In an increasingly divided world, there’s a slight possibility there is one thing everyone can agree with: it needs more love and understanding. Chelsea Austin Montgomery-Duban Wächter, or simply Chelsea Austin, aims to do her part in finding common ground between communities, individuals, or with yourself. Austin’s recently released memoir, Inexplicably Me: A Story of Labels, Worthiness, and Refusing to Be Boxed In, tells her story of a unique childhood of growing up with two dads, escaping labels put upon her, and succeeding through facing adversity.
Finding a child of a same-sex couple is not an everyday occurrence. It is even rarer to find that a child shares DNA with both parents. Such is the case with Chelsea Austin, whose biological data consists of one of her father’s sperm and the other father’s sister’s egg–the first in California history. She grew up in Malibu, became an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and was voted one of the Top Fifteen LGBT Activists in the Los Angeles area when she was 16-years-old.
Growing up, Austin rose above when encountering kids with big mouths, but like most people, she encountered a series of other challenges in her life: one of her fathers went to prison for two years during her senior year at college, and her biological mother lost her battle to cancer. In an interview with GoPride, Austin explains some of the identity and mental health issues she had to tackle growing up.
“I used to be “the girl with two gay dads” and, though I loved that title, I had to find who else I was besides that. For a long time I didn’t know because I was trying to be what others wanted me to be,” said Austin.
In Inexplicably Me, she reveals her tough battles with self-doubt, negativity, and rejection, in the efforts that her experiences may help those experiencing the same. Identity crises are commonplace for anybody, especially when people naturally tend to label people they may or may not know. Thankfully, Austin’s two loving parents helped cultivate her outlook of empathy and compassion–and she’s more than happy to share it with you.
“It gave me the perspective that we need to be more loving no matter what our background is and who we are. You never know what is going on in someone’s life.”
Austin is finishing up Inexplicably Me’s tour, visiting bookstores and signing copies not just in the US, but also in Europe. She has expressed interest in writing another book, but it may come with some time (especially if it’s a memoir). In the meantime, Austin speaks at numerous events, usually detailing parts of her history as a successful real estate agent turn certified professional coach and ELI-MP (Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner) and how to “Flip the Script” when it comes to self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and overwhelm. She also writes regularly on her blog, The Girl With Five Names, offers a four-week course on self-worth and guidance called Flip the Script, and hosts her podcast Worthiness Warriors, where her husband and two fathers occasionally make appearances. For a woman who spent much of her life writing out such a long name, she has so much more to say and write.
Chelsea Austin Montgomery-Duban Wächter is on a mission to extend love and happiness to yourself and not just others. A feat easier said than done, but she serves as the constant reminder we all need.
