The KInd Life Community Forum

Ten years ago I was a champion bodybuilder. I had the worst body image and lowest self-esteem known to anyone. Somehow, I was hired on by a sports agent and got a guest spot on an HBO sitcom, Arliss. I played a pretty risky role, but it was funny and played on my then body builder body. I was also approached by a magazine who actually wanted to do a spread on me nude---me, my body, my ugly face...what a concept. Again, 10 years ago. I realized that I wasn't happy, this wasn't me and I wanted to make a difference so that other kids would never doubt themselves and have negative feelings towards their bodies. I went to school to become a PE teacher and get my masters. I got both, got a job and another and another, but someone in my past sabatoged me, exposed my past and tomorrow my district is letting me go. Now, I have no job, my son is 5, my husband is unemployed and I am very sad. One of the things I teach my kids is that diet is key---my vegan diet has been so important to my health both physically and mentally. Now, I get to teach America survival and that not all people are good and even us, the people who save animals and our planet suffer!!!

Hi Fitnessfreak-

There've been so many times in my life that I've felt completely powerless to improve my situation, and luckily I've managed to overcome most of these obstacles. My feelings of helplessness definitely contribute to the commitment I've made to a plant-based diet - who could possibly be more friendless/powerless than the animals being tortured and murdered by the food industry? I hope your new-found confidence will enable you to leave your current problems behind, and that you'll soon be in a better place. Best wishes and good luck,

Anita

I think its great all you have accomplished!

and my first reaction to reading your post was "get a lawyer!"

seriously - can they fire you for your past? I can see if it came out you had been arrested for dealing drugs etc.....but this sounds suspect to me - it brought to mind a teacher in our elementary school - and this was in the 1970s, a much MUCH more conservative time in some ways - this teacher was a man, and he got a sex change operation and became a woman. It was big news and a big contravorsy - but they could not fire her and she continued to teach.

If she could legally hold her job through that, one would think just having posed naked etc...in your past could be overcome. No crime was comitted -

it makes no sense and I would seriously consider consulting with legal counsel.

I am going through my union. Today they did the honors of taking my keys and when my husband asked on what grounds the HR director simply stated, "I would say immorality". My husband said, "Clinton (who I do like) was in a position of trust and he kept his job!" We called the union labor lawyer and he said, "This is a travesty" The worst part is that this was my dream job. I made great connections with my students and staff. Now, my career could very easily be over. The person who brought this to my district's attention wants to see me suffer, and guess what? I am! I feel like I'm going through the stages of death. I'm going to fight it and hopefully restore my position as a teacher. That's all I want to do, teach kids about go health, physical activity and, of course, being kind to our environment and all that it entails. This support has helped me so much. Thank you!

Fitnessfreak, the "immoral" ones in this picture is the administration that does not understand that what is past is past, what is private is private!

I don't know if you'd feel comfortable doing this (or if I would have the strength if I was in your position) but have you considered contacting the local media? I know you may feel shame or regret, but there is nothing to feel shameful about now - the details are already out there, so exposure at this point can only help get the public and parents on your side.

I too believe that you have a greater purpose - maybe it is exposing the terrible mean spirit of the administrators in your district!