What started as a bold step forward has grown into a full-on wellness revolution—and she’s just getting started. The Plus Strut™, founded by the fearless and fabulous Joy Tribble, is celebrating five fierce years of championing plus size women with power, purpose, and pride. What was once a one-day 5K has blossomed into a multi-day wellness weekend filled with healing, movement, and meaningful connections. From “Pillows & PJs” soul sessions to the “Champions of Wellness” brunch, this isn’t just about fitness—it’s about freedom, community, and owning wellness our way.
FEMI: Five years strong and still strutting—how does it feel to watch The Plus Strut evolve from a single-day 5K to a full-blown wellness weekend that’s changing the game for plus size women nationwide?
Joy: It’s always been the goal, honestly, but to see the growth actually happening is incredible. I liken it to seeing a baby take its first steps — it’s something I’ve thought and dreamed about, but now that it’s happening, I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.
FEMI: The phrase “owning wellness, our way” is powerful. Can you break down what that looks like for The Plus Strut community—and why it’s so important in today’s health and fitness culture?
Joy: Oftentimes, plus size women are “otherized” in some capacity, and most of it is based on what OTHER people think. However, this demographic of women is far more capable than people realize — we just have a little more to love. Owning something means to be in control of a thing, it’s not based on what somebody else says or thinks, it’s based on our choices and how we want to show up. Being the 1st 5K to focus, specifically, on the plus size woman is why representation matters. As the old adage goes, “We can show you, better than we can tell you…” and this event is us owning our wellness, our capabilities and our strength, all while taking up space, simultaneously.
FEMI: From sound baths and guided meditation to the signature 5K, this year’s lineup is full of intention. What inspired the expansion into new events like Pillows & PJs and the Champions of Wellness Brunch?
Joy: The idea of the Plus Strut overall, was to do something radically different with a whole-body approach in mind for plus size women. The signature 5K answers the call of our physical well-being, being on full display and what the ladies accomplish with their bodies. Some have never done anything like this before, so we want to hold space for them to do that. “Pillows and PJs” speaks to our mental and emotional well-being, by checking in to see how our community is doing, addressing mental disruptions, and/or emotional overwhelm, incorporating healing elements. Our desire is to be a place of refuge, for them to feel safe, and to leave with answers, or the ability to solve a problem, providing fresh direction, by offloading issues that no longer serve them. The “Champions of Wellness Brunch” celebrates community and connection. Sometimes the answer you need comes from the person sitting next to you. Community, especially nowadays, is critical to our human experience. Whether we realize it or not, we need people, and our event expansion will be used to incubate the development of those lasting relationships.
FEMI: The Plus Strut has always been more than just a race—it’s a celebration of sisterhood, self-love, and strength. What are some of the most touching or transformational moments you’ve witnessed over the years?
Joy: The emotional reaction we see first are tears of triumph and excitement of crossing the finish line. This is the first time for many, so we see and sense a feeling of immense pride, because now they can say “I did that!” Secondly, we see what this accomplishment begins to unlock for them. They now realize, if they can complete something like this, what’s next on their life’s “to do” list that they can now tackle. It’s one of the most beautiful things to witness.
FEMI: With Ulla Popken, Megababe, and Beauty Water on board as partners, how has brand collaboration helped elevate the mission of The Plus Strut—and what does it mean for visibility in the wellness space?
Joy: Alliances are like your business friends, and when your friends believe in you, it truly helps to propel you forward. It’s also important to have alignment with the right brand and company because those people see the value in what you’re doing. It minimizes having to overly convince people on the importance of partnership. Ulla Popken is our presenting sponsor for this year’s event. They are the #1 plus size retailer in Germany, so not only has their support been paramount, but our mission and values are parallel for supporting, showcasing and celebrating plus size women. While many retailers are stepping back, Ulla Popken is doubling down, showing up and being fully present as a long-term partner for plus size women, globally.
With global partners like Ulla Popken and a growing sisterhood of women who are taking up space with confidence, The Plus Strut is more than a movement—it’s a lifestyle. Through tears of triumph, celebrations of strength, and conversations that matter, Joy Tribble has created a space where plus size women don’t just participate—they lead, glow, and grow. So lace up, breathe deep, and strut with purpose—because the future of wellness just got a lot more curvy, courageous, and unstoppable.
Images Courtesy of The Plus Strut™
Follow Us On Social Media!
