The year that changed my life

April 27, 2024, is a moment in history for me — the day I made the biggest decision of my life: to begin my transition.

This was not a decision I made lightly. It was something I had dreamt about since I was 18 years old. After years of research, countless conversations with my family, and deep work with my therapist, I finally took the step. I began hormone replacement therapy.

For me, it was the best thing I could have ever done.

Here I am, one year later to the day, and I have fallen more deeply in love with myself than I ever thought possible. Things didn’t go as planned, and honestly, that's okay. I never expected to leave California, my career, or the life I had spent years building. But life had different plans. It has been an emotional roller coaster — from moving back home, to starting what I believed was my dream job, only to be let go from it.

In all of that chaos, I found something more important: me.

I started to work on Elle — both the woman and the brand. Over the past six months, focusing on fitness, self-love, and inner healing has been a challenge, but it’s been the most rewarding challenge of my life. I had no idea how much strength, resilience, and beauty was inside of me until I had no choice but to find it.

Sharing my story here, today, is another step in loving myself stronger and deeper. I know my journey is still just beginning. Maybe sharing my experience will help someone else realize they are not alone.

This past year has not been easy. Transitioning isn’t for the weak — it requires bravery every single day. I’ve learned that dating while transitioning comes with unique heartbreaks. Some people saw me as a fetish. Some ghosted me. Some were outright cruel. It hurt — badly. My emotions have been everywhere at times.

But even through the pain, I have grown.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s this: be kind. You may not understand the journey we are on, and that's okay. You don't have to. But always remember — we are people, deserving of dignity, respect, and love.

Transitioning saved my life. It gave me a future filled with hope and authenticity. I am proud of the woman I am becoming, and I cannot wait to see where Elle goes from here.

Here’s to more love, more growth, and to every beautifully imperfect step of the journey.

-Love Always Elle