A super-fit nan has slammed cruel trolls who call her "embarrassing" – saying she won’t apologise for wearing hot pants at almost 60.
Jacqueline Hooton, 59, from Bognor Regis, wants to disrupt the narrative around ageing and destroy stereotypes about “older women”.
The grandmother-of-two proudly shares videos of her garden workouts, wearing tight hot pants and gym gear – having gone viral with more than 40million views on her popular posts.
A personal trainer, Jacqueline is used to people online sharing their unwanted views on her body, with strangers saying she should dress her age, her shorts are too short and she'll "be in a wheelchair soon."
But the super-fit gran, who has 229,000 followers on Instagram (@hergardengym), tells them 'I'm a proud fit granny'.
“Anti-ageing is a con, instead we should embrace getting older in a body we feel strong in," Jacqueline said..
"I’m going to be 60 in February and I am excited.
“I’m not frightened and I’m not apologetic about my age. I want to help other women feel strong and confident in mid-life too.
“The negative narrative on ageing is a great disservice to women.
"Would you tell a five-year-old little girl that she only has around 20 years to be at her best?
"Lots of women approach the age milestones of 30, 40 and 50 with absolute dread because of how ageism affects women in particular.”
Jacqueline runs her personal training business dubbed, Her Garden Gym, from her home studio.
She uses her Instagram to promote pro-ageing messages with videos that are a mix of educational workouts and fun dancing with a serious motivation.
Although there are many trolls, other social media users come out in droves to support Jacqueline.
One user said: "You look amazing and are so encouraging. The haters are mad at themselves."
Another person said: "Yes! Be yourself no matter what. We are as young as we feel. Age is just a number."
Someone else said: "With legs like that, it would be a crime to cover them up in trousers."
One user added: "It's not ageism, it's showing class and respect for your family. I would be absolutely mortified if my parent dressed and acted like this. Embarrassing."
Someone else commented: "You are going to break your ankles."
Another user said:" This is the farthest thing from ageing gracefully. If I'm doing tiktok dances at this age take me to a doctor."
Jacqueline said: “Who would have thought that my work promoting a positive approach to ageing would bring out so much venom and judgement from strangers on the internet?
“But age shaming is just an attempt to control someone by telling them how they should act or dress or behave based solely on their age.
“I won’t stop sharing content that inspires other women to support their health in mid-life and try and live longer and better because of it.”
Jacqueline plans to continue her fitness journey and help other women.
She added: “I promote active ageing to prevent ill health in later life.
“Bone health in particular decreases rapidly in the first first years after the menopause.
"I want to inform women that with regular strength training and cardio they can ready themselves to be strong and independent in their retirement.
“Making health changes in your lifestyle at 50 can stop you from breaking bones in a fall at 80.
“Life is precious, as mid-life women we have decades yet to live by looking after our health and with a sprinkling of luck thrown in. So take the steps to thrive through those years.
“There is no way your best years are behind you.”
