Unapologetically Me: A Journey of Women Empowerment and Self-Acceptance

Whether it's on the surface or buried deep, everyone has their own unique journey with body image. Sometimes, it’s the external pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards for women—through social media, magazines, peers, or family. Other times, it’s internal—a moment in the mirror when you realise you don’t like what you see. LSKD’s latest documentary, Unapologetically Me, featuring six inspiring female athletes, dives into the challenges of body image, empowering women through stories of personal growth, body positivity, and self-acceptance.

Challenging Unrealistic Beauty Standards For Women

In a world often dominated by unattainable ideals, Unapologetically Me challenges the societal norms that dictate how women should look and feel about themselves. Featuring athletes like Bronte Elsmore, Lilz Sue Sue, Skyler Peebles, Mikaela Di Blasio, Lexi Ellis, and Alex Hall, the documentary dives deep into the struggles and triumphs of navigating body image, anxiety, disordered eating, and self-harm.

With an open floor for discussion, these incredible women get vulnerable - sharing their own experience with body image throughout different stages of their life, and how they have overcome each of their unique challenges.

“Don’t worry about what other people think. The only opinion that matters is yours. Just wear the crop top, just go to the gym, just show up, just wear the shorts, just do it. I think it’s a bold move, but it’s also a brave move. Be courageous. You do you, girl,” shared Lilz Sue Sue

This is a bold call to action: to redefine beauty standards and embrace the individuality that makes us all powerful.

A Bold Call to Embrace Your Journey

The message of Unapologetically Me is clear: power comes from self-acceptance. As Lexi Ellis puts it, “Powerful is recognising who you are honestly, truthfully. What you know you can bring to the table in any given situation... Even if it's a small piece. And knowing you deserve to be at the table.”

This documentary reminds women everywhere that confidence comes in many forms, whether it’s wearing that sports bra and those shorts for the first time or finding the strength to silence self-doubt. The athletes' journeys serve as inspiration for anyone striving to build a positive body image and take pride in their personal growth.

Facing Sensitive Topics with Courage

Unapologetically Me boldly tackles sensitive topics like disordered eating, anxiety, and self-harm, shining a light on the often-hidden struggles surrounding body image and mental health. This empowering documentary creates a safe space for reflection, conversation, and connection. Viewer discretion is advised, as these issues are explored with raw honesty.

Produced in-house by LSKD’s Visual Production Lead, Elliott Sauvage, the film highlights our dedication to creating meaningful content that truly connects with our community and sparks bigger conversations and awareness.

“I think this entire project has been an incredible journey of listening. It was an opportunity to share the raw, personal stories of these athletes, who have bravely navigated challenges and emerged stronger.

With our documentary last year, Don’t Wait, a lot of what went into that project reflected my own mental health struggles, making it a natural process. But Unapologetically Me was different. While I could relate to topics like body image and mental health, I wanted to ensure this story was told authentically. At the start, I focused on listening—seeking to understand and learn from others’ experiences.

As I asked questions and had conversations about where this documentary could go, each response was unique, yet one common thread emerged: the feeling of not being good enough.

So this documentary was created for anyone who has ever felt inadequate. This is for you.

We hope you take as much out of it as these six incredible athletes put into it.”
– Elliott Sauvage (Director)

Through Unapologetically Me, LSKD aims to raise awareness about body image struggles and mental health while empowering others to embrace their own unapologetic journey. By sharing these deeply personal and inspiring athlete stories, the film fosters hope and support for anyone who has ever felt alone in their challenges.

Where to watch unapologetically me

Unapologetically Me is now live and available to watch for free on LSKD’s YouTube channel and LSKD.TV.

On December 10th 2024, we kicked off this powerful documentary with a special premiere event. We were joined by over 100 guests, including featured athletes like Lilz Sue Sue and Bronte Elsmore, as well as the amazing team from Tomorrow Woman, who held a workshop to start meaningful conversations about body image and self-empowerment.

At the event, brave women stood up to share their stories, sparking valuable conversations that resonated deeply with everyone in the room. It was an evening of reflection, connection, and community, fueled by good food and heartfelt exchanges.

Whether you’ve faced struggles with body image, know someone who has, or simply want to be inspired, this documentary offers a profound perspective on the importance of self-acceptance and women’s empowerment.

If this documentary raises any concerns for you, please know you’re not alone. Support is available:

• Butterfly Foundation (support for eating disorders and body image): 1800 33 4673 (AU) or visit butterfly.org.au
• Lifeline (24/7 crisis support): 13 11 14 (AU) or visit lifeline.org.au
• San Diego Access & Crisis Line (ACL) (24/7 mental health support): 888-724-7240 (USA) or visit sdcounty.ca.gov

We invite you to join the conversation, reflect on your own journey, and share this important film with others. Together, let’s empower women everywhere to live confidently, boldly, and unapologetically.