Story Series: Abi

The first interview in our story series.

This series is intended to discuss the different experiences we have had with body image over the years and how swimwear impacts how we view ourselves. Although no two bodies are the same, and we all experience life a little differently, we often have a similar internal dialogue about how we look and the negative thoughts surrounding our bodies. Let’s talk about this experience, shall we?

Maybe you’ll find that you aren’t alone in how you think about yourself.

Transcript: ABI'S STORY

"Hi, I'm Abi and I’m 26."

Growing up, what was your experience with your body image?

“I had a very negative experience with my body image growing up. [This experience] was furthered by all of my classmates in school and their body images as well. Also being called names for my weight whenever I was younger in elementary school. So it started really young. And that definitely carried throughout my young adulthood, and impacted the way that I dressed and how I felt about my body and my confidence with it.”

How did swimwear play into that experience?

“Whenever I was younger I didn’t wear swimsuit bottoms [because] I felt so uncomfortable, so I just wore shorts swimming all the time. And I just wanted to cover up my body as much as possible.”

How has your perception of your body image changed, if at all?

“My perception of my body has changed drastically. I feel a lot more confident in my body and I feel like just being surrounded by like-minded individuals and friends who lift me up instead of bring me down or make negative comments on my body… being around …yeah just a lot of positive energy really helps with that. So I'm a lot more confident with my body now.“

What do you want to see changed to help you as well as others have a more positive outlook on their body?

“I already see a huge cultural shift in body image and I think it can be pushed even further especially with industries and media who are primarily influences for how we view our bodies. I think a huge change to be made is just seeing more diverse bodies out there, because not every body is the same and it’s nice to see yourself represented instead of just seeing the same body.”