A lot happened in between my three years of law school, but started at 21, now am 24. Took my health seriously and focused on myself and journey! Also changed my makeup and hair routine too haha 😂 So happy I’m nearing the finish line 🏁☺️

EDIT: Omg there’s been so much love and support in the Reddit thread! I haven’t been able to read everyone’s comments, but sending my love and blessings to you guys! Thank you truly. 🫶💛

Never been happier ❤️🏳️‍⚧️

We've had our ups and downs!

I was weeks away from being diagnosed with sepsis from two different bacteria in my bloodstream, endocarditis, and permanent vision loss in one eye from the infection. I ended up spending two months hospitalized, including time in the ICU. Since then, I’ve completed every level of addiction treatment, regained my vision through surgery, gotten sober, and rebuilt my life from the ground up.

Today I walk about 5 miles a day, lift weights 3–5 times a week, and work in mental health helping people who are where I once was. At my lowest point, I had lost almost everything and was dangerously close to homelessness. Since then, I’ve repaired some relationships, built new friendships, and found people who genuinely care about me.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to love who I am and decided to give life one more real chance. The journey has been physically, emotionally, and psychologically exhausting, but I’m grateful I made it through. Everything I survived made me stronger, wiser, and even more empathetic. I have a lot of love to give the world, and I’m incredibly glad I stayed long enough to find that out.

Edit: Wow - I honestly didn’t expect this kind of response. Thank you all for the kindness, encouragement, and support. I read every comment as it comes in, and the amount of compassion from complete strangers has been incredibly moving.

I also want to acknowledge those of you who have shared stories about loved ones you’ve lost to addiction. My heart genuinely goes out to you. I know my story is one where I was fortunate enough to make it out, and I don’t take that for granted for a single second. Addiction is devastating, and many good people never get the chance that I was given.

To everyone who commented, thank you for celebrating this milestone with me. There was a time not long ago when I wasn’t sure I would survive, and being able to sit here today, sober and rebuilding my life, is something I am deeply grateful for.

Congratulations to everyone who has also found sobriety. You are amazing, incredibly resilient, and have survived so much. I hope you’re as proud of yourselves as I am of each and every one of you. Don’t give up. You deserve the better life you have fought so hard for.

And for those who are still struggling, please don’t stop fighting. I know how impossible it can feel when you’re in the middle of it, but you are worth saving, and your life is worth fighting for. If my story can be proof of anything, let it be proof that recovery is possible.

Much love to all of you. ❤️

Had no idea what was wrong with me, spent 2 years in a relationship with a much older narcissistic/cluster b person. My skin cleared up as soon as they threatened to kill me in psychosis and I made the decision to leave. Best decision I've ever made, worst few years of my life. The physical healing was much quicker than the mental healing, but a year out and I'm feeling more and more okay every day.

Edit: I’m unable to respond to every comment but I’m reading them all and appreciate every one (even the ones telling me to get rid of my nose ring)

Age 21 - Full blown alcoholic with a meth addiction.

Age - 37 finishing my Mater's Degree

Age 44 - 14 years sober and a fully licensed therapist.

2022–> 2026 — Before and after deciding to make some changes for the better. Wish I could give my younger self a hug, there was too much sadness in her eyes.

I hope this inspires someone to make a change, you are so worth it!

I am a fourth-year autistic medical student in the top 30% of my class. Diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder at the age of four, I was nonverbal until then. Despite these early challenges, I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in physics. I was also an EMT and an ER tech for a total of four years, and a clinical researcher in neurological surgery!

I am applying to general surgery residency in less than a month, wish me luck :)

Kirby kindly agreed to hide the face of my teenage daughter. She’s a lil baby goth and my bff, still not as cool as dad used to be though. All the modern day pics aren’t that far apart how old I look is dependent on my facial hair lol.

80 pounds gone and somehow I've lost even more hair. I posted the change here a few months ago, but just got to do this pretty intense side by side and thought I'd share

Had made a post yesterday which I deleted, just didn’t think pictures I chose on a whim did justice.

First pic is 2020 (my love: Sandra B Wellness IG) at local hang out. 2nd is a couple weeks ago on a quick trip to Cancun.

Both of us working hard to fight time.

Edit to add IG link

Had a lot of growing pains , went from being the shy boy , to the drug addicted , homeless , rapper where my life was in shambles . The most convoluted time in my life tryna figure my shit out . To the man I’ve always knew I could become , got two beautiful kids I see regularly , they’re mom (pictured ) I’ve known since 15 who stuck by my side thru all of it , I’ve worked at fed ex now for almost two years and start HVAC trade school in September, and im sober now. Fuck it , I’m proud of me 🤞🏾

we’ve gained two new body parts, the face looks different now, and some letters on my drivers license have changed 😹

quite proud of my growth :)

Its never to late to change your life. For me, I wasnt able to start earlier in my life, while being unhappy all the time. I was a girl already in my childhood, even bullied as one in my childhood while being proud how I was :3

Now 2 years ago, I finally started to live. I lost over 80kg / 176.37 weight.
I started hormone therapy, did voice training, learned everything I needed to finally live as the woman I always was, but never were allowed to be before.
Iam finally free, finally happy. 2 years later I life now the best time with 34yrs

During this time I also lost 70lbs/32kg and 2 years sober 🥰

I’ve been on hormones for 26 months and it has been 2 years since I shaved my beard (left pic). I had facial fem surgery 5 weeks ago. Life’s soo much better 🥰🥰

it's my first birthday as my TRUE self. I can't be any more happier than living life the way I always want it to be. It's been 8 months since I started hormones and it has been the best and hardest experience. However, I am so excited for more transformation.