Plus size travel creator Beck of Manfattan has built a global platform rooted in fashion, freedom, and fearless exploration.
Born and raised in Maine, Beck moved to New York City for college at a pivotal cultural moment, just as the first wave of plus size bloggers was beginning to reshape the digital landscape. Watching creators like GabiFresh take up space online shifted something in her. For the first time, fashion felt accessible. It felt welcoming.
One of the blogs she followed most closely was The Manfattan Project, widely recognized as the first plus size street style blog. When its founder, Melissa, shared that it had originally started as a school project and that she was ready to pass it on, Beck did not hesitate. She reached out immediately.
Melissa handed over full access and encouraged her to make it her own.
At first, Beck continued the street style focus. But gradually she began stepping in front of the camera herself. Fashion had always been a form of self-expression. Getting dressed was never just about clothes; it was about identity, confidence, and presence.
As Instagram rose to prominence in the early 2010s, Beck leaned in. Manfattan grew quickly, leading to brand collaborations, magazine features, and fashion shows. What began as a blog evolved into a recognizable voice in the fashion space.
Then life shifted again.
In 2017, after nearly a decade in New York City, Beck moved to the Netherlands to live with her partner, Ro, who was born and raised there. The move reshaped both her personal life and her creative direction.
Manfattan evolved alongside her.
Fashion and beauty remained pillars, but travel began to take center stage. Europe became her new jumping-off point, and Beck noticed something that stopped her in her tracks.
Before a trip, she searched “Machu Picchu plus size.”
There was almost nothing.
That moment clarified her mission. Representation is a roadmap. If you never see someone who looks like you standing somewhere, it becomes harder to imagine yourself there. Beck decided she wanted to help fill that gap and show that plus size bodies belong everywhere.
PMMToday: What inspired you to start traveling the way you do?
Beck: Some of my earliest memories are from pre-K, sitting in the reading loft at school and flipping through books filled with images of places around the world, imagining myself inside them. Travel began as imagination long before it became something tangible. Even then, I was fascinated by how expansive and varied the world felt.
In middle school, my dad took several major trips to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. His stories stayed with me. He once brought me woven grass bracelets from Cambodia, made by a young girl named Bopa, along with a handwritten note she had written for me. I wore those bracelets until they fell apart. That moment made travel feel personal and human rather than distant.
At 16, I went on a school exchange trip to Santiago, Chile, which was my first time leaving the country. It changed my perspective completely. From that point on, travel appeared on every goal list I wrote. Slowly but surely, I began exploring the world one trip at a time.
When I met my partner, who is of Surinamese descent and has always been a traveler, travel became one of our shared love languages. Later, when my work as a digital marketing strategist and creative director transitioned fully remote, it allowed me to travel more intentionally. Being able to work from anywhere made long-term exploration possible rather than rushed vacations.
PMMToday: How many countries have you visited? Do you have favorites?
Beck: So far, I have traveled to 46 countries, and each one has left a distinct imprint.
The Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia felt completely otherworldly, especially during rainy season when the reflections turn the landscape into a mirror. Peru left a deep impression through its food, history, and dramatic landscapes. Zanzibar, particularly the beaches of Jambiani, feels like a mental refuge for me because I love being near water.
The Azores stand out for their raw beauty, incredible local food, and the balance they offer between adventure and restoration.
Jordan was unforgettable. We rented a car and drove from Amman to the Dead Sea, through Wadi Rum, into Petra, and ended in Aqaba. Experiencing the country by road felt expansive and immersive.
In Europe, Italy is a favorite for its range. The northern lakes and mountains feel entirely different from the warmth of the southern coast. Even the pace of life shifts beautifully from region to region.
Every destination adds another layer to how I see the world, and that sense of ongoing discovery is what continues to inspire the way I travel.
PMMToday: You also share advice about traveling in a bigger body. What’s the biggest myth you hear?
Beck: The biggest myth is that you have to be a certain size, level of fitness, or comfort threshold to travel meaningfully. There is this idea that if travel is not effortless, then it is not meant for you.
My counter-advice is simple: discomfort does not mean you do not belong. It usually means you need different information, preparation, or pacing.
Traveling in a bigger body is not about pretending challenges do not exist. It is about meeting them with self-compassion and planning instead of shame. You are not doing travel wrong because you need rest days, accommodations, or alternatives. You are doing it in a way that honors your body.
PMMToday: Tell us about the most unforgettable place you’ve visited.
Beck: It is difficult to choose just one because different places leave their mark in different ways, but a recent standout was Kiruna in Swedish Lapland.
There was something powerful about being that far north, in a landscape shaped by snow and the dancing night sky. Staying at the Icehotel felt surreal. Sleeping surrounded by carved ice and art made the experience feel both fleeting and magical.
I leaned into the contrasts of the Arctic. I would warm up in the sauna and then step back out into the crisp air. I went dog sledding across vast white expanses that felt almost infinite.
Seeing the Northern Lights ripple across the night sky was one of those moments where everything inside you becomes quiet.
What made it stand out was not just the beauty, but the presence it demanded. The environment asked me to slow down, listen, and feel small in the best possible way.
PMMToday: Logistics can be tricky. What are your go-to travel tips for plus-size travelers?
Beck: I often visit places that were not designed with my body in mind, and the first thing I do is remind myself that this is okay. Centering self-compassion helps enormously when something feels uncomfortable.
Planning is my biggest anxiety reducer. I research seating in restaurants and transportation whenever possible. Even if the situation is still challenging, knowing what to expect helps me feel grounded.
Flying as a 6’3 plus size person can be difficult. I approach every flight with the same mindset. I board with my shoulders back and greet the flight attendants kindly. If the flight is not full, I politely ask whether there are two seats available together.
If the plane is full, I remind myself the experience is temporary. Planes are cramped for many bodies, and acknowledging that reality helps me stay calm and grounded.
Packing preparation also makes a huge difference.
Comfort essentials I always bring include:
Bike shorts for chafing
Megababe Thigh Rescue
White Snake Cooling Powder
Comfortable sneakers (New Balance is a favorite)
Blister patches
Compression socks for flights
A lightweight scarf or wrap for temperature changes
I never rely on the idea that I can just buy something when I arrive. Preparation gives me freedom once I’m there.
PMMToday: You talk beautifully about slowing down when traveling. How do you balance sightseeing and being present?
Beck: I book a few things in advance that are likely to sell out, but otherwise I keep my days flexible.
I usually have a loose list of experiences rather than a rigid schedule. That way I can listen to what my body and mind need.
If I need a rest day, I sit in a café and absorb the atmosphere. If the weather is perfect the next morning, I take advantage of it.
Flexibility is how I take care of myself. I prioritize longevity over urgency.
PMMToday: If you could create your dream travel show, what would it look like?
Beck: My dream travel show would center the experience of moving through the world in a plus size body, not as a transformation story, but as a fully lived one.
Each episode would explore culture, food, fashion, and community while intentionally connecting with larger-bodied locals. I would want to sit down over shared meals and have honest conversations about visibility, joy, logistics, and what it means to exist in their bodies within their culture.
We would also explore activities central to each destination. Dog sledding in the Arctic. Street food crawls guided by locals. Traditional craft workshops.
Adventure is not size-restricted, and I want that to be clear.
My first guest would actually be my mom, who is also a plus size woman with a huge zest for life. The first episode would share the world through her eyes and honor the woman who taught me to claim joy and take up space.
PMMToday: Have you ever had a travel experience that really tested you?
Beck: Being tall and plus size means that in some countries I am perceived as very unique, sometimes even rare.
That can bring a wide range of reactions, from warmth and enthusiasm to moments that feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Being constantly perceived can be exhausting. I have learned to pay close attention to my energy levels and give myself permission to step away and recharge when needed.
I try to meet curiosity with kindness while still protecting my peace.
These experiences have taught me a lot about humanity. Curiosity, delight, misunderstanding, and discomfort can all coexist. I try to meet those moments with grace while still honoring my boundaries.
PMMToday: What’s one travel mantra you want people to remember?
Beck: I deserve to be here.
Follow our cover model Beck Delude on Instagram TikTok to follow her amazing travels around the world.
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