<span style="color: #808080;">I couldn’t help but share this outtake of the shoot I did with @lydiahudgens for my @academy Instagram take over. I wanted to share a photo that looks amazing but doesn’t follow the rules of how an active body is usually photographed. This isn’t a “technically” flattering angle or even a flattering pose. What I hope you see in this photo is happiness, joy and the body that supports those emotions unconditionally. I love Lydia’s commitment to photographing reality and just how beautiful it really is. You should head over to their Instagram page to see the final photos we chose. They’re simply beautiful and perfectly capture my active life! Comfortable gear + great photographer + bravery to wear just a sports bra in the face of the blustery cold = a very happy Anna! Ps I didn’t get paid to post this. I really just wanted to post another photo from the set because I loved the gear and the image so much. — Anna O’Brien

<span style="color: #808080;">Plus size fashion blogger Anna O’Brien, pictured above, recently starred in the campaign for BCG Plus, the plus-size line for Academy Sports + Outdoors. Cause for celebration!

Yet Yahoo reports that when she shared a photo of herself in Academy’s black tights and sleeveless shirt on Instagram, a naysayer left a cruel message: “This is disgusting you are making being fat a good thing. People should be ashamed of being fat, not proud.”

Academy Sports + Outdoors had Anna’s back. The brand’s Instagram account immediately replied: “Hi James, at Academy, we truly believe every woman should have the same opportunity to enjoy sports and the outdoors. As a result, we will continue to represent a wide range of body types. We’re all different, but our access to an active lifestyle shouldn’t be.”

Anna took on another ugly comment that was posted, “needs more movement and less eating,” judging her without knowing her — “I wanted to let you know that comments like this don’t help people be more active. If anything, they make people fear judgement and opinions when working out. If you genuinely want to encourage a plus-size person to be more active, try cheering them on more and discussing your uncomfortableness with their body less.”

“I Am Beautiful No Matter What They Say. Words Won’t Bring Me Down.” — Christina Aguilera

Photos courtesy Academy Sports + Outdoor and Anna O’Brien