Defining #WhatsBeautiful as a woman, an athlete and a Latina

UnderArmour is spearheading the fitness realm with a competition based website that allows women to create a goal, forge positive relationships with like-minded women and complete challenges that leave you motivated and wanting more. I’m part of a sponsored campaign for the What’s Beautiful program and I’d love for you to join me as I work toward my goals!

Take a look at the website here, check out their video What’s Beautiful Intro and let’s examine a few things. As a runner and a CrossFit lover, I wouldn’t necessarily categorize myself as an athlete. Athletes are the women who get up at 5 a.m. every morning. They’re the ones who only eat clean and healthy foods and don’t indulge in that slice of flan or eat arroz con pollo. They lift weights, kick some culo and compete. Sound anything like you?

Do you consider yourself an athlete? You should. Until What’s Beautiful, I wouldn’t have thought of myself as one. I like the idea of being an athlete. A Latina one who wears her curves proudly but can show off some sculpted arms at the same time. Why not, right? What’s Beautiful changes things. We (all women) get to collectively change this idea. We get to be the athletes. All the mijas, madritas y tias of the world. We’re out on a mission to redefine the way society sees an athlete. And whether our biggest competition is the woman staring back in the mirror after a long run or the giant laundry pile ready to be tackled, we are athletes.

Now where did UnderArmour get the idea of What’s Beautiful? And why is it called that? Better yet, why is this about athletics and not cosmetics? Through the online community, you are able to meet and compete with women. You read their posts and hear their stories. You learn their fears, their faults and you celebrate their triumphs. One of the most amazing things I discovered throughout the community was the positivity and sense of self these women have. It’s so inspirational! Women out there, everywhere, are working toward the same goals I am and are feeling the same way and they overcome. And that is something beautiful.

Self-confidence is something all women struggle with. I don’t care who you are, super model or sanitary worker, you have felt inferior to another woman and felt unsure of your appearance one time or another. And this is where it all ends. No one can define what’s beautiful in life except for you. Everyone has the potential to realize their own beauty, inside and out, and you’re wasting time if you aren’t working toward that today. You don’t need make-up. You don’t need to be a few sizes smaller. You need to be you. And you need to be happy being you.

I hope today is the day you are able to look in the mirror sans make-up, with messy hair and simple clothing and see the beauty in you. Catch a glimpse of that and hold on to it. Carry it with you. Surround yourself with people who see your inner beauty and stick with them.

And join the women in the what’s beautiful competition (and me) and discover something new about yourself. And maybe win the final prize for the trip of a lifetime. Start by setting a goal and take it from there!

My goal is to complete the Chicago Marathon. It’ll be my first ever attempt at a full marathon and I’m trying to find what’s beautiful through the 26.2 miles it will take to reach the finish line. Share your story on the site and be sure to update with your progress. Good luck!!!