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his year, let your bikini be a symbol of strength, acceptance, and beauty. Here, 11 women share the bikini shot that’s empowered their lives.

Everybody has a bikini body

“I am more than my scars”

“I have had 15 surgeries, a brain tumor, a brain cyst, a punctured intestine, an obstructed bowel, and a condition called hydrocephalus, and for many years, I always hid my scars. When I was 21 though, I decided to become a life coach and specialize in body confidence. In doing so, I realized this was the last battle I had to face in terms of my body confidence. I wore a bikini for the first time and launched my campaign Scarred Not Scared on Instagram to talk about surgery scars and unveil the silence that often surrounds chronic illness.”—Michelle Elman 

“I love my post-baby body”

“I am empowered because there was a point when I first started this weight-loss journey that I didn’t even aspire to put on a bikini. Eighty pounds ago, I just wanted to be able to go up and down my stairs without needing a nap to recover. Here I am two years later, not only wearing a bikini but one I feel confident wearing. Stretch marks, cellulite, dimples, and ripples—I could care less about showing them because I earned them. I stopped striving for perfection along this weight-loss journey and began to love the body I was given and appreciate all that it can do. This mama of three little divas will confidently show her curves this summer in my bikini.”

“I want women to know they can be muscular and feminine”

“This photo is empowering to me because it shows that you can be a woman, have muscle, and still be beautiful and feminine. I have been training for seven years to get to where I am today. It took so much time, hard work, and dedication to reach this point, so every time I look at this photo it is a reminder of what I have been through to get here. And that makes me extremely proud.” —Paula Ordovas

 

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– Confidence is 10% hard work and 90% mindset –

 

“There is no age limit on feeling great about yourself”

“For 28 years, I was a fitness instructor, but somewhere along the way of being a wife, mother, caretaker to my aging mom, and keeper of the books for our family business, I lost my mojo. I was exhausted, overweight, and feeling like less than a role model for the members who took my classes. The past two years have been an incredible journey. I have connected with women who inspire me and who have encouraged me to set goals and step outside of my comfort zone. This year I committed to the Team Fit Destination Photo Shoot in Sarasota, Florida. I followed our Team Fit workout and nutrition plan for eight weeks and joined 40 other women down in Florida to celebrate our hard work in front of the camera. Our photographer, GW Burns, was amazing. He immediately put me at ease and I felt like a supermodel for the day! It was so empowering to transform from regular 49-year-old mom and grandma to almost a ‘pin up girl!’ This experience has changed me for the better. First it was about losing some weight, but then the journey evolved into being the best me I can be. I am healthier, fitter, and stronger than ever and best of all, comfortable in my own skin.”

“I love my curves”

Like many women, I’ve struggled with my body image most of my life. As a curvy Puerto Rican girl, I always saw myself as overweight and never thought of myself as attractive. Then I gained more than 100 pounds, thanks to [polycystic ovary syndrome] and depression. I spent years not going to the pool or the beach because I refused to wear a bathing suit until I had ‘the right body.’ Now at the age of 38, I’m finally comfortable in my own skin. I decided that I was no longer going to let what others thought of me hold me back from doing and wearing what I want. As an educator, mom of two young girls, and life coach, I realized that I can’t push others to be proud of the skin they’re in if I’m not willing to do the same. This picture is empowering because it is the first time in my entire life that I’ve tried on a bikini! And I fell in love! It’s empowering to be comfortable in my skin and know that I have no reason to hide or feel shame. What better way to empower others then by leading with my example of self love and acceptance? And by the way…I did buy the bikini and I can’t wait to wear it to the pool this summer!”

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“This body kicked cancer to the curb”

“This photo made me feel good about myself because at that time I was recovering from cervical cancer. The photos were so encouraging because I looked so healthy. And it is fun to hear people who see the photos now compare them—especially the back view—to Kim Kardashian, calling me her prototype.”

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“Life is too short to hate your body”

“When I put on a bikini it represents my taking the power back to love my body after years of being body shamed and bullied. It’s empowering as a plus-size woman to proudly wear garments deemed unsuitable just because I weigh more. This bikini is my statement to the world that I will not be ashamed of my body, that I will take up space and wear whatever I please. Life is too short to spend it hating your body and summers are too hot to hide under layers so I hope this photo helps inspire women to go out and rock that bikini they have been dreaming of whatever size they may wear!”

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“I’m proud of my natural beauty”

“While I have a personal style blog, I don’t typically post images of myself in swimsuits for fear of people’s comments. However, I was excited about a recent swim purchase and had to take a few snaps. What I love most about this image is how beautiful my eyebrows look! I tend to not realize how much I cover them when I put makeup on, but after seeing this image, I’ve been trying keep my make up much more natural especially during the summer months.”

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