One woman gave her shallow boyfriend a taste of his own medicine.
Overweight and ashamed
Josie, 29, of Los Angeles, tells Truly that her weight has always been a burden.
"I've always been overweight. I was always the fat kid in school. I was always the fat friend. I was never asked out to a school dance. I didn't exist"
- Josie
Josie hit rock bottom shortly after New Year's when her boyfriend dumped her, ending their three-year relationship. She weighed over 300 pounds at the time and says he left her because of her size.
Taking charge
However, instead of letting the breakup bring her down, it instead was just the wake-up call she needed.
"Something in me said ‘let it go’ and that was definitely my turning point"
- Josie
She joined a gym and hired a personal trainer to show her how to work out and eat properly. She remembered feeling "lost" and "scared" when she walked into the gym for the first time, according to the Daily Mail.
However, she pushed on and eventually became a fitness force. Three years and 140 pounds later, her cousin Lupe says that Josie is a completely different person.
"As the weight started falling off, I could see her attitude changing. The old her wasn't a happy person, and she needed to change," she says.
Josie sums up her journey while posing in a bikini for the very first time.
"I was the girl my ex didn't want … so I became the girl he couldn't have"
- Josie
Love your skin
When Josie she catches herself getting insecure from her loose skin, she's quick to remember that it's actually a badge of honor.
"It's OK if you have loose skin on your arms. It's OK if your inner thighs are loose. It's OK because you're beautiful. That's what makes you different."
Josie says that she now sees the true meaning of her journey and how it empowered her.
"My weight loss journey started as a revenge body to get back at my ex, but along the way, I realized it was not about him. It was about me"
- Josie
While the opinion of others might drive us forward, the real battle is within. As Josie's story shows, there's no sweeter victory.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.