I have a problem. Ever since the first ESPN the magazine’s Body Issue came out in 2009, I can’t wait to see it. I don’t know what genius had the brilliant idea of having elite athletes pose naked, showing their amazing physiques, but I’m sure she got a huge bonus!
Source: bleacherreport.com
I love the issue not only because it’s like athlete porn, but because it shows what the human body is capable of. These are the people whose lives are dedicated to their bodies. You know how people tell you to workout like “it’s your job?’ It literally is their job and they have the abs and asses to show for it.
The other reason I love to read it (yes, I actually read it) is the quick interviews the athletes give. It’s just a glimpse into how their minds work and I love that stuff. It’s the tibits of their lives that I find fascinating.
Here are my favorites from 2014 and some of their quotes:
Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals, Wide Receiver
“I’ll be walking though the mall and someone will just grab my butt. I look back and it’s like some 65 year-old lady.”
Full extension is good when you’re a wide receiver.
Source: espn.go.com
Serge Ibaka – Oklahoma City Thunder, Forward/Center
“I wish I had more body parts I could work out. If I had my way, I’d be in the gym all day.”
Basketball does a body good.
Source: bellanaija.com
Prince Fielder – Texas Rangers, First Baseman
“You don’t have to look like an Under Armour mannequin to be an athlete.”
Drink it in ladies.
Source: thesource.com
Amy Purdy – Snowboarder, 2014 Paraolympic bronze medalist
“I was given less then a 2 percent chance of living.”
No excuses.
Source: espn.go.com
There are so many more inspiring stories and pictures! You should absolutely buy a copy or read it online, unless you don’t want to see the likes of Michael Phelps, Venus Williams or Jamie Anderson almost naked and (of course) hear their take on how they look, and what it means to them to be the best at what they do. Your choice.
Now, back to my issue. Although I will never be in ESPN’s body issue, I have a very small minuscule shot of being on the cover of Runner’s World magazine. If you don’t already know, they’re having a cover model contest and I’ve entered. It’s based on a number of factors, but I believe 10% is votes, and mine are rather lacking as of now:
You can VOTE HERE and again every single day until August 15! Please tell all your friends and I will be eternally grateful. Some girls dream of being on the cover of Vogue or Glamour but not this girl. I want to be on the cover of a magazine that only a small part of the population even knows about. Way to shoot for the stars!
[Tweet “Vote for @vitatrain4life for @runnerworld #RWCoverContest http://covercontest.runnersworld.com/entry/569/”]
What are you body issues?
Did you know about ESPN’s body issue? Who is your favorite and why?
LOL! Athlete porn! Too funny! That is so cool, I never knew that ESPN magazine existed. I have to see if it’s available at the local store but I’m not sure how my hubby would feel about it. LOL! I also totally voted for you!
There’s plenty in there for your husband – trust me!! Bottom line – it’s inspiring. 🙂
Love that picture of you. This is why I like the Athleta catalogs (and so does John)! I haven’t seen the ESPN one. I can’t talk body image issues right now…
Ha ha – I hear you! Thank you. The Athleta catalogs are so awesome. Totally inspiring!
Full extension…oh yes. Prince Fielder kind of made me laugh. Amy Purdy….amazing!
Off to cast my vote for you today!
Gotta love Prince. He’s proud and I love it!!
Thanks so much Angela!
Definitely loved hearing all the inspiration clips you shared above and can tell just from this alone why you love reading this issue each year. Also, totally just voted for you and got my fingers crossed now that you will be featured on the cover of Runner’s World Magazine now!! 🙂
Thanks so much Janine!! It truly is inspiring. I need to surround myself with it…
I voted for you! Love your story. I started running after a series of failures including dating a rotten guy. Amazing what running will turn you into!!!
It really is! Running has done so much for me and I’m so grateful. Thanks Jess!
How exciting Allie!!!! That should definitely raise your self esteem! You have a wonderful figure, and many would KILL to look like you. I have realized recently how much people want to be lean and strong. I thought most people were all about looking like a twig, but times have changed, and you are the strong people want to be! Keep up the good work, and I will DEFINITELY vote for you! Congrats on being one of the few selected!
I love the ESPN issue and I love the fact that muscles are considered desirable…that is sexy to me and something I now strive for. I also like to hear how minds like that think and focus. My body issues could fill a magazine so let’s just say I strive each day to quiet the negative thoughts and replace them with strong confident ones! On being a cover girl…I have voted everyday so far-fingers crossed!!!
Thanks Shannon! That’s why I love it so much. It’s celebrating STRONG in all different body types. If they could capture their minds on film, they would be amazing too. #mentalstregnth
I love that you entered- so awesome! Heading over to vote now!
Thanks Laura!! I know you have so much going on right now, but you should enter too. You inspire so many people with your blog, your running and your healthy lifestyle.
I had no idea ESPN did an issue like this. Just from the pics and quotes you provided, that’s super-interesting!
It really IS! I starting reading ESPN the magazine a long time ago – when I had tons of free time. I don’t get to read it as much anymore but I never miss a body issue!
I love the body issue SO MUCH. I don’t know why, but it is fascinating! and girl, I has no cares, I LOVE ME SOME PRINCE FIELDER! I loved him before the body issue but just a lil more now 🙂 You already know I am voting everyday, it has become a part of my morning routine!!
These are just some of the many, many reasons I love you. Prince is so awesome. He was the first person I wanted to add!!
First of all… I’m totally rooting for you.
Secondly… body issues? I have all of ’em. lol So much so that I haven’t worn a bathing suit in public in over 4 years. I literally stopped counting. BUT I’m working on it.
+ I love the body issue too!
Thank you!!!
I read that on your blog (about the bathing suit) and you need to GET OVER IT! You are beautiful and strong and smart. Now get your butt in a suit and post it all over social media! 🙂
I’ve voted for you (more than once) and will continue to do so! You are amazing and I think you truly deserve this opportunity.
That means so, so much to me Alison. Thank you for telling me!
I love the ESPN naked issue because it shows what a real, healthy body looks like and that is actually something very different depending on the person! There are so many different body types and levels of musculature in this magazine that everyone can find someone to connect with and be inspired by. While some may think a magazine of finely toned and fit bodies might be intimidating, I actually find it reassuring to see muscle and fitness appreciated and shown in such a respected light! Although, I do wish this issue my husband did not leave lying around where my girls get to it. I just don’t know how comfortable I am with my 5 year old coming across some of the photos they print! Ha ha!
EXACTLY! Healthy is the key word. I hate the saying “strong is the new skinny” b/c it just sounds stupid but strong is beautiful and never goes out of style, as far as I’m concerned. I know what you mean about the girls though. Melissa didn’t want Lucy to see it in the “wrong way” either so we made a point of telling her how SMART, TALENTED and SUCCESSFUL Venus Williams is. 🙂
Voted! I favorited the post so I can try and remember to vote every day.
Never even seen that issue before!
You are awesome. THANK YOU! (even if you forget) 🙂
I 100% voted!!! You should def be on that cover!
Now I don’t need to be. Thanks for saying that Kate! 🙂
I had no idea there was an issue like this! How cool! I’ll definitely vote for you! What an amazing opportunity! Good luck!
You need to check it out Brittany!!
Thanks for your vote. I truly appreciate it!
I had no idea about the body issue. Very cool! Oh and of course I’m voting 🙂
Thanks Jill! The body issue is amazing!!
I struggled to find just one word to describe why you should win.
Anyway. You have my vote!
Body issues! Mine are weird, but I guess they always are. I was always underweight. When I had kids, I finally got some curves! And yet, I’m still underweight but with curves. So things fit differently and it’s complicated.
I always wanted to be bigger on top.. I got to experience it with nursing. Eh, it was ok. Not exactly everything I dreamed of or anything.
I like me.. mostly.
I love you just the way you are. I know that’s a song but…
I hear you about the “up top” department, but bigger boobs would probably just slow me down. 🙂
Thanks Tamara!
Those bodies are amazing! I entered the contest too….but I’ll make sure I vote for you every day as well!!
You did?? I’ll vote for you too!!
Hey lady!! This is amazing. That prince fielder image has been getting all sorts of positive attention in mainstream media (not just athlete media) -women are being like “i love that he posed, he looks hot.” Personally, I wonder what if the female equivalent did that?? And I’m not even wondering if men would embrace the image (bc men love naked women) but would WOMEN be as supportive? women need to be nicer to each other in the media. aaaand this has become a rant, ok to sum up, awesome post, gong to vote for your cover now, miss you, bye!
Hey lady!!! So great to see you here. And, you bring up an excellent point. I’m positive women would be publicly supportive, but not so sure about how they would REALLY feel. Very good question!
There is NOTHING wrong with a little athlete porn and a healthy appreciation for the human body and the amazing things it can do. My husband always jokes that I check out other women more than he does. It’s true. I’m not being bitchy or competitive. I just appreciate a beautiful body – male or female – when I see it. OK, yeah, sometimes I’m like, damn, I wish I had that woman’s fill-in-the-blank.
Heading over to vote for you RIGHT NOW and every day until voting closes. Would LOVE to see you on cover of Runner’s World!!
Thank you so, so much Nicole!!!
I absolutely hear you on checking out other women. I always wish I was taller, so when I see a tall woman I’m like “oh man, I wish I had that height!!” Imagine how much faster I could run too!? 🙂
I’m voting right now….this is so awesome! And I seriously doubt you need to do burpees!
Ha ha ha!!! Thank you so much Kristen!
Body Issues, I have a few. Ok, a lot and I honestly try to keep away from fashion/workout magazines because I do believe they play on people’s insecurities. I do read “Runner’s World” and some other magazines that don’t seem to focus so much on photoshopped versions of ideal bodies. I did vote for you for the RW cover because you’re you and if bodies were the focus, you represent us short chicks exceptionally well!
From what you’ve shown, the ESPN magazine may be a cool example of how hard work and athletics shape a body and how they’re all beautiful in their many shapes and sizes without making a reader feel insecure. Almost like art or appreciation for a job well done, so to speak.
There was a time that I wouldn’t even wear sleeveless shirts or shorts because I was so self conscious. I’m still not where I’d like to be but I also know I’m not doing the work I need to be to get myself there yet. I’m more comfortable in my own skin and I haven’t given up or gone the mom-jeans route but there’s head/heart/body discussion that goes on every.single.day.
You are not alone. Thank you for being so honest and open. I have to say that when I was pregnant I REALLY noticed how much focus goes into looks in magazines that are supposed to be about “health.” ESPN’s body issue is absolutely not about that. It’s about strength, determination and skill – that what it all looks like and it can look very, very different.
Voted! And it’ll be sure to vote everyday as well. Yesterday’s body issue was that my stomach was not large enough to fit in all the Indian food I tried to shove in. Booo!
I hate it when that happens!!
I hadn’t heard about the body issue. I’m probably the one person out there that says “why?” Why do we need this? I don’t have body issues…well that’s not totally true…but I’m not embarrassed about them. It is what it is. I could choose to work out more, but I don’t. I do enough and I’m happy with it. I did vote for you the other day. Can I vote again?
Well we don’t NEED it but it’s awfully nice to look at! I love it because it’s about SPORT and SKILL – these athletes aren’t models, they’re strong and determined people with a whole host of good qualities. It’s not a body issue about the body. Ya know? I know you know 🙂 And YES you can vote every single day until Aug 15th!!! Thanks Michelle!!!
I think its just the naked thing that gets to me. Like its unnecessary. But whatever, I don’t care that much. I wouldn’t buy it. Each to their own, and I know I am in the minority, which is totally fine! People probably think I am nuts, but differences of opinion are what make the world go round, right? I’ll get back there and vote again this weekend! Good luck and happy Saturday, Allie!
I always tell you that I LOVE and value your opinion here. I need more people to disagree – it makes it interesting 🙂 Thanks again Michelle!
Well, I’m a little late and missed a couple of days but I will definitely be voting all the rest of the days. I would love to see one of my favorite blogging friends on the cover of Runners World!!!
Thanks Kim!! Looks and sounds like you had a great vacation getaway 🙂