This Instagram Ballet Star Just Got Real About Body Image Issues

Instagram star Kylie Shea has built a following of nearly 170,000 with her playful workout videos, which combine traditional fitness activities, like jumping rope or running on the treadmill, with pointe shoes and sassy choreography. Shea’s effortless cool-girl-next-door vibe and solid ballet technique make her vids totally irresistible.

Now Shea’s using her platform to address the body image issues that tend to plague dancers. In a poignant video, she sheds her clothes and tugs at her skin. The caption explains her relationship with her body and the pressure she feels to maintain a certain aesthetic as a dancer.

“I am working towards self love 100 percent of the time, and starting today I am challenging myself to banish any negative body image thoughts from my mind, because there is no time for such nonsense,” Shea says. Her message has resonated with dancers, resulting in over 340,000 views in two days.

Check out Shea’s inspiring post and see if it motivates you to create your own body acceptance challenge.