Episode Seventeen: Coming Home to Yourself

In this unforgettable episode of Give It To Me Strait, we sit down with Shawn Lim, queer and gender fluid founder, creator, podcaster, and writer behind @mediumshawn, for a raw and deeply moving conversation about identity, resilience, and the courage to live authentically.Shawn’s story begins in their teenage years. Arrested twice by the age of sixteen, involved in gang fights, and familiar with detention, caning, and time in a boys’ home, their early life was marked by anger, confusion, and survival. These experiences would later shape their understanding of self, masculinity, and belonging, forming the foundation of a journey few would expect.In this episode, Shawn reflects on discovering their sexuality, coming to terms with being gender fluid and pansexual, and the emotional weight of living a life that did not fully align with who they were. They speak candidly about moments of deep shame, despair, and the time they came heartbreakingly close to ending their own life.What ultimately changed everything was love and acceptance. Shawn shares how the unwavering support of their wife became the powerful force behind their decision to come out and live honestly. Today, as a parent, they explain why embracing their identity is essential not just for themselves, but for how they and their wife raise their child, and for the values they hope to pass on.This is a tear jerking, honest conversation about healing, parenthood, and choosing to stay. A story of survival, growth, and authenticity that stays with you long after the episode ends.Content note: This episode discusses self harm and suicide.