I would want my younger self to know that everything that they went through was not in vain. It made them a stronger person and stronger in the conviction of what it means to stand in this moment as myself.

I would tell them:

Go through life, keep doing what you're doing. Keep asking the questions and know that asking the questions and failing over and over, is only going to make you stronger in your convictions. It will bring you to a greater state of understanding that maybe nobody else will be able to resonate with, but that doesn't matter. As long as it can resonate with you in a way that is true to you, you will see happiness you didn't know you could have.

If there's anyone queer, trans, nonbinary, who's trying to understand their place in athletics, I’d want them to know that it's not about them finding a place in sports -- you've always had a space in sports and in this world. You don't need to force your way through.

We just need to come together as a community, and let others start to see those pieces of ourselves that have always been there because that opens up the door.

It's really hard to deny someone when you have a conversation, and learn who they are and what they value. You'll see that we really aren't different. We have so much in common. Sport and athletics is just one way for us to experience our bodies. If you’re not being given access to experience that, don't let it keep you from still moving your body and moving the energy and finding your joy.

Because the time will come, we will have our place. People like myself are trying to advocate for those who might be afraid to speak up, not ready to speak up, or have been silenced.

We promise as a community to hold the line until we make that progress. So just keep being you, being the beautiful and amazing you. And we will get there.

[As told to @Ragi Gupta ]