Uncut with Tara Rae Moss - The Halo Effect, Pretty Privilege and "Ugly Laws"
Apr 16, 2024
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Chronic pain and disability advocate Tara Rae Moss shares her journey from a model to author, discussing pretty privilege, the halo effect, and ableism. She opens up about living with CRPS, facing challenges in the modeling industry, and the impact of societal perceptions. Tara's story highlights resilience, authenticity, and the importance of intersectional feminism.
Pretty privilege impacts opportunities in the modeling industry.
Living with CRPS involves navigating physical and emotional challenges.
Societal biases around beauty intersect with ableism and privilege.
Resilience and advocacy are essential in overcoming adversity and transforming experiences.
Deep dives
Transition from Tara Moss to Tara Ramos
The episode delves into the transition of the guest from being known as Tara Moss to adopting the name Tara Ramos, shedding light on the reasons behind this change and the intriguing stories associated with it. Tara shares her experiences as a successful model and a published writer, addressing the challenges faced in the modeling industry regarding pretty privilege and perceptions of intelligence linked to physical appearance. The discussion also includes insights into Tara's journey dealing with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), emphasizing the drastic shift from her modeling success to navigating life with a disability.
Effects of Pretty Privilege and Ableism
Exploring the theme of pretty privilege and ableism, the episode highlights the nuanced dynamics of attractiveness in society. The conversation at the ethics center focuses on the halo effect of beauty and the unfair advantages it brings, contrasting the societal stigmas and challenges faced by individuals who do not conform to conventional beauty standards. Tara Ramos shares her personal experience, revealing how perceptions of beauty and disability intersect, impacting opportunities, treatment, and societal acceptance. The discussion challenges underlying biases and unequal treatment based on appearance and physical abilities.
Impact of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
The episode delves into Tara Ramos's journey with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), illustrating the debilitating effects of this condition on her physical and emotional well-being. From the initial hip injury leading to CRPS to the excruciating pain experienced, Tara recounts the profound challenges of living with constant burning pain and its manifestation throughout her body. The narrative shifts from coping with mobility aids like wheelchairs to regaining movement and functionality, underscoring the resilience and strength required to navigate the complexities of chronic pain and disability.
Bonus: Experience of Modeling Industry
As a bonus insight, the podcast touches on the guest's early days in the modeling industry, shedding light on the exploitative practices and abuse prevalent in the field. Tara Ramos candidly shares her encounters with abuse, harassment, and discrimination as a young model, highlighting the contrasting realities behind the glossy facade of the industry. The narrative emphasizes the broader societal issues of pretty privilege and the systemic challenges faced by individuals in the modeling world, offering a sobering perspective on the hidden struggles within the glamour of modeling.
Closing Remarks on Resilience and Advocacy
In closing, the episode reflects on Tara Ramos's resilience, advocacy, and transformative journey through adversity. From navigating the highs and lows of the modeling industry to confronting the harsh realities of disability and chronic pain, Tara's story resonates as a testament to courage and authenticity. Her journey prompts discussions on societal norms, beauty standards, and inclusivity, advocating for greater awareness and acceptance of diverse experiences and identities in a world shaped by privilege and prejudice.
Chronic Illness Recovery Journey Through Complementary Medicine
After facing the challenging diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the speaker navigated a healing journey that led them away from traditional medical approaches towards complementary medicine. Multiple modalities were explored at the Spiro Clinic, including neuromuscular re-education, naturopathy, chiropractic, lymphatic drainage, and detoxification. By embracing a holistic approach beyond surgery and pharmaceuticals, the speaker experienced significant improvement in their condition, transitioning from being housebound to using a walker under the clinic's care.
Navigating Shifts in Personal Identity and Relationships Through Disability
The speaker's experience with disability brought about profound changes in personal relationships, revealing true friends who remained supportive through the challenges. Embracing a newfound identity as a healer, the speaker highlighted the importance of personal evolution and the understanding that beauty and physical form evolve with time. The conversation also touched on societal perceptions of beauty and age, highlighting the need to challenge stereotypes and embrace personal authenticity.
Tara Rae Moss is a chronic pain and disability advocate, keynote speaker and bestselling author of 14 books. It’s likely that you originally know Tara Rae from her life as an international model, but her life took an unexpected turn 8 years ago when she developed a chronic pain condition known as CRPS.
In this chat we speak about:
Her experiences in the modelling industry as a teenager
Why she has returned to using her birth name Tara Rae
The halo effect, pretty privilege, the ugly laws and how it all is connected to ableism
How opportunities dried up once Tara Rae said that she had a disability
What living with CRPS was like and her journey to remission
Having to take a lie detector test to prove that she actually wrote her novels
