T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories from Being Fat in a World of Thin People

Comedian Ian Karmel and his sister, psychologist Alisa Karmel, craft a unique, co-narrated debut memoir, combining personal experience with in-depth research and practical tips on having difficult conversations about weight. Ian and Alisa were both members of the “t-shirt swim club,” struggling with their weight from an early age before coming to a healthier relationship with food as adults. Ian narrates his memoir with heart, vulnerability, and humor (including some cringeworthy jokes about terminology for larger bodies). He weaves in his weight struggles with the growth of his comedy career, but along the way he grapples with the fact that no one close to him suggested he change his eating habits. If they loved him, shouldn’t they have told him they thought he was killing himself? Alisa responds to this sensitive question, gently coaching listeners to engage in challenging conversations with loved ones. She acknowledges that the medical field continues to stigmatize bigger bodies and discusses how to support people of all ages experiencing weight-related challenges.