MODEL | INFLUENCER | BODY ACCEPTANCE ADVOCATE

Maddy is an Australian model and influencer who uses her platform to inspire others by sharing her journey of body acceptance and celebrating diversity. As a mum to nearly two-year-old Senna and with a baby girl on the way in early 2025, Maddy balances motherhood with her growing professional career. Her social media presence brings a refreshing sense of realness, showing that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Maddy’s story
Maddy’s journey into the world of modelling and influencing kicked off unexpectedly in 2019, when a brand reached out to her on social media to offer her a dress. At the time, Maddy had fewer than 1,000 followers, but with a trip to Europe on the horizon, she decided to snap a few photos in the dress and share them online. Little did she know, this simple moment would set her on a whole new path. “It just happened so organically,” she says. “I just kept doing it, and it snowballed from there.”

Soon after, the same brand reached out again, this time asking if she wanted to model for them. From there, Maddy’s platform grew, and she began building a vibrant community of followers who had similar body shapes and shared her values. “I feel so grateful that it happened quickly and naturally,” she says. “It’s something I never thought I could do, never in a million years — it all seems a bit surreal to be honest.”

Representation matters

Now, Maddy is signed with Everi-Body, an inclusive and empowering modelling agency, as well as collaborating with the Lullaby Club as well as Curvy Swimwear. “They’re very inclusive, but they’re also such beautiful people! The owner wants to see everyone represented. No matter what size or disability, everyone should see themselves represented everywhere — in campaigns, shop windows, and on social media,” she says of Everi-Body. 

Growing up, Maddy didn’t see many people who looked like her in the media. “I grew up in the ‘heroin chic’ era,” she reflects, referring to the beauty standards that dominated when she was young. “There was this whole idea of skinny equals beautiful, and it was everywhere, like Tumblr.”

Her own struggles with body image started early — she recalls being told she couldn’t fit into dance and singing costumes at a young age, and being put on a diet when she was 11. “My mum didn’t know any better,” she says. “She took me to a dietician, and everything was about weight.”

These experiences have left Maddy feeling deeply protective of her young daughter, Senna. “When I found out I was having a girl, I was excited, but then terrified. I didn’t want her to grow up with the same body image issues I had.” 

Overcoming self-doubt

Maddy’s journey to body acceptance has been nothing short of transformative. While she used to struggle with feeling comfortable in her own skin and often compared herself to others, venturing into the world of modelling and influencing has helped her realise the importance of embracing her body just as it is. “Social media, strangely enough, helped me. It helped me see other people my size and made me realise, if they can wear that, then I can wear that too,” she says. 

For much of her teenage and young adult life, Maddy edited her photos, particularly focusing on her nose, a feature she once felt self-conscious about. “I have no photos from 16 to 20 where I actually look like myself,” she admits. 

“I changed history — I have photos of a stranger … someone I thought I should look like. And the photos look ridiculous because editing apps back then weren’t great — it’s so obvious, and embarrassing that I posted them,” she laughs. 

The turning point came when Maddy made the decision to stop editing her photos. “I looked back and thought, ‘That’s silly. I shouldn’t be doing that,’” she says. “The first time I posted an unedited photo, I was terrified. But there was no reaction — it was just me being me.”

Embracing imperfection

Maddy’s evolving confidence has come from accepting her body, imperfections and all. “It’s not about being positive 100% of the time — it’s about accepting yourself for who you are,” she says. 

“We need to stop comparing ourselves to others and just exist as we are. I’m not special for posting my body online — I’m just existing as a person — and I want people to know it’s ok to live your life as a bigger person. There’s nothing wrong with that, you’re not promoting obesity or all these other stupid things people say. You’re allowed to exist and take up space, no matter what size you are.”

Her husband’s support has been pivotal in this transformation. “He made me realise I was hiding my body out of shame. One day, he said, ‘Why are you trying to hide your body? People can see it anyway,’” she shares. “From that point on, I stopped hiding and started embracing my body, because it’s the body that has taken me through life, birthed my daughter and is growing another baby — that’s insane and something to be proud of.”

A journey of growth

While Maddy feels a sense of freedom about her body now, she’s honest about it not always being straightforward. “My weight fluctuates, like everybody else. I’m a big advocate of body acceptance, not body positivity, because you cannot be positive 100% of the time. It’s not possible. And there’s parts of me that I can leave, you know, but I see them, and I move on,” she says.  

“If I could give advice to my younger self, I’d say, ‘Stop focusing on your body’. Something Taryn said that really hit home for me is that ‘your body is the least interesting thing about you’, and I love that quote. It’s not about what you look like — it’s about what you can do, how you feel, and what you bring to the world.”

This mindset is something Maddy is conscious of passing down to both of her children. “I don’t want them to feel that pressure. I want them to know they’re strong, confident, smart, and capable — no matter their size.”

Recently, Maddy collaborated with Curvy Swimwear to launch a new collection, embracing the opportunity to create trendy, body-inclusive pieces. “People want to see fashionable options in their size,” she says. “They want to wear cute swimsuits, crochet dresses, and other trendy items in their size. So, I thought, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Looking to the future, Maddy dreams of launching her own brand, but with a young daughter and another one on the way, she acknowledges life is pretty busy already. “I have so much respect for business owners — there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. It’s something I’d love to do, but it feels like it’s in the far future. But I’m taking it step-by-step, working on collaborations with amazing brands now, and that makes me happy.”

To follow Maddy’s inspiring journey, head to her Instagram page.