OITNB star Danielle Brooks posts 'fearless' selfie in sports bra, shares struggle with 'self love'

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Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks joined the public ‘debate’ on body image this week, posting a selfie in her sports bra on Instagram.

“I’ve always wanted to do this but have felt shameful and have told myself ‘until my body is perfect I’m forbidden,'” she captioned the Instagram photo. “Today my inner being told me to turn up the notch on my self-love. I should not be ashamed of my body. I’m not a walking imperfection. I’m a goddess.”

Brooks described the moment as the first time she had enough courage to go to the gym without a shirt.

Hey ?rs, Today I decided to do something I've never done before: Go to the gym with my SHIRT OFF!! ? I thought I'd share why this is significant for me. I've always wanted to do this but have felt shameful and have told myself "until my body is perfect I'm forbidden." Today my inner being told me to turn up the notch on my self-love. I should not be ashamed of my body. I'm not a walking imperfection! I'm a Goddess. Secondly, I'm a confident woman! That doesn't stop once I take off my spanx. Lol Sometimes it's a struggle. Sometimes I don't like what I see, but I have the power to change the way in which I relate to my body both physically and mentally. Today I woke up feeling beautiful and motivated to love myself and take care of the ONE body that I've been given. I'm not saying World take your shirt off, twist it round your head, spin it like a helicopter?, (lol) I'm saying everyone live in your confidence. One Life. One Body. Take Care of It. With ?, DanieB #voiceofthecurves #yesmythighstouch #lovethyself #beautyinandout #goddess #imabadshutyomouth #ivebeeneatingmygreens #thickathanasnika

A photo posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Jul 28, 2015 at 9:21am PDT

“I’m not saying World take your shirt off, twist it round your head, spin it like a helicopter, (lol),” she continued. “I’m saying everyone live in your confidence. One Life. One Body. Take Care of It.”

While the 25-year-old acknowledged that “it’s a struggle,” she said that she woke up feeling more confident on Tuesday morning and decided to try out her newfound fearlessness.

We love it. Bravo.