In this essential solo episode, Dr. Marianne challenges the narrow and harmful narrative that eating disorders primarily affect girls and women. She explores how toxic masculinity shapes, and often hides, disordered eating and body shame in boys and men. Backed by recent research, this episode unpacks how muscle dysmorphia, bingeing, and restriction are frequently dismissed as “normal” male behaviors, even when they reflect deep emotional pain. Dr. Marianne offers a liberation-focused framework for understanding the unique barriers boys and men face in getting help, and how we can dismantle the systems that reinforce silence, shame, and suffering.

CONTENT CAUTION:This episode includes discussion of eating disorder behaviors, muscle dysmorphia, trauma, and toxic masculinity. Please take care while listening.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

How toxic masculinity discourages emotional expression and reinforces disordered eating

Why boys and men with eating disorders are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed

What muscle dysmorphia is and how it manifests in teen boys and adult men

How social media trends like “looksmaxxing” fuel body obsession and psychological distress

The role of trauma, emotional suppression, and performance culture in male ED experiences

How clinicians, caregivers, and educators can support male-identified folks through a liberationist lens

What affirming, emotionally honest healing can look like outside of gendered expectations

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