How Instagram Star Jen Selter Finds Self Confidence
Jen Selter posing in her viral #Seltering stance. (Photo: Instagram)
Sticks and stones may break bones, but squats will never hurt her.
Less than six years ago, Jen Selter was a bullied high school student in Roslyn, New York.
“Being teased is never fun and makes you feel sad and worthless,” says Selter. “When you’re young, it’s hard to have perspective on how big the world is and how long the journey of life goes on.”
During those harsh teen years, Selter became interested in fitness. She worked at a gym and created a Tumblr. On the site, she posted photos — which she noticed were getting reposted on a new photo social media app called Instagram. This was prior to March 2012, when she started starting her now-famous Instagram account.
Fast forward to present day: the 21-year-old — who often wears yoga pants — is best known, praised, and envied for her extraordinary derriere, which is often the subject of her photos.
Selter currently lives in Manhattan, however, her fans exist across the globe. In a recent Instagram post, she asked, “Where are all of my followers from?” Admirers chimed in from Austria, France, Columbia, Canada, Israel, Honduras, Belgium and more.
Whether her audience is in Asia, Australia or America, with 500+ pictures, a hashtag (#Seltering), an enormous following, and a handful of endorsements, her priority is to keep inspiring others (including her mom — who has 208,000 Insta-fans of her own).
Selter isn’t just motivating the masses and getting booties into the gym. She’s a proponent of self-confidence and self-love, regardless of size and shape.
Yahoo Beauty: How do you feel about being body-inspiration for women with curves?
Jen Selter: Wow. When you put it like that, it sounds pretty amazing! I’m humbled and honored to be considered an inspiration. Like everyone else, I have my bad days, but knowing that I might inspire others – even just one person out there – keeps me going.
What do you want followers to know about seeking perfection?
The thing I want people to know is that there is no “perfect body.” I certainly don’t think mine is. Just like every other woman out there, there are things about mine I wish I could change. I think what we should all aspire to – what I try to aspire to, is to be the best version of myself, inside and out. There are lots of things about myself, and my body, I can’t change. But there are even more [things] that I’m in control of, and those are what I focus on.
What do you want people to gain from your Instagram account?
I want everyone to know – particularly other women out there – that it’s not a competition. I think it’s important for all of us to embrace ourselves and recognize the unique beauty we’re all blessed with. I think we should all learn to be confident with who we are and simply strive to be the best versions of ourselves. Beyond that, I think it’s important to not care too much what others think or say about you. You’re fantastic. Do you! Post whatever you want and be different. Embrace you! We can all pretend to be someone else, but only you can be you.
What makes you feel confident?
It wasn’t always this way, but I’ve come to learn that confidence can only come from within. Too often – especially these days, with social media and cyber bullying – we let others and the outside world dictate how we see ourselves and feel about ourselves. I’ve tried to teach myself to drown that noise out and focus my attention within myself. I feel confident when I know I’m being true to myself and my values and when I feel like I’ve truly worked hard to be the best I can be.
You were teased in high school. How did that make you feel, and how did you overcome it?
In the moment, the sting of a nasty comment or the wrath of bullies puts a cloud over your whole world. As I got older, I slowly learned not to care as much what others thought about me. There will always be bullies, but only you can give them the power to hurt you. Turn the other cheek and focus on being you.
Did your confidence increase when your Instagram took off?
Yes and no. On one hand, all the attention was very flattering. On the other, the spotlight also sometimes attracts the worst kind of attention. Nasty comments. None of us are perfect. I know I’m far from it, and we all have our insecurities. Being reminded of them publicly is hard, but I try to focus on the positive and the support of my fans keeps me going.
What kind of feedback do you get from fans now? How do you deal with negative comments now?
There will always be negative comments on social media that you can’t control. The best thing to do is ignore them and don’t take it personally. It’s the positive comments that power over the negative. I love interacting with my fans on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, and I just ignore the hate.
We heard you are training your mom! How is that going?
This has been a blast! Working out with her has been a great learning experience and seeing her progress along the way has really been inspiring to me. She has a great work ethic and it shows. I hope I look like her when I’m her age.
Have there been any obstacles or accomplishments you’ve gone through with her during the process?
Training with her has had its challenges, too. Her body behaves a little differently than mine, and I have to always remind myself of that. It’s also fun. She usually gets to be the boss, but in the gym, I’m in charge!
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