From Body Shame and Medical Gaslighting to Overflowing Self-Love: Raven's SHINE Story
- Jess Takimoto
- May 25
- 4 min read
"Coming to SHINE made me feel like the little girl who used to love herself again.
Watch the full story: https://youtu.be/Ag_Qz59wJvI?si=GrMj8zgIb8zZGV_i
Summary
Introduction
Raven never planned to change her life. She wasn’t searching for a fitness program. She wasn’t looking for a "before and after." She wasn’t even sure she could stick to anything.
But one scroll through Instagram and a moment of curiosity changed everything. Two years later, Raven has become one of SHINE FIT’s most vibrant members.
Her story is about so much more than physical transformation — it’s about reclaiming her confidence, rediscovering joy, and learning to love herself again.
What Was Raven's Relationship With Fitness Before SHINE?
Before SHINE, Raven's relationship with fitness was nearly nonexistent:
❌ She felt completely out of shape and exhausted at work
❌ She had tried big box gyms but felt isolated and ignored
❌ Her body image and self-esteem were at an all-time low
Although she once loved movement as a kid, negativity from those around her had caused her to give it up.
"Even walking to the station left me breathless. I couldn’t play with the kids at work the way I wanted to. I felt stuck."
Scrolling on Instagram one day, she found SHINE FIT, filled out a form, and didn't think much of it. Then she received a personal message, booked a class, and showed up.
The Turning Point: Finding SHINE
Raven expected to back out. She even admits she thought about canceling.
"I thought, let me just show up once. Then I’ll get my money back and be done."
But something shifted. The moment she walked into the studio, she felt welcome. Supported. Seen.
❤️ She wasn't judged for her size or fitness level.
❤️ She felt joy — like the joy she remembered from gym class as a kid.
❤️ She started to believe this could be something she actually wanted to do.
Within one week, she signed up for her first 6-Week Challenge. Within two weeks, she couldn’t wait to come back.
"I was so excited. I had never felt that way about workouts in my adult life."
Reclaiming Confidence Through Movement
Over the next two years, Raven became a consistent part of the SHINE community:
🏋️♀️ She trained 3x per week
👥 She made close friends who became like family
🌟 She went from hiding in the back to dancing in Walmart
But the real transformation wasn’t just in how she moved — it was in how she saw herself.
"I used to hate mirrors. Now I look in one and go, ‘Wait, who is that?’ I love taking pictures again. I love me again."
Facing PCOS, Surgery, and the Medical System That Didn't Listen
As Raven became stronger physically, she began advocating for herself medically.
She pushed her doctor for answers about her irregular periods. That led to a PCOS diagnosis at age 32 — something that had gone undetected since she was a teen.
She learned:
🔹 PCOS made weight loss significantly more difficult
🔹 The traditional advice to “eat less, move more” wasn’t working
🔹 Her body needed a new approach
With the confidence she had built at SHINE, she made the empowered decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery — not because she hated her body, but because she loved herself enough to want to feel better.
"SHINE gave me the confidence to even consider surgery. It wasn’t about shame. It was about believing I deserved more."
The journey wasn’t easy. Recovery came with setbacks. But she never lost sight of her “why."
Today, she’s down over 100 lbs and feels more energized, clear-headed, and present in her body than ever before.
From Doubt to Overflowing Self-Love
The most beautiful part of Raven’s story?
It has nothing to do with what she’s lost. It has everything to do with what she’s gained:
🌟 Confidence to advocate for herself
🌟 Energy to play with the kids at work
🌟 A new circle of supportive friends
🌟 A sense of joy and fun she hadn’t felt in decades
"I feel like that little girl who used to love herself so much and wanted so much more. And now I believe I can have that."
Raven continues to grow in every area of her life. She’s setting boundaries, speaking up at work, and exploring what’s next for her professionally. She has her shine back — and she’s passing it on to every new member who walks through the doors.
Raven's Advice to Her Younger Self
When asked what she’d say to her younger self, Raven didn’t hesitate:
"Find a Jess. Find a SHINE. Find a place where you feel like you can be yourself, and where people remind you you’re worth it."
We’re not crying. You’re crying.
Conclusion: Raven's SHINE Story Continues
Raven’s story is proof that fitness isn’t about how you look — it’s about how you feel.
It’s about coming home to yourself, finding your voice, and remembering that you’re worthy of love, joy, and strength at every stage.
Through SHINE FIT, she found:
💙 A renewed sense of self-worth
💙 Confidence to advocate for her health
💙 A powerful, supportive community
💙 Joy in movement that feels good
And even after surgery, setbacks, and self-doubt — SHINE remained her anchor. Because when fitness is rooted in self-love, it becomes something you want to do, not something you have to do.
If you’ve ever felt like fitness wasn’t for you, like your body was holding you back, or that no one understood your story — let Raven’s remind you:
✨You are not alone.
✨You are worthy of taking up space.
✨And your transformation can start today.
TAKE ACTION
Feeling inspired by Raven's story? Listen to the full episode of SHINE Stories on Spotify or Apple now! If you’re ready to start your own journey and experience the power of community, book a free intro session today and let’s chat about how SHINE can help you transform your relationship with fitness.
Ready to start your transformation? Click here to book your free intro session today!
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