Hunter McGrady is just as bubbly and kind as she seems on Instagram. With nearly 700,000 followers on the platform, the 27-year-old body-positive model is an inspiration to women everywhere.
Hunter made headlines in 2017 when she became the curviest model to appear in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as a size 16. Needless to say, that was only the beginning of her groundbreaking career.
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Recently, Hunter sat down with Diply and opened up about her #AllWorthy hashtag-turned-lifestyle, her clothing line with QVC, and what true inclusivity means to her.
There is no shortage of stunning models to follow on Instagram, but Hunter stands out from the crowd not only because of her beauty, but because of her ability to radiate positive energy through a cellphone screen.
Hunter began modeling at 15-years-old. By 16, she began to feel the pressures of the unrealistic body expectations the industry promoted.
Those teenage insecurities are partially why Hunter began the #AllWorthy body-positive campaign back in 2016.
“#AllWorthy started as a hashtag in 2016, after my first year in Sports Illustrated . I was thinking the whole time while shooting it ’16-year-old me would have never thought I was worthy enough to be in Sports Illustrated. ‘”
Now, Hunter is breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes for body-positive women everywhere.
Her All Worthy clothing line with QVC ranges in sizes from XXS to 5X, or from sizes 0-36! Now that’s truly inclusive.
Speaking about her line, Hunter explained that it’s been designed from her own perspective, “I created items I’d always dreamt of wearing.”
She explained the pieces she created were from ideas she has had “in my repertoire for so many years.”
For Hunter, inclusive doesn’t just extend to size inclusivity, but financial inclusivity as well. All pieces from the All Worthy clothing line range from $29 to $119.
She remarked the affordability of her line was “one of the biggest things I’m really proud of.”
Hunter continued: “We work really hard to source fabrics that are very comparable to a really high retail price. It was something I wasn’t willing to settle on.”
This across the board pricing means you’re paying the same price regardless of if you’re buying an XXS or a 4X!
“Inclusivity wraps up all together,” remarked Hunter, proudly.
She continued: “Nothing is worse than not being able to buy something you want for yourself.”
With many pieces in her All Worthy collection selling out in under 10 minutes during the initial launch, Hunter believes it’s a step in the right direction for the fashion industry.
“The fans have been really appreciative,” she remarked. “I hope a lot more retailers can see the response and can take a cue from that… my entire intention behind the line is making sure women feel good and feel seen and feel heard and know that they’re valued.”
When we asked Hunter what she would tell her 16-year-old self now, she said would want to lift the pressure off herself.
“Everybody is focused on being a different version of ourselves and we forget to just be ourselves… Enjoy these years, they’re pivotal years but they’re fun years. You don’t have to change a thing about you.”
Hunter’s philosophy on pandemic self-care is also focused on being kind to yourself: “None of us could have ever prepared for a pandemic. No one in our lives could have prepared us. We are all going through this together. We really have to give ourselves grace. Our lives got turned upside down.”
She recommends giving yourself at least 5 minutes a day to do something that feeds your soul, and revealed how much she’s enjoyed meditation over the past few months.
Mental health support, especially in young adults, is something the model is particularly passionate about, explaining to us why she has partnered with The JED Foundation, working as a mental health advocate.
“It hit home for me that this was something I was meant to be a part of,” Hunter explained. The JED Foundation provides youth with mental health resources, focusing in on the transitional period from high school to college.
Hunter says she looks forward to continuing her work in breaking the stigma attached to mental health issues.
“It’s okay to not be okay,” she reminded us.
To find out more about Hunter’s work with The JED Foundation, please click here .
