Photo of woman in bikini goes crazy viral on Facebook, but not for the reason you might think



LOS ANGELES, California -- A photo of a woman in a bikini has been shared on Facebook nearly 50-thousand times in the last few days.

But it's not being shared for the reason you might think.

The photo is galvanizing and inspiring women and men across the internet.

Here's the photo of Rachel Hollis.  Hollis is the founder of The Chic.  She's an author, event planner as well as chef and fashion reporter.



In the photo not only are Hollis' stretch marks visible.  But perhaps more striking is the fact that she has a huge uncompromising smile on her face.

"I have stretch marks and I wear a bikini, wrote Hollis.  "I have a belly that's permanently flabby from carrying three giant babies and I wear a bikini. My belly button is saggy... (which is something I didn't even know was possible before!!) and I wear a bikini. I wear a bikini because I'm proud of this body and every mark on it."

Hollis's photo has not only been shared thousands of times.  It has been liked by more than 400-thousand people and has garnered incredible comments from people who are both awed and inspired by her simple act.

"You have no idea of how empowering your words are to someone as myself. I gave birth to my last baby (my third son) 6 months ago. I have many stretch marks... and my confidence has plummeted," wrote Amanda Gongloff.  "Reading this has made me realize how im seeing everything in the wrong way... THANK YOU! I BELIEVE YOUVE GIVEN ME A CERTAIN BOOST I NEEDED TO HELP BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REGAINING MY SELF CONFIDENCE."

Terry Gall wrote 'Bless you!'

"Let's make real women 'normal' again!!!"

Hollis has been replying to many of the commenters personally.

To Mike Vanderveen she said 'this is my favorite comment ever.'

"I don't have legs, but I still wear shorts! My body is covered with scars from a land mine encounter, but I wear shorts," wrote Vanderveen.  "At least I don't have to worry about snakebites, cold feet, stubbing my toes, twisting my ankles, and buying shoes is a breeze... anything from an 11 to a 14 will do! Bottom line, I'm with the lovely lady....TO HELL WITH WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK! I'M ME, IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, LOOK THE OTHER WAY!!!"

Hollis wrote that the only man who's opinion matters knows what she went through to look as she does.

"That same man says he's never seen anything sexier than my body, marks and all," wrote Hollis.  "They aren't scars ladies, they're stripes and you've earned them. Flaunt that body with pride!"