Caitlyn Jenner is opening up about transitioning.
The 70-year-old former Olympian penned an essay for Women’s Health‘s 2020 Pride Month coverage, out now.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Caitlyn Jenner
“By the time I was 9 years old, I was struggling with my gender identity. I would sneak into my mother and sister’s closets when nobody was around to try on their clothes, or go play with their makeup. I had no idea why I was doing it; it just felt right. I also struggled with dyslexia, which was kind of a double-whammy. I was scared to go to school and be asked to read in front of the class; I would sit there with sweaty palms,” she wrote.
“Looking back, I think that sports meant more to me than the next person. I needed sports more to prove to myself that I could be good at something, and I worked a little harder than I think I would have if I hadn’t been struggling.”
She went on to discuss her experience at the Olympics.
“During my Olympic training, I was so far away from Caitlyn. I honestly just ignored my gender issues the best I could. But it was always present. When you suffer from gender dysphoria, it’s not something you can take two aspirin for, get plenty of sleep, wake up the next morning, and everything’s fine. You’re just kind of stuck with it. I didn’t understand it, and I didn’t know what was going on with me. But it was also my dyslexia and gender issues that made me an Olympic champion. I channeled my struggles to drive and push me. Now, I see those issues as my gift,” she went on to say.
“When I was young, I felt I couldn’t do anything about my gender dysphoria. Back then, I could never have envisioned a future for myself as happy as I am now. I have no regrets about my life…no matter your situation, there’s no right or wrong way to come out. But now, I wake up in the morning, and I look in the mirror, and everything finally feels like it’s in the right place. I’m not struggling anymore. I’m happy.”
Caitlyn also recently said this about transitioning in the public eye five years ago.
For more from Caitlyn, head to WomensHealthMag.com.