Maria Menounos Reveals the Surprising Nod to Daughter Athena in Her Daring Miss Universe Two-Piece (Exclusive)

Maria Menounos can’t stand any mom shaming.

The TV presenter — who welcomed daughter Athena with her husband Keven Undergar in July — co-hosted the Miss Universe pageant over the weekend in a revealing two-piece by Celia Kritharioti that put her abs and toned arms on top of her. display.

“As a mom, I’m now covered in poop and overstuffed diapers all the time. While I love every second of it, I also love embracing life as a woman, my strong, healthy body — and my youth — because as long as I’ve got it,” Menounos, 45, says exclusively to PEOPLE, shutting down all the skeptics.

“My age doesn’t define my fashion or anything,” she adds. “I don’t think you have to start dressing a certain way when you reach a certain age or just because you’re a mom.”

Maria Menounos celebrates daughter Athena’s first Halloween in an adorable cookie monster costume

Maria Menounos with Miss Universe.

@LucioAndreozzi

After going through ups and downs with her health, Treatment unit The podcast host says she was proud to show off her skin.

“I think you should celebrate whatever you want, whenever you want. Life is so short and we need to stop judging each other,” Menounos says of any negativity she and other moms may face. “I worked so hard to get and stay healthy. I also worked to get a strong body – especially a strong upper body to be able to lift and carry Athena.”

After working hard over the past few months, Menounos knew that a bra top and matching skirt was the look for her.

Maria Menounos felt like she was going to ‘explode inside’ due to ‘severe’ pain caused by pancreatic cancer

Maria Menounos at Miss Universe.

@LucioAndreozzi

“When I saw this dress, I thought there might not be much time left in my life to be able to wear something like that,” she says. “So I decided to just do it, and I’m so glad I did! My health has always been important to me, but having a little girl to look up to and keep healthy is all the motivation I need.”

Earlier this year, Menounos — who spent years trying to become a mother — opened up to PEOPLE about her private battle with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed in January, she underwent successful surgery to remove a 3.9 cm. tumor.

Maria Menounos at Miss Universe.

@LucioAndreozzi

Now, “I look at my body and I’m so grateful that it has triumphed through so many battles,” she says. “As the Elton John classic says, ‘I’m still standing!’ I told, and I tell, my body, my organs, all my systems and all my cells every night how grateful I am and how much I love it. I also say, ‘Thank you for taking me through so many journeys of health.'”

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Source: HIS Education