Kudos to race car driver Danica Patrick for spreading an extremely important, body-positive message on Instagram. The 35-year-old, who announced in November that she’s retiring from full-time racing in 2018, penned the hugely heartfelt message to help people who struggle with feeling comfortable in their own skin.

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It’s somewhat relieving to hear that someone as successful and in shape as Patrick suffers and struggles just like everyone else. “No matter what your shape is, confidence and joy shine way beyond the physical,” she writes next to two side-by-side photos that illustrate the difference a simple “clothing adjustment” can make. Here’s the post and full caption:

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I posted a before and after pic a while back that showed the difference between a stylized pic and “normal”. This is same lighting, same pose, just a clothing adjustment. Girls, it’s easy to look at pictures on social and get wrapped up in perfection. I’m not perfect, and neither is anyone else. As long as you’re putting in the work and eating well, your body will respond. But more importantly, your mind will. You will start saying things like – I can, I will, I’m strong, I feel good, I am happy…… the looks just come as a result of loving yourself through respect and positive self talk. No matter what your shape is, confidence and joy shine way beyond the physical. My goal in life is to be light. To be that person that walks into a room or up to someone and they just feel better. That’s has nothing to do with the way I look. But, I bet It looks beautiful to someone who needs it. And don’t we all want to be lit up? Now go be someone’s light today. Or many if you can!

A post shared by Danica Patrick (@danicapatrick) on

When successful women like Patrick, Hilary Duff, and Aly Raisman stand up for the right to love their bodies for all their “imperfections,” they aim to inspire the many young girls and women (and men) who feel that they have to be a certain size or shape to be considered acceptable in today’s society.

Patrick, a keen fitness enthusiast, has a few big races coming up. The former IndyCar racer (she moved to NASCAR in 2011) will race both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 before she leaves the sport. But for today, we thank her for her inspiring message. Brava, Danica!

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