Canadian high diver Molly Carlson was 'this close to not posting' a video because 'it showed so much cellulite.' She says 'even pro athletes struggle with body image'

Canadian high diver Molly Carlson isn't letting body image struggles stall her career. On Sunday, the 26-year-old Fort Frances, Ont. native shared a video to Instagram where she addressed footage of her performing her first high dive of 2025. Carlson said she hoped by sharing she could remind followers that "even pro athletes still struggle with body image."

"I was this close to not posting that video yesterday because it showed so much cellulite," she said. "My anxious and eating disorder brain was saying so many negative things that I truly almost didn't hit post. Having cellulite does not mean I do not work my booty off to be the best high diver I can be. It does not mean I'm not strong, it does not mean I'm not capable, it does not mean I'm not worthy."

Carlson, who finished first at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Montreal last year, has been open about her struggles with body image. Not only has she spoken about overcoming body dysmorphia and an eating disorder, she also founded the online community, BraveGang, to promote body positivity and body acceptance online.

"It does not mean I'm not enough, because I'm absolutely enough and cellulite is normal," she said.

In the caption, Carlson admitted she's still "struggling" to accept her body as an athlete.

"Yes I have cellulite, but no that doesn’t mean I’m not worthy of being an amazing athlete!" she said."I wanted to post this to remind you that even pro athletes still struggle with body image but that doesn’t mean we’re not allowed to have very normal things like cellulite! I think I’ve had cellulite since I was 10 years old, it runs in my family genetics and I almost quit the sport because of it. I'm so glad I didn't!"

The video received thousands of likes and hundreds of comments of support from celebrities, fellow athletes and fans.

"Amen, Sister! You are strong and capable and beautiful! And GORGEOUS," actress Reese Witherspoon commented.

"So proud of you sister," wrote former UCLA gymnast Gracie Kramer.

Another follower wrote that the video made them "feel seen, represented," and like they weren't alone. "It was a reminder that this is normal for female bodies even in amazing professional athletes like you. So, thank you," they wrote.

"I pulled out of sports as a young woman for this reason," said another follower. "Cellulite (or even the absence of a six-pack) does not make someone more or less of an athlete. Thank you for what you do!"

"Cellulite or no cellulite, your body can do incredible things!" another added.

Carlson has also shared her experiences with being body shamed. Last year, the diver took to Instagram to share her thoughts after a Paris local asked her if she was pregnant while she was in France for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“I am not pregnant, OK?" Carlson said. “I’m a bloated girly. I get bloated so easily," she said in a video posted online at the time. "Bloating is normal."

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