How did you find out about the BDSM lifestyle?

The concept of BDSM a very long time ago..as a child seeing a movie where a woman is 'seduced' or overpowered by a masked man..that startled me in an interesting way..as a teen reading the usual sex guides and buying a book that had a few chapters on BDSM..at 20 the ultimate BDSM read was a purchase I had made, it was De Sade's Juliette and I found it remarkable due to the time it was written (and very arousing)..online I've found more visual representations, stories, art than anything else.

What was its appeal to you?
It's appealed to me more recently in the last few years as my understanding of it has been extended. The main appeal of it is the level of trust that's required between the parties and the respect, two things that are frequently absent from conventional relationships.

What misconceptions did you have of BDSM before you began that have been changed now?
I haven't really 'begun', it's been more of a concept or a liking, it's been difficult to 'find' people with that leaning, or they misunderstand the concepts of dominance and submission (for example). The misconception I had many years ago was that people that engaged had serious personal issues stemming back to parental problems,abuse etc..only because those around me would look upon it as 'abnormal', as conventional sex was 'custom', but they'd look at the leather, etc and think 'oh my God!!?'..as I progressed through relationships I realised that there is an aspect of BDSM (in various other forms) however other parties won't acknowledge them. Also realised that people that come from 'scarred' backgrounds appear everywhere, not just in BDSM, but in 'vanilla' relationships as well..
As I've gotten to know myself more, have moved ahead in relationships, know what I want and accept my 'needs' in terms of preferences, it's changed me in that I've realised that trust and respect are the most important elements to me before I take additional steps with a person. So this has made me change my view over the years.

What do you hope to learn/teach/pass on to others about BDSM?
That it's not just a lifestyle choice, but it's also a part of a person's essence, much more than a preference, but a part of them.

Do you consider yourself a "lifestyler" or just an occasional player?
Well, I can't answer this question, because I haven't actively done anything in a long while (I"m a fussy bitch when it comes to partners lol)

What do you enjoy about being dominant/submissive?
I'm more submissive, which doesn't mean that I lay back like a starfish in terms of conventional sex, it's the element of relinquishing control to someone that I supremely trust. The revelation of that vulnerability on both sides is also an indication of a persons' comfort within themselves, their confidence and their general outlook, that they want to expand those boundaries further instead of relying on the usual safety net.

What do you like about your dominant/submissive(s), if you have one (them)?

I don't have one yet!! lol..(a dominant).