Lauren Chamberlain: The Champion of Body Positivity We Need Right Now

In a world where social media is so prevalent and the stereotypes of what girls “should” look like are all around us, it can be hard to feel confident in our own bodies.

Enter Lauren Chamberlain–the 24-year-old USSSA Pride softball player celebrating the power and performance of her “big-boned” feminine figure. She also happens to be one of the ten featured athletes given a specialty cover in the 2018 ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.

It is safe to say that this was more than just a photo shoot. My hope was that these photos created honest conversation about our bodies, whatever they make look like, and that there is not one universal way to be. The messages have touched my heart. Let’s keep this conversation going! I want to hear your stories, your struggles, triumphs. YOUR own body image story, and if you got a better sense of self love through this body issue shoot! Comment your truth and I will be sharing responses throughout the day💛 @espn #ESPNbody #Body10

A post shared by Lauren Chamberlain (@lochamberlain) on Jun 26, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

Self-identifying as “big-boned,” “powerful,” and a lover of deadlifts, Chamberlain exudes the confidence of someone who has realized her own beauty on a profound level. She hates conditioning, loves her thick thighs, and admits that she will always be a thick girl.

ESPN: The Body Issue, 10th edition. Are you ready? “This was one of those crazy, write-it-in-your-diary kind of goals of mine. I have talked about the ESPN Body Issue since it’s been around. I don’t think I said yes for myself necessarily. I said yes for the girls around the world who might see the issue and see someone who looks like them — someone who’s thicker, bigger, not as jacked as the typical athlete — and that could give them that boost to love their bodies.” @espn #Body10 #BodyIssue #EspnBody 📸: @hanaasano Hair: @londonschair Makeup: @raevynallen

A post shared by Lauren Chamberlain (@lochamberlain) on Jun 25, 2018 at 6:22am PDT

She also has a message for those who strive to look like the models on their social media feeds: “You’re after this unattainable look, this Instagram look, and it’s not achievable. I still deal with that insecurity. How am I not shaped and curved like that Instagram model? But you know what? She can’t hit a ball like me or move like me. She can’t do what I can do.”

“It is badass to hit a home run. Physically, it doesn’t feel like anything. If you play softball or baseball, you understand what I mean. When you hit the ball well, when you make contact, you don’t feel anything. But you feel something rounding those bases. I feel like a pure badass when I hit a home run. Hitting a home run takes everything working at one time. Your mechanics have to be on point, and your timing and mindset have to be on point. You’re figuring out what pitch she’s going to throw, you’re on time with the ball and your body is responding in line with your mind. It’s beautiful, and it’s a pretty crazy thing if you think about it.” @espn #ESPNBody #Body10 📸: @hanaasano Hair: @londonschair Makeup: @raevynallen

A post shared by Lauren Chamberlain (@lochamberlain) on Jun 25, 2018 at 8:19am PDT

When asked why she decided to pose for ESPN’s Body Issue, the former Oklahoma Sooner had another powerful sentiment to share. “I said yes for the girls around the world who might see the issue and see someone who looks like them — someone who’s thicker, bigger, not as jacked as the typical athlete — and that could give them that boost to love their bodies,” she stated–and for that choice, girls around the world will undoubtedly gain a new source of inspiration in Chamberlain.