Toxic relationships: we’ve all been there. But what’s really hard is identifying them while still in the midst of them. Thankfully, Kemmi’s younger daughter had the exact words her mom needed to hear to put an end to hers. Check out the video below for the full story (or read the transcript below if you can’t put your headphones on!).

So there you go. Have the courage to speak up and tell your friend, mom, daughter or loved one the real truth whenever you see red flags. We girls need to have each others’ backs!

Thanks, Kemmi for sharing! You rock 😍

Want to hear more stories from other #ShapermintGals and customers? Check out Destinee's #1 thing you need to STOP doing to love yourself right here.

Think you or someone you know might be in an abusive relationship? Catch the early red flags - The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers this online questionnaire to help you spot them on time. You can also call 1-800-799-7233 available 24/7.

Video Transcript

My name is Kemmi Lee, I’m a native Californian and I have two daughters.

Some of my body image issues have been related to men, some of the things men say to women, some of the things men say to women and I don’t think they realize the power that they have to make us feel great or to make us feel really lousy. I can share an example. I had a boyfriend who decided to withhold affection until I lost six pounds. I gained a little weight and that was crushing, that was embarrassing, it was humiliating, and I went home and my daughter, my younger daughter saw that I was upset and she asked me what happened and I told her. And she said “If you go back to him, I will lose all respect for you”. That was all I needed to hear. Sometimes women need that support to make the best decisions about themselves. And I didn’t go back to him.

It’s important that you develop self-image from within. We’re bombarded with images and ideas from outside, from other people telling us what we should do or what we shouldn’t do. Advertising can be really cruel to women. So just shutting out all the noise and being with yourself and getting to know yourself is the best way to develop a positive self-image.

To be empowered, you have to be the best you can be - every one of us is born different, we have our own gifts and our challenges and our own level of wisdom. And if you’re true to yourself, you’ll never have any competition, so empowerement is all about embracing who you are.

I love the idea of empowering women. Shapermint doesn’t try to make women feel bad about themselves that they feel they need this product because there’s something wrong. Shapermint says “let us join you in being the best you can be because you’re perfect right now”.