This is Mia Kang, a 29-year-old model and bi-coastal mixed martial arts fighter who has appeared in Sports Illustrated.
On Monday, the stunner posted a moving Instagram showing her at two points in her life: as a US size 2 and currently as a size 8.
In the post, Mia says how in her size 2 photo, she "hadn't eaten solid food in 10 days and smoke[d] a pack of Marlboro Lights a day. I was obsessed with my collarbones, ribs and hip bones showing. I was obsessed with having a thigh gap."
She also said, "I was told by the industry I never looked better but still had a little more weight to lose. I hated how I looked so much I thought I was fat and lived in constant anxiety."
Now, at a size 8, Mia says, "I love my strength and the fact I could probably whoop your ass."
"Eating disorders and body dysmorphia don't just disappear but you can learn how to manage it and heal. You can re-program your thinking."
"I want to show women that it's OK to gain weight. We have the pleasure of having fluctuating bodies, enjoy your curves, enjoy being a WOMAN."
"We have one body and one life, don't let your insecurities hold you back from happiness."
The full caption says:
Left: 2015. size 2. I hadn't eaten solid food in 10 days and smoke[d] a pack of Marlboro Lights a day. I was obsessed with my collarbones, ribs and hip bones showing. I was obsessed with having a thigh gap. I was about to shoot Sports Illustrated Swimsuit for the first time and was trying to look like a VS angel. I was told by the industry I never looked better but still had a little more weight to lose. I hated how I looked so much I thought I was fat and lived in constant anxiety.
Right: Now. Size 8. I feel like I finally became a woman. I love my thighs, my curves. I love my strength and the fact I can probably whoop your ass. I still have insecurities as I adjust into my new body, just like everyone else. But I know my body, respect it, and love it.
It isn't easy for me to post these pictures because I still have a disease that I have to live with for the rest of my life. A small part of me looks at me now and hates it. Eating disorders and body dysmorphia don't just disappear but you can learn how to manage it and heal. You can re-program your thinking. I want to put the images out there that I never had. I want to show women that it's OK to gain weight. We have the pleasure of having fluctuating bodies, enjoy your curves, enjoy being a WOMAN. Be healthy and be confident. We have one body and one life, don't let your insecurities hold you back from happiness.
Commenters are loving Mia's statement, calling her an "inspiration" and "amazing":
