On Purpose with Jay Shetty

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Elliot Page ON: How to Turn Self-Hate Into Self-Love & Navigating Societal Gender Norms

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Oct 23, 2023

Guest

Elliot Page

In this heartfelt conversation, Elliot Page, an Academy Award-nominated actor and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, shares his transformative journey from self-hate to self-love. He discusses his bestselling memoir, detailing the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in navigating societal gender norms. Elliot emphasizes the power of memory in storytelling and the crucial role of supportive communities. He also addresses the challenges of emotional expression for men and the need for empathetic dialogues between parents and children regarding gender identity.

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insights

INSIGHT

Embodied Presence

Elliot Page describes finally feeling present and embodied in a way never before possible.
This allows for a lightness and ease in everyday life, a profound shift from past struggles.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Difficulty Envisioning a Future

Elliot Page previously struggled to envision a positive future due to the emotional distress he experienced.
He often felt he couldn't function on a basic level.

insights

INSIGHT

Improved Acting

Transitioning has significantly improved Elliot Page's acting and overall well-being.
He now feels more grounded, present, and able to connect with roles on a deeper level.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Embracing Personal Narratives

02:02 • 4min

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The Power of Memory in Personal Storytelling

05:58 • 17min

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Navigating Mental Health and Self-Discovery

22:47 • 6min

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Navigating Gender Identity and Parental Communication

29:12 • 9min

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Challenging Masculinity: The Power of Emotional Expression

38:17 • 5min

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Embracing Identity and Connection

43:44 • 12min

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Navigating Public Scrutiny and Privilege in the Trans Experience

55:45 • 6min

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Embracing the Present and Personal Narratives

01:01:34 • 10min

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Empowering Kindness: A Call to Outlaw Bullying

01:11:08 • 4min

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Can self-hate be turned into self-love, and if so, where does this transformation start?

How can we replace self-criticism with affirmations and begin prioritizing self-care?

Today, I have something truly special to share with you on the On Purpose podcast. We're about to dive deep into the incredible journey of Elliot Page, whose story is not just a memoir but a testament to the power of self-discovery and authenticity.

Elliot Page is an Academy Award-nominated actor, director, producer, writer, and a New York Times bestselling author known for his indelible on-screen presence in both tentpole and art house films. Today we are talking about his memoir Pageboy which became an instant bestseller.

Starting with a detailed exploration of life-changing memories, we journey alongside Elliot through a life-long experience that's beautifully reflected in this memoir. It's a story of resilience and growth, a reminder that we all have the capacity to overcome challenges and find our true selves.

Elliot's story sheds light on the importance of not letting societal conditioning dictate who we are. We'll explore how being true to yourself can lead to living the life you've always wanted. From struggles to self-discovery, we will discover the impact of authenticity and self-acceptance and how these can help anyone take pivots at the most crucial moments.

And amidst it all, we'll touch on topics like community support, transitioning resources, and how parents can empower their children to express themselves.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

How to let go of self hate

How to appreciate your authenticity

How to develop self love

How to find your own voice

The importance of community support

The challenges when transitioning

How to deal with unsupportive people

This episode is not just about one person's journey; it's about the universal themes of self-love, acceptance, and the incredible strength of the human spirit.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:58 Elliot's Memory Exploration

03:46 Pageboy: A Memoir

06:16 Breaking The Mold Of Conditioned Reactions

07:41 Living Your Dream Life

09:28 Fighting to Function In Your Own Pace

10:26 Let People Be Themselves

13:08 How Transition Shapes Your Profession and Life

15:15 The Positives of Being Grounded And Present

18:20 The Significance of Community Support

20:16 Resources for Transitioning Individuals

23:19 How Parents Can Aid In Self-Expression

25:13 Misconceptions on Youth and Trans Health

28:43 Trans Men On Conversations About Masculinity

32:11 Empathetic Conversations With Other Trans People

38:09 Lessening the Burden of Feeling Alone

42:51 Connecting Through Stories

44:29 Balancing Alone Time And Forming Relationships

47:30 Living A Life With Limited Resources

51:40 Biographies And Intriguing Lives

53:04 Having A Moment Of Self Love

56:14 Elliot Page on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Elliot Page | Twitter

Elliot Page | Instagram

Elliot Page | Facebook

Pageboy: A Memoir

If you are interested in learning more in the topics we discussed today, below is a book list curated by Elliot Page:

A Trans Man Walks Into a Gay Bar, Harry Nicholas
Amateur, Thomas Page McBee
Bellies, Nicola Dinan
He/She/They, Schuyler Bailar
Miss Major Speaks, Miss Major and Toshio Meronek
None of the Above, Travis Alabanza
Redefining Realness, Janet Mock
Surpassing Certainty, Janet Mock
The Risk it Takes to Bloom, Raquel Willis
The Transgender Issue, Shon Faye
Transgender History, Susan Stryker
We Both Laughed in Pleasure, Lou Sullivan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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