I have a love/hate relationship with my body.

As a mother, I feel the weight of the expectation to “bounce back” after having a baby. At the same time, I’m in awe of what my body has accomplished—creating life, nurturing my daughter, and showing up for her every single day.

As an actress, my body is a storytelling tool, yet I often find myself caught in an impossible in-between. Not thin enough for some roles, not big enough for others. It’s frustrating, knowing that the industry still places so much emphasis on size instead of talent, craft, and presence.

And then there’s the voice in my head.

The one that whispers, “You actually just suck and have nothing to offer as an artist no matter what your body looks like.“

But I know deep down that can’t be true.

Growing up, I was a competitive cheerleader, right at the cusp of the 2010s when body image ideals were rigid and often unforgiving. Later, during my intense BFA program, the body positivity movement helped me reframe the way I saw the possibilities for myself as a performer.

But now, we are in the age of Alpha Bros on podcast mics telling women where their value lies, minimal what-I-eat-in-a-day vlogs, and extremely accessible weight loss drugs. What does that mean for the future of this industry in terms of inclusivity?

Art often reflects the times we are in and I’m worried that I’ll have to conform to even be offered a chance in this industry. Even now, as a mother, performer, and creator, I wrestle with self-doubt.

But here’s the truth: I am enough.

I don’t need to shrink myself—physically or emotionally—to fit into a mold that was never designed for me in the first place. My body is a reflection of my journey, my strength, and my resilience.

And if you’ve ever felt the same struggle, know this: You are enough too.