45: Naked & Coming Back Strong on Top of the BYU Cougar

The Natasha Helfer Podcast

In this episode, Natasha interviewed Kelly Trust. In her words, "Once upon a time I went to Brigham Young University largely in part to growing up born-in-the-covenant Mormon (meaning it was a birthright and lifestyle handed to me with a whole garbage pile of labels and expectations along with it)

"My freshman year they suspended me out for a violation of their honor code - a list of rules that align with the church on how to behave and what will get you removed from campus. It was a premarital sexual relations violation with a BYU football player. Lucky for him and the school he got to stay and play football for them that year while I went to a nearby school for my first year of college. That story is one of many that hurt me as an individual who was taught my only place in the world was to be a support to the men around me.

"A year later, in order to heal from the trauma of being shamed by my school, church, and family - I started bodybuilding. It’s changed my whole world. I read a lot a lot of books along the way too that taught me about what it means to be wholehearted. It’s not easy to face your demons. But it’s absolutely necessary if you want to move on from them. The only way up is through.

"And then you can show up at your old school outside the football stadium in the middle of the night after getting your first coat of tan for a show in SLC and take a dope picture of yourself naked on top of the cougar mascot."

From Natasha: as a fellow “got kicked out of BYU for sex as an adult woman at a federally accredited university”… that I wanted to interview Kelly! How badass is this?

Kelly Trust is an exMormon bodybuilder and mother of one amazing four year old son. She is currently doing sports massage for fellow athletes and enjoying building herself up along the way. Kelly graduated from Brigham young university in athletic training. Since leaving the church she has been an advocate for exMormons and anyone transitioning away from a high demand religion. She does her best to share the things she wishes she knew when she was younger.

This podcast addresses many topics around mental health and sexuality and may not be suitable for minors. Some topics may elicit a trigger or emotional response so care for yourself accordingly.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or feelings of the Natasha Helfer or the Natasha Helfer Podcast. We provide a platform for open and diverse discussions, and it is important to recognize that different perspectives may be shared. We encourage our listeners to engage in critical thinking and form their own opinions. Thank you for listening.

Intro ("Fisher's Hornpipe") and outro by Otter Creek

Podcast edited by: Ashley Pacini