Plus-size model from Women's Running cover Erica Schenk talks body confidence

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Erica Schenk, 18, appears on the cover of the magazine's August issue
The casting earned praise from people who said that it shows that runners come in all shapes and sizes
Erica is excited that she's inspired people, and shares her advice for others with body confidence issues

Published: 17:10 EST, 3 August 2015 | Updated: 17:19 EST, 3 August 2015

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It's not a bad thing to be labeled as 'plus-size', insists one plus-size model – in fact, she insists, the phrase should just another descriptive word, like 'blonde' or 'brown-eyed'.

Erica Jean Schenk recently earned recognition for appearing on the cover of Women's Running August issue - which many people saw as a unique place for a plus-size model to pose. And while most peoplepraised the magazine for spotlighting a different body type on its cover, a few lashed out, claiming that a curvy woman has no place in a fitness publication.

Now, the 18-year-old has discussed the newfound attention - and those haters - with Seventeen.com, explaining how she's able to shake off the mean comments and feel comfortable with her 'plus-size' label.

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Breaking barriers: Plus-size model Erica Schenk appears on the cover of the Agust issue of Women's Running, and has recently opened up about being catapulted into the spotlight

Not a negative label: The 18-year-old explained that people think of 'plus-size' as a bad word, because plus-size clothing is often pushed to a separate section in stores

Everyone's different: However, she said, it's not bad to be called plus-size - it's just another descriptor, like 'blonde' or 'tall'

'[Plus-size is] not meant to be a derogatory word,' she said. 'It's a business term. I think people feel "plus size" is a bad word because of how it's viewed in stores. Plus-size clothes are often segregated, pushed to the back corners. But it isn't a bad word, just a description.'

That description helps businesses - whether they be magazines, clothing stores, or designers - find a model who is fits their vision. So, Erica explained, they can get a size two model with dark brown hair if they want - or they can find a size-16 model with bronde locks like Erica, if that's what they are looking for.

Still, that doesn't stop some people on the internet with sharing their less-than-complimentary opinions. But Erica knows just how to shake them off.

Mind your own business: The New Yorker has faced some negativity since the high-profile cover, but thinks those people are just unhappy with themselves

Get a life: The size-16 beauty added that if they learned to love themselves, maybe they'd stop wasting energy criticizing others

All-inclusive: Women's Running editor-in-chief Jessica Sebor said she wanted all readers to be able to see themselves in the magazine when she put Erica on the cover this month

'Most of those people online are really uncomfortable with themselves,' she explained, implying that they are just projecting their own insecurities on someone else. 'If they learn to love themselves, maybe they'll stop and get offline and focus on something other than putting people down. That's another aspect of the body acceptance movement - learning to accept yourself but also to accept others.'

It's certainly impressive that the New York-based model is so self-assured at such a young age. But she admits that she has her self-conscious moments, too.

'I'm not always as confident as my pictures make me seem!' she said. 'Even people who are extremely confident have things they're figuring out. It's a journey towards self acceptance.'

She also added that she's excited to have this new platform to reach and inspire people: 'It's making me feel really good to be able to help so many people and feel better about myself at the same time.'

Plus-size model Erica Schenk shows off another magazine spread

True athlete: Erica was a natural choice, as she grew up playing sports; she especially loves running, swimming, playing volleyball, and practicing her gold swing

Plus-size spotlight: Readers were thrilled with the cover, and Erica is happy to have a new platform for inspiring others

Erica - who is represented by Wilhelmina Models - is a natural athlete who ran, swam, and played volleyball, golf, and tennis growing up.

She had already been shooting a feature in Women's Running, which spotlighted athletic brands that are expanding their ranges to include running clothes for more sizes, when the editors decided to put her on the cover.

Announcing the choice, editor-in-chief Jessica Sebor told Today.com: 'There's a stereotype that all runners are skinny, and that's just not the case... Runners come in all shapes and sizes. You can go any race finish line, from a 5K to a marathon, and see that. It was important for us to celebrate that.'

Fans were thrilled with the result, taking to Twitter to express their enthusiasm.

'This cover makes me so happy! It helps me believe that I really can be a runner too!' said one woman on Twitter, while another added: 'I almost cried when I opened my mailbox and seen a thick girl like me ON THE COVER. Thank you. [sic]'