Iza, 17

I am all women who are proud of themselves and can't wait to reach all their goals. My story is not Hollywood-like, but it formed me into Iza I am today. I am a simple girl with a big character. I’ve always been a bit ‘bigger’. You know – big personality in a big body. I loved my body but there was always some kind of doubt – I wanted to hide my ‘imperfections’. My fat rolls, my stretch-marks, my cellulite. When I think of elementary school, nothing pleasant comes to my mind. I was ashamed to eat even the smallest piece of candy, let alone a bar of chocolate – because there was always someone picking on me, insulting me and that’s when I shut myself out. But I am a different person today, writing a different chapter in my book. If anyone asks me how I went through this, I have no idea what to say. I am the biggest support to myself, that I learned from my past. I had people around me that helped me a lot with compliments that meant a lot. If you respect yourself and love yourself is the greatest thing you can do for yourself in life.

My stretch marks. My story. Art on my body. Stretch marks have been my companion since I can remember. Once because I gained some weight, once because I lost some of it too quickly due to celiac disease or a planned diet. I started looking at my stretch marsk differently, when I realized they carry a powerful story full of holding back, nasty comments, crying and hiding on the beach … But they are ART. Art is not made to look pretty, but to tell it's own story, inspire others and is worth admiring.