Michelle Marez was raised in Pueblo， a culturally diverse town in Southern Colorado。 She is half Slavic and half Hispanic。 With both cultures having deep roots that rarely cross over， she felt that she never truly belonged to anyone。

Michelle's story is about navigating many identities while keeping painful secrets。 The identities were like costumes， worn one over the next。 These costumes became so heavy and itchy that she finally took them all off and exposed her true self。 It took a devastating discovery to begin the painful work that leads her to love， belonging， freedom， and happiness。

This is her journey。