Jessica Buch: An International Model in Recovery Comes Out as Intersex to Support Others Who Live in SecrecyJessica Buch: An International Model in Recovery Comes Out as Intersex to Support Others Who Live in Secrecy
The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast
Jessica Buch is a model, student, volunteer and advocate, and she is also in recovery. She has been the face of Pantene, Covergirl and more. Jessica is currently an undergrad student studying pre-med at Santa Monica College, and she is planning on transferring to UCLA in 2021. She recently came out publicly as Intersex, and she is now an Intersex advocate. Diagnosed with CAIS (Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome) at a young age, Jessica’s life and upbringing relative to her body looked very different from the other kids around her, and she was taught to hide her condition for most of her life. Jessica spends her time studying, hanging out with her dogs, boyfriend, and friends, as well as volunteering with Bless It Bag, and staying active through hiking, pilates, and yoga.
1:03:51•23 Jun 2020
Jessica Buch: From Runway to Recovery and Intersex Advocacy
“It's very crazy what some of these people have to go through, and I feel so much for them. But I think that you know a big motivation for me to go to school and go through med school and like all these things, is just, you know, being able to be somebody who, can you know, one advocate for them in the medical community, which I, there's another.”
Jessica Buch's story is anything but ordinary. As an international model gracing the covers of major brands like Pantene and Covergirl, Jessica appeared to have it all. But behind the glamorous façade, she was grappling with substance abuse and a secret she had kept for years: she is intersex. Diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) at a young age, Jessica was taught to hide her condition, leading to a complex relationship with her body and identity.
In this episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast', Jessica opens up about her tumultuous journey. She shares how the pressures of the modeling industry pushed her towards drugs and alcohol as a means to cope. Jessica's path to sobriety was fraught with challenges, but with the support of friends and addiction specialists, she found her way out of the darkness. Jessica's story doesn't end with recovery.
She has taken on a new role as an intersex advocate, speaking out about the lack of specialized medical care and the emotional toll of living in secrecy. Her mission is to bring awareness and support to intersex individuals, particularly in the medical community. Between her studies in pre-med at Santa Monica College, volunteering, and staying active through hiking and yoga, Jessica is determined to make a difference.
Her candid discussion about the intersection of her modeling career, substance abuse, and intersex identity offers a powerful narrative of resilience and advocacy. If you're looking for a story that combines the glitz of the fashion world with the raw reality of personal struggle and triumph, Jessica Buch's episode is a must-listen. It's a compelling reminder that true beauty lies in authenticity and courage.
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