A champion bodybuilder’s fight back against bullies and internet trolls is spreading around the world.
Bridgend gym owner Kate Austin told Australians how she has succeeded despite being mocked for her muscular physique when she appeared on a live national TV show.
Comments such as “yuck” and “you look like a man” have been posted on her Facebook page.
The 33-year-old was interviewed from Cardiff live by satellite by hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies on Channel 7’s The Morning Show.
‘Onslaught of cruel comments’
Introducing her as “the champion bodybuilder with the powerhouse physique”, host Larry remarked that “her tough exterior hasn’t made her immune to an onslaught of cruel comments from social media trolls”.
But Kate, who runs Ultimate Physique by Kate Austin on Bridgend Industrial Estate, has pledged to draw on her own experiences to help other victims regain their self-esteem. She has also been made a patron of anti-bullying charity Stand Against Bullying.
She told Larry and Kylie on Tuesday: “When anybody stands out or does anything different the masses tend to pick on you a little bit.
“Don’t get me wrong. I get a lot of positive comments and feedback and if I didn’t look the way I look and do what I do I wouldn’t have what I have today.
“But you can have a million positive comments in a day and you get one nasty one which can be really hurtful and it knocks you off your feet. It’s not nice and there’s absolutely no reason whatsoever for it.”
‘A hell of a lot of support’
Kate’s fame has grown since she spoke out last month ahead of the official opening of her new 83,000sq ft gym.
The UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s Miss Wales champion in 2010 said that after years of also seeing other people of all shapes and sizes body shamed during her many years in gyms she has designed her business around cultivating a positive body image and healthy mind as well as physical fitness.
Kate, who said national magazines are also bidding for interviews, said the positive coverage of her story and the success of her gym – her famous ‘ass class’ has 150 participants every night – is her way of proving to bullies, who still target her, that their efforts are pointless.
“I get a hell of a lot of support,” she said.
“I get numerous emails from people who are proud to be one of my members.
Courtesy of: Wales Online