'Tears of joy': Former WWE wrestler embraces gender transition
Former WWE star Gabbi Tuft has revealed she is transgender, showing off her ‘thrilling story of gender transitioning’ in a series of posts on Instagram.
Tuft, who wrestled in the WWE from 2007 to 2014 under the name Tyler Reks, initially announced the news via a press release but elaborated further on her journey on social media.
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“Gabbi is about to share her thrilling story of gender transitioning from a former WWE Superstar, Body Builder, Fitness Guru, Motivational Speaker and Motorcycle Racer to a fun-loving and fabulous female,” the release reads.
“She has been finally set free and is ready to rule her world.”
In a separate post on Instagram, Tuft shared a photo of herself side by side with one from her wrestling days and elaborated on the journey of her gender transition.
“This is me. Unashamed, unabashedly me. This is the side of me that has hidden in the shadows, afraid and fearful of what the world would think; afraid of what my family, friends, and followers would say or do,” Tuft wrote.
“However, the day I stopped caring about what other people thought, was the day I truly became limitless and allowed my authentic self to come into the light.
“My loving wife, family, and closest friends have accepted me for who I am.
“To them, I am forever grateful. Your support along the way means more than you will ever know.”
Former WWE wrestler Gabbi Tuft’s gender transition
Tuft had been building up to the announcement of her transition on Instagram for several days, and posted once again after the news broke.
The 42-year-old said she had been ‘showered with an unimaginable amount of love’ as a result of her announcement.
“As I write this my eyes are welling up with uncontrollable tears of joy,” Tuft wrote.
“The incredible outpouring of support from thousands of people I’ve never met is an illustration of just how much love there is in this world.
“Yesterday, as I fully embraced my authentic self, neighbours went out of their way to ring my doorbell and drop off cards, flowers, and give hugs and support; I was showered with an unimaginable amount of love and encouragement every time I picked up my phone; and my uncontrollable smile you saw yesterday was directly from my soul.
“As I walked to my neighbour’s house yesterday, and for the first time since I began my transition, instead of walking with my head down in fear – I held it high, my fingers were no longer clenched and hiding my nails, and my hair was no longer hiding my face.
“Thank you to everyone that has reached out in support. You have reaffirmed what I already knew, which is that we as humans truly are beings of love and light. Thank you for seeing my heart. I love you all and I am grateful beyond words for each and every one of you.”
After leaving the WWE in the mid-2010s, Tuft started a fitness company with her wife Priscilla and helped raise their nine-year-old daughter Mia.
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