About Katie

Hi!! I’m Katie Johnson, a plus size, queer, fitness coach, business owner, content creator, and model.

I started Happy Fit Coaching because I knew what it felt like to struggle, and I wanted to create something that would’ve helped the younger version of me.

A lot of what I do today is shaped by my experiences growing up, including being a survivor of sexual assault at a young age (If you want to learn more about that part of my story and my healing journey, I share more on my Substack.) Experiences like that can deeply impact how you see yourself and your body.

I was always a bigger, curvier girlie, due to my PCOS. I grew up in intense athletic environments, and this only amplified the pressure I felt to be smaller and lose weight. After everything I experienced, I turned to exercise and restricting food as a way to feel in control. Over time, that turned into disordered eating habits and a really negative relationship with both movement and my body. This took years to unlearn.

When I started posting on TikTok, I knew I never wanted to contribute to the same harmful messaging I had experienced. I didn’t want to promote unrealistic beauty standards or make anyone feel like they had to change their body to be worthy.

So I started sharing body positive and body neutral fitness content.

As I healed my relationship with food, exercise, and my body, I found movement incredibly helpful, it improved my mental health, my confidence, and my overall well-being. But I also noticed that so many fitness spaces were still rooted in weight loss and appearance-focused goals, and that no longer aligned for me.

I wasn’t working out to change my body anymore.
I was working out to feel good, to support my mental health, and to build a life that felt strong, happy, and sustainable.

That’s where Happy Fit Coaching comes in.

I created Happy Fit Coaching to fill the gaps I experienced in the fitness industry. It’s a space where you can focus on showing up as your best self without the pressure of trying to look a certain way or hit a “goal weight.” It’s for people who have never felt like the traditional, gym bro, diet culture, fitness world was meant for them.

In 2024, I came out as a lesbian. That journey took years of journaling, healing, and learning to fully accept myself. Now, I’m incredibly proud to be a plus size lesbian taking up space in industries that have historically lacked representation for both queer and plus size people.

In 2025, I signed with TRUE Model Management in NYC. Becoming a model was always a dream of mine. That same year, I had the opportunity to meet Ashley Graham and fit model for her line with JCPenney. It was one of those full-circle moments where I couldn’t help but think about my younger self.

I wish I could go back and tell her: “You don’t need to keep making yourself smaller.” “You get to chase your dreams.” “What you’re feeling is temporary and it all works out.” “You don’t end up marrying a man, you get to live life with your best friend.” “You get to a place where you genuinely love yourself and wake up excited for each day!”

Everything I’ve built is for that version of me and for the girl who can relate.
And if you see yourself in any part of this story, you’re in the right place.

I’m so happy you’re here!