. >> reporter: 33-year-old amanda swagger was born l swagger, the oldest sibling to two sisters who r brother. for three decades amanda lived as michael, becoming a teacher, even coaching football. wa it a difficult decision to make? >> it took a very very long time to come up with the self-assurance that i s doing the right thing. but once that the decision was actually very easy once i had gotten over the self-acceptance of myself. maureen morrisey is a therapist at the transgender center. >> when they get to the point of transitioning, it's because they simply live an inauthentic life anym k it's really important foop that. it's estimated 700,000 people are transgender. for man it's too painful. jenner understands why some would ponder suicide. i cou see where people get to that. just go in the room got a gun. boom! you know pain's over it's done. i can't do something like that. i mean i want to know how this story ends. >> reporter: for bruce jenner and amanda swagger, the story isn't ending. it's just beginning. miguel almaguer nbc news los angeles. >>> and those closest to bruce