“Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been skinny. It’s not on purpose, it’s just in my genes I guess. People used to comment on my body a lot. ‘You’re so thin.’ ‘I almost can’t see you.’ As a kid I didn’t really care but the older I got, the more it started to bother me. People think they are complimenting you. That you’ll be flattered by being called ‘skinny’. They mean it in a nice way, but for me it wasn’t a compliment. It’s weird, isn’t it? Society would give a compliment to someone obviously underweight in a heartbeat. Make models out of them. But people who are slightly overweight will be called out for it. Anyway, that’s why I started working out and it has helped me to gain some weight and muscle. I don’t really care anymore what people say about me or my body. I’m confident in my skin. I know where I come from and what I’m working for.

I love how at the gym, everyone minds their own business and appearance. Nobody would ever walk up to me and say ‘Oh look how skinny you are’. There’s simply no room for judgement. Everyone has the same purpose, whether it’s losing or gaining weight. All working on themselves and creating a healthier body. Without even talking to each other you can feel that unity.
And obviously I also love coming to the gym because it’s a great stress relief. After a frustrating day at school you can just let it all out and focus on those heavy weights in front of you.”