Women crush everyday of the week! To honor and share stories of women who are crushing it either on the body front or the mama front, I am featuring short interviews of women who are crushing it, hence the title #WomenCrushWednesday. So without further ado, let me introduce you to Deauna!

How has your view of your body evolved over the years?
I didn’t have the bounce-back body most women had. After my son, I had a road map of stretch marks. When I had my daughter four years later, the road map was now drawn on what looked like a tricycle tire that no amount of cocoa butter or crunches would make go away. What also bothered me was in my mind I was smaller, but my clothes told a different story. I’d obsess about beating muffin top and belly fat into submission.
As I approached 40 I realized I needed to change how I looked at myself and life. I earned a couple of pounds and deserved peace of mind.
How do you think women should feel about their bodies?
Embrace her body at whatever size it is right now. Buy clothes that accentuate features she loves. Walk by mirrors and feel herself sometimes. Say yes to that piece of cheesecake. The Universe didn’t put cheesecake here to be ignored. Life is too short to worry about not having Michelle Obama’s arms or Serena Williams’ whole lower half.
Why do you do what you do?
This is a two-fold answer. I have a 16-year-old daughter who already has some body image issues and I want her to love and accept herself the ways she is. I don’t want her waking up at 36 and thinking she needs to be anyone other than who she wants to be.
I’m going through a life change and it’s just good for my peace of mind. Writing on my blog helps me navigate this growth and find out how I want to experience life after 40. I realize that my body is actually pretty spectacular and I’m more focused on health than how I look. It also reminds me that I’m human and the only moment I have is right now. Right now, the tricycle tire and stretch marks remind me I grew and birth two humans I love and watched grow into interesting people.