If you have read any of my blogs, you’ll see I’m pretty transparent.
So… my most passionate desire is to be a person who does not judge people. I don’t care who you voted for. I don’t care if you like piercings on you nipples. I don’t care if you’re a high-powered executive. I only care about your heart, and I guess, frankly, your wiliness to accept me for me.
Why is my weight such an issue? As a personal trainer, and gym owner, I have made it my goal to inspire an environment that encourages people for their wins, and boosts people when they’re down, regardless of their size.
Why is my size such an issue? I am seeking the advice of business pros to help me establish my business in a new community, and I am told I should not show how “thin” I am. I get why. I get it. And I get that if I don’t take their advice (which I won’t), it could be an uphill road to convince people to get to know me anyway.
Why is my size such a bloody issue?!
When a successful author speaks to a class of new writers, does she not tell them she’s published?
When a famous chef is invited to cook dinner for an important fundraiser, does he feel self-conscious about the divine flavors he’s created?
When you earn an A, on your chemistry exam, do you hide the results?
When your daughter has her first grandchild, are you ashamed of the pictures?
I just hate feeling like I have to be embarrassed for my success, which is demonstrated, in many ways, in my body.
I keep thinking of Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron. Smart people were implanted with zappers in their head when they had a thought. Beautiful dancers had to wear sandbags around their waist and bags on their head. All in an effort by the government to equalize people, so other people didn’t feel stupid or ugly.
I don’t want to come across as vein. I really, actually want to avoid that. But I feel like every other profession can display their accolades except people like me.
So this is what I want to say: I want to wear a damn bikini top and short shorts to work out!! I want it to be ok to demonstrate to the world all of the years of time, toil and effort I put into my craft (which Is NOT my body, but IS my sport, a fit body is a by-product).
And, if I want my photos on my marketing material to show off some muscle, I’m going to do that! Because anything else would be hypocritical of my mission!
Written January 2017 and still applies today
