It's always uplifting to hear stories about people persisting with their goals, despite the difficulties.

Jay Calivoso, a 40-year-old man from the Philippines, is such a fine example of determination.

Granted he has just started the first steps towards achieving his dreams, it is undeniably inspiring that he took the steps in the first place.

Sometimes, our flaws and insecurities get the best of us and we end up being stuck in mediocrity. We restrict ourselves from reaching our dreams because we think we are not good enough. But we are, we just have to figure it out ourselves and know our worth as a person.

Despite the strong discrimination against plus-size women, more and more people are taking a stand against bullies and making a difference. In a Facebook video she recently uploaded, plus-size yoga teacher Dana Falsetti slams body image stereotypes with an inspiring and powerful message about how 'all sizes matter.'

The 22-year-old yogi shatters the slim body that some athleisure brands boast.

There is so much weight stigma that obese individuals face on a daily basis and such issue is still prevalent today. Most of them continue to be victims of bullying and biased judgment. But they,
too have their fair share of struggles and inspiring stories to tell.

Laura Micetich, a 25-year-old teacher from Jackson, Tennessee continues to defy the odds when she made an astounding transformation. Dubbed as the 'Iron Giantess,' Laura left many people in awe after shedding a staggering 115 pounds through weight lifting. Two years after hitting gym, the 6-foot-tall brunette looked entirely different that others were skeptical about her extreme weight loss--thinking she might have taken weight loss pills or undergone surgery. But she gracefully shut down body shamers with sheer positivity.

"As a kid, people always called me giant, in a positive way, so when I started lifting weights, I embraced the moniker. It was a symbol to me of taking what I already was and making it strong."