‘I’m not sticking around to be treated like that’: Bake Off’s Kim-Joy Hewlett breaks down in tears after being ‘bullied’ by gym instructor
Kim-Joy Hewlett has revealed she was left in tears after being ‘bullied’ by a gym instructor during an exercise class.
The Great British Bake Off star, 30, took to Instagram and shared a photo of herself crying in her car and said she had ‘called out’ the man on his behaviour.
Although she did not specify what the instructor had said, Kim-Joy said she left the class because she would not ‘be treated like that’.
Hurtful: Kim-Joy Hewlett has revealed she was left in tears after being ‘bullied’ by a gym instructor during an exercise class
She wrote: ‘It’s okay to say NO and walk away to protect your own mental health. See my stories today for details – but in summary, I walked out of an exercise class today due to a bullying instructor, and I feel good about it.
‘I cried afterwards in the car but this is mostly angry cries, as well as disappointed cries cause WHY are people like this?!, and most importantly happy cries because I stood up for myself. I walked out, and I called him out on his behaviour.
‘Whereas the old me would’ve been afraid of the confrontation, and just stayed and accepted being bullied, but I know now that I have self worth and I’m not sticking around to be treated like that.
‘It’s good to have boundaries, and it’s good to say no to toxic people and situations. I highly recommend trying it if you haven’t!!!
Upset: The Great British Bake Off star, 30, took to Instagram and shared a photo of herself crying in her car and said she had ‘called out’ the man on his behaviour
‘Also, I know there are tons of amazing inclusive and body positive gyms and classes, so will just be taking myself elsewhere ☺️’.
Kim was inundated with messages of support after sharing her experience at the gym with fellow Bake Off star Candice Brown writing: ‘Proud of you’.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Cheryl Hole added: ‘We love you darling and have your back no matter what ❤️’.
Kim-Joy’s fellow Bake Off 2018 finalist Ruby Bhogal wrote: ‘Proud of you KJ – now you tell me where this gym is and who. I’m coming for them!’
She wrote: ‘It’s good to have boundaries, and it’s good to say no to toxic people and situations. I highly recommend trying it if you haven’t!!!’
Reaction: Kim was inundated with messages of support after sharing her experience at the gym with fellow Bake Off star Candice Brown writing: ‘Proud of you’
Kim-Joy later shared an update with her followers and said she wanted to show people that crying is not a weakness.
The TV star added that she is ‘proud’ she stuck up for herself as she thanked her followers for their kind words of support.
She wrote: ‘Well, I really wasn’t expecting that response to my last post! It’s amazing to see how tears bring us together.
‘There is definitely strength in vulnerability and crying is definitely a superpower!!! The reason I shared that pic was because I wanted to talk about how crying is NOT a weakness, it’s a strength.
Message: Kim-Joy later shared an update with her followers and said she wanted to show people that crying is not a weakness
She wrote: ‘There is definitely strength in vulnerability and crying is definitely a superpower!!! The reason I shared that pic was because I wanted to talk about how crying is NOT a weakness, it’s a strength’
‘After all, we only cry if we’re brave enough to put ourselves in situations that we find difficult. And we cry for all sorts of different reasons. And that I’m proud that I stuck up for myself, and want to keep being able to do that.
‘Not to demonise an instructor – it’s not about them at all! There are so many people like that, and people are complex anyway, he was a bully with me, but is probably nice in other areas of his life.
‘But that doesn’t diminish my personal experience, or yours if you have experienced similar.’
Kim-Joy took part on the ninth series of Bake Off in 2018 where she finished as runner-up with Ruby Bhogal to winner Rahul Mandal.
Show: Kim-Joy took part on the ninth series of Bake Off in 2018 where she finished as runner-up with Ruby Bhogal to winner Rahul Mandal