiest intersections for an outdoor runway show that featured some of the most remarkable women we know.

Jessie, who strutted her stuff on the catwalk in just a bra and underwear while eight months pregnant, says "Some people thought I was crazy, but I thought it was an amazing opportunity to show off that love and connection with my baby — and my pregnancy curves and belly." 

Rethink Breast Cancer

In October of 2018, we had the honor photographing five inspiring women living with or currently battling breast cancer. Though each woman had a similar diagnosis, each exercised agency and bodily autonomy, making decisions that best suited their personal journeys. 

Some opted for mastectomies and redefined femininity on their own terms while others underwent treatment and breast reconstruction. To this day, we remain in awe of the vulnerability, resilience, and strength these women put on display. 

Catalyst Sports Bra Launch

Before the Catalyst became everyone’s favorite sports bra, it was a work-in-progress for years. Month after month, the Knix team prototyped, tested, and extended the sizing of its first ever sports bra. We knew we had to make it one of the best on the market — and we succeeded!

During testing, the Catalyst Sports Bra beat out 800 other bras in terms of support and, finally, was ready to make its gravity-defying debut. To celebrate, we hosted a media event that drew on the expansive history of the sports bra and let folks in on the rigorous behind-the-scenes work that went into developing our latest creation. The rest, as they say, is herstory. 

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Thanks for taking a walk down memory lane with us. We've come so far (10 years, already!) and, yet, these iconic campaigns feel just as true to our brand's DNA now as they did then.

It's become a particularly sore occasion since my arduous journey of being diagnosed with — and then treated for — endometriosis, coupled with turning 30. 

I'm not a mother, neither am I child-free by choice. I'm undecided; suspended at a crossroads, wavering between two paths. 

If that weren’t daunting enough, there’s the paralysing sense of urgency induced by social pressures. I feel like I have to determine which path to take — now. 

Whether it's doctors who incessantly nudge me to get pregnant or friends and their stories of long and difficult journeys to becoming parents, the weight of making a decision feels inescapable.

And then there's the invisible cloak of society’s expectations resting on my 34-year-old shoulders. Rather than inching towards a chosen path, however, I find myself stuck in the middle, terrified of a misstep. 

I’m afraid of deciding to go in either direction and regretting it. Even worse, I’m scared of taking my partner and family on either of these paths with me and, in the future, being the one to blame when things don’t work out how we imagined they would. 

If that isn’t enough, I’m also uncomfortable being stuck in the middle, angry at myself for being weak and unable to take a stance.

Over the past few years, my unease around the topic of motherhood has grown stronger, triggered by pregnant women and young mothers I see in my day-to-day life. It got to the point that bumping into pregnant friends or ones with babies would make me terribly anxious. 

Once, I even ended up sobbing uncontrollably — I had my PMS to thank for that one. With my mental health deteriorating, I wanted to help myself and see what I could do to lessen my fears. 

Rather than looking ahead to the future, I started by examining my current life. Perhaps, even at this crossroads, there was something to be cultivated?

I realised that there was a quality that motherhood offered, one that wasn’t very present in my life. That quality was nurturing: taking care of somebody or something, and seeing it grow. 

I was enjoying my life and the relationships in it, but that motherly, nurturing energy — which I had heaps of inside me — didn’t have an outlet. I tried releasing it onto my cat, but he wasn't very interested.

What I’ve understood over time, is that I don’t have to wait to become a mother — a huge decision and undertaking — to cultivate more nurturing in my life. I could start exactly where I was, taking care of the present moment, cultivating my life as it was, and embracing the unknown instead of being paralysed by it. 

I started to nurture my relationships more and poured the remaining resources into tending to plants, and myself. Somehow it didn't cross my mind before that I could be the recipient of my own nurturing energy.

At first, I felt stuck in the middle, between trying to become a mother and embracing the decision to be child-free. Over time I’ve learned I can still be undecided while creating space for love, care, and nurturing in my life. 

I also don’t have to wait for my fears and anxiety to disappear. Instead, I can embrace them. That doesn’t mean I’m running high on my attachment to them but, rather, that I can learn to tame them. 

I can be in charge of how I feel, rather than allowing the negative spiral of social pressures and fear rule my thoughts and actions.

That's how I learned to nurture my life in the present moment. I’m confident that by quieting those external voices, I’ll know which one of the contentious paths to choose — eventually. 

But the choice is mine to make. And for now, I’m not going anywhere.

Our efforts can sometimes feel like a drop in the ocean when compared to environmentalists and corporations dedicated to activism. What we must remember is that the smallest changes can spark the greatest revolutions.

Here are some Knix tips on how to reduce your environmental impact, starting with the topic we know best: Periods!

Ditch the Disposables

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Since the first disposable sanitary napkin was sold in 1919, pads have dominated the menstrual market. Tampons quickly followed suit in the 1930s. 

Both products were revolutionary for their time, providing women with a ‘discreet’ product they could bleed in before promptly wrapping them up and throwing them into the trash again and again and again. 

This has been the norm for decades. 

Think about that for a second. On average, people who menstruate experience periods for about 35-40 years of their lives. That’s 480 periods! Imagine how many pads, tampons or panty liners you use during an average menstrual cycle. 

In the US alone, 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are thrown into landfills every single year. Now think of all the plastics included in these products, as well as their packaging and applicators.

It’s time for an update. 

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I know, I know, it might seem like a bit of a stretch if you’ve never tried them before. Underwear that I can bleed in, wash, and then USE AGAIN?! Listen, we live in a world where we carry literal computers in our pocket. Why is a pair of absorbent underwear so far-fetched? 

The more we fight the stigma of talking about periods, the more the technology evolves according to what we want and need. Reusable and sustainable menstrual products, like Leakproof Underwear, Super Leakproof Underwear, and Reusable Leakproof Pads can be customized to suit your flow — without overflowing your trash bin. 

And, with proper treatment and care, a single pair of Knix underwear can last years.

Try Our Wash and Wear Policy

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We totally understand that you have to try it to believe it; in fact, we encourage it! Our return policy is a great way to test the product for a full 30 days. 

Wear the underwear. Wash the underwear. If it doesn’t work for you, we’ll do a full exchange or give you a store credit for the full amount. Unopened underwear boxes can be gifted to friends or given to someone in need, while the pair you’ve worn throughout the month are yours to keep.

When it comes to our bras, we’ll do you one better. Before 30 days are up, we’ll give you a full refund, take the bra back, and donate it to a local women’s shelter. No waste. No problem. 

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This big, bright, and beautiful planet that we call home deserves (and desperately needs) all of our support. We have a lot of work to do — and re-thinking your period rituals can be a meaningful place to start.

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We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.

They understand that I’m trans, as in, not the gender I was assigned at birth. They understand that I’m neither a man nor a woman (or, at least, I think they understand that I feel this way). 

I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with easy and accessible ways of describing gender expansive existence, of being assigned and socialized into a too-restrictive system from birth. 

Here’s a fun and silly analogy I've settled on. It’s not perfect, but I think it hits the mark. Imagine a society where a specialist walks into every delivery room and examines the newborn baby.

This specialist’s job is to determine whether the baby will eat applesauce or mashed potatoes for the rest of its life. This choice will affect how the baby is treated and how the baby sees itself, as society has been built to reflect these two options back.

The specialist makes this decision based on the shape of the baby’s mouth—hmm, yes, says the specialist. This mouth is zero point five inches too small for a life of mashed potatoes. Applesauce baby it is! 

All is well and wonderful and the family celebrates with applesauce for the applesauce baby. Only, I’ve left out some important details. 

In this society, there are hundreds if not thousands of other types of food. An infinite combination for a potentially gastro-fantabulous life. Not to mention the dozens of other ways to even prepare apples and potatoes. 

Not to mention that our beautiful applesauce baby from the delivery room will grow up and hunger…feel dissatisfied…feel perhaps incorrect…long and seek…but maybe they'll venture out (two-food society be damned!) and meet other explorers along the way to help them. 

To meld analogy and reality: these moments of finding your flavors can be beautiful—a truly life affirming experience. How might we foster these life-affirming experiences, toward a world with more euphoric me’s and you’s? 

Being an outspoken queer non-binary person, I’ve had many people come to me because they feel safe. They come to tell me about their gender, and how they don’t feel aligned with the gender society sees and assigns them.

They tell me about their sexuality, which is a source of secret shame in a society rife with compulsory heterosexuality (Adrienne Rich’s concept, essentially that we are straight until proven guilty of queerness). 

Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong or bad about these feelings of being other. The wrongness and badness come from social pressure, come from moral myths, come from everywhere, as it can feel sometimes. Sometimes the call is even coming from inside the house. 

Now, imagine how important it would feel, living with this feeling of wrongness, to step into a space where you’re not only allowed but welcomed and encouraged to explore yourself.

Maybe that means trying out a new, more fitting name. Maybe that means putting a dress on, or taking a dress off, or speaking with a voice that feels more like the authentic you. 

For transgender and non-binary people these experiences of rightness often go hand-in-hand with the emotional state known as gender euphoria. Euphoria — from the greek eu meaning ‘well’ and pherein meaning ‘to bear,’ as in, well-borne or healthy — tends to conjure images of ecstatic parties. 

In the context of gender euphoria, it returns to its original meaning signifying a state of wellbeing. Gender being one such dimension which bears on humans’ (all, not only trans people’s) wellbeing. It’s also important to note that you don’t need to first feel wrong in order to feel right.

And with that, I’d like to talk about you, dear reader. How are you doing? How are you feeling? When was the last time you felt happy? Joyful? Euphoric? Were you alone when you experienced these feelings? Or did someone help you achieve those states? 

It’s easy, I think, to overlook the relational aspect of emotions. When you don’t get recognized, it’s frustrating. When someone refuses to see you for who you are, it’s maddening. On the flip side, when we are respected, held, and seen by our peers it can be elating. 

In this way, we can all actively cultivate spaces and relationships where euphoria is a possibility, for ourselves and for others. Here are some tangible ways to begin cultivating space for gender euphoria to flourish.

Ask Your Friends 

It might seem silly but oftentimes we don’t ask our friends if they need a safe space to explore aspects of themselves. It doesn’t need to be serious but it can be a nice way to remind your friends that you’re open to new possibilities for them! 

Host a Party 

You can begin cultivating a literal safe space for gender creative behavior by hosting a party where guests are encouraged to dress in ways they usually wouldn’t or express themselves in ways they want to try. 

Remain Aware and Vocal

It’s important to always speak up; we’re seeing another tsunami of anti-trans bills sweep the United States. We need to work toward making every space safe by championing human rights through voting, donating, and speaking out. 

Remember, There Is No ‘Destination’  

Be open to friends trying new gender expressions and/or pronouns and not sticking to them. This doesn’t make people frauds, only shows people are strong enough to explore what works and what doesn’t. Otherwise, how will we ever know what fits? 

Be Soft 

Try to be gentle with yourself as you explore your gender identity, as well as friends exploring new gender expressions. Give honest feedback when asked, but try to not be too harsh with it. It can be terrifying to change how you’re perceived, believe me.

It’s one thing to amplify the period equity movement and another to put your money where your mouth is — we’re doing both. 

This year, we launched the Knix Fund: a giving-focused program that provides funding to grassroots organizations, initiatives, and storytellers who are addressing period poverty and striving for menstrual equity for all. 

The program is inspired by our community and fueled by our passion to build a better tomorrow. We’ve selected six organizations, each of which has received a Knix Fund grant that will further its initiatives. 

In their own words, here’s a peek into the important work being undertaken by each organization and how the grants will directly help support diverse communities across North America. 

Helping Women Period

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Helping Women Period started in 2015 after our co-founders noticed the serious need for menstrual products for those living low-income in Michigan. Our mission is ultimately to eliminate period poverty in our state.

For us, this includes encouraging organizations to include products in their budgets, collaborating with lawmakers, eliminating the “tampon tax,” and getting free menstrual products in public buildings. We’re currently on track to distribute two million products this year alone, with four million distributed since our inception. 

We emphasize the importance of menstrual health education as a tool to increase menstrual equity. We do this work with a focus on those most marginalized within the period equity space, specifically BIPOC+ and LGBTQ2+ individuals. 

We’re thrilled to receive the Knix Fund grant to support the purchase of a delivery vehicle. This will allow us to increase our delivery capacity — and reach both rural and urban areas. We have over 230 charity partners, which have seen a drastic increase in need for our services since the pandemic. 

We firmly believe that menstrual equity impacts all humans, regardless of gender. Our mission is to create a world where menstrual products are provided to all who need them.

Moon Time Sisters

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Moon Time Sisters (MTS) is a volunteer-led organization supporting Northern menstruators by collecting and shipping menstrual products to remote communities across Canada where access is limited and costs are prohibitive. Moon Time Sisters provides menstrual products to these communities completely free-of-cost. 

Since its humble beginnings in 2017, MTS has grown to include four provincial chapters, partnered with over 65 Northern Indigenous communities, and has shipped over two million period products to high schools, elementary schools, midwifery organizations, health care centers, shelters, food banks, and more.

Moon Time Sisters is the only National Indigenous-led period equity group in Canada. Our work is guided by the sacred Medicine Wheel — a symbol of hope and a movement towards healing that embodies the alignment and cyclical interaction of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realities; the interconnectivity of all aspects of one’s being. 

Our goals include improving access to period products to those who menstruate in Indigenous communities, advocating for Indigenous rights, educating non-Indigenous communities about Indigenous resilience and reconciliation, and amplifying Indigenous voices and movements. 

The Knix grant will help us with purchase and shipping costs that come with sending items north. Our goal is to send up another million products in the following year, which this grant will support us in doing. We want our community to know that everyone is welcome and that we support all menstruators. 

United Way British Columbia

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United Way's Period Promise campaign has been running since 2017, when we ran our first collection campaign effort in British Columbia. Since then we've become more engaged in the work needed to increase access to free menstrual products in our community. 

This work fits directly into our organization's vision of building a healthy, caring, and inclusive community because it helps us address an often-invisible barrier that prevents people from fully engaging with our community. 

We've been able to mobilize partners, donors, and governments to make meaningful changes in policy and help shift the conversation about menstrual justice in British Columbia. United Way's Period Promise campaign focuses on building collective knowledge of period poverty and mobilizing our power to reduce the issue. 

We do this through research, capacity building, policy advocacy and government relations, and collecting and distributing menstrual products to community organizations who offer front-line support to vulnerable members of our community. 

Our commitment is to an intersectional approach that is grounded in a network of people trying to make meaningful change in solidarity with each other. We do this by working with activists, unions, community organizations, charities, governments, and Indigenous partners. 

The guide that we will be able to make with the support of the Knix Fund will make it easier for us to talk to folks about menstruation in a wide variety of languages by being image-heavy (as opposed to text-heavy), and will hopefully be accessible to new audiences by containing culturally meaningful stories about menstruation.

#HappyPeriod

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I'm an Alabama born girl who got her first period at age 10 with the support of all of the matriarchs in my family. I truly wish to simply share the experience I had when I got my first period.

The intention of #HappyPeriod is to uplift the thoughts, feelings, and experiences surrounding your menstrual cycle. One of the affirmations we teach is "MY BODY IS ALSO MY HOME." Through our program, a participant will have a chance to break down, then build their own beliefs about menstruation and receive empowerment to be an advocate for their own bodies.

At #HappyPeriod, we understand that knowledge is power, as is body autonomy. We're creating safe spaces for young people with periods to learn, observe, and simply talk about their bodies — especially their periods. Reproductive health education and racial health equity are also central to our mission. 

For example, donating or giving someone a pad, tampon, or cup and not sharing details on directions, cleansing, or disposal just isn't in alignment with menstrual equity or empowerment. Yes, we're fighting for menstrual equity, however self-esteem and self-efficacy is the glass we're really pouring into. 

The Knix fund will help us bring our program into more areas within Los Angeles county. We're hoping to provide our FLOW program to students in all six districts, implementing our curriculum and workshop in various school districts.

The Period Purse

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The Period Purse works towards menstrual equity by ensuring sustainable access to period products for all, and by ending the stigma associated with periods through education and advocacy. 

We were founded in 2017 by Jana Girdauskas when, as she was driving to work, she saw someone experiencing homelessness and thought, "What does this person do during their period?" 

To date, The Period Purse has donated over four million period products. Through our free education program we’ve also educated 4,000 people on period equity. The Period Purse has also had a hand in advocating for long lasting change with all three levels of government. 

The Knix Fund grant will allow The Period Purse to grow its outreach and education programming in response to increased demand. Despite increasing our outreach of period products by 300% in 2022, we are still only meeting 12% of requests. We have also had an increase in need for education among youth across Ontario. 

We keep working towards our vision for menstruation to be understood and treated with dignity — and for period products to be free for all. We believe that all genders need to be involved in learning about menstruation to help reduce the stigma of periods. When we all learn more, we can create change and strive for menstrual equity.

For Women By Women, Period

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For Women By Women, Period’s mission is to serve menstruating individuals who experience homelessness by providing care packages and education on menstrual hygiene.

As a non-profit fighting period poverty, we want to provide care packages that consider every aspect of menstruation, instead of only acknowledging the bleeding aspect. We also want to create an environment that educates everyone — especially young menstruators — about menstruation. 

Along with distributing menstrual products, we strive to educate everyone about periods and feminine reproductive diseases. We’ve even created a youth program with curated workshops that facilitate open conversations about different topics surrounding periods. 

Our distribution efforts have expanded tremendously since we first started in 2021. To date, we’ve distributed 98,000 menstrual products, servicing nearly 8,000 menstruators in the NYC area. 

Our organization is comprised of a diverse group of young women, which allows us to foster culturally diverse conversations and experiences about menstruation. 

The Knix Grant will allow us to continue workshops within our youth program. Our hope is that these workshops will create change among future generations’ perceptions and understandings of menstruation, eliminating the stigma young people feel when discussing this topic.

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It would be an understatement to say we’re thrilled to be supporting these organizations in their accessibility, affordability, educational, and advocacy efforts. 

Stay tuned for more Knix Fund updates, as we check-in with each organization to see the tangible progress they make in pursuit of period equity for all.

While we had a blast talking Black excellence and packing this month’s gift boxes with goods from Black-owned businesses within our community, we’re taking that February energy with us into the rest of the year. 

Here’s a look at just a few of the brilliant entrepreneurs we had the privilege of working with this month — and their fabulous creations.

A Year of Black Girl Magic

Eboni Morgan is an author, content creator, and community builder. She started her blog Eboni Curls when she was just 13. What began as a project to inspire other young women to embrace their natural hair journeys soon flourished into an engaged community focused on empowering Black women to love themselves unconditionally.

For years, Eboni has used her blog to express and share experiences of navigating an overwhelmingly white society as a young Black girl. Writing provided an opportunity to uncover the hurt, frustration, and anger that come with living in a world that “constantly puts Black women last,” according to Eboni.

Most recently, this manifested in sharing her self-love journey beyond her online platform. She wrote A Year of Black Girl Magic to remind her community of their magic and ability to inspire. It’s also an opportunity for non-Black folks to learn about and understand the everyday experiences of Black women. 

“At its core, A Year of Black Girl Magic is my gifted mirror to my young Black girls and Black women everywhere,” says Eboni. 

Tish Jewelry

Lateisha (AKA Tish) is a self taught jewelry designer based in Hamilton, Ontario. When she worked a corporate job (before toggling between full-time entrepreneurship and motherhood) she used to don her own jewelry around the office. It wasn’t long before co-workers approached her with commissions of their own.

Lateisha decided she owed it to herself to give building her own jewelry company a shot — and Tish Jewelry was born. She designs pieces using crystals and semi-precious stones, textured metals, and colored resin. 

The nature of the materials she uses means that each piece is truly unique and one-of-a-kind (they’re also nickel-free). “Simply pretty is our motto,” says Lateisha. “Our pieces are meant to be worn everyday. They’re simple in design to complement you as you are.”

Skin at Eleven 

When the 2020 pandemic hit, sisters Desiree and Deandra Greco-Thomas took it as a challenge to get creative and inspired. With Desiree’s background in marketing, photography, and entrepreneurship, and Deandra’s background in business and finance, the two came together to launch Skin at Eleven.

Growing up as kids, the sister duo always made a wish at 11:11. It was a time to stop, reflect, and wish for something they wanted. The Black-owned, family-run business offers handmade soaps, bath soaks, bath teas, facial oils, and body butters. 

Made in-house and in small batches, their products are made with quality and care. They also strive to create zero-waste products, with transitioning to packaging that can easily be reused for mini-projects or recycled. “Our hope is that as you use our product you, too, continue to wish and dream big,” says Desiree. 

Things You Need to Hear Most

Samukele Ncube is an author, poet, yoga instructor, and mindfulness coach whose work centers around self-love. “In a world that constantly tells us who we should be, I am a strong believer that we all have the answers that we seek to live out our life's purpose and strive to help others rediscover their internal guiding voice through my work,” says Samukele. 

Things You Need to Hear Most is her debut collection of poetry, which has allowed her to embrace her gift of writing for the first time. It offers healing through words she needed herself on her darkest days. 

“This collection serves as a powerful reminder of the fact that you are more powerful than you know,” she says. “You are a gift and your existence helps to shape the world in a way that is so magical and can only be brought about by you alone. All you need to do is be yourself.”

I learned self-care doesn’t have to be glamorous but involves taking regular action towards my health — and thank God for this lesson because it was getting expensive. Although self-care has been co-opted by white wealthy folks, it isn’t a new phenomenon, nor is it about luxury and having an expensive lifestyle. 

The word self-care, however, has significantly changed over the past decade. Today, influencers make a living off of the commodification of self-care, amplifying the notion that “treating yourself” is the start and finish of cultivating a healthy life. 

Although I love a good retail therapy session, sometimes treating myself isn’t actually the kind of resolve I need. So, how do we practice self-care without the pitfalls of consumerism?

Well, let me start with saying, self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all, despite it being marketed as such. Our health system has always favored the white, cis-het, upper class and failed the racialized, poor, and working minorities. 

The health and wellness industry has a long history of prioritizing profit over the well-being of others and excluding minorities from the conversation altogether. White, thin models and influencers have been the primary representation for “wellness” for a long time. 

Self-care isn't merely about the luxuries we all love to indulge in, like face sheets, candles, jade-rollers, and spa trips, but about our self-preservation, our collective liberation, and our rights to healthcare and just systems. 

As Audre Lorde famously wrote, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Racialized and other marginalized groups are rarely afforded a break or let alone have the luxury of spending thousands of dollars in the name of self-care. 

Whenever we choose to find joy, ease, and care for ourselves, we are actively disrupting the very same systems that have prevented us from doing so. When we decide we don't exist to work but exist to live and live WELL, we are rebelling against capitalist systems that reinforce “rest is for the weak.”

Our ancestors dreamed of more rest and more days off, and when we take it, as unglamorous as it seems, that is self-care — and there are plenty of other self-care practices that are impactful, inexpensive, and already around us. When we do it together and make space for others to have the same access, that is communal care. 

Communal Care

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Communal care is essential to our self-care. Taking care of ourselves so we can take care of each other has always been our responsibility and vice versa. Just like our collective rage and grief, our collective care and healing is just as powerful. 

Several mental health and wellness professionals have argued that access to care has always been limited and challenging for racialized groups. Laura Havlin states, “If self-care is to truly improve our well-being, then perhaps the best way of caring for ourselves and others is by engaging in action that dismantles the system in which we’re currently operating.”

There's a lot of fixation on individualism and our healing journeys being a solo one. But, our healing doesn't have to take place alone in a dark room. Our healing can be done in shared spaces — our ancestors have invested and relied on each other for centuries. 

One of my favorite mantras “it takes a village” is a testament to how much people took care of each other and how essential having a community was to thrive. Whether it was taking care of each other's families, Sunday dinners, bartering, or doing each other’s hair, finding solace in each other has always made life more meaningful. 

Knowing when to ask and receive support is integral to our self-care practice. Community is everything. 

Art and Movement

I get it, it’s cool to go to a $30 pilates class and have a full experience in that newly-bought activewear set, but also remember that movement can be incorporated everywhere.

Whether it’s riding a bike, doing yoga at home, breathwork, dancing with a friend, or 15 minute walks around the block, movement is a great and free self-care practice to incorporate into your everyday life.

"Whenever we choose to find joy, ease, and care for ourselves, we are actively disrupting the very same systems that have prevented us from doing so."

Journaling and poetry have saved me so many times, and I think all creative practices are transformative and a safe haven for us. That can look like drawing, dancing, painting, sculpting, playing instruments, and more. Each of these are powerful guides that help us heal and grow — and without costing an arm and leg, which is a bonus!

Relationship With Self

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Our relationship with ourselves and our self-care is connected. No one talks enough about how minimizing our negative self-talk and maximizing our self-belief and self-efficacy are important self-care practices, too. Be careful with how you speak to yourself — and I mean it.

Giving ourselves care can be intimate and involve addressing our own demons, traumas, and emotions. The truth you won’t hear often is that our self-care practices won’t always feel easy or comfortable. It can be uncomfortable to address how we’re feeling or to admit when we need support. Fully committing to ourselves is fully committing to honoring our own feelings and being OK with them staying for a while. 

When you search the hashtag self-care on Instagram, you might see an array of: green smoothies, smiles, beautiful white towels wrapped in someone’s hair paired with a fancy robe, but self-care can look messy. It can be emotional. It can be hard. It can be tears, frustration, anger. Seeing ourselves as worthy of care is an integral part of doing this work, especially as a marginalized person. 

To be a little more conscious about my consumption of commercialized self-care products, I’ve been more intentional about asking myself whether I need care (the self-preserving kind) or to be self-soothed (a quick fix) in moments of stress. Sometimes I do need ice cream and to have my nails done, other times, I just need to cry and be listened to.

Knowing the difference has been really impactful for me and my healing journey. I have no regrets about my Jackie Aina candle collection, but I do have regrets about all the times I chose to go through things alone when I needed my people. 

So instead of running to the mall every time something goes wrong in my life, I’m actively choosing self-care practices that don’t always come with a cost and actually prioritize my overall well-being.

There are perils that come with solely prioritizing self-care practices that only make us feel good momentarily. When self-care is unaffordable and inaccessible, it sends the message that not everyone needs it.

Everyone needs it. We are all entitled to care.

After overcoming their own hardships, Raia — whom you might know online as Coach Carey — saw an opportunity to guide others through their own trials and tribulations, providing folks with tangible and potentially life-changing tools. 

Most recently, we had the pleasure of collaborating with Raia in celebration of Black History Month. Naturally, she brought all the best vibes to set — from belly laughs and dance party moves to profound insights about the importance of joy and allyship. 

When we snuck away from set to chat for a few minutes, it was no different. Being the sage she is, I walked away from our conversation feeling both lighter and more emboldened — I hope you do, too. 

Knix: How did you find your calling as a life coach and motivational speaker?

Raia Carey: My passion for coaching really came from majoring in psychology in university. I’ve always been passionate about why people do the things they do, so I could better understand myself and the people around me. 

Honestly, it came out of a sort of shift. I didn't see myself represented in the psychology industry at all — from our case studies to homework, to just anything. It wasn't inclusive.

It made me feel like, well, how can I support myself and the communities that I represent if none of it's even talked about here? Psychology sometimes feels very black and white. I find that coaching is a bit more in the gray area.

Now that's really blossomed into being able to teach the tools I learned for myself. Sharing that with others is probably the most rewarding thing in the world. 

K: You describe confidence as a practice, rather than an attribute that some have and others don’t. How can people practice confidence in their everyday lives?

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RC: To become good at anything, it has to be implemented into your life pretty regularly — and the same goes for confidence. I don’t think there’s any person on this earth who doesn’t have ups and downs with confidence, no matter who you are, where you’re from, what you look like, your education, background, or how you identify. 

If I were to suggest one or two things that are accessible to just about anybody, I would bring it back to language. Every single person has self-talk and every other person can understand positive and negative self-talk. 

But what about the words that you don't realize are “negative” and hinder you? We’ve all heard the saying “thoughts create action,” but no one ever thinks about how language creates our thoughts. 

Then, number two is boundaries. I don't think most people see the correlation between boundaries and confidence, boundaries help us respect ourselves. Boundaries really play a foundational role when it comes to confidence because when you implement, honor, and stick to those boundaries, you build self-trust. 

When you trust yourself, you create more confidence from a foundational level within. It impacts how you show up in the world.

K: You often talk about tapping into “hidden confidence.” I'm curious to know, what are some of the things that might obscure someone's innate inner confidence? How can those hurdles be overcome? 

RC: Everybody is capable of being confident. There are so many things that can block someone's confidence, including those really big and heavy emotions that I would say are in the “negative” space, like shame and guilt. 

Those are such big emotions for a human to move through; they literally follow you around like a little rain cloud everywhere you go. And, oftentimes, you don't have an umbrella. 

One way to move through those difficult blockages is really giving yourself compassion. I think a lot of people feel shame about things that are “taboo.” Having self-compassion, whether it’s through meditation or positive language, can really help. 

We all learn and grow. Those types of practices are ways to help people move through tough emotions, but you can't move through it unless you are willing to sit with it. If you sweep it under the rug, it will keep showing up — louder and louder. 

K: You've referenced the link between discrimination, racism, and resilience. Can you tell me more about building resilience in the face of injustice? 

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RC: It's tricky because everybody is different and when you're from a marginalized community, you're often faced with discrimination, racism, and prejudice in your day to day life. That takes an emotional toll on a person. 

Resilience is continuing to show up. When I think of resilience, I think of my grandparents and people who fought for our rights to be here. They fought so that the next generation could have better opportunity, access, and rights. 

So, the resiliency piece is showing up, getting up, speaking up for what's right. It's not just about you, it's also a bigger picture that includes the next generation and people who can't speak up for themselves. 

K: How do you think confidence and resilience are connected?

RC: There might be days where you're thinking, I don't feel that confident, but do I have the resilience to still show up as my best self? There will always be ups and downs, there will always be lulls, but resilience can create an awareness that you’re still okay, even if you’re feeling less confident. 

When my confidence is low, I usually take some time to be by myself. Then, maybe I’ll go swimming, or hang out with my best friends, or call my mom, or watch my favorite show because those are the things I need to refuel me. It doesn’t mean I’m not confident anymore, it just means I need to restore and be proactive. 

I reference this a lot in my workshops, but everyone can build a toolbox. I always say, if you're here right now, you've overcome something. That means you have tools somewhere. So, let's bring them to the forefront and potentially add some new ones. If you know what your tools are, on those off days, you're not left scrambling.

K: On a final note, I'd love to take a moment to acknowledge the importance of black joy. Why do you think it's so imperative that it be fostered and visible in our day to day? 

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RC: I think it needs to be showcased in the mainstream media. I think it needs to be cultivated because joy is important for every person, but specifically for people from the Black community. 

I think around Black History Month and Juneteenth or Emancipation Day, we often talk about the hardships, which are important. Of course, we have to talk about history, but we can also talk about the celebration. We can also talk about the joys. We can also talk about all of the accomplishments from people within the Black community who are doing great things — that’s a part of joy that’s also about representation. 

For hundreds of years it was, "please don't be this, please don't succeed, please don't be happy. Don't grow, don't be a part of society." Joy that is part of resistance. 

Not only are we learning and succeeding, but we're also happy even when we have every reason to lead with hate in our hearts. That is the resistance for sure. I am my grandparents' wildest dream come true. I don't think my grandparents ever thought I could be a successful queer Black woman.

Every time we host an event or put out a customer casting call, time and time again, I’m reminded: our community is simply the best. The way you hold space for each other, empower one another, and step into your own light brings me so much joy. It’s truly the alchemy that fuels our innovations and products, with the aim of improving people’s lives. 

It never ceases to amaze me how Knix products can inspire profound acts of self-love. They inspire people to step in front of the mirror and love what they see; to move through the world feeling unapologetically free. 

These are small, brilliant moments of self-love — and it means the world to play a part in facilitating them. It’s what keeps my cup full. 

As a busy entrepreneur, I have a few guiding self-love principles of my own that have allowed me to thrive as a founder and mom to 3 under 3. They’re tips you’re unlikely to encounter in most generic “self-care guides,” and I think that’s what makes them special. 

They’ve been instrumental in helping me grow both my business and family (while maintaining some semblance of balance). So, I’m sharing them with love this Valentine’s Day — from my cup, to yours. 

Celebrate Your Wins (and Cheers to Your Losses)

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Celebrate your wins, big and small. When life gets busy, it’s easy to forget to pause and savor our achievements. This year has been full of pinch-me moments — from getting dressed up and accepting the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award to unveiling Knix’s fabulous new HQ. Countless dreams have become reality this year, and there’s nothing sweeter than celebrating with the people who helped them come to fruition. 

But what about when you fail?, you might be thinking. That’s when you crack open a bottle of what I like to refer to as “failure champagne” (cheap prosecco works just as well). It’s a little ritual I cultivated when I first began my entrepreneurial journey. It’s not about celebrating your losses so much as an opportunity to reflect and toast to lessons learned. 

Believe in Yourself

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Like so many female founders, I was told countless times my ideas were “too niche.” But I knew in my heart of hearts that Knix was creating products half the population needed. Products that catered to menstruation and leaks were thought of as taboo or irrelevant, but I was unrelenting in my vision. 

I confronted similar hurdles when we opted to elevate our customers to model status and feature real people in our campaigns. My intuition told me that the intimates category needed to be shaken up, it needed an infusion of realness and relatability. If everyday people could see the beauty in strangers that look like them, maybe they’d recognize beauty within themselves, too. 

I was pregnant with my twin girls when raising capital for Knix. Even after building a successful business I faced scrutiny and questions. One investor even expressed fear I’d “take the money and run.” Turns out it pays off to back a "niche" business being run by a “mom.” This is your reminder to push through people’s assumptions and believe in yourself, even when no one else will. 

Embrace the Chaos

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Nothing is ever picture perfect, despite what Instagram filters lead us to believe. We can get so preoccupied with trying to self-optimize, we can neglect that we’re all constant works in progress. My advice? Embrace the chaos. 

Life’s messiest moments are often those most worth living for. The things that fill my life with the most chaos (like managing a business while raising three toddlers) are the things that often bring me the most joy. 

When I first found out we were having twins, I was nervous. My life was already more chaotic than most, I wasn’t totally sure how we’d juggle it all. But if running Knix has taught me anything, it’s this: life is messy and things won’t go as planned. The best thing you can do is embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride. 

There are times when I want to bottle up the chaos. I’m worried that somehow I’ll forget all the moments in between; the laughter, the squeals, the cries, the kitchen dance parties, car meltdowns, and being covered in love. This year, I’m continuing to live for the chaos and life’s messier, unexpected moments. 

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Valentine’s Day is for celebrating love in all its forms. Whether it’s celebrating your significant other(s), best gal pals, or yourself. And, yes, wearing your sexiest lingerie to eat lo mein in front of your favorite reality series counts as self-love. 

Love, 

Joanna