Mum's Plea: Stop Abusing Women Online for Fitness

An online fitness coach, Holly Braithwaite, is confronting a wave of online trolls after posting videos of her outdoor training sessions. The 38-year-old mum-of-two has been inundated with malicious comments, ranging from body shaming to disturbing threats, including one man's message indicating intent to assault her. Braithwaite noted that the abuse, which she describes as "scary," came from both men and women, with comments from other women causing particular hurt.

Braithwaite expressed her frustration over receiving abuse for "absolutely no reason at all," particularly after posting a video of herself carrying kettlebells for training. She contends that while online presence invites comments, it does not justify abuse. She stressed the importance of challenging such behavior to prevent it from becoming normalized, stating it is "not normal behaviour."

Despite the negativity, Braithwaite remains resilient, refusing to allow strangers' insecurities to impact her life. She advises others to remember that the abuse is "about them, it's about them" and not the target. She is determined not to raise her children in an environment where pursuing happiness is deemed wrong and encourages her clients to foster self-encouragement.

Braithwaite, who has trained at a high level for over two decades, now promptly deletes negative comments but retains screenshots as a precaution. Her core message is a call for individuals not to let online harassment deter them from activities they love. She emphasizes that those who discourage others often do so out of their own limitations and that this will not stop her personal pursuits.