Fifth grade, it was the first encounter I had with my physical appearance. I had on jean shorts that had gotten a little snug over that year. You could say I was early to blossom and I didn't quite know what to do or how to dress the new-found curves and extra pudge my legs have developed through the winter.
It was our end of the year class party - at the swimming pool. The sun was beaming, and finally, the brisk chill of spring had left. Summer was here. I remember that morning, before the start of the last few days of my fifth-grade year - trying on my swimsuit. The one that too had grown a little snug for me.
But I slipped it on, dressed and was giddy with excitement that finally it was our turn for the epic pool party that ended the last days of elementary school and welcomed us into middle school.
As we walked to the pool that day, I remember giggling with my friends. Planning the next birthday party where we'd finally have a chance to finalize the dance routines we'd been making up. As we were walking, I started hearing one boy and then multiple boys, chanting, "thunder thighs."
The words seemed to echo throughout the entire town.
"Thunder thighs, thunder thighs, thunder thighs."
Followed by a massive roar of laughter. I turned, knowing exactly who they were speaking of - as I was one of the first and only to blossom in my class that year. They were directly talking about me! About my thighs that stuck out below my too-tight shorts.
I was mortified, holding back tears that stung my eyes. We hadn't even gotten to the pool, to reveal my full body in skin-tight spandex that has no mercy.
That moment changed me for life. It's etched in my brain and has carried me to my now 31-year old body. I doubt I'm alone - and I realize that few people can escape the negative stigma that comes with body appearance. The bar that is so hard to reach with far too many people falling short. But don't we try?
Even today as I type these words, I can't say that my thighs bother me, but I would say it's one area that I'm most likely to not-like when I look in the mirror. I doubt it's me talking but that nasty-fifth grade boy that ruined the way I think about them. But what do we do with this?
How do we overcome body image issues and step into true body love - embracing the movement of body positivity? That's what I talk about inside today's podcast - the revival of the body positivity movement for what it's supposed to be.
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