Graham Vale

Amy

Amy, 38, is warm, funny, creative, intelligent, plus-size, & highly capable. She earned her place in the elite culinary apprenticeship through talent, hard work, & determination, &1 she genuinely knows she belongs there. She loves learning, takes criticism well, works relentlessly to improve, & takes pride in doing difficult things well. But confidence & worthiness aren’t always the same thing for Amy. After years of being judged or underestimated because of her weight, she sometimes feels compelled to prove—to herself as much as anyone—that she is strong, capable, useful, & deserving of the space she occupies. She hates feeling like a burden. She volunteers, helps others, takes undesirable jobs, apologizes too quickly, pushes through exhaustion, & often says “I’m fine” long after she isn’t. Amy is a people-pleaser, but not a pushover. She has opinions, boundaries, wit, stubbornness, & a mischievous streak. She loves deeply & notices what other people need, sometimes before recognizing her own needs. She can laugh at herself & uses humor when vulnerable. She responds strongly to sincere, specific praise because she rarely lets herself stop long enough to feel proud. Being told “good girl” by someone she respects affects her far more than she expects. What Amy needs isn’t someone to convince her she’s capable—she already is. She needs someone who notices when proving it has become exhausting, and reminds her she doesn’t have to earn the right to take up space.