Reading Geena Rocero’s biography can be inspiring and make one feel woefully inadequate at once. A force of nature and natural trailblazer, Rocero wears many hats: Producer, Writer, Director, Model, Public Speaker, Trans Rights Advocate and Co-host of the TV Show ASPIREist. She has also received numerous awards, is one of Time magazine’s “Top 25 Transgender Persons Who Influences Culture,” was the first trans woman Ambassador for Miss Universe Nepal,  and first trans Playboy Playmate of the Year. And those are just some of her pioneering accomplishments.

To celebrate the publishing of her memoir Horse Barbie (Penguin Random House) and in time for Pride Month, we spoke to Rocero about her inspiring journey from Manila to Manhattan, her career to date, and advice she has for the young.

Congratulations on Horse Barbie. Why did you decide to do a memoir now?

I wrote this memoir to process the many in-betweens in my journey. This book has been described as a global saga and I’d say it is. Through writing, I was able trace back my full journey from the Philippines to California, and then to New York. But more so, this is my way to process what led me to the decision to “come out” and share my trans identity for the very first time on the biggest stage at the TED Conference. It’s true of everything they said. Writing a memoir is a form of therapy…but also healing.

What is your intent with the book?

The intent to share the full scope of my journey. To find the fullness in all of [my] lived experiences and to share it unapologetically. To share aspects of the inner dialogues that tackle fear, ambition, pleasures, love, my art, and all that lead to so much of my realizations.

What do you hope will be the main takeaways for readers?

My hope is that anyone who’s questioning aspects of their lives to seek a better reflection of who they are…that they find it through my writing – whether it’s unpacking all the myth and notion that limits our possibilities, or simply someone wanting to live more authentically. I found my truth through writing. My wish is for readers to find theirs.

How did you come up with the book title?

The book title is a reclamation! Horse Barbie is also a spirit. When I was 15 and started joining our competitive and vibrant trans beauty pageants in the Philippines, I reached the top so quickly and became the most famous overnight. So my competitors, the different pageant divas and their fans, started calling me a horse because of my dark skin, long neck, and protruding mouth profile. It hurt to be hurled those insults. But one night, my trans mom Tigerlily, who’s also my pageant manager, saw me in my evening gown on stage…and the way I carried myself with elegance and confidence, almost an unspeakable femme spirit, she said, “you know, you actually look like a HORSE BARBIE.”

Looking back at your groundbreaking career to date, what have been the high points and low points, and how did they contribute to your motivation in general and as a trans rights advocate in particular?

There are many high points but one that was pivotal was when I was able to speak my truth at the TED Conference. The low point was when I was modeling stealth for eight years in New York. My model agent didn’t know I was trans, I had to hide this. I was in a constant state of paranoia. The mental anguish to hide who I was in a very visible industry like fashion took its toll on my mental state. I was visible but consciously invisible, all at once.

Gender identity and transgender rights are under attack in several U.S. states. What can we collectively do to fight this?

First, trans and gender non-conforming folks just want to exist. These attacks are cisgender people’s problem to resolve. In a world that tells trans people not to exist, but we still decide to be ourselves, I don’t know what’s more courageous. Hopefully cis people could find the courage to stand up, be on the street, talk to each other, and find it their hearts to stop this nightmare. Most importantly, we have to be there for our trans youth, an already vulnerable group of kids.

What’s the next glass ceiling you want to break through?

I’m not sure I’m identifying the next glass ceiling to break through. I’m a writer, director and producer who just wants to keep telling and producing stories. I want to collaborate with artists and auteurs that have inspired me. I want to surprise myself with the art that I want to do.

How did your Philippines upbringing and being AAPI contribute to your drive and success?

I carry with me my indigenous transgender nonconforming ancestors. Their magic and resilience lives with me. Gender Fluidity has always been the norm in pre-colonial Philippines. We don’t even have ‘she’ or ‘he’ in our language. Tagalog is gender neutral. I’d like to think that’s my ancestors’ way of saying, “we’ve always known.” They’ve always known.

Based on your career and experiences, what is the one key piece of advice you have for kids?

Keep moving. There will be lots of setbacks. Your self-belief in your dreams, your art, and your voice will lead you to the next thing, and then next…be in that state of flow.

Purchase “Horse Barbie: A Memoir” by Geena Rocero here.

Geena Rocero Portraits by Evan Woods