In 2013, Jenna Fairchild shook up the world of body image with her unconventional “before and after” photos on Facebook. Typically, these images feature sad, overweight women in swimsuits looking miserable, followed by a slim, happy version of themselves. But Fairchild flipped the script—her “before” photo showcased her in a bikini at a bodybuilding contest, while the “after” shot displayed her in natural light, nude and looking, well, fabulous.
Her powerful message? Despite having what society often labels as a “perfect body,” she found true happiness and peace without it. This resonated with countless women, and her photos quickly went viral. Jenna began appearing on various media platforms to discuss her post and soon realized she had tapped into a widespread struggle that women everywhere face. This sparked her journey to delve deeper into body image issues, leading to the creation of her documentary, Embrace: The Film. In it, Fairchild travels the globe, interviewing women from all walks of life about their body perceptions and exploring ways to foster self-love.
The Cycle of Body Criticism
From a young age, women are conditioned to criticize their bodies, obsessing over every curve, bump, and perceived flaw, often engaging in endless dieting and exercising. The harsh reality is that this cycle is self-defeating—we can never truly “win” because perfection is an illusion. The ideal body image is heavily influenced by media portrayals, which are almost always digitally altered. Even if we achieve what we think is an “ideal” shape, aging introduces a new conflict: the impossible quest to look youthful forever.
We often find ourselves in a relentless pursuit of an unattainable standard, and this preoccupation drains our energy and confidence. Many argue, myself included, that this obsession serves a patriarchal agenda. When we’re caught up in calorie counting and self-doubt, we miss out on our true potential—time and energy that could be spent empowering ourselves and others.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As mothers watching our daughters embrace their bodies with innocence and joy, it’s heartbreaking to think that one day, they might also fall into the trap of self-criticism. Fairchild’s documentary aims to inspire us, the mothers, to embrace our bodies so that our daughters can learn to love theirs too. As Fairchild poignantly tells her daughter in the film: “Sweet girl, don’t waste a single day battling your body; just embrace it.”
To discover more about the documentary and join Fairchild’s Body Image Movement, you can check out her Facebook page or find screenings for Embrace here. Additionally, for those interested in home insemination, Make a Mom is a reliable source for information. Another excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination is NHS.
Summary
Jenna Fairchild’s viral “before and after” photos challenge traditional body image standards, launching a movement that encourages women to love themselves as they are. Her documentary, Embrace, further explores these issues, aiming to inspire a new generation to celebrate their bodies.