I think the very strict gender norms in athletics are holding sports back from being a space of comfort as opposed to surveillance.

Going through the pandemic, we've realized that sport has the power to unite us. But we need to think differently about sports, because people have different identities, like trans and nonbinary people, and how they fit into sports.

We need to look at how we need to change policies and think very differently about having sports so we can make it welcoming for everyone.

My hope for the future is to see a world where sport is welcoming to everyone, and people's sexuality and gender identity will not become a barrier to participate.

You should be able to show up as your authentic self, without fear of violence or discrimination in sports, because everyone should have access to be able to play sports, particularly kids.

I think of myself and the person I've become today, because of a lifetime of sports.

Starting bodybuilding so young, I saw the strict gender norms in sports clearly, and also the strict gender norms in society.

Bodybuilding created a space of liberation where I could push that envelope of being an Asian woman coming from the LGBTQ community – being masculine but also being feminine as well and breaking down those different stereotypes.

If I could travel back in time, I would tell my younger self: “Your difference is the reason why the world continues to sparkle and you have always been enough.”

I think for so many kids from ethnic backgrounds from the LGBTQ community, they feel that they will never be celebrated, they can never be their authentic self, and that who they are is not enough.

I'm far more successful and happier now showing up as my authentic self, then hiding who I am.

[As told to @Ragi Gupta ]