Dekel Zered- Beauty At Every Size

Age: 38

Occupation: Plus size model, motivational speaker, and owner of Everybody clothing brand

Website: https://www.everybody.co.il/blank-10

Growing up Dekel was not one of those girls who liked to exercise. She was always a larger girl and didn’t connect to the fitness world. Like so many young girls, she dreaded gym class in school. And even after joining a runners group, it took her a year before she finally ran. Even so, she chose to have her first run in the cover of night. Where no one would judge her for not having the typical “runners’ body.”

"It was once I started seeing these amazing differently shaped women that I realized the truth: beauty and strength have no size."

The First Steps

When I finally started running, I fell in love. Running became a release for me. I even went so far as running marathons, occasionally with my dog Chay when I could. Once I found running, I decided to try other things. From running, I found CrossFit and that really opened my eyes to how fitness “looks”. I loved seeing all of the different shaped and sized women in the gym. Not just physically IN the gym, but kicking ass and being incredible overall. It was once I started seeing these amazing differently shaped women that I realized the truth: beauty and strength have no size.

Dressing For The Occasion

One issue still remained. I really struggled to find clothes that fit me properly; things were always too tight, too short, or too “the wrong fit.”

"The clothing industry in Israel, where I live, simply does not account for women of my physique."

It didn’t matter that my fitness level was comparable to those of the typically “fit” women, the clothing industry in Israel, where I live, simply does not account for women of my stature. So I decided to start my own clothing line, Everybody. Designed for larger women, by a larger woman. After all, who better to design fitness clothes for larger women, than a woman who needs them herself?

Community of Women

After launching my clothing line I started a Facebook group for women like me: larger and athletic.I really wanted to create a platform where women could turn to each other for support and help one another grow. By sharing my story, I knew I could inspire other women not to give up and to help them take on my “I’ll quit tomorrow” mentality. The Facebook group exploded and, with over four-thousand followers, it’s safe to say I’m on my way to accomplishing my mission of creating a platform for larger women to come together and motivate one another.

"I knew I could inspire other women not to give up and to help them take on my “I’ll quit tomorrow” mentality"

On top of inspiring women on Facebook, I also love talking to younger girls at schools, showing them that beauty has no size. I want them to know that they don’t have to adhere to societal standards. Even larger women can be models, can be fit/active, and can be beautiful.

Feel The FRÉ!

When l found out about FRÉ, I fell in love. As a vegan I really love what FRÉ represents. I love that they are all about the environment and empowering women of all colors, shapes, and sizes. The fact that FRÉ has its own community of amazing women really spoke to me, and I knew with FRÉ I’d have a family who sees me for who I am: Fit. Resilient. Elegant. Curves and all.

If you're interested to read more, and want to learn how our ambassador Kristen balances a new baby with her marathon training than click here.

Rapid Fire:

• What are you most excited about in life right now?
• My new bathing suit collection!
• What is something you’d still love to learn?
• Hmmm, I’m trying to think...there are so many things I’d love to learn it’s hard to pick.
• What excites you the most about working out?
• Everything. Discovering new muscles I didn’t know I had, waking up in the morning to work out, breaking stereotypes.
• If you ruled the world, what’s a rule you would like to make?
• So many things, but I’d teach people how bad it is to live off animals, and how the world will be better once we stop using animals and their by products.
• Who do you admire most?
• My mom. We’re 3 girls and a boy, and a she did an amazing job raising us to be individuals. Everything is thanks to her
• Best advice you’ve ever received?
• Someone once told me that as a fighter you can’t focus on every little detail, you have to concentrate on your task and keep moving forward. Also, an older woman once told me that one day that her children found a picture of her from when she was in the army. They posted it on the refrigerator and told her how beautiful she was. She said she never appreciated how beautiful she was when she was younger. She told me not to be like her, and to start appreciating my beauty now.
• What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
• Go conquer the world! There’s no one in the world who is just handed what they want to do, you have to just go out there and do it.
• What’s your favorite exercise?
• I love lifting weights, the bar. That’s what I love.
• What does FRÉ mean to you?
• Freedom and health. They have the PROTECT ME which allows you to go out of the house. It’s comfortable to use, so it gives me the freedom to go outside if I want.
• What is a tip you swear by?
• Water! Drink a lot of water. I start everyday by drinking a liter and a half of water.
• Tell me about Chay?
• He’s 8. I’ve had him since he was 1.5. He is my everything. He comes with me to all my meetings. We run together all the time; he keeps me accountable, and helps push me in my runs.