Body Confidence Advocate Shares the Truth Behind Social Media Pictures
Brooke is a body confidence advocate and media and communications specialist who has previously suffered from an eating disorder and is now exposing the truth behind social media pictures contributing negatively to our body image.
Brooke also works in the modeling industry and says navigating an eating disorder, unhealthy relationships, and seeking validation in all the wrong places have contributed to her passion for creating happiness from within, making peace with her body, and encouraging others to do the same.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Brooke, to know a bit more about her journey as Body Confidence Advocate.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Brooke: There was (and still is) a lack of access, inclusion, and representation in the media.
Due to the lack of representation, we, as viewers and consumers, believe there is only one beauty standard because that is what we’re shown. When we can’t meet these impossible beauty standards displayed in the media and social media, it creates low self-esteem and a negative body image.
Seeing someone in the media who looks like you, who has a similar body type, beliefs, or culture, is fundamental to building self-confidence.
Working in media and communications and within the modeling industry, I’ve seen first-hand the lack of representation and the need to create a space where everyBODY felt represented. That is how The Body Confident Co was born.
Q. How did you get started?
Brooke: I started my body confidence journey in 2019 when I realised I was no longer connecting with the traditional, photoshopped, perfectly posed photos we see on social media.
As a model, I knew what went into those “perfect” looking photos, and I wanted to share the truth. I was still insecure about being vulnerable on social media and sharing my so-called “flaws” and experience navigating an eating disorder. However, the love and support I received were beyond anything I could have imagined.
I have found my community on social media in the past couple of years where everyone feels seen, heard, and less alone.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Brooke: The biggest challenges I’ve faced are usually internal. I’ve struggled to talk about my eating disorder and body image issues. Sharing that online can be intimidating and lead to imposter syndrome, I’ve often thought, ‘who I am to talk about this?’
However, I know from the messages I receive that I am genuinely helping people in their day-to-day lives learn to make peace with their bodies. So I continue to show up and share the thoughts I would tell my teenage self, hoping it might help even one person who needed that message.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing You’ve Done Since you Started your Business?
Brooke: One of the most amazing things I’ve done since starting The Body Confident Co is organising a Body Empowerment Photoshoot where a bunch of beautifully diverse women went down to the beach in our bikinis and captured some incredibly empowering photos together.
It was a great day of women empowering each other to love the skin they’re in. The photos were taken by my beautiful friend Morgan Wates aka @blessedpixels truly captured the bond between the women and our bodies.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Brooke: Embrace Yourself by Taryn Brumfitt is an incredibly empowering book (and documentary) that has inspired me to embrace my body for all the incredible things it can do and not for how it looks.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Brooke: I’m just hoping to stop the cycle of normalised self-hate for women. I want women to know they’re not alone in their struggles and learn to embrace their bodies.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Brooke: Talk to yourself like someone you love. Encourage yourself, and watch your internal dialogue because it matters!
To keep up to date with Brooke and her journey, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
