Natural Muscle November 2016 Celebrating 21 Years This Month! | Page 33

BADASS

to Badass, available on Tiffanyleegaston.com

Tiffanyleegaston.com
Twitter @tiffanylgaston
IG @tiffanyleegaston
FB Tiffany Lee Gaston
@ratherbeabadass

Dave Laus photo

repercussions. Ultimately, discovering the beauty of women that
looked more like my athletic build enabled me to find peace within
and grasp my own identity in this world. Once I learned how to
focus on my health and body image in a positive light and stop the
comparison game, I found my authentic self.
Sadly, I would move on from my body and food issues and
then dive head first into a very mentally and physically abusive
relationship in my late teens. The confusion of control equaling
love and the painful backlash I suffered, in more ways than one,
would test my faith and challenge me in new ways. The belief
I had my own confidence was another delusion I found myself
living as I sought the approval of a man that treated me as a
possession. I fearfully left him after years of having my selfesteem flattened and ultimately harbored anger and resentment
in other relationships because of the unhealthy one I endured
with him.
One of the greatest challenges I faced was the fear of
sharing my flaws with others. Given the perception many
have of me, I felt a certain sense of responsibility to share
what lies beneath the surface and be completely raw. For me,
I know this is where my healing comes full circle and it is my
hope that I can empower others with my story. We all have
inner struggles, but when you release those parts of you, you
are able to help many and to free yourself. The healing comes
from acceptance, forgiveness and release. Being able to
look back at how far I’ve come has given me the power of a
self-confidence I’ve never known. When you fully embrace
your strengths and let go of the negative self-speak, you can
only rise.
There has never been a better time to be fit, strong
and healthy and I hope I can be that example for my
young daughters and any woman or man that needs the
encouragement. Let go of what you cannot change and
share what incredible gifts you have with the world. After all,
the things that make us different can become our greatest
strengths. Embrace your inner badass. It lives within us all!
Read more about my past struggles with disordered
eating and domestic abuse in my book, From Broken

www.NaturalMuscle.net

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