The Story Of You - Emily.

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

This is Emily, a woman who’s always stood tall at 6’1” since the age of 14, Emily’s journey has been filled with strength, struggle, and growth. At 16, she went from being a state-level athlete to bedridden for two years with chronic fatigue syndrome, a drastic shift that also involved facing significant challenges, including both sexual and physical assault from partners. Over the years, Emily has been her harshest critic, trying to meet society’s standards by losing and gaining weight, always searching for a way to feel “good enough” a standard that, she’s learned, doesn’t really exist.

Despite being a high performer in a male-dominated industry and coaching athletes to college opportunities in the USA, Emily’s relationship with her body has always been a battle. "When people hear you are tall, they assume you're built like a model," she says, but the truth is, accepting her body has been anything but easy. Emily has always wanted to try nude yoga, boudoir shoots, and visit nude beaches, but her fear of being judged has held her back. "Maybe that’s the beauty of it," she says, "I can’t blend in."

Her photoshoot with us was a step toward self-acceptance, with Emily hoping to find beauty in her body. She was nervous before the shoot, admitting that she’s self-conscious and doesn’t enjoy being photographed. But when she arrived, the team made her feel at ease, and the experience turned into a fun, empowering one. “Meeting the team and being able to laugh and have fun was the part I loved most,” Emily shares. And when asked if she achieved her goal of self-acceptance, Emily responds, “I see myself in somewhat of a different light and can find things to like about myself.”

Emily’s journey reminds us all that beauty isn’t about fitting a mold—it’s about embracing our bodies, imperfections and all. Thank you, Emily, for sha