Growing up in the 90s and 2000s, our role models were the Olsen twins, Paris Hilton, and runway models wearing sizes that seemed to go below zero. I remember Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson getting called “overweight” when they were fit and muscular. Back then, it felt like everyone was starving themselves to fit into a mold. Women’s sports were starting to gain recognition, but female athletes were still stuck with much less funding, and we couldn’t even play Aussie Rules competitively!
So, how could we know women could be strong, that we could come in all shapes and sizes and thrive in sports? How could we dream of playing for a living, traveling the world, and inspiring other women? Honestly, we couldn’t see it back then.
But isn’t it great to see things are different for the next generation? With the AFLW kicking off in 2017, the Matildas capturing our hearts in 2023, and the equal athlete Olympics in 2024, young girls now have real role models. They can see that success in sport is not only achievable but celebrated.
I can’t help but wonder how women in their 30s and 40s would feel about their bodies if we grew up in this supportive environment instead of the fat-shaming culture of the 90s and 2000s. What can we do today to change our mindset about our bodies and silence the nagging voices telling us to lose weight or try another diet? It’s time to celebrate our bodies and embrace our strength together!
In 2023, I watched a friend perform in a burlesque showcase where women of all shapes, sizes, and ages danced, smiled, and stripped down to barely anything. It was empowering. The venue was a dark bar with tiered seating, a large stage, and spectators milling about with drinks. Some were at tables in the front, while others crammed in for a good view. Performers chatted excitedly upstairs, and occasionally, you’d glimpse a feather boa or sequin. Our busty, beautiful host kept us laughing between acts, introducing the dance school “Maison Burlesque,” as discarded clothing was cleared from the stage.
These women weren’t professional dancers—just everyday women. And they danced, performed, and shed their clothes piece by piece, cheered on by the crowd. Women in their 20s to 60s, petite, curvy, tall, short, jiggly, or muscular—they all owned their bodies. It was the most extensive display of REAL women I had ever seen. No airbrushing or filtering, just natural beauty in all its diversity.
Growing up, all we saw were movie stars and models with relatively similar body types—either naturally gifted or digitally enhanced. While I won’t say these women aren’t “real,” they shouldn’t be the standard for the rest of us. Our bodies are shaped largely by genetics, and yes, diet and exercise can change your physique somewhat, but bone structure, height, and proportions are beyond our control.
We need to stop wishing for someone else’s body and start celebrating our own!
Watching those burlesque performers celebrate their bodies through dance, despite perceived “flaws,” was incredibly powerful. If I had seen something like that as a teenager, I would’ve known we’re all beautiful in our own right. Our uniqueness is what makes us special. But instead, we were conditioned by the media, weight loss industry, and beauty standards to believe we weren’t enough.
So many of my clients come to me, hating their bodies and wanting to lose weight or fit into old clothes, but I believe true change only comes from love, not hate. We need to move our bodies, eat well, and drink water because it makes us feel strong and healthy—not to fit some arbitrary standard. Our bodies do so much for us, from raising children to running households and everything in between, yet so many of us fixate on what we look like.
Imagine if we saw more diverse body types in movies, magazines, and social media—what a difference it would make! We need to stop comparing ourselves to the top 1% and start celebrating each other’s beauty, exactly as we are.
The truth is, the most powerful transformation we can make isn’t physical—it’s mental. It’s in the way we see ourselves, how we talk to ourselves, and how we choose to show up in the world. Let’s stop letting outdated standards define our worth. Instead, let’s embrace the beauty of our unique bodies, stand strong in our power, and inspire future generations to do the same. Whether you’re dancing on stage, in a gym, or just living your life, know that your strength and beauty are worth celebrating—every single day.
Your body is NOT your worth, Selina xx
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