Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks is part of an ensemble cast filled with amazing ladies, and she's definitely one of my favorites — and not just because Taystee is my fave. Today, Danielle Brooks posted a gym selfie, proving that body positivity is a journey, but she's encouraging others to embrace their most confident selves, and I love her for it!
This isn't the first time that Brooks has been a body positive role model. Back in May, the actress posed in a stunning black bathing suit for Glamour and looked absolutely gorgeous. When appearing in the magazine, Brooks wrote a personal essay on how she came to accept her body in an industry full of actresses who don't fit the average size of an American woman. In her essay, Brooks reflected on how she's now able to represent the type of body and woman she never saw when she was younger.
Brooks wrote, "But what I can do is start with me: living each day, embracing who I am. Embracing who I am by refusing to hide my legs or or cover my arms because they make someone else feel uncomfortable. By realizing that every stretch mark on my body is kissed by the sun, and no longer wishing them away. By no longer operating out of a place of fear. So if you see me on a carpet with my arms and legs out glistening, or my midriff exposed, it’s a reminder to myself and the world that I know I’m beautiful."
Today, the star took yet another stand for body positivity and for herself when she posted a gym selfie wearing her sports bra and workout capris. In her post, the star admitted that going to gym without a shirt is something she'd felt shameful about in the past. Today though, the star changed her mind and looked happy as she snapped the pic. While the photo was great, her caption is what really got me right in the feels. Brooks wrote:
Hey 💜rs, Today I decided to do something I've never done before: Go to the gym with my SHIRT OFF!! 🙊 I thought I'd share why this is significant for me. I've always wanted to do this but have felt shameful and have told myself "until my body is perfect I'm forbidden." Today my inner being told me to turn up the notch on my self-love. I should not be ashamed of my body. I'm not a walking imperfection! I'm a Goddess. Secondly, I'm a confident woman! That doesn't stop once I take off my spanx. Lol Sometimes it's a struggle. Sometimes I don't like what I see, but I have the power to change the way in which I relate to my body both physically and mentally. Today I woke up feeling beautiful and motivated to love myself and take care of the ONE body that I've been given. I'm not saying World take your shirt off, twist it round your head, spin it like a helicopter🎶, (lol) I'm saying everyone live in your confidence. One Life. One Body. Take Care of It. With 💜, DanieB
BAM! I can't even describe to you how much I love Danielle's self love! No one should feel ashamed of their body, and by using her social media and platform as a successful actress, Brooks is easily becoming one of my body positive icons. She's proud of her own body but refuses to shame thin bodies found in the entertainment industry making her a practically perfect.
Images: Danielle Brooks/Instagram(3); Giphy
