A size 12 Peloton instructor has hit back at the ‘disgusting fat shaming comments’ she received after it was announced that she’s teaching the workout platform’s new rowing classes.
Ash Pryor, 31, from Ohio, took to Instagram on Sunday to share photos of herself posing with her rowing machine in her new Peloton gear. In the caption, she called out the online trolls who tried to minimize her latest accomplishment by criticizing her body.
‘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. I looked at [Facebook] hoping it would be the same as everywhere else. It was not,’ she wrote. ‘The amount of disgusting fat shaming comments, ironically by men with profile pictures standing with their wife and daughter, [was overwhelming].’
Ash Pryor, 31, from Ohio, clapped back at online trolls who posted ‘disgusting fat shaming comments’ about her after she was named one of Peloton’s new rowing instructors
Pryor is teaching the workout platform’s new rowing classes along with Katie Wang (left) and Alex Karwoski (right)
Pryor made it clear that she is healthy, sharing that it has taken her years to get to a place of self-love and acceptance.
‘I am a size 12 pant. Size large legging, XL sports bra, and size large tank top,’ she explained. ‘The middle school me would be mortified by those sizes, but the healed 31-year-old stands proudly in her truth.’
Pryor is the founder of Relentless Rowing Academy, a nonprofit that introduces BIPOC and disabled athletes to rowing, and she stressed that she has worked for everything she has achieved in the sport.
‘I fought hard to make it this far in life. A story only few know. I worked hard to make waves in rowing the way I have,’ she said.
Pryor took to Instagram on Sunday to share photos of herself posing with her rowing machine in her new Peloton gear while slamming her critics
The athlete noted that the majority of the fat shaming comments she received came from men who are ‘ironically’ posed with their wives and daughters in their profile pictures
Pryor stressed that she is healthy, saying she wears a size 12 pant, size large legging, XL sports bra, and size large tank top
After Peloton announced on September 20 that it was launching a line of rowing machines and corresponding classes, Pryor proudly shared on her social media accounts that she is one of the platform’s new rowing teachers.
‘I have played small a large portion of my life, and when this opportunity came about, I said I’m showing up unapologetically because why not me?’ she asked in her latest post. ‘Someone needs to see someone like me! So let me be the first!
‘To all the fat shamers questioning my health and calling me Lizzo, that’s actually not an insult,’ she noted. ‘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.”‘
Pryor concluded her post with a message for her fans who are facing similar discouragement and backlash as they work toward their goals.
‘Keep f**king going,’ she advised. ‘I promise the other side of your healing is like nothing you have ever felt. When you start choosing you first, you stop noticing the people who notice you last.
‘I have played small a large portion of my life, and when this opportunity came about, I said I’m showing up unapologetically because why not me?’ she wrote
The rowing instructor also spoke of inclusivity, saying, ‘Someone needs to see someone like me! So let me be the first!’
‘It is easy to [criticize] when you’re not in the arena,’ she added. ‘Let them talk while you work. Lastly, for them to be so appalled by you, they sure do look often and give you their time. Time to f**k’em up by not backing down!’
Pryor’s post has been liked nearly 30,000 times, and fans flocked to the comments to praise her for her inspiring words.
‘How about you are a strong a** woman who has a ton of rowing experience and [is] an amazing athlete?! Your body shape or size is the least important thing about you!’ one person wrote. ‘ I’m so excited you’re with Peloton!’
Another added, ‘This post, your pictures, your words, your attitude…. Is EVERYTHING! Slay woman. Proud of you.’
‘Funny how people who aren’t doing anything have the audacity to comment about someone who’s KILLING IT!’ someone else shared. ‘They’re not worth your energy.’
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