Mel Batterman 2025 Simply SEEN Participant
Mel Batterman (he/him) is a proud trans man who came out at 48 - a moment that marked not the beginning, but the continuation of a lifelong journey toward truth and self-acceptance. From an early age, Mel knew he was a boy, even when the world around him refused to see it. Despite enduring childhood neglect, abuse, and being told he was “not enough,” he held onto a quiet conviction: there was more to life, and he would be the one to create it.
Unfortunately, despite his drive to experience more than his childhood represented, he entered into a relationship that lasted 18 years. During this relationship, he continuously tried to express his truth, only to be met with rejection. Every few months, he would bring up the conversation about who he truly was, hoping for acceptance that never came. Unknowingly repeating patterns of his childhood, Mel stayed, trying to fix what could not be fixed and slowly losing himself in the process. The emotional toll was immense. He faced deep depression and thoughts of suicide, but after many bouts of therapy and profound inner work, he finally broke free. That liberation opened the door to the moment he came out as his authentic self - and to the life he was always meant to live.
Today, Mel has found peace, purpose, and love. He now shares life with a woman who embraces every part of who he is and who he continues to become - a partnership grounded in acceptance, honesty, and growth.
Professionally, Mel has spent decades in the health and wellness industry, dedicating his life to helping others heal and thrive. He owns a coaching company that guides individuals toward lasting transformation, as well as a business advisory agency that supports small business owners in creating aligned, sustainable success. His work embodies his conviction that strength, empathy, and authenticity are the fundamental pillars of both wellness and leadership.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mel is a lifelong athlete who has competed semi-professionally in mountain biking, road cycling, and obstacle course racing. Each race - and each season of his life - has been a testament to his endurance, grit, and refusal to quit, no matter how steep the climb.
Coming out as trans cost Mel many friends and family connections, but it also gave him something far greater - peace. Today, he stands confidently in his truth, aware of the privilege and responsibility that come with "Simply Being Seen".
Through his portrait, Mel hopes to remind others that being trans is not a limitation or a loss - it’s a reclamation. “We are not broken,” he says. “We are human. And we are worthy - every single one of us.”