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Elias Peace | Humankind ☮️

@thirdgenderathlete

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LPC-IT 🏵️ THiRD G3ND3R
🐆 Marathons: 12 of 26.2 in 2026
🐢 Masters: Counseling & Education
🐘 Mentorship: Coaching & Yoga
🦬 Movement: @gncmgmke

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~ 2 years since top surgery ~

Blessed is an understatement.

Stay grateful. 🏳️‍⚧️ taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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5 days ago

A little bit of a different share today. I took the month of August off of social media to dedicate some time back to meditation, processing, and grieving. I will make my way back into sharing some training updates this month as a prepare for a race in October!

I wrote this letter to myself the day after I found out that my mom would be moving out. It shifted my reality and plans for both immediate and distant future. I’ve taken some time now, and if I wrote this today, it might sound a little different.

All that being said, I’m really proud of myself for finding this inner voice. I have a best friend, a guide, a teacher, and companion all the time. I share this because it’s an iteration of ‘the empty chair technique’, an activity where a person shares what they need to for ease in a relationship with an empty chair, due to the person not being available in some way to engage in that dialogue together. This is what I was wishing I could hear from my mom.

We won’t always get the closure that we imagine from another person, and we can still find what we need for ourselves in our own process.

I have always felt more comfortable expressing myself in writing than in words, which is why I wrote this for myself. Over the years if I read back through my journals, I find one here or there, written for future me to find exactly when I need it.

Maybe this resonates with you and maybe not, that’s okay, too! I completed marathons 8 & 9 in August and I’m looking forward to turning up this month! Turning pain into passion. 🔥 taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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a month ago

~BrB - CrAsHiNg OuT~

Swipe all the way through to see the damage 😄 taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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2 months ago

Completed marathon 6 & 7 of the year since my last update. Ran my 7th half marathon of the year this morning. Considering testing my endurance and getting my 8th marathon in this weekend and running a 40+ mile week.

When I set a goal to run 1 marathon per month in 2026, I made the commitment so that I wouldn’t lose myself in the other battles that I am facing. Knowing that I have to keep myself in physical shape, keeps me being mindful of my sleep, nutrition, emotional stability, rest, and strength training. Honestly, trying to get bigger and stronger while running longer distances at faster paces has been quite the feat. Still have a few months left of this plan. I feel like I’m building a strong foundation for what’s to come.

Some recent unanticipated shifts in my life have me restructuring again. I’m redistributing my energy and I reached out for an update on my public service student loan forgiveness program. I have about 8.5/10 years of payments completed on my first round of student loans (65k). I decided to shift my focus in the next 2 years to paying off the rest of my graduate school student debt (25k) so that I can be debt free with a new found sense of freedom in a couple years. I am allowing myself to dream about what that future looks like, where it might take me, how I might get there.

Til then, doing my best to stay in the moment and have some fun along the way, even when it feels like I’m hustling all the time, even when sometimes it’s hard just to get out of bed. Meditation, movement, work, cook, eat, garden, clean, rest, sleep, repeat. (Play with dogs!) Going to keep prioritizing travel with other trans people in the mean time! 🏳️‍⚧️

My trans brothers and sisters, the pendulum is always going to swing back in the other direction, balance will be restored, and together, we will rise … 🙏🏼 taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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2 months ago

Thank you Puerto Rico for the warm welcome. 🇵🇷
Thank you to my friends @01ouka and @sophiph for sharing your home.
Thank you to @_reagin_ and @itsjust_me_samson for traveling together.

This was my first ‘friend trip’ ever. I met up with two other trans guys for the first time in May who I had been interacting with on the internet for the past couple of years. They supported me in my first ultra marathon in DC and we considered that we’d make a good team traveling together.

We set up a few video calls to collaborate and plan. When they suggested PR, I reached out to another trans friend who I knew living on the island. He offered us to join him for horseback riding, and then we planned some additional hiking, a boat ride, snorkeling, surfing, skim boarding, and meals. We visited San Juan, Luquillo, and Aguadilla.

More significant than the activities we enjoyed was the time spent and conversations had. We processed family life, transgender experience, neurodivergence, friendships, and relationships. We shared what’s brought us to where we are and expressed our dreams and hopes for future. I saw reflected back to me many of the characteristics that I love about myself, but sometimes forget to acknowledge. Through the reflection of good company, I was reminded of the good inside of me.

My friends are my role models and my inspiration. As many of you know, I keep to myself for the most part in my day to day. Social time can often feel demanding and overwhelming. We all did a really great job of creating space for each other to take care of ourselves and take time alone as needed. It was relieving to be accepted and seen just as I am.

I would like to continue to prioritize traveling with other trans masc friends. We discussed expanding our group for future trips and including the option for friends to bring partners, as well. A few of you have already reached out. Shoot me a message if it’s something you want to consider! We all paid our own way and split the trip evenly. I hope we can help make travel feel safe and accessible for everybody.

My heart both feels full and a sense of yearning for more.
Trusting the timing. 🙏🏼 🌊 🏝️ 🏔️ taken in El Yunque Rainforest, Puerto Rico by @thirdgenderathlete

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3 months ago

🌈 H A P P Y • P R I D E 🌈

A few from the last month and then a lil journey through time to show my growth throughout the past six years. Still very much the same person. I don’t have many photos before then, simply because I ran out of storage space and deleted all my old stuff. Regardless, I’m very proud of what it’s taken to get me here! Thanks everyone for your support and I hope that you’re celebrating yourself this month.

19 years of being out as queer ✨
3 years of being out as transgender
2.5 years on testosterone
1.5 years since top surgery

~currently feeling GAY as ever~

Running marathon 6 of 12 for the year tomorrow. Crazy that I’m halfway to this goal. Running 26.2 miles has started to feel anticlimactic and that’s insane to me! I recently started a new gym membership, joined a run club, and found a yoga studio for practice. I transitioned my meals to be more aligned with the warmer seasons and planned a trip with some new friends! Rising earlier and hoping to catch some sunrises soon. I’m grateful for my growing awareness of how to shift when change is needed. Staying focused and doing my best to stay present.

Always remembering,
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷
the best days are yet to come. taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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4 months ago

🌸 C h A n G e S ~a R e~ C o M i N g 🌸

In order to come back up from my own experience with rock bottom, it’s meant a lot of putting my head down and working in silence. Relying on myself. Testing my strength. Reimagining my capabilities. It’s also meant a lot of shedding, releasing habits, people, behaviors, and environments that are no longer resonating with me.

Sometimes, it feels like I’m constantly starting over. To be fair, I guess I am. It’s a necessary part of getting from where I’ve been to where I’m going. In moments like this, I have a tendency to run. Not just physically but also geographically. That’s not an option for me right now, as I’m locked into my employment, clinical supervision, and family responsibilities in Milwaukee. Letting go while remaining in the same place has challenged me to move with integrity and remain steady, even when it feels lonely.

Many of you have reached out for an update on my mom and I just wanted to reassure you that she’s still here living with me and she’s still on her journey with recovery. I realized that her story is not mine to tell, which is a big reason why I’ve been so quiet here. I always wanna keep it real and it’s taken all of my attention to care for matters at home.

Day to day, it feels like I’m spinning on the hamster wheel. I have been using the dopamine from my monthly marathons as a reward system for commitment and dedication to my sobriety and my mental health. I’m a person who craves intensity, whether that be through movement, connection, ritual, travel, music, backpacking, meditation, etc.

I’m continuing to learn how to exist in the lull in between. I have been limiting my spending so that I can eventually move my mom and I out of the Midwest and to a place that will be more supportive to both of our needs. For now, this is it for us. I’m grateful for a roof over our heads, food in our cupboards, and family nearby who care for us.

Today I took some photos to remind myself that I do in fact still exist in physical form. I know that things are always going to shift and I’m going to get out of this lil funk. I have no idea what that looks like or where I’m headed, but I know it’s coming…✨ taken in Milwaukee Lakefront by @thirdgenderathlete

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4 months ago

Life lately:

Ran 47 miles around DC yesterday with a little over nine hours of movement and kept up a pace of 11:50/mile throughout that time. This was my first ultra and I’m really excited about the results!

Best part of this trip was def meeting @itsjust_me_samson and @_reagin_ ! Thank you for your support and shared vulnerability throughout the weekend together. Dare I say that it was very healing to spend time with you two. 🥹

Some photos also from my recent trip to Northern Minnesota with my dad where I was reminded how much I love running through the woods. I miss the mountains and look forward to returning soon to explore with my crazy friend @ubuntay !

For now, long distance running will have to do. Day to day operations have been quite monotonous at home. Wake up, movement activity of choice, dog walk/run, lunch, work sessions out in the community, meal prep, case notes, sleeping early on a regular schedule. Teaching yoga. Facilitating group. Spending time with family.

I’m reminded how a lil trip can be a good reset and doing something I’ve never done before can have me feeling inspired and hopeful. Staying open to whatever is coming. 🌷 taken in Washington D. C. by @thirdgenderathlete

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5 months ago

✅ Marathon 4 of 12 for 2026!

Today was Milwaukee Marathon and I decided not to register because there were only options for male/female and to put it plainly I just am not feeling that right now! I haven’t done a gender update in a minute and I relate to a lot of you on here through your shared experiences.

I’ve recently been feeling extra non-binary and I am loving it! I left the woman box and tried to put myself in a man box and that is just not it for me lmao! Only took me being around more cis men to realize I appreciate them for who they are and for me personally, I’m not that, and don’t want to be that. Everyone’s experience is unique and this is just where I’m at right now.

I hope to see more opportunities for non-binary people to compete with one another. I have been advocating for non-binary climbing categories at our local gym where I teach yoga and facilitate queer/trans yoga. There has been an attack in the climbing community on transgender women and there should be an opportunity for everyone to compete. If you ever want to attend an event I am posting about and need funds, send me a message!

I have been continuing to educate myself on LGBTQ+ healthcare and the history of racism in healthcare so that I can help to share that information with others and consider how I can move with humility in my practices and lifestyle.

I’ve been keeping my life simple (kind of). Eating well, sleeping well, setting boundaries, (still celibate), running a ton, resting as needed, climbing, and I started a free movement group for people who don’t conform to gender norms. I’ve been spending one weekend a month in Madison with my nieces and nephew. I’m hoping to make more time for building trans/non-binary in person community.

For another time, my heart is breaking for the state of the world and actions taken by the US government and Israel. I will keep doing my part in the communities that I have the opportunity to impact. Maybe one day we can all see beyond the made up rules and consider what’s best for everyone in the world, for our earth, our children, and future generations. Keep taking care of yourselves. With love.

🌎 still listening to Justin every race by @thirdgenderathlete

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6 months ago

I’m smiling here to keep my page looking inviting and friendly but let me kindly acknowledge that the world is on fire and I am not complicit with the actions of the United States Government and Israel.

Now that that’s out of the way, finished marathon 3/12 for 2026 today in 29 degree weather. Took about 10 minutes off my time from four weeks ago and even got a sub 2 hour half marathon done in between the two.

This past month, I officially became an LPC-IT (Licensed Professional Counselor-In Training). I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to meet people where they are at and learn from them while they find their way. My work is different. I used to allow fear of being perceived a ‘white savior’ to stop me from speaking out on injustices. A friend recently suggested that I learn about white abolitionists. I have worked through my personal shame of my European ancestry so that I can take responsibility for what has placed me in the place that I am in today. I hope that we can all take steps to decolonize our minds and practices.

I am not perfect in my role of being human or worker. I make many mistakes and have really learned what it means to experience discomfort. The more I sit with discomfort, the more I see the lesson in it. I am reaching out to new teachers, learning from people outside of my race, and doing my best to distribute my wealth in a way that aligns with my values.

Ya’ll for the first time ever in the history of all time, we are all directly connected on a global level. Do you realize that? Yes many of these apps are run by the elite, human eating, billionaires, AND, we also have these platforms to connect with nearly every human being in the world. I show up here vulnerably so that people can remember the essence of true humanity and our true and deep connection to one another and the planet. We need to see a global uprising and we as United States citizens need to take care of what’s happening here from the inside.

Anyway, I am limiting Instagram to weekends for now. I will post updates on classes that I am teaching and my monthly marathons. Feel free to reach out for my phone number. 🫶🏼

Swipe to last slide for 3 coyotes. taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by @thirdgenderathlete

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7 months ago

02/01/2026
26.21 miles
4:35 time
23 degrees

Training to outrun ICE. Full moon in Leo. The Fool.

In case it wasn’t clear, I will always stand up for all of my neighbors. I’m going to remain more quiet on here to create space to amplify other voices. Just know that I’m out there in the street with you, and I will always fight for you. I am with the resistance and will always be on the side of the oppressed. Until everyone is free! ✊🏼

✅ 2/12 Marathons in Milwaukee 2026 taken in Milwaukee Lakefront by @thirdgenderathlete

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8 months ago

Swipe to the end for a video and important message! 😝
1/1/2026 - 13 degrees F
26.2 miles - full marathon
4:32 - time

I’m gonna move in a little more silence this year. 📺
Integrity | Brahmacharya | Pratyahara
Love you all. Happy new year. Keep expanding your vision.🌈

P.S. Ya’ll REALLY slept on @lilbieber album drop this year. taken in Milwaukee Lakefront by @thirdgenderathlete

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9 months ago