Inspiring Young Mom Loses Over 130 Pounds Despite Suffering From Chronic Pain and Arthritis
When Kassidy Linde was pregnant with her daughter, she began to experience major self-esteem issues. She’d reached 260 pounds and struggled to look at herself in the mirror.
“It got to the point that whenever I would look in the mirror, I wasn’t able to find anything beautiful about myself,” Linde told People.
It was devastating for Linde and made her question her lifestyle choices. She couldn’t stand the idea of her own daughter feeling that way about herself.
Inspired by her young daughter
“I wanted her to look up to me and admire me, so I changed myself.”
Up until then, Linde lived a sedentary lifestyle, had the habit of eating out, and most of what she ate was junk food.
“I obviously knew what I was eating was unhealthy, but I didn’t have the will to change,” said Cheyenne, Wyoming native. “There was even a time that I went to a fast food restaurant and ate in the parking lot because I was ashamed.”
Linde understood that to kick off her transformation off the right foot, she’d have to start by shifting her mindset.
No more excuses - including chronic pain
“I quit making excuses,” she continued. “I started researching, meal prepping and working out. I started drinking a gallon of water a day, and prepping chicken, rice and veggies every Sunday.”
Steadily advancing towards her goal, Linde was on the right track until she hit a set back.
The new mom started to experience pain brought on by rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. While it hasn’t always been easy to manage, Linde never let it stop her.
“It’s extremely hard to stay active while dealing with arthritis,” she said. “I struggle every single day, whether it be with the actual pain or the worry about what if the pain is worse tomorrow.”
Sometimes she’ll be working out, and feel like she’s being stabbed and have to stop. It slows her down a little bit, but she’s learned not to give up.
“Instead of throwing a fit and storming out, I get up, move to a different exercise, and keep going.”
She’s been documenting her journey on her Instagram account since she began, and it’s helped her stay on the straight and narrow despite the obstacles.
“Holding myself accountable via social media was probably my biggest motivator,” said Linde. “What my followers didn’t realize is that for as much I as was motivating them, they were motivating me as well.”
“Putting yourself out there and letting yourself be vulnerable to thousands of people really makes you want to give it your all and do your best.”
She’s lost over 130 pounds since the beginning of her transformation and regained her confidence.
“I can look in the mirror and appreciate my body for what is has been through,” she said. “Losing weight has changed my whole demeanor. I am a completely different person — not only physically but mentally too.”
Now, thanks to this empowering experience, Linde’s focus is to help others.
“It is very important to me to inspire others,” she said. “When I first started, my goal was to lose my own weight. Now my goal is to help other people lose weight too. It is one of the most rewarding and humbling feelings I have ever encountered, and for that I am so blessed!”
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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.