This week, I’m joined by my dear friend George Mycock, a PhD candidate at the University of Worcester, who is studying men’s help-seeking and access to care for Eating and/or Body Image Psychopathology (EBIP)

George is also involved in several projects, including the Mental Health and Movement Alliance at the charity Mind, the steering group for the National Audit of Eating Disorders and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and co-led a project with the Consider Male Eating Disorders Team from the University of Nottingham and King's College London.

George joins us today to discuss his PhD research, focusing on how to make eating disorder services more accessible for men and his hope for future awareness.

Together, we explore:

• The presence of imposter syndrome in academia and research
• The barriers men face when seeking help for eating disorders
• How services and resources often unintentionally “other” men
• Muscle dysmorphia, body image pressures, and male experiences of disordered eating
• George’s work on developing inclusive guidance for services
• Why hope, awareness, and representation matter for men’s recovery

Timestamps:

• 01:04 – George's PhD research on men and eating disorders
• 10:00 – Why terminology matters (EBIP vs eating disorders)
• 20:00 – Barriers men face in accessing services
• 30:00 – Research on clinician bias and awareness
• 40:00 – Developing inclusive guidance with lived experience
• 55:00 – Why opening up these conversations matters

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, disordered eating behaviours, and body image concerns. Please listen with care and seek support if you are struggling.

Resources & Links:

• Visit Myominds
• Review paper from George's PhD
• "Touchy subject" paper
• Link to the guidance document

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• Read our latest blog here

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Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛