Fitness blogger proudly shows off her body hair and explains why she gave up shaving

Morgan Mikenas isn't afraid to show off her body hair. Photo / Instagram

A fitness blogger who gave up shaving more than a year ago has revealed in an online video why she decided to let her body hair grow out.

According to the Daily Mail Morgan Mikenas last picked up a razor at the start of 2016 and now proudly shares photos of her natural leg and underarm hair on Instagram.

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Social media has such a great potential to spread love/positivity and create a positive communication link to people all over the world. But sadly, a lot of the time it is a battle ground where insults fly back and forth. Spreading hatred for entertainment.. Words have the potential to heal or to hurt. People don't realize how damaging social media can really be if used this way. It can destroy a persons self esteem and a persons sense of self worth. But on a positive note, I have connected with some really awesome people because of social media. Despite all the negativity that comes with it, there comes so much positivity/inspiration also. I am just feeling very thankful today for all of you who choose to spread kindness and uplift me and others every single day. I am so proud to have connected with like minded individuals who do what they love everyday and genuinely care. I appreciate you and I'm sure others do too. Thank you💜✨🌌🤘🏼#positivity #spreadlove #bethechange #selflove #gratitude #namaste #iloveyou #thankful #weareone #onelove #thankyou #changetheworld #alldoneup #nofilter #happystpattys

A post shared by Morgan Mikenas (@i_am_morgie) on Mar 17, 2017 at 2:40pm PDT

She has amassed more than 80,000 followers on the social media site, where she also posts about her fitness routines alongside body-positive messages.

Morgan, who is also an aspiring musician, said her longer hair makes her feel sexy and that her boyfriend thinks she's beautiful.

In a recent YouTube video she explained that she stopped shaving because she wanted to embrace her natural beauty and encouraged others to do the same.

In the clip, titled Why I Don't Shave, Morgan said: "I want to inspire others... I guess my number one reason why I stopped was that it took so much time.

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"There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty."~Steve Maraboli 🌸✨ Not just woman, but everyone! Imagine if everyone just decided that today was the day they loved themselves and embraced every part of them selves. Accepting and loving your body and your "flaws" because you know they are what makes you who you are. If you are focused on being true to yourself in every moment, you are less concerned what others think, which will lead to peace of mind. When you have nothing to hide and you can freely be yourself, there is a profound peace/confidence you will emanate to the world that will inspire others. ✨💝🤘🏼I also just posted a new YouTube video on why I don't shave my body hair and how it helped me(link in bio)☺ #bodypositive #spreadlove #behappy #namaste #hairywomen #healing #healthylifestyle #selfcare #loveyourself #beyourself #bethechange #divine #inspireothers #inspirationalquotes #positivity #goodvibesonly #lifeisbeautiful #hairy #gratitude #weareone #higherconsciousness #freespirit #empowerment #smile #feelgood

A post shared by Morgan Mikenas (@i_am_morgie) on Mar 4, 2017 at 12:00pm PST

"It took so much of my time to just get in the shower and have to shave everything and then wash my hair and then wash my body..."

"After I just kind of let it do its thing and grow out I started thinking 'Hey this is kind of nice'. It started getting super soft."

She continued: "I want everybody to not feel ashamed of themselves... Why would I remove something that mother nature has put on our bodies and obviously intended for us to have?"

During the 12-minute video, Morgan repeatedly flashes her underarm hair to the camera.

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It's just nice to embrace the natural beauty that you are.. the beauty that's on the inside AND the outside☺💙 What is beauty anyway? To me... it's to be beautiful before someone else told you what beautiful is supposed to be.. Just as you are, you are beautiful✨💞#bodyhairdontcare #fitness #bodypositive #spreadlove #gratitude #namaste #bethechange #beauty #hairywomen #empowerment #bebold #beyou #loveandlight #positivity #encouragement #onelove #freespirit #effyourbeautystandards #natural #physique #selfcare #selflove #fitnessmodel

A post shared by Morgan Mikenas (@i_am_morgie) on Apr 11, 2017 at 7:31pm PDT

She continued: "[Before] I would feel obligated to shave my legs to feel good and feel sexy. But not any more. My boyfriend likes it and he thinks that I look beautiful either way."

Before signing off, she also said: "I think it's unfair that people think they have to be in this culture norm. Just do whatever makes you feel good."