‘The More Muscle You Have, The More You Get to Eat!’: Danica Patrick Fires Back at Cruel Trolls Who Bodyshamed Her Shredded Bikini Physique During European Holiday

Former NASCAR superstar and motor racing icon Danica Patrick has hit back at online critics after being subjected to bodyshaming comments following her recent holiday upload. The 44-year-old sports legend took to social media earlier this week to document an enviable, sun-drenched trip to the Spanish island of Ibiza, where she spent time relaxing on beaches alongside a group of close friends and her new mystery boyfriend. Among the collection of holiday snapshots was a striking photo of Patrick posing in a bright yellow bikini, showcasing her exceptionally shredded abs and toned athletic frame. However, while many fans praised her dedication to fitness, a wave of social media trolls quickly flooded her comment section with unsolicited critiques, urging her to eat more and suggesting her muscle definition was excessive for a female athlete.

Refusing to let the negativity pass without a response, the former IndyCar driver used her Instagram stories to deliver a fiery, informative clapback aimed directly at those questioning her nutrition and physique. Sharing a photograph of her lavish lunch spread, Patrick outlined her detailed daily eating routine to demonstrate that her muscular physique is the result of proper fueling rather than deprivation. She detailed that her breakfast alone consisted of three whole eggs plus two additional egg whites, paired with a large homemade slice of sourdough bread topped with butter and blueberry jam. By laying out her caloric intake, Patrick effectively shut down claims that she was under-eating, using her platform to educate followers on how proper nutrition supports an active, high-muscle lifestyle.

“Since many have told me to eat after the last post, I shall show you more meals,” Danica Patrick wrote on her Instagram story alongside a picture of her lunch. “Lunch here, and breakfast was 3 eggs plus 2 whites and a large homemade slice of @brooke_selman sourdough with butter and blueberry jam.”

Muscle, Protein, and Paddle-Boarding: Racing Star Defends Strength and Fitness Lifestyle

Continuing her passionate defense of her physique, Patrick uploaded a follow-up photograph showing her flexing her muscular biceps while balance paddle-boarding on the ocean during her Mediterranean getaway. In the caption, the racing star addressed female strength training and muscle growth, tagging board-certified physician and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Gabrielle Lyon to validate her fitness philosophy. Patrick emphasized that developing a toned, muscular body requires serious weightlifting and high protein consumption rather than minimal eating, pointing out that carrying a higher percentage of muscle mass actually increases metabolic demands and allows individuals to enjoy larger meals.

“If you don’t lift weights (like for real) and eat your damn protein (not 2 eggs), you don’t have to get muscles. Right bestie? @drgabriellelyon?!” Patrick wrote while tagging the medical expert on social media. “And the more muscle you have, the more you get to eat!!!!! The end.”

The defiant posts resonated widely among her supporters, sparking a broader conversation regarding female athletic standards and the double standards often applied to women in sports who maintain high levels of muscularity. By proudly displaying her strength and advocating for weight-bearing exercises and robust nutrition, Patrick transformed an instance of online harassment into an empowering message about female health and body positivity.

Loved-Up in Ibiza: Inside Her Low-Key Romance with Mystery Boyfriend

Beyond the online bodyshaming row, the holiday pictures offered a rare glimpse into Patrick’s thriving romantic life with her mystery partner. The initial post featured several intimate snapshots, including a romantic picture of the couple sharing a kiss inside a cave-like formation along the Ibiza coastline. The couple has deliberately kept details about their romance under wraps in recent months, maintaining a low-profile relationship away from the glare of tabloid media.

The pair first made their public debut as a couple back in December, when Patrick published photos from a romantic winter getaway at a luxury resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Since then, the smitten duo have taken their romance abroad, spending time together in Greece prior to arriving in Spain. Along with a group of friends, the couple spent several days exploring the lively Greek island of Mykonos before traveling to Ibiza, embracing what Patrick described as an annual summer tradition.

“We did Mykonos right. From what I remember,” Patrick joked in a social media caption describing their Greek excursion last week. She added in a separate post: “Summering in Europe has become a ritual.”

Patrick’s new romance follows her previous relationship with entrepreneur Carter Comstock, which ended in March 2022 after a year of dating. She also famously dated NFL star quarterback Aaron Rodgers for two years, though that high-profile celebrity relationship concluded acrimoniously in 2020 while Rodgers was still playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Extended Summer Downtime Following Departure from Sky Sports F1

Patrick’s extended European vacation comes as the former driver enjoys significantly more personal freedom this summer following a major shift in her broadcasting career. Earlier this year, prior to the start of the 2026 Formula One World Championship, Patrick officially stepped down from her role as an F1 analyst and presenter for Sky Sports F1. She had been a regular presence across their international race coverage for five seasons, having first joined the broadcasting team during the 2021 United States Grand Prix at COTA.

Leaving her TV commitments behind has provided the 44-year-old athlete with the flexibility to step away from the grueling global F1 travel schedule and focus entirely on her personal wellness, private life, and international travels. Whether shutting down online trolls, advocating for proper strength training, or relaxing on Mediterranean beaches with her partner, Danica Patrick continues to live life on her own terms with characteristic confidence.