Leaving the American Dream: Raising a Trans Daughter and Starting Over in Spain

About this episode

Jaimie Kelton interviews TJ Shimeld about his journey of raising a transgender daughter and relocating to Spain after reevaluating his life in the U.S.

What happens when the life you built no longer fits who you are — or the world no longer feels safe for your family? In this episode, Jaimie sits down with TJ Shimeld to talk about coming out after marriage, building an unconventional but beautiful co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, raising a transgender daughter, and ultimately making the life-changing decision to leave the U.S. for Spain. It’s a conversation about identity, reinvention, grief, freedom, LGBTQ family experiences, and what it means to finally build a life that feels aligned. TJ shares how the 2016 election marked the beginning of a deep unraveling of the “American dream” he thought he was supposed to want — and how that unraveling eventually led him, his husband, and his daughter Opal to a more peaceful, affirming life abroad. 🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways Sometimes the life that looks “right” from the outside isn’t the life that fits. Coming out later in life can be painful, liberating, and deeply clarifying. Divorce does not have to mean destruction; it can lead to a different kind of family. Queer and trans safety isn’t theoretical — it shapes daily life, choices, and futures. The feeling of betrayal many…

People in this episode

Host: Jaimie Kelton

Guest: TJ Shimeld

Topics covered

• transgender parenting
• LGBTQ family experiences
• reinvention
• co-parenting
• identity
• American dream
• safety

Keywords

• trans daughter
• co-parenting
• LGBTQ
• American dream
• reinvention
• safety
• 2016 election

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Spain, U.S.

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