So that girl Audrey has been crushing it five months on a rigorous fitness and nutrition program. Her goal? Start a YouTube fitness channel! She even wants to do a Tough Mudder. She has been documenting her journey and is very excited. But today she received a huge insult from a bully…
Today at school, one of her classmates told a teacher that Audrey was anorexic. Can you say jealous!?
Naturally, the teacher was ethically, morally, and legally required to report the concern to the school nurse. As a result, Audrey was called out of class and had to be weighed in the nurse’s office. This was embarrassing, especially since another student was in there. In a teenager’s mind, she feels like all her classmates and teachers think she has an eating disorder.
That girl Audrey has never been a chubbie, but she has gotten very lean and trim through strict adherence to a high-intensity interval training programs. Five months of Insanity and Max 30. On top of that, she has been following a carb-cycling strategy and eating high quality proteins and lots of vegetables.
Audrey is still not a happy camper, but she is emotionally well, and she’ll adjust.
Of course, bullies have no clue and no remorse for their actions. They just don’t get that blowing out a victim’s candle does not make the theirs burn brighter.
No worries
Ordinarily, you’d think I should be concerned. But I see how hard Audrey trains. I see the quality food she eats. I see the grocery bill! Moreover, Audrey says this classmate has done this sort of thing to other classmates regarding eating disorders. A real one-trick pony!
Fast and loose gossip about such a serious topic shows how little this individual actually understands eating disorders. Reporting someone for an eating disorder out of envy does a disservice to those who actually suffer from anorexia or bulimia. People who know Audrey see a super fit, super pretty girl.
Reporting someone for an eating disorder out of envy does a disservice to those who actually suffer from anorexia. Click To TweetI am reminded of the weekend gym warrior with fence-post legs who whines that the bigger guys must be on steroids. Or they just work harder! Curling light dumbbells in the mirror 15 minutes two Saturdays a month pales in comparison to heavy training 4-5 days a week for years while on a clean diet.
The Lesson
The lesson I taught Audrey? Haters are going to hate. It stings. But once she learns that in life, when certain individuals see the success of others, it makes these individuals feel inferior about not working hard. These individuals could have built the tallest building, but it’s easier to build a short one and try to wreck the big ones. Tall poppy syndrome. Big hat, no cattle. Whatever you call it, they are facades that indicate weak character.
I also shared with Audrey that H.A.T.E.R.S. is actually an acronym… Having Anger Toward Everyone Reaching Success.
So how do you deal with a hater?
The Buddha questioned a critic, “If someone offers you a gift and you decline to accept it, to whom then does it belong?” The man replied, “It belongs to the person who offered it.” If you decline to accept the hate, it still belongs to the hater.
Refuse the “gift” of hate. Keep on being awesome!