Shameless Leadership

595: Elena Joy Thurston: Living Out Loud After Enduring Life Threatening Conversion Therapy

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Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, Elena’s viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed 40,000+ times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, Logitech, Penn State, and Michael’s. Elena Joy recently launched Pride and Joy Publishing, the only publisher of solely LGBTQ+ empowerment and business books.

I recently met Elena through a coaching program we are both in and I immediately knew I wanted to ask her to come on the show. She has an incredible story that she shares so generously. And her message is of the utmost importance. 

 Listen in to hear Elena Joy share:

  • Her journey through marriage in the Mormon church, to growing a family of 4 children, to realizing she had a built a life that was not true to who she was
  • Her experience of coming out as a lesbian as a Mormon mom of 4
  • How Mormonism encouraged her to disconnect from her body
  • How she was able to give up control over her body and actually step into her body
  • How finding opportunities to be embodied led her to realizing her sexuality
  • The fear of losing her children for eternity when coming out
  • Her experience of going to conversion therapy to “fix” her attraction to women
  • The intense gaslighting and traumatization of conversion therapy that her to suicidal thoughts
  • How she was able to finally own her sexuality and move out of her home and marriage and into a new life as a gay woman
  • Her advice and guidance to women who might be stuck in the closet

    • Links mentioned:

    • Join my free business training on November 18th
    • Parents of LGBTQ+ Suicide Risk Awareness ALP Workshop on November 9th
    • PrideandJoyFoundation
    • AllyQuiz
    • Linkedin: Elena Joy Thurston
    • Instagram: Pride Joy Foundation
    • Instagram: Elena Joy Speaks
    • Facebook: PrideJoyFound
    • Twitter: PrideJoyFound
    • Queer Business Book

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