Lipoedema, a disorder characterized by abnormal fat development in the legs, presented challenges for Victoria Matosa of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a result, they had trouble moving around and were teased for looking like a “penguin.” When asked about her thick legs, she said, “I always had thick legs, but it started to get worse after [I started getting] my period…” I stopped going to the beach and started hiding behind leggings and trousers, which caused me to withdraw from my social circle.

In February of 2023, she received a diagnosis that changed her outlook and helped her accept the fact that she could do nothing to improve her health. Victoria responded, “Due to bullying and pressure…I tried many restrictive diets, which resulted in me binge-eating,” when asked about her attempts to stop being bullied online.

Victoria Matosa is a successful model now because she overcame enormous obstacles.