exclusive TV interview on Täistund
in this candid interview with the show "Täistund", somatic coach and trans woman Joelle Marcelle shares her journey from the role of an identical triplet to authentic femininity. she explains the role of somatics in unmasking and trusting her body's wisdom amidst rigid societal expectations.
originally published on the Kanal 2 show “Täistund”, which interviewed Joelle Marcelle about her journey as a trans woman, somatic bodywork, and living in an authentic body.
in this “Täistund” interview, Joelle Marcelle — somatic coach, bodyworker, trans woman, and former identical triplet — shares her personal story of gender transition, the challenges associated with it, and why we don’t have to fit into society’s rigid gender boxes.
what you will hear in this conversation
dreaming under the blanket as a child and collective gender — Joelle shares a memory of how, even as a young child, she wanted to be a woman with long blonde hair. growing up as an identical triplet in Estonia, gender was always collective (“we are brothers”), which made it hard for her to admit who she really was. additionally, constant media attention and being active in the Christian community didn’t leave her much room to discover her true identity.
masking as compensation and compassion for the past self — looking at photos from ten years ago, Joelle doesn’t feel shame, but rather compassion and care. due to social expectations and internal fear, she performed a hyper-masculine role — it was her way of surviving and coping at the time.
experimenting with gender expression in Nashville and breaking free from denial — although years earlier Joelle was filled with so much anxiety that she even blocked her trans friend on social media, while living in Nashville, US, she ordered the first feminine clothes for herself. but it was only later that she started coming out to her friends, creating a private Instagram where she shared her makeup and clothing experimentation with them.
somatics as listening to the body and letting go — during the interview, Joelle demonstrates how a somatics helps us listen to our body’s truth. instead of holding onto things or forcing ourselves to change — whether it’s setting boundaries or discovering our identity — somatics teaches us to hold these parts tenderly, letting the body open up naturally. the host, Brita, receives a full somatic bodywork session, working with her ability to say “no” and set boundaries.
why trans people frighten society — they discuss why trans people provoke anger in many and whether Joelle feels safe living in Estonia. Joelle explains that trans people shake up the rigid gender roles and force others to look in the mirror, asking what their own relationship is with their gender expression and body.
a message to loved ones: your grief is okay, but don’t put it on your trans loved one’s shoulders — Joelle shares important advice for loved ones whose friend or family member has come out of the closet. it’s okay to feel sadness and grief, but one shouldn’t expect their trans or queer loved one to start regulating your emotions, because sharing one’s truth already requires so much energy and courage.
watch the full conversation
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