# (127) The Truth About Professional Mermaiding You Won't Hear in Circus Sideshows

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282/127-the-truth-about-professional-mermaiding-you-won-t-hear-in-circus-sideshows
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282/127-the-truth-about-professional-mermaiding-you-won-t-hear-in-circus-sideshows.md
Podcast: [Hot Mess Espresso](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282)
Published: 2026-05-20T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/67932022e779d12cca23f26d876c401c4115e6a27040f5d9e5b8cb3bc4e07731/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5NmM3M2U2Zi04MTgwLTRjODYtYWM1Yi0zNjU0OTU2OGFjODIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmODc0NDI4My1jNDJkLTQ4ZWEtYTZjMS1hMGY5OWY4NWRmMzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2NDk0YWQ4M2VhMGFjYTZmOTk4YzY3MzYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlmZjljODIyYTdmN2ZmZDRhYjljMzRlL2hlYXRoZXItaGVyaW5ndG9ucy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LTlfXzIyLTQzLTQ2Lm1wMyJ9.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3127

## Resource

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood dream into a radical community movement? Meet Che Monique, founder of the Society of Fat Mermaids, who went from stapling paisley fabric on a homemade tail to being one of Netflix’s most unexpected mermaid stars. Her journey is a splash of activism, creativity, and self-love, proving that liberation can start with a fantasy and blossom into a vibrant movement. In this episode, Che shares how a Pride Parade inspired her to create a size-inclusive mermaid fashion line that celebrates fat bodies, Black mermaids, and queer joy. You'll discover how representation fueled her dream, why mermaiding isn’t just costume play but a form of liberation, and how her viral Netflix documentary exposed both the magic and the pressure of being a visible fat mermaid influencer. Plus, she reveals how the community shifted her from silent supporter to a fierce advocate, and what’s next for her mission of radical acceptance. We break down the real stories behind fighting fat discrimination in healthcare, the importance of community-building through paid memberships, and the power of imagination in driving social change. Che drops gems on embracing transitions, the importance of self-awareness in a digital age, and how to start loving yourself today: no filters, just raw truth and some mermaid magic.

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## Transcript

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