Brenna Huckaby Reflects on 2018 SI Swim Feature Ahead of Legends Photo Shoot

The model and Paralympic snowboarder will return to the fold for the 60th anniversary issue.

Brenna Huckaby.John Lamparski/Getty Images

Brenna Huckaby is getting sentimental for all the right reasons. The SI Swimsuit model made history in 2018 when she traveled to Aruba and became the first Paralympian to pose for the magazine. The American snowboarder is making her return to the brand again, this time as part of the special 60th anniversary issue. 

“7 years ago I got a shot with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and at the time I was so uncomfortable my body. I was so insecure, so much to the point that before the shoot I did not wear a swimsuit without shorts. So when I got asked to shoot, I did it despite the fact that I was so uncomfortable in my skin, but I knew this was going to be bigger than me. Tomorrow, I am shooting with Sports Illustrated again for their 60th anniversary legends shoot,” the 28-year-old reflected in an Instagram video on Tuesday. “I am a legend, apparently. This time, I don’t even think about my body. Over the years I’ve learned that accepting and loving my body is a very big part of the process. I’ve had to learn how to love my personality, love who I am and love every version of myself from the past and all those moments.”

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When Huckaby was 14, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, and her right leg was amputated above the knee. She began to snowboard to help with her rehabilitation and totally fell in love with the sport. Huckaby added in her clip that she has grown so much since her 2018 magazine feature, and is a totally different person working with the brand this time around.

“Over the last seven years [I] leaned into knowing that my opinion of myself is really the only one that matters,” she continued. “Give yourself compassion, do better, but do not beat yourself up in the process. I cannot wait for you guys to see these images. The only goal is to honor the 2017 shy, awkward, uncomfortable version of me. Now I get to show off this 2024 confident, secure, still work in progress, but really amazing [person].”

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Today, the mom of two shares daughters Lilah and Sloan with her husband, Tristan Clegg. She is raising her girls to be fearless and always chase their dreams.

“Feeling reflective before tomorrow’s @si_swimsuit 60th Anniversary Legend’s shoot ♥️ I’m so excited to be included & I’m excited to celebrate not only the growth of disability representation over the years, but also the growth within myself,” Huckaby wrote in her caption. “You get to a point in your body confidence & self love journey where the insecurities you cling to have nothing to do with your body anymore.I’m too loud. too serious. too bubbly. too argumentative. I ask too many questions. too whatever.Learning to love my body was one thing, learning to love myself was another.Stepping into the arena to work on yourself takes bravery. Celebrate yourself for who you are today ♥️#SISwim60 #SISwimsuit #BeLegendary.”