Reclaiming Our Power, Together!

For her…

This was me—right around the time puberty hit, probably 11 or 12 years old. I was strong, full of potential, and loved playing softball. But this was also when I started to learn to hate my changing body. The world around me seemed to have a lot to say about who I should be, how I should look, and how I should fit into a mold that never felt right. The expectations and pressures started early, and it took years to unlearn them and reclaim my strength on my own terms.

Becoming the best version of yourself starts with self-love and acceptance. You deserve that, and so does everyone. No one should have to sacrifice their true self to meet someone else’s idea of “enough.” Today, I’m sharing this journey in hopes of inspiring others to stand tall, speak out, and refuse to shrink for anyone.

Hello Empowered Community,

This month, I want to share a deeply personal story and extend a call to action for everyone—women, men, and every person whose experiences challenge the narrow expectations of our world. Lately, I’ve been hearing more and more stories, especially from women and girls, struggling with body image, impossible expectations, and the loss of their right to bodily autonomy. These stories are heartbreaking, and they’re also infuriating. I didn’t suffer through years of battling a false narrative about my own worth, my body, and my strength just to see others fall prey to the same lies.

This isn’t a problem of the past—it’s happening right now. Every day, individuals are still being pressured to shrink, to fit into limited definitions, to downplay their talents and ambitions, and to surrender their autonomy. They’re told to be strong but not too strong, visible but not too visible, to live up to ideals that were never their own. And it has to stop.

Growing up in a home where, at times, anger and fear shaped my world, I learned early on to be a people-pleaser, quieting my voice and shoving down my own feelings. I turned that anger inward, which led to years of disordered eating and self-harm through substance abuse. My love for sports became tainted by these struggles, and I ultimately sacrificed a promising athletic career in the process. The world congratulated me as I lost weight and, unknowingly, lost parts of myself. I was rewarded for conforming, for sacrificing my body, my spirit, and my autonomy.

It took me years to finally reclaim my strength, to set boundaries, and to cut ties with toxic narratives about what my body and my mind should be. I had to unlearn the idea that my worth was tied to the scale, to my size, or to someone else’s approval. I had to rediscover my right to make choices for myself and to feel at home in my own body. Today, I stand proudly in my own power, unapologetically strong and fully myself. And I won’t be silent while others continue to be pressured into silence or to hide their strength and autonomy.

This journey isn’t just for women or girls—it’s for everyone who believes in a world where strength and autonomy are celebrated in all their forms. Allies across identities, we need you. Your support can make a profound difference. Let’s stand together against the forces that push people into narrow definitions, that tell our daughters, siblings, friends, and partners they need to be “less” to be enough. We can rewrite the narrative together, and not let fear, but empathy drive our decisions and the way we interact with the world.

Let’s rally in support of a better, more inclusive standard of strength and autonomy. Here’s how we can take action:

1. Share Stories, Share Strength – If you feel comfortable, share your journey or struggles with those around you. Open up dialogues that make it easier for others to share, too. Sometimes, knowing that others have faced similar pressures can be the encouragement someone needs.
2. Challenge Harmful Narratives – Whenever you hear someone being told to shrink, downplay their strengths, or conform, speak up. Question these messages, especially if they come from sources of influence in our society. Your voice can help others find their own.
3. Celebrate Each Other’s Power and Autonomy – Whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague, celebrate their strengths and their right to make choices for themselves. Remind them that being fully themselves is the best version of all.
4. Build a Positive Culture – For parents, coaches, partners, and friends: let’s create spaces where people of all identities feel welcome to embrace their strength and autonomy. Teach the young people in your life that their bodies and minds are incredible and worthy of respect, just as they are.
5. Let Your Voice Be Heard – No matter your affiliation, let’s remember that our voices have power. Voting is one of the ways we shape the world we want to see. Speak up, participate, and cast your vote. Together, we can make sure the voices of those who want positive change are heard.

This isn’t just about changing the conversation—it’s about reshaping our culture into one that celebrates diversity of strength, resilience, autonomy, and authenticity. Together, we can make a world where everyone feels empowered to embrace their true selves.

This is our call to rise, as a community of allies and advocates. Let’s make this week about standing tall, speaking out, embracing strength and autonomy in every form, and voting for the world we believe in. We are stronger together, and together, we are unstoppable.

In solidarity,
Coach Christine