Have you ever felt like it’s too late to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity and truly feel pride in who you are?

In this episode, Alan Lessik shares his powerful journey featured in From Pain to Purpose, from living with chronic illness and personal setbacks to discovering self-love, purpose, and expression through ice skating later in life. His story is a reminder that your identity isn’t something you find someday, it’s something you choose to live, right now.

By listening, you’ll discover:

1. How to reconnect with your LGBTQ identity and build self-love, no matter your age or past
2. Why embracing the present moment is the key to feeling real pride in who you are
3. How to turn life’s challenges into a path toward purpose, confidence, and authenticity

Ready to stop waiting and start embracing your LGBTQ identity with pride? This episode will inspire you to take your next step forward.

Discover Alan: https://alanlessik.com

From Pain to Purpose: A film by Hendrik Welling: https://www.dw.com/en/adult-ice-skating-from-pain-to-purpose/video-76568833

New episodes every Monday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you truly living your LGBTQ identity with pride, or just surviving without fully respecting yourself?

So many people in the LGBTQ community struggle with self-respect, especially when fear, rejection, or past experiences hold them back from fully embracing who they are.

In this episode, Stef sits down with Kimberly Hadley, a global LGBTQ+ sports advocate and community leader, to explore how embracing your identity shapes your self-respect and ability to live with pride. Together, they dive into what it really means to live authentically, and why your identity and pride are deeply connected to how you see and treat yourself.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How embracing your LGBTQ identity builds deeper self-respect and confidence
2. Why authenticity is the foundation of real pride, not just acceptance
3. How community and safe spaces can transform the way you see yourself

Listen now to learn how to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity, strengthen your self-respect, and step into your pride with confidence.

New episodes every Monday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like being your true LGBTQ self might cost you your family, your faith, or your sense of belonging?

In this powerful episode, Stef sits down with Joe and Rya, the father-daughter duo behind the TranDescendant podcast, a show dedicated to helping families navigate gender identity, acceptance, and staying connected through transition. Their story brings a rare and honest perspective on what it really takes to balance LGBTQ identity, pride, and family relationships.

If you’re navigating your identity, or struggling with acceptance from loved ones, this conversation will hit close to home. You’ll hear how self-respect, boundaries, and compassion can transform even the most difficult relationships.

By listening, you’ll discover:

1. How to set healthy boundaries that protect your LGBTQ identity without losing yourself in family dynamics
2. Why acceptance is a process, and how to navigate mistakes without sacrificing your self-respect or pride
3. How embracing your identity can actually strengthen relationships when approached with honesty and boundaries

If you’re ready to protect your identity, step fully into your pride, and build stronger, healthier relationships, this episode will show you what’s possible.

Listen Father/daughter duo, Joe and Rya, behind the TranDescendant podcast discuss LGBTQ family issues and how to preserve positive relationships on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trandescendant/id1643424011

New episodes every Monday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever achieved something you thought would finally make you feel proud, only to feel completely empty instead?

This episode dives into a deeply personal moment that changed everything, standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower and realizing that no achievement could fill the internal void. If you’ve ever struggled with your LGBTQ identity, searched for validation, or felt disconnected from your sense of Pride, this story will hit close to home.

Inside this episode, you’ll discover:

1. Why external success can’t create true LGBTQ Pride & Identity fulfillment
2. How self-love becomes the foundation for confidence, healing, and belonging
3. The mindset shift that helps you stop searching outward and start building inward

Ready to stop chasing validation and start building real Pride from within? This episode will show you where that journey truly begins.

New episodes every Monday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you struggling to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity and feel confident in who you are?

In this episode, we revisit powerful lessons from Episode #69 and explore how embracing your LGBTQ identity with pride can unlock deeper self-love, resilience, and confidence. If you've ever felt unsure about showing up as your authentic self, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity and strength.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How embracing your LGBTQ identity builds real self-love and confidence
2. Why authenticity and pride strengthen resilience during difficult moments
3. How visibility and community support help you step into your true identity

Listen now and learn how embracing your LGBTQ identity with pride can help you build self-love, strengthen confidence, and move forward authentically.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you struggling to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity and show up with confidence and pride?

In this powerful episode, Shandi Strong, trans activist, community leader, and author, shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, authenticity, and learning to love herself after facing job loss, relationship challenges, and societal pressure. Her story highlights how embracing your LGBTQ pride and identity can transform not only your life, but the lives of others around you.

By listening to this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How embracing your LGBTQ identity can strengthen your self-love and confidence
2. Why authenticity and pride are essential for personal growth and resilience
3. How visibility and community support help you step into your true identity

Listen now to discover how embracing your LGBTQ pride and identity can help you build self-love, confidence, and live authentically.

Discover Shandi Strong: https://www.dayofpink.org/shandi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shandistrong/

Shandi Strong is part of Day of Pink ECHO, a theme that calls us to tune in to the voices of queer and trans communities, past and present.

Day of Pink is a national movement in Canada that celebrates diversity, raises awareness of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, and promotes inclusion and kindness in schools and communities. Learn more at www.dayofpink.org

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you struggling to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity with pride, even though you're trying to be confident?

Many people in the LGBTQ community grow up carrying internalized shame without even realizing it. You may find yourself people-pleasing, seeking validation, or feeling unsure about your identity, all while wanting to build real self-love and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How internalized shame quietly shapes your LGBTQ identity and how to begin releasing it
2. The difference between fake confidence and authentic confidence rooted in self-love
3. Why setting healthy boundaries is essential to embracing your identity with pride

Listen now to learn how to move from survival to self-love and finally embrace your LGBTQ identity with pride and confidence.

Discover Derick Hachey: https://www.derickhcoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derickhcoaching/

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you living authentically in your LGBTQ Pride & Identity, or are you still shaped by shame and external validation?

Many LGBTQ individuals grow up feeling different, learning to people-please, seek validation, and hide parts of themselves just to feel accepted. But what happens when you finally begin to question those patterns and step into self-love?

In this episode, I sit down with Derick Hachey, LGBTQ coach who helps gay men heal internalized shame, build authentic confidence, and step fully into their identity, to explore how self-love becomes the foundation for Pride, confidence, and emotional freedom.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How internalized shame affects your LGBTQ Pride & Identity, and how to break free
2. The difference between fake confidence and authentic self-love
3. Practical ways to stop people-pleasing and build healthier boundaries

Ready to strengthen your LGBTQ Pride & Identity and finally embrace self-love? This episode will help you take your next step forward.

Discover Derick Hachey: https://www.derickhcoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derickhcoaching/

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you truly living in your LGBTQ identity, or just surviving in it?

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from who you really are, struggled to feel genuine pride, or found it hard to fully accept yourself, this episode will hit home. So many people in the LGBTQ community learn to hide parts of themselves just to feel safe, and over time, that creates distance from your true identity.

In this episode, we break down how self-love is the foundation for reclaiming your LGBTQ identity and stepping into real pride, without pretending to be someone you’re not.

What you’ll walk away with:

1. How to reconnect with your authentic LGBTQ identity and stop hiding who you are
2. Practical ways to build self-love so you can feel real pride in yourself
3. A powerful mindset shift to turn your past struggles into purpose and confidence

Ready to stop surviving and start fully embracing your LGBTQ identity with real pride? This episode will show you where to begin.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever achieved something big… but still felt empty inside?

If you’ve ever struggled to fully embrace your LGBTQ identity with pride, this episode will hit close to home. So many people in our community learn how to survive, but not how to truly love themselves. This episode takes you behind a deeply personal turning point that sparked a journey from silence and shame to self-love and identity.

By listening, you’ll discover:

1. How to reconnect with your true LGBTQ identity before fear and shame shaped it
2. Practical shifts to build real self-love and self-respect from within
3. How to transform your story into strength and live with authentic pride

If you’re ready to stop surviving and start fully embracing your LGBTQ identity with pride and self-love, this episode will show you how.

New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

More from Together Moving Forward:

Click here to contact me through the website to become a featured guest on the podcast or to get more information.

Or visit: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com

Now booking keynote speaking engagements:

From Survival to Self-Love

How I Finally Learned to Embrace My LGBTQ Identity With Pride — And How You Can Too

Click here for more information

Or click here: https://togethermovingforwardpodcast.com/speaking/

Click here to follow us on Instagram.

Or click here: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/

This podcast celebrates LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and Pride, sharing stories of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, and nonbinary people who are healing, building resilience, and embracing self-love, self-respect, and community.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.