In the before photo, I don't think a smile would have been cool at all ... "heyyyy look at me I'm fat"

In the after photo, smiling would have felt cheesy and wouldn't have accentuated the "I'm hard" look that accompanied my developing exoskeleton.


As for those other suggestions, I am happy and comfy and confident. I've more confidence than I ever have done and it's growing daily both professionally and personally.