22. Oliver Davies: Healing Through Detransition

Ollie had no history of childhood gender dysphoria. But he was lonely, nihilistic, troubled by a legacy of intergenerational trauma he hadn’t yet unpacked, and reckless with his health. In his 20’s, toxic social influences exploited this vulnerability, in combination with Ollie’s guilt over being a man in the #metoo era, naturally fluid gender expression, and increasingly radical political worldview. Several of Ollie's peers offered their opinion that he was trans. One day, an acquaintance asked an unsolicited question: "you're trans, right?" and he thought, "that makes sense.”  Thus began several years of living an exhausting and regrettable lie that eventually fell apart, taking many aspects of his belief system with it.Now 34, his heart is healing and his worldview has matured. Ollie wants to have a family with the love of his life, but cross-sex hormones have permanently ruined his fertility. Yet the clinicians - psychiatrist, endocrinologist and general practioner - who enabled this expressed no remorse when confronted.Listen as Ollie bravely shares intimate details of his story that breaks and warms the heart all at once. This is one of the most touching conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date, and I am honored to be able to share it with you.Oliver Davies is an Australian man born in regional Victoria and now living Melbourne. He lives with his partner and two high-maintenance dogs. Oliver is passionate about history, computing, childhood development, and spirituality. He identified as a trans woman from January 2015 to early 2021. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★