Plus-size model Ashley Graham broke new ground when she recently made the cover of Vogue, but despite her incredible success, she still deals with constant criticism. The 29-year-old beauty opened up to People about her experience with body-shamers, some of whom are even ex-boyfriends. She said:

“I’ve lived the torment of boyfriends breaking up with me because they were afraid I was going to be too fat later in life.”

Ashley still has insecure moments, but has learned how to keep them at bay. She said:

“I look in the mirror and do affirmations . . . ‘You are bold. You are brilliant. You are beautiful.’ If my lower pooch is really popping out that day, I look at it and say, ‘Pooch, you are cute!’ . . . Words have power, and if you are going to use your words negatively, then that is exactly what is going to happen in your life.”

Ashley wants others to do the same. The Sports Illustrated model has started a fashion line with Alda with “five curvy models that are trying to shape the industry. We . . . [try to convince] kids to love the skin they are in.”

And speaking of skin, here’s another thing that Ashley has embraced: cellulite. She said:

“Having more role models, more women who are like ‘Yeah, I have cellulite. Yeah, it’s even on my arms, not just my legs. My butt is a really bizarre shape but you know what, whatever, I’m just going to go rock it,’ I think if we had more role models like that that, that were really just speaking their truth about their body and the skin that they’re in then maybe young America would be different.”

Check out her super real and inspiring Instagram post:

I workout. I do my best to eat well. I love the skin I’m in. And I’m not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite.. and you shouldn’t be either. #beautybeyondsize #lovetheskinyourein

A post shared by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Jan 25, 2017 at 6:41pm PST

Thanks for the reminders, Ashley! You rock!