# @jessicatatianalong on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xJ1N4pejE
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/19164113-jessicatatianalong-instagram
- **Posted:** 2020-04-09T17:12:29.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Jessica Long (@jessicatatianalong) — https://gondola.cc/jessicatatianalong

## Caption

I love sport and how it unlocks so many possibilities and opportunities. Swimming has given me confidence in and out of the pool. But like most girls, I’ve also struggled with body image. Most of you who have been following my journey know it took me awhile to feel confident showing off my prosthetic legs and owning that part of me. Since I was different in such an obvious way, I tried hard to fit in with my looks in every other way. I needed makeup, new clothes, a slim body, or whatever else I felt would help me to be viewed as beautiful. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had negative thoughts about my back, thinking it was “too muscular” or “too big”. It has been a process learning to accept myself fully and recognize that I’m more than just this body. And it has taken me a lot of work to view my body as strong 👏🏼 fierce 👏🏼 and unstoppable 👏🏼 •
•
•

I still love makeup and new clothes 😉 but I don’t need them to make me feel worthy. If I wasn’t missing my legs, I wouldn’t have this platform or the opportunity to be an advocate for inclusivity and appreciating our differences. If I didn’t have a strong back I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am today in swimming. So to all the girls (and boys) who struggle, it’s okay! Take it one step at a time and start to appreciate one thing a day about yourself. Be proud of your hard work and your body 💪🏻 •
•
•
Support the #EveryBodyEveryAthlete movement with your own post and check out all of the Body+ episodes now live on olympicchannel.com (link in bio)

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,359
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 41

## Tags

everybodyeveryathlete

---
Copyright (c) Gondola