Peloton Instructor Calls Out Critics Over 'Fat-Shaming Comments' on Social Media

The rowing instructor explained that she was looking for positivity following her career announcement. Instead, she unexpectedly received a lot of hate and criticism from men.

“This week I got to share with the world a project I have been working on for almost a year and the love was unmatched,” she wrote. "I looked at FB hoping it would be the same as everywhere else. It was not. The amount of disgusting fat-shaming comments, ironically by men with profile pictures standing with their wife and daughter, were over(w)helming.”

Ash went on to assert that she is a healthy woman, slamming critics for assuming that she's unhealthy or obese because of her body type.

Any body type can be healthy if a person leads an active and healthy lifestyle. In the post, the 31-year-old proved she's healthy by revealing her clothing sizes — size 12 in pants, size large legging, size XL sports bra, size large tank top. Those sizes, are considered perfectly average in the US, has waffled between a size 12 and size 16 or even 18 for years.

"The middle school me would be mortified by those sizes but the healed 31 year old stands proudly in her truth. I fought hard to make it this far in life," she wrote. Ash also shared details about how she became a rowing instructor and why she jumped at the opportunity.

While stating that only a few people actually know her full story, Ash explained why she accepted the role as a Peloton rowing instructor.

"I worked hard to make waves in rowing the way I have. I have played small a large portion of my life and when this opportunity came about," she wrote. "I said I’m showing up unapologetically because why not me? Someone needs to see someone like me! So let me be the first!"

Ash shared one piece of advice after critics questioned her health and compared her body size to singer Lizzo. "To all the fat shamers questioning my health and calling me Lizzo, that’s actually not an insult. I share this not for them but for anyone trying to be the first and still working through their stuff to drown out the 'boos.'"

Users flooded the comment section of Ash's post to offer encouraging words to the entrepreneur.

"It’s fuel to the fire that keeps backing why it is we do what we do," one user wrote. "And #2 is so on point!"

"What anyone hates in you magnifies what they hate in themselves," another user wrote. "On a daily basis I remind myself that everyone’s opinion of me is none of my business. You are absolute light Ash, and I know you know that. To hell with anyone who hasn’t even given you a chance to prove them otherwise."

"This post, your pictures, your words, your attitude...is EVERYTHING!" commented someone else. "Slay woman. Proud of you 🖤⚡️🙌🏼," one user wrote, praising the trainer. You already know what i’m about to say...DONT TALK ABOUT MY FRIEND LIKE THAT. love you now LFGGGGGG."

Despite the negativity she's received, Ash's story and the platform she now has could ultimately open doors for other women to be in similar positions in the near future.