It shouldn’t matter what you look like on the outside, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Especially in a competitive sport like CrossFit where almost everyone else has ripped muscles and abs to show off.

What should matter, is how you feel about yourself, and that you’re confident that you can set out to perform to your own goals, as Jamie Hagiya shares on going to the CrossFit Games next month.

“I’m going to address something that has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a hard subject for me since I struggle with body image issues but here goes nothing.”

“My body does not look like all the other ‪#‎crossfitgames‬ female athletes with crazy ripped abs and zero body fat on their stomachs. I wish I could look like that, but I’ve come to the realization that this is my body.

“I work my ass off in training everyday. I eat clean for the most part, but am human and love to indulge in dessert every now and then. I’m in the best shape of my life and still don’t have a six pack. Not even close to a 4 lol.

“Some of it is genetics and the other part is I could eat less calories to try to look like everyone else. But the bottom line is I need to eat to perform. I can’t worry about trying to look like a “Games” athlete because having a six pack doesn’t always make for the best athlete.

“So for anyone who thinks they need to look a certain way to be a Regionals or Games competitor, you don’t. Stay on the grind and keep doing you!”

Follow Jamie Hagiya on Facebook and cheer her on her journey to the CrossFit Games.