When you see an athlete in the type of fighting condition that Tecia Torres is in, you might wonder how in the world someone like her could ever have a body image issue. Believe it or not, Torres’ struggles with her self image had precisely to do with being in such great condition.
In a short essay posted to her Instagram account, along with a photo of Torres’ incredible physique, Torres opened up about her lifelong struggles with how she saw herself in the wake of how other people saw her.
In the post, Torres also noted that she would be penning a first-hand essay on the topic, which is slated to appear in a future issue of Teen Vogue magazine.
Torres’ essay:
Truth be told, for as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with my body image. Thanks to my parents, I am naturally gifted with a muscular petite frame.
Growing up, I was on the sour end of bullying, to the point where girls in my middle school class would draw a ‘masculine muscular’ looking woman on the board in an attempt to make fun of me. It worked. I felt alone and like my body was different. Looking back, I was different. My young body was a product of my hard work. I’ve been a martial artist since age 5 and I’ve always been an athlete. During these years, adult women would always stop my mom and ask what I did. They loved my body. I never could quite grasp why they would want my figure for their own.
Fast forward to a Mixed Martial Arts career in the UFC. The bullying began again with other adult women competitors speaking up as if they had known me my entire life or were apart of my daily activity. Because I am in such phenomenal shape, I must me using some type of performance enhancing drug. On The Ultimate Fighter, rumor had it I was throwing up. I’ve always found these comments so hilarious. I’m confident in saying I’m one of cleanest athletes in the sport. I’m very open about my straight-edge lifestyle.
On the opposite side of silly adult bullying, I am grateful to live in a generation where strong is being seen as beautiful and little girls are growing up knowing their bodies were made beautifully no matter what shape, size, or color it is.
It took me a long time to love my body image. What motivates me even more is knowing that I’m inspiring all sorts of people to pursue their dreams and create goals. You are my motivation, so thank you for that and for following my career and life whether it’s during an up or a down. I love you.
