The Gym Owner Who Teaches Self-Love: Stop Comparing, Start Celebrating Yourself

Navigating the path to self-love and body confidence can often feel challenging. Apolonia Calleja, aka Apples, is a seasoned fitness trainer, gym owner, and Bare Model who embodies the spirit of embracing oneself fully. Her career, dedicated to helping others achieve their health goals, mirrors her personal mastery of self-love.

Apples' journey offers inspiration for anyone striving to nurture both body and spirit.

Learning to Love Your Evolving Body

Her journey aligns perfectly with her role as a Bare Model at OBARE, where celebrating the natural evolution of the body is at the heart of our mission. She explains:

“As I get older, I am learning to accept how my body changes. If you continue to love and pour into yourself, you will always accept what changes your body is making and embrace it.”

This mindset reminds us that self-love is a continuous journey, not a destination. The more effort we put into ourselves, the more we appreciate the natural evolution of our bodies.

Fitness as a Lifestyle, Not Just a Look

For Apples, fitness is more than a way to stay in shape; it’s a lifestyle. She shares:

“Being able to stay active and just move my body is a blessing.”

As a trainer and gym owner at LIV FIT (@livfitgymfacility) she emphasizes that fitness is crucial for longevity and vitality:

“I want to live a long life and be the best I can be for my son and future kids!”

Fitness, to her, isn’t just about appearance—it’s about embracing the gift of movement and the promise of a vibrant life.

Confidence Through Hard Work and Self-Acceptance

Apples’ confidence is inspiring. As a mother who works diligently to maintain her body, she takes pride in her accomplishments:

“The female body is remarkable, and recognizing that gives me confidence.”

She celebrates her hard work joyfully:

“After all those squats, why skip the bikini? No way—I’m rocking it!”

This bold celebration shows that true confidence stems from perseverance and self-acceptance.

Balance, Kindness, and Enjoying the Journey

Maintaining kindness toward oneself while working on fitness goals is central to Apples’ approach. She emphasizes balance:

“With all the hard work, I do my best to still treat myself.”

Her philosophy: work hard for a short time, enjoy life, and avoid misery. She encourages listening to your body and savoring the journey, combining diligence with enjoyment.

Stop Comparing, Start Loving Yourself

Apples’ advice for women hesitant to show their bodies is empowering:

“Work hard! You know what is good and bad for you. Stop comparing yourself to others and love on yourself!”

She highlights the importance of focusing on personal progress and trusting one’s own efforts:

“If you are doing all the things that serve you, you will eventually find the self-love and confidence to be happy and proud to show off your beautiful body!”

Her message is clear: embrace individuality and celebrate the unique beauty that comes from being true to yourself.

Embrace Your Body and Celebrate Self-Love

As a Bare Model, Apples’ journey demonstrates that self-love, confidence, and a healthy lifestyle are deeply interconnected. Her insights inspire us to embrace our bodies with pride, find joy in our fitness journeys, and always be kind to ourselves. Loving and celebrating our bodies is the ultimate act of self-respect and joy.

For our first shoot with Apples, click [here]. And if you haven’t already, follow here for more inspirational content: @apoloniacalleja