Latest news with #Southern-centric
Style Blueprint
03-07-2025
- Style Blueprint
Jason Vaughn of 'Fat Tested Travel' on Overcoming His Fear of Roller Coasters
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit 'Southern Voices' is a reader-submitted series. This personal essay — 'The Ride That Didn't Fit' — comes from roller coaster enthusiast Jason Vaughn of Fat Tested Travel. If you have a story to tell, see our guidelines for submission here. We love to hear about your wildly wonderful, challenging, captivating (and sometimes Southern-centric) experiences! ********** Growing up in South Carolina, Carowinds was our park — the place every kid in the Carolinas begged to visit. I have happy memories there as a little boy, especially of that log flume ride that splashed you just enough to feel like a daredevil. But right next to that ride was a roller coaster. And that one … well, that one stayed with me for all the wrong reasons. I've been a bigger kid since around age six. In kindergarten, I was a skinny little blond thing. By second grade, that changed. I remember getting on that roller coaster, pulling down the bar, and it wouldn't lock. I don't remember what the ride was called. I just remember the bar not closing, the ride not starting, and the silence that felt like screaming. I had to do what's known as the 'walk of shame'— getting off while everyone else watched. Were they really laughing? Probably not. But that's the story I told myself. And those stories … they stick harder than the facts. I didn't set foot in another theme park for over 20 years. I kept telling myself, When I lose the weight, I'll finally go to Disney. I never lost the weight. After COVID, I was the heaviest I'd ever been. Depressed, stuck, watching the world pass by through a window. And then, I found Pammie Plus Parks on YouTube — a plus-size woman calmly walking people through what to expect at Disney: which rides fit, which didn't. And just like that, a little door cracked open. I had a trip to Fort Lauderdale already planned. I decided to detour through Orlando. I didn't fly (I wasn't ready to ask for a seatbelt extender yet), but I drove to Animal Kingdom. And that's where I faced my fear: Expedition Everest. I got in. Pulled the bar down. Expected to be asked to get off. Instead, the cast member checked it, nodded, and moved right along. I gasped. I smiled. I held on for dear life. I was terrified. And I was free. When I got off the ride, a woman approached me and asked if that had been my first time. I told her it was my first coaster in over two decades. She said she could tell — said she'd seen the on-ride photo with her kids and saw me behind them, smiling like someone who'd just won the lottery. She was right; I was hooked. Within six months, I'd gone to Disney three more times, got an annual pass, and — as a joke — started posting 'fat testing' videos on TikTok. A week later, I had 10,000 followers. Turns out, I wasn't the only one wondering what rides would fit and whether it was worth going. Now, I've got more than 360,000 followers across my platforms, I became a travel agent, and I get messages every day from people saying, 'You gave me the courage to go.' The ones that hit me hardest? The moms. The ones who've made excuses for years about why they couldn't take their kids to Disney … until now. Yes, I've lost some weight since I started, but that's not really the point. I'm just glad I got up and went. Sometimes, when you move — even if you fail — life blesses you anyway. Last year, Carowinds invited me back to film a 'Fat Tested' walk-through of the entire park. And wouldn't you know it, when I got to the spot where that old coaster once stood, it was gone. Replaced by something new. I tried it; I didn't fit. But this time? I just moved on to the next one. That's the wisdom life's been teaching me over and over: not everything will fit, and that's okay. There's always another ride around the corner. There's always joy to be found if you're willing to move forward, even a little. I used to believe I had to earn happiness by changing my body. Now I know the truth — happiness comes in all sizes. And so do people. ********** Discover more amazing Southern people and places. Follow us on Instagram! About the Author Jason Vaughn
Style Blueprint
23-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Style Blueprint
Tiny Teachers: Life Lessons From My Foster Cats
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit 'Southern Voices' is a reader-submitted platform. Today's submission comes from our StyleBlueprint Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager, Brianna Goebel. If you have a story to tell, see our guidelines for submission here. We love to hear about your wildly wonderful, challenging, captivating (and sometimes Southern-centric) experiences! ********** Growing up, I never really thought of myself as an animal person. Not because I didn't like animals — they just weren't something I'd ever been around much. So, when I moved into my first apartment after college, like so many young adults trying to maneuver through life, I impulsively decided to adopt a cat. Her name was Ophelia, and she was perfect. I, on the other hand, was a broke, overwhelmed 20-something just trying to figure out how to be a person (let alone a pet parent). It didn't take long for me to understand exactly what people mean when they say, 'Pets are a huge responsibility.' As much as I loved Ophelia, I wasn't in the right place to give her the life she deserved. Rehoming her shattered my heart, but at the time, it felt like the most loving thing I could do. What I didn't know then was that Ophelia was just the beginning. She ended up being the catalyst for something so much bigger. Pin A few years later, while I wasn't quite ready to be a full-time cat mom again, I still wanted something soft and small to care for. That's when I stumbled into the world of fostering — equal parts heartwarming and emotionally destabilizing. I signed up with the Nashville Humane Association, and within days, I had my first foster. Fast-forward about a year and eight fosters later, and my little home has been full of more lessons (and love) than I ever expected. Here are just a few things Drake, Berry, Biscotti, Wonton, Scarlett, Eyebrow, Scoots, and Kingsley have taught me. Trust takes time (and treats). I can't imagine what it feels like to be dropped into a strange place when you're scared and vulnerable. Most of my fosters don't burst out exploring the moment they arrive in my home. It usually takes a few days (sometimes weeks) before they peek out from under my couch. And I get it. New surroundings are scary, and honestly, pretty anxiety-inducing. I've hidden under metaphorical couches myself, so I've learned to slow down, let go of my need to rush, and just give my fosters space. Yes, I crave the snuggles and the rhythmic biscuit-making paws, but those come when they're ready. Pin In those early days, you'll usually find me on the floor, cross-legged, and whispering softly while tossing treats like I'm some sort of wannabe cat whisperer. The first signs of trust, though? A tiny paw twitching out from under the couch, a slow blink from across the room, or sometimes full-on zoomies capped with an unexpected headbutt. Trust isn't something you can force. It has to be earned — gently, patiently, and ideally with snacks. Find joy in the small moments. Once that trust is earned, the real magic begins. That's when my fosters usually realize they've got me wrapped around their tiny paws. Sure, I love the laugh-out-loud moments — like when I discovered one of my fosters actually loved to play fetch — but it's the quiet, everyday moments that stick with me. You know those clichés, like 'stop and smell the roses' or 'find beauty in the ordinary'? My foster cats are living proof of those. Pin Some of my favorite memories are simple: working at my desk with Kingsley resting his head on my wrist, disrupting my typing but somehow making everything better. Or Berry, the sweetest black cat who shattered every black cat stereotype, waiting by the door after I'd been gone five minutes, like I'd just returned from a week-long vacation. These small moments have taught me that joy doesn't always come in grand gestures. Sometimes it's a quiet purr, a comforting head on my wrist, or a warm greeting after a quick errand. They remind me to slow down, be present, and find happiness in the ordinary. Control is an illusion. As my fosters get more comfortable, the neat little world I try so hard to maintain slowly begins to unravel. Litter pellets scatter like confetti, toys migrate to every corner and crevice, and fur establishes permanent residency on every surface and piece of clothing (and probably my soul at this point). I've always been a bit of a neat freak, like organize-my-closet-by-color-and-vacuum-in-a-straight-line clean, so watching my perfectly organized house slowly transform into chaos has been … well, an adjustment. But honestly? Learning to let go of that control has lifted a giant weight off my shoulders. I've learned control is often just an illusion, especially when you're sharing a roof with such a curious and unpredictable little creature. Letting go doesn't mean giving up; it means making room for joy, spontaneity, and a lot more love (and fur). Healing takes time. Not every foster arrives in perfect health, either. In fact, very rarely do they come without requiring special medical attention. Many cats arrive needing a little extra TLC — whether that means meds, wound care, or, in Scarlett's case, the dreaded (but incredibly adorable) cone of shame. She spent her early days with me healing and snoozing in style, and while it wasn't always glamorous, it was deeply rewarding. Helping Scarlett heal reminded me that care isn't just cuddles and toys. Sometimes, it's long vet visits, cleaning up messes, and consistently showing up — even when things get difficult. Pin Letting go hurts. Do it anyway. Of course, the most challenging part of fostering is always the goodbye. I pour love into each and every one of my foster cats, but I remind myself they're only with me temporarily. I remember bringing my first foster, Drake, back to the shelter. The moment hit me hard as I sat in the lobby of Nashville Humane, tears spilling out in front of strangers. A kind employee sat beside me, and suddenly I felt like the anxious one, afraid to let go. She reminded me I was giving Drake a second chance — a shot at a forever home filled with love. Sometimes, fostering isn't about holding on tight; it's about opening the door and trusting that love doesn't end when they leave. That day and every goodbye since, I've learned that pain and hope can walk hand in hand. Each farewell signals a fresh start with new families, new stories, and new lives. At the end of the day, it's the mess, the chaos, and the quiet moments that make it all worth it. Because love — real love — isn't about holding tight, it's about opening your heart, even when it hurts, and knowing every goodbye makes space for something new to grow. No, it's not always easy — and it's definitely not always clean — but it's always worth it. Because sometimes, love arrives in the form of a shy, biscuit-making goblin who proves that even short chapters can change your whole story. ********** StyleBlueprint would love to hear your story! Find the 'Southern Voices' submission guidelines HERE. About the Author Brianna Goebel Brianna is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.
Style Blueprint
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
When Life Handed Me the Ultimate Plot Twist
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit 'Southern Voices' is a reader-submitted platform. Today's submission comes from our StyleBlueprint Memphis Account Executive, Faith Pool. If you have a story to tell, see our guidelines for submission here. We love to hear about your wildly wonderful, challenging, captivating (and sometimes Southern-centric) experiences! ********** When Life Handed Me the Ultimate Plot Twist If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd be standing here, planning my dream wedding with the love of my life, I probably would've laughed — and maybe rolled my eyes. After all, my life was headed in a completely different direction, like some unwritten chapter in a novel that wasn't supposed to happen yet. I was in a season of change, ready to leave behind what no longer felt right. A friend once told me, 'Just because they're a great person doesn't mean they're your person.' That line clung to me like a song lyric stuck on repeat. You know that little voice — the one that whispers for you to take a risk? I finally listened. The next two years became all about rediscovering myself — getting comfortable with who I was, learning what I wanted, and yes, getting over Memphis. I was ready for something new, mentally preparing for life in Charlotte or Austin. Maybe Florida. New city, new me. That was the plan, right? But as fate would have it, life was about to serve me a plot twist with a side of confetti, champagne, and a little push from my friend Emily. Enter New Year's Eve at Bar Ware. The room was buzzing with excitement, a perfect snapshot of the kind of night I'd expected — just another champagne toast to a fresh start. But then, there he was. Josh. We ended up at the same place at the same time, and though neither of us expected anything more than a fun night out, Emily clearly had other plans. In true Emily fashion, she made sure Josh and I exchanged Instagram handles before the night was over. And just like that, we were both spiraling into the whirlwind of fate. Pin Fast forward to the next morning. Slightly hungover, yet still feeling bold, I slid into Josh's DMs, casually inviting him to a 'hair of the dog' brunch. What was meant to be a quick fix for the morning-after blues quickly turned into something far more interesting. That one message led to hours of FaceTime, during which Josh casually mentioned that he'd had his eye on me for a while. (Smooth, right?) By the end of the call, our first date was already on the calendar. Talk about instant chemistry. Later that week, we went on that first date, and from the moment we sat down, it just clicked. By the end of the night, we both knew this wasn't just another passing connection. This was something real. Something that felt effortless, natural, and meant to be. Both having lived in the same city for 10 years, I was shocked I had never seen Josh. After all, Memphis is small — everyone knows everyone, right? But Josh quickly informed me that, in fact, he'd seen me plenty of times. I just never acknowledged him — too busy chatting with everyone around me to notice the guy who'd been right there, waiting. And then, the plot twist. Five months later, life threw us the biggest surprise of all — we were going to be parents. Fast track much? One minute, I was plotting my escape from Memphis, and the next, I was building a future here with Josh, a future that suddenly felt exactly where I was meant to be. Pin And now? We're making it official, because when life hands you a plot twist this good, you don't think twice — you say 'yes' to forever. ********** StyleBlueprint would love to consider your story! Please see here for guidelines. About the Author Faith Pool
