Dabi Kim is a fitness and lifestyle content creator based out of Edmonton. You might know her from Instagram, where she shares her journey at @sushicanie. Dabi brings an authentic and refreshing voice to the world of fitness, mental health, and body positivity, especially through her experiences as a Korean woman in the fitness space. Today, we’ll dive into her story, her challenges, and the powerful messages she's spreading both online and offline.Dabi’s introduction to powerlifting came from a simple spark of curiosity — a friend’s account inspired her to explore the sport herself. Starting casually in 2023 and getting serious with a coach in 2024, her consistency has since flourished. However, as a content creator, Dabi acknowledges the ongoing challenge of balancing authenticity with the online pressure to appear polished or perfect. She’s transparent about her ups and downs, and emphasizes the importance of taking social media breaks to protect her mental health. For beginners, especially women feeling intimidated by the weight room, she recommends women’s-only spaces as a welcoming environment to build confidence and find community without overwhelming pressure.Fitness has become more than just a physical outlet for Dabi — it’s played a major role in her mental health journey. Powerlifting has helped boost her body confidence and ease social anxiety, contributing to a year without serious panic attacks, thanks to a combination of consistent training, medication, and therapy. Still, she openly shares that struggles with comparison and body dysmorphia sometimes surface. To stay grounded, Dabi relies on strategies like taking intentional social media breaks, prioritizing real-life relationships over online content, and journaling when needed. She’s a strong believer that no digital platform is worth sacrificing your peace of mind.Navigating body image through the lens of Korean culture has been a continuous learning experience for Dabi. In a society where thinness is often glorified, she consciously curates her social media feeds to focus on strong, empowering role models rather than unattainable beauty standards. The East Asian community’s response to her advocacy has been overwhelmingly positive, showing her that more and more women are embracing strength and self-love. While the conversation around body acceptance is progressing faster in the West, Dabi sees positive signs of growth in Korea too, especially with the rise of women in powerlifting and bodybuilding who proudly challenge traditional norms.Dabi Kim’s journey is a powerful reminder that strength comes in many forms — physical, mental, and emotional. Through her content and her candidness, she’s creating spaces where authenticity is celebrated, mental health is prioritized, and beauty is redefined through empowerment. Whether it’s in the gym, online, or within cultural conversations, Dabi’s story encourages us all to lift not just weights, but also ourselves and each other.KEEP IT LONG TERM!

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