In this episode of “Seeking Voices of Health, Healing and Hope“, my guest is a man named Kyler Pettry. Kyler is a fabulous person that I have been lucky to know. I met Kyler as my massage therapist—the best massage of my life by the way. He quickly became my friend and someone that I have learned so much from. What I love is that the person that I first met is hardly the person that I know now.
Kyler has been many things in his life: a massage therapist, an artist, a minister, an unrepentant nerd and aspiring academic/theologian. He is the go-to friend for so many and knows more about most things than the smartest people that I know.
Kyler and I spoke about so many things. Here are some of the highlights?
- How would you describe yourself? What makes you you?
- I have known you a long time, you always seem self-assured, confident, you know who you are. Has it always been that way?
- You identify as a gay man, what was that like growing up in rural Florida? How did you family react?
- How do you deal with the stigmas that go along with being gay? In a time where there is so much GAY pride. But then there are others who feel it is too much. Especially in a time where Florida has the “don’t say gay” bill.
- Tell me about your weight. I know this has been part of your adult life but when did your eating become an issue?
- Why do you think you became overweight?
- What was it like to be large in a world that celebrates skinniness? How did the world’s view affect you?
- Why do you think we stigmatize people as youths? As kids we make fun of the people who are different; yet we tell people to embrace differences.
- How did you learn to be strong?
- What would you say to your younger self?
- I have always seen you as an optimistic, positive, fun-loving person—something that I admire. You have had your share of hurdles to overcome. How do you keep hopeful and so positive? What gives you the light in your life?
