BRAY HOFMANRESPOND FORWARD
My story

BEYOND THE
STAGE.

The experiences, relationships, and everyday choices that have shaped who I am.

BRAY HOFMAN / RESPOND FORWARDMY STORY

There's a lot more to my life than the moments people see or the things I've accomplished.

I've spent much of my life trying to understand myself, figure out where I fit, and build a future that means something to me. Along the way, I've made mistakes, questioned myself, struggled with things I didn't always know how to talk about, and relied on people who have helped shape the person I am today.

Some of the most important lessons I've learned have come from those ordinary experiences rather than any particular achievement.

The beginning

THE LIFE THAT SHAPED ME

I was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. From a young age, I understood that certain things would be different for me, but I was also trying to figure out many of the same things everyone else was.

School wasn't always easy. I struggled academically and questioned what I was capable of. There were times when I wondered whether I was enough, and those feelings followed me into other parts of my life.

My family, friendships, and the people I've met along the way have all influenced how I see myself. Those relationships haven't always been perfect, and neither have I. But they've taught me a lot about understanding people, accepting support, and recognizing that we don't have to agree on everything to care deeply about one another.

One of the people who has had a particularly meaningful influence on my life is my grandma. Her favourite saying has always been, "Onward, upward," and I've seen those words reflected in the way she lives. She's someone I've always been able to count on, and she's taught me a lot about showing up for the people who matter.

She's also the person who encouraged me to write my book. At a time when I was still questioning whether I had enough to say, she saw something in my story that I hadn't fully recognized myself. That encouragement meant more to me than she probably realizes.

A younger Bray wearing a black baseball cap and flexing both arms.
A more personal side

THE THINGS PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS SEE

I've lived with anxiety for much of my life and have experienced depression as well. For years, I struggled with the idea of asking for help because I wanted to believe I could handle everything myself.

I also spent a long time tying my sense of identity to something I was pursuing. When that became difficult, I sometimes struggled to recognize the other parts of my life that deserved just as much attention.

Learning when to step back, accept support, and look after myself hasn't always come naturally. I'm still learning that being independent doesn't mean having to do everything alone.

Moving into my own place was another important part of that process. Independence brought freedom, but it also brought responsibilities, mistakes, and lessons that no amount of preparation could have taught me.

Bray onstage wearing a competition medal.
Still becoming

THE PERSON I'M BECOMING

As I've gotten older, I've started thinking more about the kind of person I want to be, rather than simply what I want to accomplish.

My relationships matter to me. So does the way I treat people, the example I set, and whether I'm making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me.

I believe one of the most important things we can do with our lives is be of service to others. That doesn't always require something extraordinary. Sometimes it comes down to being present, listening, offering support, or simply showing up when somebody needs you.

At 27, I still have a lot to learn. There are decisions I'll get wrong, experiences I haven't had yet, and parts of myself I'm still working to understand.

I'm not sharing my story because I have everything figured out.

I'm sharing it because I don't.

And I believe there's value in being willing to grow while we're still figuring things out.