Progress Over Perfection: Why I Showed My Stomach on Camera

There’s something deeply personal—almost sacred—about the parts of ourselves we hide. For me, one of those parts has always been my stomach. It’s been the center of my insecurity for as long as I can remember, especially after gaining back some of the weight I worked so hard to lose.

But in my latest episode of Becoming Her, I made the decision to show it.

Not for shock value.
Not for applause.
But for freedom.

I knew it would be uncomfortable—I felt that lump in my throat the moment I pressed record. But I also knew that someone, somewhere, needed to see a body in progress, not just a before and after. Because this journey isn’t polished. It’s raw. It’s filled with stretch marks, second tries, and sacred small victories. And this week, that victory was an 8.2-pound loss.

But even bigger than that number was the freedom I felt sharing a part of myself that I’ve always hidden.

Every message that came in afterward reminded me why I do this. Women shared their own struggles, their own hesitations, and how seeing me show up anyway gave them the courage to do the same. And if you're reading this and you're on your own journey—whether it's your first day or your fiftieth restart—I want you to know this:

You are not alone.

You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
You don’t have to be at your goal to be an inspiration.
You don’t have to hide the parts of you that tell the story of your becoming.

Your journey is valid. Your progress is beautiful. And your vulnerability? That might just be your greatest strength.

So here’s to us—the women who are choosing to show up even when it’s hard. The ones learning to speak kindly to our reflections. The ones lacing up our shoes for another walk, another workout, another chance to choose ourselves.

Let’s keep going. Let’s keep growing. And most of all, let’s keep becoming.

Love,
Janáe