Being the Person I Once Needed By Kayson Taber
I came out as transgender in September of 2019, right around my 17th birthday. A few months later I started testosterone in April of 2020, smack bang in the middle of the COVID lockdowns. It was a weird time to go through such a personal transformation. On one hand, the world was shut down, so I had space to grow privately. On the other hand, I felt pretty disconnected from everything and everyone.
That isolation did lead me to something unexpected: fitness. I picked up my first dumbbell at home, unsure of what I was doing, and haven’t looked back since. Lifting weights became my outlet, my therapy, and a way to shape the masculine version of myself I’d always seen in my head. It gave me confidence, calmed my anxiety and helped ease a lot of the dysphoria I’d been battling quietly for years.
Fitness also gave me purpose. These days, I’m really open about being a trans lifter because I know how hard it is to be that scared kid who doesn’t know where to start. I want to be visible, not for attention, but for the next trans person who just needs to know they’re not alone.
Of course, being open has come at a cost. I’ve lost some friends along the way. But I’ve also found my people. And those people have made all the difference.
When I joined Hudson Mitre 10 a few years back, I started in the Frame & Truss factory. It was physical work, and a great way to understand the process from the ground up. Over time, I moved into the office, where I now juggle admin, quoting, a bit of detailing and I’ve taken on the role of safety champion. Every day’s a little different, and that’s what I love about it.
As a trans guy working in hardware (which is still a male-dominated industry) I honestly expected things to be… tougher. But my experience has been really normal. And I mean that in the best way. No weird looks. No whispers. Just people treating me like me. Sometimes there are questions, and I’m totally okay with that. I’d rather people ask and learn than make assumptions. That’s how change happens.
At first, though, I felt pretty out of place. I had spent most of my life around women, so being suddenly surrounded by men every day brought up a lot of feelings. I isolated myself a bit. I didn’t know how to act or whether I’d be accepted.
But once I opened up and shared who I really was, things shifted. There was this weight that lifted. I felt seen. Safe. Like I could finally just be, without it being a “thing.” I’m incredibly grateful for the people at Hudson Mitre 10 who embrace me with respect and curiosity, it’s taught me that there are good people and safe workplaces for those going through their gender journey.
That’s why I’m sharing this. Not for sympathy or applause. But because I know there are others in our community who still feel that weight. Who feel like they don’t belong. And if telling my story helps just one person feel a little more at ease, then it’s worth it.
Psychological safety at work isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real and it’s necessary. When people feel unsafe, they shrink. They doubt themselves. They stop showing up as their full selves, and that hurts everyone.
We can all play a role in changing that. Listen without judgment. Be curious, not critical. Respect each other’s stories, even if they’re different from your own. Because every time we make space for someone to feel safe, we build a better place to work. For everyone.
