The Importance of Sobriety

Sasha: I was scared because doing drag, it always opened up an opportunity for men to kind of come onto me. And I just wouldn't know what to do in that capacity. Calvin: My sobriety allowed me to get onto a stage and perform and then get off the stage and take off the eyelashes. To leave as Calvin, where back in the day it was fueled with the alcohol because I just wanted to stay as that person.

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In this episode, Sasha and Stella welcome Calvin Lunt, whose life journey encompasses a remarkable exploration of identity, the challenges of addiction and recovery, and a commitment to personal growth and spiritual wellness.

Growing up, Calvin was essentially a feminine gay boy, but never particularly gender dysphoric as a child. He became a dancer and later a drag queen. You’ll hear him share about the impact of his experiences as a mixed-raced kid from a working class family with a very chaotic upbringing. From experiencing shame-inducing events to undergoing a pendulum swing between extreme identities, Calvin digs deep into his complex relationship with his sexuality and his body. He also discusses how his role as a social media influencer with a significant following and exposure to the camera spotlight also impacted his sense of self. Additionally, his involvement in the gay party scene led him down a path of heavy drinking and drug use, further impacting his search for identity. At the age of 25, Calvin took a surprising turn in his journey by embracing gender transition. Two years later, influenced by his pursuit of sobriety and a realization that certain aspects of his identity were founded on falsehoods, he chose to detransition. Presently, Calvin works as a wellness coach, drawing from his encounters with spiritual practitioners across different parts of the world and his personal journey of recovery and healing. His training encompasses a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. And his story illuminates the profound journey of self-discovery, transformation, and healing.

Links:

Find Calvin on Instagram @calvinlunt

Becoming A Woman to Become A Man (Calvin’s Podcast)

https://open.spotify.com/show/5SYWRgcEvFnO0IHw5PBLFW?si=ed7578460935453d

Beauty School Cop Outs (MTV Show)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3364728/

Pete Burns’ Life in Pictures

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/pete-burns-life-in-pictures/image-gallery/36584e9eb07297799204e00637e87a11

If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:

Episode 3 - Feminine Boy to Gay Man: A conversation with Arty Morty

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/feminine-boy-to-gay-man-a-conversation-with-arty-morty

Episode 8 - TransGenerational Wisdom: a Conversation with Buck Angel