Kelly Balch: A Journey of Queer Identity, Spirituality, and Emotional Resilience

Kirstie Pike
1 day ago
2 min read

In a world that often expects us to fit into boxes, Kelly Balch is redefining what it means to be seen, heard, and fully alive. Nonbinary, queer, and deeply empathetic, they navigate identity, love, and mental health with courage, authenticity, and a spiritual lens. For Kelly, every part of themselves (emotions, relationships, past lives, and intuition) is a doorway to self-discovery, empowerment, and connection.

This conversation with Kelly Balch originally appeared on the She Comes With Baggage podcast.

Watch the full interview here.

Kelly Balch has spent their life exploring what it truly means to be authentic. Growing up in a Christian household, they were taught to prioritize others, follow strict expectations, and find worth through service and obedience. This upbringing, combined with their natural emotional sensitivity, led to patterns of codependency and people-pleasing. This awakening became a cornerstone of their journey as a nonbinary, queer person navigating identity, relationships, intimacy, and self-expression."

“Everything is frequency,” they explain. “We’re vibrational beings. Our emotions, our environment, our heart—these shape how we move through life.”

For Kelly, self-expression and emotional honesty are intertwined with spirituality. They have explored past lives, vibrational energy, and consciousness as ways to understand their experiences and connections. “Everything is frequency,” they explain. “We’re vibrational beings. Our emotions, our environment, our heart—these shape how we move through life.” Practices like meditation, journaling, and grounding rituals are essential for maintaining balance and emotional sovereignty in a world that can be overwhelming for sensitive, empathic individuals.

Mental health, for Kelly, is inseparable from their identity and spiritual practice. They describe periods of intense emotional overload, burnout, and the need to step back from friends or social interactions to recharge. “I have to disconnect, ground myself, and reconnect with my own feelings before I can be fully present for others.” By acknowledging limits, setting boundaries, and creating intentional self-care routines, Kelly models the importance of protecting one’s energy while maintaining deep empathy.

“Being seen for who you are, unapologetically, is revolutionary.”

Coming out and living authentically as nonbinary and queer has been both a challenge and a source of liberation. Kelly believes that simply existing outside the societal norm is a form of activism: “Being seen for who you are, unapologetically, is revolutionary.” They hope their visibility encourages others to embrace their own identities, navigate queer spaces safely, and celebrate the full spectrum of human emotion and love.

Creativity remains a thread through Kelly’s life, a tool for expression and connection. Whether through photography, storytelling, or writing, they illuminate experiences that are often overlooked. But more than the work itself, it’s the underlying purpose that drives them: to see and honor people, their emotions, and the beauty of authentic connection.

Through every phase of their journey, Kelly Balch embodies curiosity, empathy, and courage. They show that true empowerment doesn’t come from conforming. Instead, it comes from exploring, embracing, and celebrating every aspect that makes us profoundly human.

Follow Kelly Balch:

Instagram: @kellybalch

Books: Aphrodite's Sister on Amazon

YouTube: Kelly Balch

Follow She Comes With Baggage Podcast: