I started therapy in 6th grade. And I went into it eye-rolling. Therapy was even more taboo back then than it is now, and I kept thinking there was no way it was going to help me.
But then I met my therapist, Judy.
Judy was unlike any adult I’ve met before. She had so many hobbies and interests. Fencing, yoga, traveling, hypnosis - She was fearless.
Some of my struggles through the years stemmed from feeling like I was being forced into a box. I was a goofball, outgoing kid who would have stand up routines in our living room (microphone and all).
But as I grew older, I felt like I had to shrink, be quiet, don’t take up space… and it led me down a pretty dark, traumatic path that I repeatedly had to pull myself out of.
I have a pretty lengthy (and honestly wild) story. And through most of my adult years I was repeatedly minimized and told I couldn’t do things on my own.
And then there is powerlifting, rightfully named - the most independent and power-reclaiming sport there is.
What kept me going was my love for learning and overcoming the fear of doing what seems *impossible*. I learned from Judy that it’s okay for my interests and identity to change - as chaotic as it may come across, it is who I am. And it’s what I love about myself.
I can be independent, take more than one path, and challenge norms. I don’t have to fit in a box that’s too small for my big vision. Nothing is impossible, and you only fail when you don’t try.
So thanks Judy - I thought you were one in a million, but you inspired me to do the same.