‘I love myself for who I am’: Former WWE superstar Gabbi Tuft comes out as transgender

Former WWE superstar Gabbi Tuft came out as transgender on Friday. She made the announcement by posting a lengthy emotional statement on Instagram along with a photo in which she can be seen sitting in front of a picture of herself prior to the transition. 

“This is me. Unashamed, unabashedly me. This is the side of me that has hidden in the shadows, afraid and fearful of what the world would think; afraid of what my family, friends, and followers would say or do. I am no longer afraid and I am no longer fearful. I can now say with confidence, that I love myself for WHO I am,” she wrote. 

She went on to thank her family and friends for supporting and accepting her. 

“My loving wife, family, and closest friends have accepted me for who I am. To them, I am forever grateful. Your support along the way means more than you will ever know,” she said. 

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A few hours after the announcement, Tuft posted a photo from “day 1 of her new life”.

“Yesterday, as I fully embraced my authentic self, neighbors went out of their way to ring my doorbell and drop off cards, flowers, and give hugs and support; I was showered with an unimaginable amount of love and encouragement every time I picked up my phone; and my uncontrollable smile you saw yesterday was directly from my soul,” she wrote.

Tuft, who wrestled under the ring name Tyler Reks, retired in 2014, following which she began a career as a fitness coach.