Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Macallan
Hi Leo , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a content creator began two years ago when I posted an emotional video in my car about the challenges I faced as a stealth trans man in a blue collar industry. To my surprise the video went viral, so I decided to keep sharing about my life story and transition. I’ve had a pretty wild existence up until now, and those encounters and life lessons have led me to navigate my storytelling in a really vulnerable way. That authenticity, even when it felt terrifying, truly helped me connect and form the community I have now. Today, my account has become a welcoming space with over 200 million views and 860,000+ followers.
As I share my story, I also encourage and advise trans men on how to redefine masculinity in ways that emphasize compassion and strength without the stereotypes. My mission is to create an inclusive space where people can explore self-acceptance and assign value to their own unique journey. By tackling these topics, I hope to provide insights that will empower others to navigate their worlds authentically. I want them to know they’re not alone in this.
I also do my best to focus on uplifting queer individuals who are navigating the world and their own struggles with self-worth and confidence. Many of us have come from family environments that didn’t celebrate us and realistically did so much more harm than good. I want to teach them to culminate a positive self-concept and really drive home how sacred they are. I hope that with my help they’ll realize that there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. And that they are entitled to happiness just as much as everyone else. It is our birthright.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life hasn’t been easy, but it’s made me who I am. I’ve encountered boundless criticism, years of emotional abuse and rejection from family, financial hardship, isolation, self hatred and subsequent negative coping mechanisms, all of it. I understand that these experiences are widely common, oftentimes much worse, and I do everything I can to help others climb their way out. I want to be the one holding a flashlight at the bottom of that dark cave. I know how it feels to sit in an echoing emptiness within yourself, desperate for some connection and support from someone who understands.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I already spoke about most of this, so I’ll just say what I’m proud of.
1.) I’m proud of how many lives I’ve reached. I get emails every day, especially from parents of transgender kids. They explain to me how much I’ve helped them understand what their kids are gong through, and how to navigate a situation that is often times so heartbreaking and confusing for them, even with the best of intentions. I get thousands of messages from transgender kids and adults themselves, who are almost always navigating an even more heartbreaking and isolating experience than everyone else involved.
I’ve reached entire families. The concept of me being the topic of conversation in someone’s living room makes me so emotional. The fact they’ve told me I’ve saved lives. It’s something to be proud of.
2.) I’ve created merch brand that celebrates transgender folks in a way that hasn’t been done before. I brought my background in horsemanship paired with my love for all things Western to my fiancee (who is an incredible textile designer) and together we created a brand. Our vintage rodeo theme bears the title “Real Rough Stock,” because that’s what I’ve always considered my community. We come from real rough stock. The sheer grit it takes to be unapologetically who you are is something to be proud of. (The link has been pasted in the link section! We’d love any and all attention on this!)
3.) I’m proud of showcasing the love and resilience I share with my fiancee. We have overcome multitudes, both together and apart, and we now pride ourselves in showing other queer people that there is hope, and that we are all deserving of loving companionship, consideration, and devotion.
4.) I’m proud of the speaking engagements I’ve been able to participate in to educate those who aren’t as familiar with the “T” in LGBTQ. It feels so rewarding to reach people and see the ripple effect of tolerance and understanding it has on those around them. It’s important for others to see that transgender people are living, breathing, human beings with incredible souls, hearts, and minds. Not just two dimension political topics of debate.
Pricing:
- 3500 per Tiktok or Instagram advertisement
- 5000 for speaking engagements at schools, corporate spaces, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegravelbro?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegravelbro/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegravelbro
- Other: https://leo-macallan.printify.me/products
