2025 Keynotes
2025 Invited Guests
Photo: Freckled Fox Photography
Mermaid Chè Monique
Chè Monique is a dynamic force in the world of performance, based in the DC area. As a celebrated mermaid performer, model, and MERtivational speaker, Chè has captured the hearts of many through her appearances on Netflix’s *MerPeople*, Prime Video's Embodied, NBC, 60 Second Docs, and the UK’s Channel 4, among others.
Realizing a lifelong dream of becoming a mermaid, Chè uses her enchanting persona to break barriers and spread messages of body positivity. Her high-glam, exuberant images challenge stereotypes and inspire audiences to believe that anything is possible.
Chè Monique is the visionary founder of the Society of Fat Mermaids, a size-inclusive clothing line and community that shellebrates bodies of all sizes. As a leader in the mermaid community, Chè promotes education and inclusivity through various initiatives. She organizes online panel discussions, advises the Mermaid at Any Age community, and spearheads online movements like #MerfolkForBlackLives. The Society of Fat Mermaids platform is a testament to her commitment to inclusivity and celebration.
With a decade of experience in burlesque performance and production, Chè is also the founder of Washington DC's Chocolate City Burlesque and Cabaret, a groundbreaking troupe that highlights performers of color. Her extensive background in burlesque adds a unique dimension to her mermaid persona, blending sultry elegance with bold activism.
Education and water safety are at the heart of Chè's mission. She is developing an online learning platform called School for Fish to share her knowledge and passion for the aquatic arts. As a NAUI Mermaid Instructor, Chè partners with the Rising Tide Effect to advocate for water safety and spread essential messages.
Mermaid Chè Monique can be found online at www.mermaidchemonique.com and on social media @mermaidchemonique on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Her work continues to inspire and empower, reminding the world that everyone deserves to be celebrated, no matter their size.
Andrea Kelly
Andrea Kelly is a leading size-inclusion expert in the apparel industry, with 25 years of experience building product for some of the largest outdoor apparel brands in the world. As the founder of the @makeplusequal consultancy, launched in Spring of 2023, she marries her business expertise & passion for inclusion with her lived experiences of being an outdoor enthusiast in the plus-sized community.
Make Plus Equal believes that every body should have equal access to gear they need, regardless of size, shape, race, age, gender, and identity. As such, Make Plus Equal guides more brands become more size-inclusive in the products they offer and how they connect to & engage with a historically marginalized consumer base. By doing so, this affords plus-sized folks more options and availability to find the products they need to get outside and do the things they love.
Andrea's work in size inclusion has been recognized by Outside Business Journal, ranking her as one of the 20 most influential people in the outdoor industry, and some of Make Plus Equal’s clients include, Hoka, Trew Gear & Columbia Sportswear.
Andy Neal
Andy Neal is an Outdoorsy Body Positive Hiker, Plus Size Model, Mental Health Advocate, Creator of Content, & Filmmaker.
A graduate of Southern Oregon University’s Digital Cinema program Andy is an advocate for the outdoors and mental health.
Andy has created content for organizations such as Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Eddie Bauer, Charmin, The Arbor Day Foundation, and REI.
A vocal advocate for mental health and a fan of independent and documentary film, Andy serves with the Mental Health Coalition an organization created by Kenneth Cole to end the stigma surrounding mental health and to change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness and serves on the board of Directors of the Ashland independent film festival, where he also resides with his wife and children in Southern Oregon.
@andyfilmsandhikes IG
Jessie Sage
Jessie Sage (@sapiotextual) is a Pittsburgh-based writer, mother, and sex worker. She writes the popular weekly sex column Pillow Talk with Jessie Sage for the Pittsburgh City Paper, and hosts the weekly podcast When We're Not Hustling: Sex Workers Talking About Everything But. She has essays in two anthologies: We Too: Essays on Sex Work and Survival and The Holy Hour: An Anthology of Sex Work, Magic, and the Divine. Her other writing has appeared in outlets such as Men's Health, VICE, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, Hustler, and more.
Gabi Dixson
Gabi Dixson is a Multi-World Record Breaking Athlete.
World Records:
Farmers Hold 150kg per hand Winter Grip Wars 2023
Saxon Bar Deadlift 82.5kg Winter Grip Wars 2023
Anvil Hold 50kg 34.4s Winter Grip Wars 2023
Rogue Replica Dinnie Stone Hold (2023) – Rogue Record Breakers
Hammer Hold (2023) – Rogue Record Breakers
Axle Double Overhand Deadlift (2023) – Arm Lifting USA Arnold
Hercules Hold (2022) – Giants Live: World's Strongest Nation
Show Outcomes:
2023 Immortal Strength-Winter Grip Wars: 1st Place
2021/2022/2023 World’s Strongest Woman: 5th place
2022 Beerstone Classic: Runner-up
2022 Rainier Classic: Runner-up
2021 IPL Drug Tested World Championships: Winner (+198lb class)
2021 USPA Drug Tested National Championships: Winner (+198lb class)
2020 New Zealand’s Strongest Woman: Winner
She is also a model, public speaker, musician, and social worker with over a decade of experience. As a hard working creative Gabi strives to help folks of all shapes, sizes, and abilities to achieve their goals, whatever they may be. Gabi brings an element of positivity, personality, and a unique perspective in her approach to achieving her goals.
Jayla Rose
Dancer, burlesque and drag performer, transgender rights advocate, and television personality, @jaylarosepdx has been a nightlife entertainer since the early 2010s.
Known for her high energy, acrobatics, and dramatic dancing, she's often seen performing back flips and splits drops during drag brunches! She has graced the stages of Hamburger Mary's, Sinferno Cabaret, and Bit House Saloon. She's also a co-producer and performer with Diva Drag Brunch. In 2022, Jayla was a part of the reality show Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, where she won an Emmy Award. She also appeared with Lizzo at the 48th People's Choice Awards, where she was recognized for her work advocating for transgender and nonbinary performers.