Naomi Shimada isn’t just the girl you follow on Instagram, she’s a successful model, a documentary maker, an activist, body-positive campaigner and an advocate for all things feel good. Changing the way the fashion industry looks, Naomi’s infectious persona isn’t just impressing the fashion industry – she’s now a part of the new Nike Beautiful x Powerful collection. The range encompasses all things powerful and channels the energy and spirit of pioneering women, so it’s obvious why they picked Naomi to be a part of the campaign. We caught up with Naomi at the Beautiful X Powerful launch in Paris.
So Naomi, do you feel like the sport industry is diversifying and sport is becoming inclusive of all shapes and sizes?
'I think it is, bit by bit. I want it to be less about ‘strong not skinny,’ and more about doing exercise for the sake of doing something for yourself. I get that we all want to be stronger, but doing it for your mental health and wellbeing is what’s important.'
What would you like to see happen in the fitness industry?
'There’s a definite feeling of exclusivity when it comes to fitness, but exercise shouldn’t have to be an elitist thing. Like the fact you need to have the right workout clothes and you have to have money for an expensive membership. There’s an exercise for everyone and we can, and should all be included in the conversation. I think Nike are really channeling that idea.'
So for someone who doesn’t have the money for expensive memberships, what would you recommend doing?
'You might have an app, or you could just go for a run in the park but just do it. I feel like a lot of the exercise industry doesn’t make you feel like that. I read that in American the spend on yoga alone is one of the biggest industries, which seems so inane when you can do it at home on YouTube, so find a way to cater it to yourself.'
You’re also a film maker, what is it that made you want to explore this avenue?
'It was just a natural progression for me, I did a lot of TV when I was younger and I didn’t want to do it as some kind of camera dolly presenter. I wanted to start channeling all the things that I talk about on a daily basis and all these things that I’m an advocate for. I wanted to show it as a lifestyle rather than just talking about it in an interview. I'm defintely one of those people that just has to go first in life, so decided to set up a a female feminist film collective to start making female focused films.'
Can you tell me a bit about them, and what's to come?
'All the films tie into all the stuff we’re talking about now, like social focus, travel. I'm working on a series right now about the seven Brazilian sisters that invented the Brazilian bikini and then I’m making a longer feature about female sexuality. For me, it’s also about creating those like ‘me too’ vulnerable moments and translating them onto film. I want to unite all those films along with feeling powerful and beautiful, creating the work that I wish I could have seen.'
Have you ever had any backlash from your videos?
'I did a couple of segments for a cooking show and as soon as the video went up on YouTube I had a look at the comments, and thousands of them were just focused on my size and how fat I was. It could have made me really upset the way people went in on me. I almost want people to read it to show how conditioned we are that when you see someone on TV that isn’t small that’s the first thing you pick up.'
It must have been frustrating that they didn’t focus on what you were talking about?
It was, but I kind of thought you what, it’s not their fault, it’s our social conditioning. We have this perception of what someone needs to be and look like, when we should be focusing on their talents. It definitely gave me the ammunition to start doing documentaries.
And finally, what advice would you give to your 18-year-old self about body confidence?
'Try not to compare yourself to other people, as hard as that is and as hard as we all struggle with, no matter how old we are. Just keep on checking in with yourself, be kind to yourself and have patience. Our bodies do a lot for us and we don’t treat them well enough. Human bodies are an incredible machine, so just try and be the best you can be.'
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.