Jaxon Feeley: From Prison Officer to Trans Advocate and Doing it Scared

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Jaxon Feeley, former prison officer, public speaker, and trans advocate, for a powerful and deeply human conversation about courage, visibility, and doing it scared.Jaxon opens up about his life before and after transition, from working in the prison service to walking back through the gates as “Mr Feeley.” He shares how he found the strength to come out publicly, the moment he told his family they could have “a dead daughter or a living son,” and why he believes fear and bravery can exist in the same breath.From battling stigma to embracing authenticity, Jaxon’s story is one of resilience, vulnerability, and relentless hope. His mantra, “do it scared,” is a reminder that courage does not mean being fearless; it means showing up anyway.Chapters00:00 Queer Panic Rapid Fire03:35 Childhood and Early Identity08:42 Transitioning and Authenticity13:21 Family Dynamics and Support18:32 Working in a Prison Environment23:22 Reality TV Experiences28:38 Living Authentically in the World34:10 The Intensity of Reality TV34:56 Balancing Multiple Roles37:08 Finding Daily Happiness39:11 Navigating Loneliness in the Spotlight41:39 The Importance of Social Media Breaks43:27 The Thrill of Hunted: A Unique Experience56:06 The Impact of Representation in Media59:17 Introducing 'Fear Proof': A New Book01:03:38 Advice for the Younger SelfConnect with Ben Cicchetti:Website - https://www.queertalker.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchettiTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchettiConnect from Jaxon Feeley:Website - https://jaxonfeeley.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jaxryderfeeley