Summary   In this episode of Out Late with David, Bill Schroeder shares his transformative journey of coming out as a gay man at the age of 60 after 37 years of marriage. He reflects on the feelings of fear and authenticity that led him to finally embrace his true self. Bill discusses the emotional challenges he faced, the reactions of his family, and the importance of self-discovery. He emphasizes that it's never too late to live authentically and offers advice for others who may be struggling with their identity.   Keywords   coming out, LGBTQ, authenticity, self-discovery, family dynamics, life coaching, personal growth, emotional journey, gay men, late life coming out   Takeaways   - Turning 60 was a pivotal moment for Bill. - He felt his life was fake before coming out. - Fear of losing family and friends kept him in the closet. - Bill's camping trip was a time for deep reflection. - His ex-wife's support was crucial for his journey. - Family reactions varied, with his daughter initially upset. - Bill's son took time to accept his father's new identity. - He found a sense of belonging in the LGBTQ community. - Authenticity has brought him peace and happiness. - Bill encourages others to take baby steps in their journey.  Sound Bites   "I wanted to feel more authentic." "I could have done this 10 years ago." "Fear kept me in the closet for years."   Chapters   00:00 A Turning Point at 60 12:40 The Journey of Coming Out 19:55 Authenticity and Self-Discovery 22:09 Advice for Others in the Closet   Podcast website and resources: https://www.outlatewithdavid.com/   YouTube Edition:  https://youtu.be/9TEPfX13JB8   YouTube Channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsthP9yClKI4o5LxbuQnOg   Certified Professional Life Coach, David Cotton:  https://www.davidcottoncoaching.com/   Contact me:  mailto:david@davidcottoncoaching.com https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazY4U004NGpVT3Q1SGVhYmxZSUs2a0txdFRHUXxBQ3Jtc0ttOE51VU9CeXRxY3htejdQTHpPbWFYdGkyd2o1dklsZUxYTnhtWUd1T010T2RWSU1famo4a0ctdjdyZldYWUtZcTNRemMzT1hrd2t4OWdyRURBRmxGTlA1ZmNzVXl3Sjd2LVZRUnQ0dGhMNGdoenp3Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.DavidCottonCoaching.com%2F&v=HNGYxa-fGt8 https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmhiSjNUUkxqbDFNcW80RHNWV1REeF9HdHlyUXxBQ3Jtc0tuRUFmdFhxMmV2Q2tfeThyQmxlLWJQVHdnelFoY3V4TXpXUS15SFFVRG9QRVdsank0enlNOUwzazB2dnh4TDBHTnUwaHM0X3ZoUXMtM3NIOEprektlUzRuUHBkUU1KZUNLQWtRcXVSODJqU2tkc1RBTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.OutLateWithDavid.com%2F&v=HNGYxa-fGt8 https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFE5UmRKZHUzM0tsQ0djUW9kVk9RNkFtYWJzUXxBQ3Jtc0tramo3ZnNjSE9raEhvN01pS0xhU0VlZ2l0RnhCNE1yZlo4azJsR1h5aGNJSDllQ0lYUXRFMHpSYVVHM1RzdTlZTnlvcFZ5Q0NZb3RuNkQ3eFVGa01yWHNmaU9aQTJKN0drbjBrTWpqdGJJQkJ1WkRJQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fdavidacotton&v=HNGYxa-fGt8   © 2025 David Cotton Coaching, LLC. All rights reserved. The "Out Late With David" podcast and its content are the property of David Cotton Coaching, LLC. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from David Cotton Coaching, LLC is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to "Out Late With David" and David Cotton Coaching, LLC with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Summary   At age 67, Wendy Cole transitioned from male to female after a lifetime of hiding her true identity. In this candid conversation, Wendy shares the emotional cost of repression, her turning point in 2014, and how she found joy, health, and purpose by finally embracing who she is. Now a mentor and advocate, Wendy is helping others navigate their own gender journeys and working to humanize what it means to be transgender.   Keywords   transgender, coming out, identity, support, mental health, community, authenticity, transition, LGBTQ+, personal growth   Takeaways   - Wendy transitioned male to female at age 67. - She felt a lifelong sense of not belonging. - Gender identity is formed in the brain during the second trimester. - Wendy faced significant societal and familial pressure to conform. - She repressed her identity for decades due to fear and shame. - The DSM's classification of LGBTQ+ identities has evolved over time. - Wendy found support and community later in life. - She emphasizes the importance of living authentically. - Wendy's mission is to educate others about transgender experiences. - It's never too late to pursue one's true identity. Sound Bites   - "I was punished for breaking my glasses." - "I was taken to a psychiatrist." - "I was threatened with being committed." - "I couldn't take it anymore." - "I was doing this out of survival." - "I was pretty much on my own." - "I was going to do this for me." - "It's never too late to take charge." Audio Chapters   00:00  Wendy's Journey of Self-Discovery 11:58  The Struggles of Repression and Acceptance 22:15  Transitioning and Finding Community 32:29  Living Authentically and Educating Others   More About Wendy Cole:    - http://meetwendycole.com/ - https://wendycolegtm.net/category/podcasts/ - Demystifying the Transgender Journey Podcast: https://wendycolegtm.net/episode-001-demystifying-this-podcast/ Podcast website and resources: https://www.outlatewithdavid.com/   YouTube Edition:    https://youtu.be/eU5v97dHNIs YouTube Channel:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsthP9yClKI4o5LxbuQnOg   Certified Professional Life Coach, David Cotton:  https://www.davidcottoncoaching.com/   Contact David:  - mailto:david@davidcottoncoaching.com - https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazY4U004NGpVT3Q1SGVhYmxZSUs2a0txdFRHUXxBQ3Jtc0ttOE51VU9CeXRxY3htejdQTHpPbWFYdGkyd2o1dklsZUxYTnhtWUd1T010T2RWSU1famo4a0ctdjdyZldYWUtZcTNRemMzT1hrd2t4OWdyRURBRmxGTlA1ZmNzVXl3Sjd2LVZRUnQ0dGhMNGdoenp3Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.DavidCottonCoaching.com%2F&v=HNGYxa-fGt8 - https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmhiSjNUUkxqbDFNcW80RHNWV1REeF9HdHlyUXxBQ3Jtc0tuRUFmdFhxMmV2Q2tfeThyQmxlLWJQVHdnelFoY3V4TXpXUS15SFFVRG9QRVdsank0enlNOUwzazB2dnh4TDBHTnUwaHM0X3ZoUXMtM3NIOEprektlUzRuUHBkUU1KZUNLQWtRcXVSODJqU2tkc1RBTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.OutLateWithDavid.com%2F&v=HNGYxa-fGt8 - https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFE5UmRKZHUzM0tsQ0djUW9kVk9RNkFtYWJzUXxBQ3Jtc0tramo3ZnNjSE9raEhvN01pS0xhU0VlZ2l0RnhCNE1yZlo4azJsR1h5aGNJSDllQ0lYUXRFMHpSYVVHM1RzdTlZTnlvcFZ5Q0NZb3RuNkQ3eFVGa01yWHNmaU9aQTJKN0drbjBrTWpqdGJJQkJ1WkRJQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Fdavidacotton&v=HNGYxa-fGt8   © 2025 David Cotton Coaching, LLC. All rights reserved. The "Out Late With David" podcast and its content are the property of David Cotton Coaching, LLC. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from David Cotton Coaching, LLC is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to "Out Late With David" and David Cotton Coaching, LLC with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.