The Story Of You - Tashana.

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

Meet Tashana (she/they) who in a world that often tries to define beauty through narrow lenses, Tashana is crafting their own narrative of self-acceptance and authenticity. Their story isn't just about transformation, it's about reclaiming power over one's own narrative and finding strength in vulnerability.

From their earliest memories, Tashana has navigated the challenging waters of body image and self-perception. Like many of us, they grew up with persistent internal voices questioning their worth, whispering "not skinny enough" or "not pretty enough." These voices, though familiar, didn't define their destiny.

Their journey has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. After experiencing body dysmorphia and battling an eating disorder, Tashana made the personal choice to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in 2021. Yet, as many who've walked similar paths know, physical changes don't automatically silence the internal critics. Body dysmorphia continued to cast its shadow, proving that healing is rarely linear.

What sets Tashana's story apart is their creative approach to self-expression and healing. Through the art of tattoos, they've found a powerful medium to express their authentic self. Each piece of ink tells a story, marking chapters in their journey towards self-acceptance. As they share, "There's always something so cathartic about being vulnerable and letting people see the real me under all these layers."

As a member of the ballroom community, Tashana has witnessed firsthand the slow but meaningful progress in body representation. While they celebrate seeing more diverse bodies being praised within their community, they remain acutely aware of the broader societal challenges. "I still see so much hate and negativity around plus-sized bodies," they reflect, highlighting the ongoing need for greater acceptance and representation.

Their journey reminds us that changing one's mindset about body image is a gradual process, one that requires patience, self-compassion, and sometimes, the courage to be vulnerable. Through their story, Tashana shows us that true beauty lies not in conforming to society's expectations, but in embracing our authentic selves, layers and all.