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Empowerment Coaching
by Elyse
Supporting Families of all Abilities to Thrive Together

At twelve years old, Elyse Robbins stood at the edge of a swimming pool wearing a t-shirt over her bathing suit—the first of many moments when she was taught her body was something to hide, to apologize for, to shrink.

Beyond the T-Shirt is a powerful memoir that charts one woman's journey from internalized shame to radical self-acceptance, from seeking validation through diminishment to creating spaces where others can belong without having to shrink themselves.

With unflinching honesty and hard-won wisdom, Robbins reveals how the labels applied in childhood—"the smart one," "the big one"—shaped her relationship with her body, her sense of possibility, and her place in the world. Through decades of dieting, medical misdiagnosis, and the constant pressure to take up less space, she navigated parallel worlds: spaces of conditional acceptance and rare moments of true belonging.

This transformative narrative explores:

  • How family dynamics and medical systems can either heal or harm our relationship with our bodies

  • The profound impact of weight stigma on healthcare, education, and professional opportunities

  • The intersection of body acceptance and neurodiversity advocacy

  • Finding your voice after decades of silence and self-doubt

  • Transforming personal pain into purposeful advocacy

When Robbins became a mother—despite being told at fourteen that she would never have children—and later a stepparent to a neurodivergent daughter, her purpose crystallized. She discovered that her deepest wounds had prepared her for her most meaningful work: creating spaces of radical inclusion where differences are celebrated rather than merely tolerated.

Beyond the T-Shirt isn't just a memoir—it's an invitation to examine your own relationship with belonging, purpose, and advocacy. Through intimate storytelling and profound reflection, Robbins offers a roadmap for anyone who has felt marginalized, misunderstood, or reduced to a single story.

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