Size 20 woman delivers epic comeback to online trolls after being told to 'go to the gym'

Society's unreasonable beauty standards often cast a long shadow, turning women's bodies into battlegrounds where self-worth is perpetually questioned. In a world that glorifies unattainable ideals, plus-size women boldly embrace their true selves, challenging the unrealistic expectations that seek to undermine their value. Rhiannon Dudzik (@rhiannons_way), a 34-year-old woman, exemplifies this resilience by refusing to let online bullies shake her confidence. When trolls told her to "go to the gym," the proud size 20 woman delivered the ultimate comeback: revealing that she’s a fitness instructor. Speaking to The Mirror, Dudzik shared how she transformed negativity into motivation, using her story to inspire others.

"As much as the gym can be an intimidating place for a plus-size person, a lot of the (negative) comments come from social media. Online, there is a lot of negativity about being a plus size fitness instructor or just being plus size in general," Dudzik shared. Back in 2018, the woman lost around 42 pounds when she was asked to be a bridesmaid. However, soon after her friend's wedding, Dudzik regained her weight. It was at this moment that she decided to become a fitness instructor and shed weight sustainably. "I lost around three stone through a calorie deficit and pushing myself too hard exercising. That was not a sustainable way to lose weight and I soon put the weight back on. I then started looking at ways that I could sustainably lose weight through the gym. Just because I am plus size doesn't mean I can't do it," she revealed. 

In 2021, Dudzik finally became a qualified gym instructor, breaking the stereotypes around plus-size women in the fitness industry. Since then, she has been teaching three cardio-based dance sessions a week. The woman aims to inspire those around her who are unhappy with their physical appearance, encouraging them to embrace and love their bodies, regardless of their size. "I think it is important to me because I love feeling that I have inspired people to start moving their bodies. There have been people who come to my class who are new and maybe wouldn't have stepped into the gym before and that is what keeps me going. It is nice to see people enjoy themselves and have fun," Dudzik said.

Notably, the plus-size woman has been working hard on herself and her motivation is her wedding in 2025. Dudzik wants to lose five inches from her waist. She shared, "I don't focus too much on weights, I hope to lose five inches but at the same time I am not putting too much pressure on myself. If I lost five inches that will put me back to where I was before." However, the fitness instructor further said that if she fails to achieve her goal, she would not be heartbroken or stressed. 

Additionally, Dudzik addressed the great evolution of the fitness industry. She firmly believes that female representation in the industry has significantly increased. "I think women are making their own mark in the fitness industry now. I do feel that there are a lot more men than women PTs but women are starting to dominate the field which is refreshing to see. I only hope that continues to grow. What I do find, is the negative comments come from males but also people who would see themselves as a fitness instructor," Dudzik shared with the outlet. 

You can follow Rhiannon Dudzik (@rhiannons_way) on Instagram for plus-size fitness and fashion-related content.