In today’s world, online shaming has become a disturbing trend, particularly targeting women. However, some individuals refuse to be silenced. Meet Jamie Taylor, a determined runner and the creative mind behind the popular blog Run, Move, Repeat. An advocate for body positivity, she proudly identifies herself as a member of the #SportsBraSquad—an initiative designed to inspire women of all shapes and sizes to embrace their bodies while running confidently in sports bras.
Jamie passionately encourages her 50K social media followers to recognize their strength and exercise freely, regardless of their size. “Even though I completed a marathon in just three hours and 45 minutes at a weight of 165 pounds and a US size 12, I rarely see women who resemble me depicted as strong,” Jamie shared with a lifestyle publication. “I know my strength comes from hard work and dedication.”
Despite her empowering message, Jamie often faces negativity, particularly from men. “Weekly, I receive comments and emails from men criticizing my weight,” she explained. “If you could see the inbox I deal with, you would be shocked.”
Recently, Jamie shared a particularly nasty email from a stranger on her Instagram account. The message was a glaring example of how body shaming and unwarranted opinions about women’s bodies persist. The sender questioned why she lacked the “discipline” to lose weight and even dismissed the emotional pain she experienced after her brother’s death. “Instead of addressing your grief, you just run away from it, as if losing a loved one isn’t the hardest thing ever,” the email read.
Jamie has always been open about her brother’s passing, which led her to gain 80 pounds due to her grief. It was during this challenging time that she discovered the therapeutic power of running.
In response to the email, Jamie crafted a powerful message that dismissed the negativity. “Dear sir who thought it was appropriate to send me this email,” she began. “Once upon a time, your words would have cut me deeply. Today, they serve as a reminder of the importance of redefining strength. What you label as fat can run a marathon in 3 hours and 45 minutes. I hope you can eventually find the strength I’ve fought hard to achieve. Until then, I will continue to uplift the women you wish to shame.”
With a gracious conclusion, she added, “See you at the finish line. I’ll be the one giving you a supportive high five when you arrive.”
While Jamie handled the situation with admirable poise, she reflected on the emotional toll of receiving such messages. “Before I truly understood what it meant to be my strongest self, I would have crumbled,” she admitted. “It hurts when someone says something hurtful. But it saddens me to think of the negative mindset these people must have about themselves.”
She continued, “I may not fit the mold of a fitness model, and neither do many of the strongest women I know. What matters is showing up and being recognized. If we want to reshape perceptions of strength, we must take action. Whether in a sports bra or a t-shirt, let’s focus on building ourselves and empowering the women around us.”
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In summary, Jamie Taylor’s story highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the strength that comes from within. Her powerful response to body shaming serves as a reminder to uplift one another and redefine what strength truly means.