Torres acknowledges struggle with body issues and bullying
Tecia Torres: “Truth be told, for as long as I can remember I’ve struggled with my body image.”
UFC Tecia Torres has one of the best bodies in mixed martial arts, anywhere, thanks to good genetics, a good diet, and working out hard for 22 of her 27 years. However, in a recent message on her social network, she referenced a longtime struggle with body issues, and even bullying.
“Truth be told, for as long as I can remember I’ve struggled with my body image,” she wrote. “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 were girls in my middle school class would draw a ‘masculine muscular’ looking women 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 woman 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 a part 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 straightedge lifestyle. On the opposite side of silly adult
“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
“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. – Tecia P.S I’m going to be writing a
“I love you. – Tecia P.S I’m going to be writing a
“P.S. I’m going to be writing a first-hand essay that will be published in Teen Vogue similar to this. Look out for it in the next few months. XoKo”