Beyond the T-Shirt: A Journey from Labels to Liberation

When I first decided to write "Beyond the T-Shirt: A Journey from Labels to Liberation," I had no idea how profoundly vulnerable the process would make me feel. Putting my story on paper—sharing the moments that shaped me, the struggles that nearly broke me, and the healing journey that led to my purpose—has been both terrifying and liberating in ways I never anticipated.

The Courage to Be Seen

There's something uniquely exposing about publishing a memoir. Unlike sharing pieces of my story in one-on-one coaching sessions or workshops, a book lives independently of me. It can be read by strangers who don't know my voice, my laugh, or the context behind my words. It can be judged, criticized, or misunderstood. Or worse—it might not resonate with anyone at all.

I've found myself waking up with racing thoughts: Did I share too much? Not enough? Will people understand what I was trying to convey? Will the girl in the t-shirt at the pool—my younger self who was taught to cover up and apologize for her existence—be properly honored by this work?

This vulnerability has humbled me. It reminds me of what my clients feel when they first step into a coaching relationship—that raw, exposed feeling of being truly seen, perhaps for the first time. I also know I did the right thing the minute I got the first message in my inbox thanking me for speaking up.

From Personal Pain to Professional Purpose

Through this process, I've realized that the vulnerability I feel isn't a weakness to overcome. Instead, it is the very foundation of meaningful connection and transformation. The parts of my story that were hardest to write—my experiences with body shame, medical gaslighting, disordered eating, and fighting for belonging—are precisely the elements that most powerfully connect with others walking similar paths.

The Power of Vulnerability

This realization has profoundly shifted how I approach my coaching practice. I now understand on an even deeper level that:

1. Our deepest wounds truly do become our greatest gifts. The experiences that brought me the most shame and pain have become the source of my greatest insights and capacity to help others.

2. Authenticity creates space for others. By showing up fully as myself—imperfect, still healing, and continuously growing—I create permission for my clients to do the same.

3. Systems are broken, not people. My personal story illustrates how often we internalize blame for situations that are actually the result of broken systems—whether in healthcare, education, family dynamics, or workplace cultures.

   
   

Where Coaching and Storytelling Converge

My approach to coaching has always centered on helping clients recognize their inherent strengths. It involves challenging limiting beliefs and creating environments where they can thrive without feeling diminished. Writing this book has deepened my conviction that this approach isn't just effective—it's essential.

Honoring the Whole Story

When we work together in my coaching practice, whether you're navigating neurodivergence, body image challenges, or other experiences of marginalization, my commitment is to:

• Honor your whole story, including the parts you may have been taught to hide or diminish.

• Help you identify the systemic factors that may have contributed to your struggles, relieving you of inappropriate self-blame.

• Support you in developing your authentic voice and using it in ways that align with your values and goals.

• Guide you in transforming painful experiences into sources of insight, purpose, and connection.

  
  

An Invitation to Belong

If my book resonates with you—if you've ever felt like you needed to shrink yourself to fit in, if you've navigated systems not designed with your body or mind in mind, if you've wondered how to transform your own painful experiences into meaningful purpose—I invite you to consider how coaching might support your journey.

The vulnerability I've experienced in sharing my story has only strengthened my belief that we heal in community. Our unique differences are assets rather than liabilities. Belonging begins with accepting ourselves exactly as we are.

Seeking Connection

My door is open. Whether through the pages of my book or through our work together in coaching, I'm honored to walk alongside you as you claim your own story and discover the purpose that may be waiting within your greatest challenges.

To learn more about my coaching services or to schedule a consultation, please visit my services page or contact me directly at empowermentcoachingbyelyse@gmail.com.

"Beyond the T-Shirt: A Journey from Labels to Liberation" is now available *here

Embrace your journey to liberation. Your story matters.