Rarely do stars come out and talk about their body image issues. We can blame it on society’s obsession with perfection, or the unrealistic standards that women are expected to live up to, but it’s a rare occasion for a star to admit that they struggle when they look in the mirror.

One of our personal favorites, Orange Is The New Black’s Dascha Polanco, sat in a press conference today and gave us the real. She gave her fans real encouragement as to what she has been going through. Like talking about paying for her bachelor’s degree is Psychology from Hunter college while raising her daughter on her own. She worked tirelessly, and endlessly to make ends meet.

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for VH1)

In her speech she said, “All my struggles have made me who I am and have proven to me that focus, drive and ambition can get you anywhere in life. You are your only competition. Forget those you see on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat – you are your own star.” She went on to talk about creating her own version of wellness, and feeling good about her body no matter what others said. And to hear those words from someone who was body-shamed by her own friends and family all her life, but never let it stop her from achieving her goals is exactly the kind of motivation that more women need to hear.