Jason Robert Ballard

[jasonrobertballard]

[transsource]

Forget Superman, Jason Robert Ballard is My Son's Hero

Jason Robert Ballard is my son’s hero.  He told me last night.

“Jason is my hero, I want to be just like him when I grow up. I think he’s amazing.”

It started with some throwback pictures, shared in a private group. I showed them to Jake, who was amazed at the transformation he saw.  I try to share positive images of people who have transitioned or who are in the process of transitioning with my son, because it is a part of who he is and an experience that I can’t recreate for him. I will show the same images and stories to my two year old, when he’s old enough, because I hope it will help him understand his older brother and be a better ally.

“Who is he?” Jake asked, so I clicked on the name, expecting to be taken to the Facebook timeline of just any other average person.

Except Jason isn’t any other average person.  He’s the CEO and Founder of FTM: Transculture Magazine, a magazine dedicated to the female to male culture. He was young, way too young to be the CEO and founder of a magazine. ftmmagazine

[jasonrobertballard]

So week three of working out and these are my results. I want to hold this up against week 5 and see where I am by then. I feel like in the mornings it's easier to see the change and my frame is starting to shape a bit more masculine.  I view those love handles as my feminine, womanly features and they make me anxious.  I don't know how long it'll take to get those to go away, or if they'll stay away as I age. The results I've started to see have really helped me push forward. It's mostly about eating ENOUGH rather then eating too much for me.

[jasonrobertballard]

Today I bought a couple of things to help me stay motivated to going to the gym.  Sam and I have decided to go after she gets out of work on Mondays and Wednesdays, and during the day on Tuesdays and Sundays when she's got off.

I think if we wrote down when we wanted to go then we'd have a schedule to stick to.  Today I'm going to design a work out routine so when I go, I feel like I've accomplished something.

I bought a pre-work out and post work out drink mix that tastes like Fruit Punch. I haven't really liked the chocolate ones.

I also bought lifting gloves and a locker lock for the locker room. 

I hope that having a schedule will help me pull this off, I don't want to have to get another surgery.

[jasonrobertballard]

I don't eat healthy... I'm actually kind of lazy lately and I know why.   I got a gym membership, and I started using it but whenever I use it a lot and start looking good, I know I still can't take my shirt off because there is still excess skin since my top surgery. If i can't see the results that I want to I don't keep putting the effort in and it's really hard.  I feel like trans men get judged on how hot they are by how muscular they are, and I'm trying to get there. I think that by documenting my steps to get to the body I want, I can hold myself accountable.

According to MyFitnessPal, this meal has 290 calories. Surprisingly I need to be eating more calories per day then I do. I typically only eat dinner and a small lunch around 2. 

I think taking pictures throughout the journey will help me stay on track.

[jasonrobertballard]

[jasonrobertballard]

Jason Robert Ballard of The Self Made Men

[jasonrobertballard]

Finally watching Orange is the New Black... All I can think about is how proud I am of Laverne and all she's accomplished and is accomplishing for the Transgender community. She's an inspiration to me to continue everything I'm doing and push harder because I have a voice and platform to speak on. This year we already have so many speaking engagements... UConn, University of Delaware, Cabrini College, a couple of churches even! and we just added someone to our staff that will help us schedule and do outreach to get more events. This year is going to be a great year for Transgender rights. 

[jasonrobertballard]

Scott, David and Jason Robert at the Empire State Pride Agenda Spring Dinner, 2013

[jasonrobertballard]

My face isn't scrunched up being I'm in the sun. It's that twisted feeling of powerful emotions that come straight into your eyes and makes you cry. 

I'm surrounded by Transgender activists, warriors as Janet Mocks put it. The majority of which I've spoken with, or would consider them close to me. During her speech this passed Tuesday at ESPA's Equality and Justice Day, Janet Mocks called all of us on the stage with her. To celebrate the people who dedicate their lives to fighting for equality and inclusion. I didn't stand up immeiately, I didn't think it was my place to... Until Rowan and his mother walked up on stage and Rowan pulled me up there with him. 

I don't know whether it was being up their with so many powerful voices, or Rowan's adamance about me being up there too, but I definitely cried.