Close Ad

Woman Bullied For Being "Too Big" Defies All Expectations By Becoming a Successful Dancer
Bullied for Being Too Big Now She's A Successful Dancer
Uplifting News

Woman Bullied For Being "Too Big" Defies All Expectations By Becoming a Successful Dancer

One Californian woman overcame bullies, self-doubt, and a broken heart to become a force to be reckoned with.

It's tough enough to be a kid in today's world, let alone to be a kid who is dealing with a physical stigma.

However, that's exactly how it was growing up for 32-year-old Californian, Amy Marie.


"I have been big my whole life; growing up I was taller than all the boys and wider than all the girls," she recalled to Metro.

Her dreams seemed crushed

Despite her bigger build, her dream was always to become a ballerina. In fact, she was never mindful of her weight until, as a 10-year-old in ballet class, cruel comments made her painfully aware.

"We were all kneeling on the ground and one girl pointed to me and said, 'why does your leg look like that?' Amy said.

And with that, the ballerina's dreams were dashed.

"I remember thinking, 'Is there something wrong with me and my legs?' I began looking in the mirror and obsessively trying to make my thighs and stomach smaller," she admitted.

I gave up wanting to be a ballerina because I was told I was never going to look like one.

Amy Marie

Her glow up

After arriving at university, however, Amy rekindled her love for dancing. She still endured poor-fitting clothes and even worse, "girls whispering and rolling their eyes at me."

But there was something else she noticed: Each time she danced, her haters were shocked at her big-girl moves.

When her boyfriend cheated on her, it was the extra fuel Amy needed to focus. She used dance as therapy, going to the gym at midnight to avoid the judgy gazes of others.

"To get myself through it all I just danced. I would write in my journal and then turn that journal entry into dance choreography," she said.

While it was torture at times, she said it was 100% worth it.

In every performance, I would break down and sob and yell and work through my emotions for a whole year. It was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

- Amy Marie

Be true to yourself

Since then, Amy's become an established plus-sized model, with her Instagram page (@amy_marie_la) showcasing her journey through dance.

Most importantly, she's learned to value self-love over the opinions of others.

"I’ve learned that I can’t control how other people view me. There are plenty of reasons for people to fat shame but that doesn’t matter to me anymore."

People might try to stop you or shame you, but if you are passionate about something, it shows. People will notice and eventually you will find your community of support that will encourage you to pursue it.

- Amy Marie

Amy's lesson is a painful yet powerful one. No matter how hard we try, we'll never be able to police every off-handed comment, stare, or whisper that is cast our way. While you might stumble or shed some tears along your journey, stay true to your inner compass and you'll be rewarded.

More uplifting news

Treat yourself with kindness
"Your greatest responsibility is to love yourself and to know you are enough." - Anonymous

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Woman wearing a tie-dye shirt, two little kids holding a heartbreaking sign and two people holding hands.

Poor Boy Begs For Money to "Bury My Mama" With Heartbreaking Sign

Facebook/ Shannon Mount and Facebook/Jennifer Fife

A week ago, 11-year-old Kayden Ely experienced the devastating loss of his mother, Shannon Mount. Her unexpected passing didn't just leave Kayden and his four siblings without their mom, it also left the family in dire financial straits.

Desperate to raise funds for his mom's funeral, Kayden took to the streets of his small town in Georgia begging for help. For two days the heartbroken little boy stood next to the railroad tracks, holding a sign that read, "Please help me bury my mama!"

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News
Man standing with two daughters, a black purse and a handwritten note (inset)

Grieving Daughter Finds Note In Fossil Purse While Thrifting

Courtesy Anna Harp and Courtesy of Abrielle Clausing (via People.com)

Thrifting can net all sorts of treasures. Shoppers can snatch up everything from vintage clothes to mid-century modern furniture to kitschy knick-knacks, all without breaking the bank.

But for one grieving woman, she found a hidden gem that was truly priceless.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News