Post-Operative Detransitioner -LaRell Herbert
My Journey and Insight into Gender Identity
From the time I was about four years old, I believed I had been born into the wrong body. I felt that I had a female soul or brain trapped in a male body. Growing up in the environment I did, especially within the indoctrination of the Mormon church, I knew from a very early age that I had to suppress any evidence of this internal female identity. The societal and religious pressures around me dictated that I conform to a male identity, causing me to experience the ongoing torment of not being able to express what I felt was my true self. I felt a deep, painful disconnection, unable to engage in activities or dress in ways that aligned with who I truly believed I was.
Just two years into my relationship with my wife, Valerie, I transitioned to live as a woman. I had learned that hormone replacement therapy and surgery could help my body feel more aligned with my internal feelings. This profound transformation, which included gender reassignment surgery in 2019, had significant impacts on our relationship. Despite Valerie’s loving support, the journey was challenging, to say the least, for both of us, as we navigated the complexities of my transition together.
By late 2023, after considerable introspection and examining my childhood traumas, I gained extensive insight into the formation of identity. Through this profound journey, I came to a new understanding of "Gender Identity" — recognizing it as an identity formed through our unique experiences and responses to the world around us.
I realized that beneath the layers of a developed gender identity lies a true self, a self that is inherently worthy of love and acceptance just as we are born. This true self is confident, joyful, creative, and free from the self-imposed limitations and societal expectations that often lead us to believe we must become someone or something else to find happiness.
This journey has equipped me with deep empathy and invaluable insights into the challenges faced by individuals and their partners during gender transitions. My personal experiences, combined with extensive training, have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the emotional, social, and relational aspects of gender identity issues.
I am dedicated to supporting others through their own journeys, offering a compassionate ear, informed guidance, and a safe space where they can explore and express their true selves. My goal is to help you or your loved one navigate this complex path with greater clarity, confidence, and a sense of empowerment.
(Myself, my wife Valerie, daughter Emma and dog Olive)
Who Can Benefit from this course?
Gender-questioning individuals seeking clarity and guidance.
Those considering hormones or other “gender-affirming care.”
Those considering detransition and needing support to navigate this process.
Individuals who have detransitioned and are struggling to cope with their new reality.
Those who recognize the hormone and surgery path to be extreme and do not want to have to go that path, but feel it is necessary for happiness.
Those who want to be able to live happy, confident, joyful lives free from the constant nagging that makes you feel you have to make changes to your body in order to find true happiness.
Why Take my course?
Lived Experience: My personal journey through gender transition and detransition offers a unique and empathetic perspective.
Holistic Approach: Integrating various healing methods to provide a well-rounded, supportive, and informative narrative.
Professional Expertise: Extensive training in emotional and relational dynamics, meditation, breathwork, and trauma-informed care.
Your journey towards understanding, healing, and empowerment starts here. Let’s navigate this path together with clarity, compassion, and empowerment.
LaRell Herbert's memoir offers a profound and personal insight into his unique journey through gender identity. Living as a woman for six years and undergoing gender reassignment surgery, he believed these radical changes were essential for his happiness. Raised in the Mormon faith, LaRell's life unfolds from a conventional marriage to his decision to transition, and finally, to his courageous choice to detransition and live again as a man.
This book delves into the complex realities of gender dysphoria, challenging the conventional narrative that surgery and hormonal treatments are infallible solutions. LaRell’s story is a testament to a lesser-discussed outcome: individuals who transition and still face unresolved psychological issues, leading them to reconsider the permanence of their decisions.
This book does not seek to undermine or invalidate the transgender experience but aims to illuminate the profound implications of assuming that changing one’s sex is a panacea. Through his narrative, LaRell advocates for a deeper understanding of self-love and acceptance, emphasizing that true happiness comes from embracing oneself as originally created.