A former U.S. Marine is sharing her inspirational story of transitioning from a 238-lb. man to a 140 lb. beautiful woman.
Sona Avedian, who is formerly known as Matthew, said her identity crisis started when she was a child, but she hid it until three years ago. She revealed how for several she was totally clueless of the term transgender and thought she was the only person undergoing this issue.
"When I was just 7 years old, my mom caught me cross dressing," Avedian said as per Telegraph. "Devastated and ashamed, it turned into my deepest, darkest secret for 23 years."
Afraid of what others might think she decided to keep her secret to herself. She actually joined the US Marine and served six combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Before her transition, Avedian was married to a woman and fathered a daughter. However, she relates how depressed and empty her life felt despite living the ''American dream''.
She had a well paying job, drove a Trans-Am sports car, a pick-up truck and had a wife and an adorable daughter, back then she hid her true identity behind her beard and big truck. But "I felt so alone, nothing seemed familiar anymore," she said.
"I became 238 lbs. of sadness," she said. "I was exhausted and I could no longer hide." No matter how she tried to hide her true self and live a normal life, her secret just caused her severe anxiety and it became a burden to her.
Back in 2012, Avedian gathered all of her courage and decided to come out as a transgender and slowly began her transition. She underwent breast implants, received laser hair removal treatment and started taking drugs for hormones. She also lost 98 lbs. by cutting out fast food and practicing yoga.
Now, as she faces the world she is hopeful that her story can inspire other who are currently facing identity crisis, "It's about being you," she said, "no matter what society thinks!"
Her inspirational video actually garnered over 1.6 million views.
