The National Geographic channel is set to air "American Transgender," an hour-long documentary that takes a no-holds-barred look at the lives and struggles of three transgender people and their families.

In this exclusive clip, Eli Strong speaks frankly about his transition process, specifically undergoing double mastectomy surgery.

"For me, the reason why I had surgery was because of the fact that I wanted my body to look on the outside how I felt on the inside," the 30-year-old Strong, an Alabama native who now lives in Washington DC, says. "[Breasts] were everything that I didn't like about being female." Strong also describes taking hormones after the surgery: "What shocked me the most was how fast things changed."

On the National Center for Transgender Equality's blog, Strong is quoted as saying the documentary actually helped in his discussions with his friends and family. “I was able to show how 'normal' my life is," he said. "It also gave me the opportunity to give voice to some of my own struggles, as well as some of those I've heard from my trans peers.”

"American Transgender" airs May 1 at 8 p.m. EST. Click here for more information.

