Meet Janae Marie Kroc… Formerly Matt Kroc

While the mainstream media has been fixated on Caitlyn Jenner, the powerlifting/bodybuilding world has its own Transgender story. Over the past year, powerlifting champion and amateur bodybuilder Matt Kroc has been transitioning himself into the woman he’s always wanted to be… Janae Marie Kroc.

Looking back on the Matt Kroc’s Instagram page you can see some of the changes taking place of the past year. While continuing to update the Matt Kroc account, Janae Marie was quietly documenting the journey to a new identity. The profile reads, “Janae Marie Transgender/genderfluid Alpha male/girly girl Lesbian in a male body Single at the moment.” The first post was after surgery…

First no makeup pic 5 days post op FFS. 🙂

A photo posted by Janae Marie (@janaemariekroc) on May 17, 2014 at 8:27am PDT

From GymFlow100.com

“Transitioning is a very difficult process and even tougher at an older age (I’m 42). Your body doesn’t respond to hormones very well as compared to being in your teens or twenties and I have built a very good life for myself that I am hesitant to give up. And living as a transgender woman that is honest about her situation is very difficult and can be very dangerous. I am a very realistic person and I don’t think the transitioning will magically solve all of my issues without creating new challenges. Whatever path I choose there will be sacrifices to be made.”

In a story with GymFlow100.com Janae shares her full story.

#transgender #genderfluid #mtf #m2f #nonbinary #girlswholift #girlswithmuscle #girlslikeus #macgal #macgirl #brunette

A photo posted by Janae Marie (@janaemariekroc) on Jul 5, 2015 at 2:24pm PDT

The last post was three weeks ago but the comments continue to pour in. The comments are overwhelming positive and visitors are treated to a response from both Matt and Janae Marie in some of the posts. Janae Marie tells a confused commenter, “sexuality and gender identity are two different things. One isn’t necessarily linked to the other. Sexuality is who you like, gender identity is who you are. :-)”

When asked by one visitor if Matt Kroc would be coming back to powerlifting Matt writes back, “I’ve been having a lot of shoulder issues for the last 4-5 months which have prohibited me from training regular flat bench. So that has postponed any return for now. I’m training around it the best I can and trying to get it healed up. I will come back 100% or not at all. It’s not in me to do things half way.”

Janae Marie’s story has been picked up by a number of news organizations. Hngn.com writes, “Elite Bodybuilder Matt ‘Kroc’ Kroczaleski Transitions To Janae Marie Kroc” and outsports.com shares, “World record powerlifter transitions to Janae Marie Kroc.”

See more of Janae Marie’s journey on her Instagram account.