Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews Max, a 45-year-old man living in the Midwest, about his struggles with food and body image. Max shares his experiences growing up in a household focused on dieting and the impact it had on his relationship with food. He also discusses the trauma he experienced as a child and how it contributed to his use of food as a coping mechanism. Max highlights the challenges of being a man and discussing these issues, as well as the importance of finding support and engaging in self-care activities like hiking.

Keywords

body image, food, dieting, trauma, coping mechanism, privilege, masculinity, support, self-care, hiking

Takeaways

• Growing up in a household focused on dieting can have a significant impact on a person's relationship with food and body image.
• Experiencing trauma as a child can contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors and the use of food as a coping mechanism.
• Men often face challenges in discussing their struggles with food and body image due to societal expectations of masculinity.
• Finding support through therapy, personal trainers, and online communities can be helpful in navigating these issues.
• Engaging in self-care activities, such as hiking, can provide a sense of peace and healing.

Tour de France: Unchained

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Body Image Coaching for Men

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Summary

In this episode of the Men Unscripted podcast, host Aaron Flores talks to Giddy, a trans man in a larger body, about his experiences with body image and eating disorders. Giddy shares his journey growing up in a small rural town, dealing with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and the impact of fatphobia and societal expectations on his self-esteem. They discuss the intersection of anorexia and ARFID, the lack of understanding and support for atypical anorexia, and the importance of body acceptance and self-advocacy. Giddy also highlights the role of social media in finding representation and building a community of support. In this conversation, Giddy and Aaron discuss the intersection of body image, gender identity, and eating disorders. Giddy shares their experience as a trans man and how it has influenced their body image journey. They also discuss the importance of support from the queer and trans community and the role of advocacy in medical settings. Giddy emphasizes the value of taking pictures to connect with their body and document their experiences. They also mention resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on Tumblr.

Keywords

body image, eating disorders, trans man, larger body, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, ARFID, fatphobia, anorexia, atypical anorexia, body acceptance, gender identity, advocacy, queer community, taking pictures, health at every size, fact-checking

Takeaways

• Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is often misunderstood and mislabeled as picky eating, but it is a distinct eating disorder that goes beyond food preferences.
• The intersection of anorexia and ARFID can complicate the experience of both disorders, and individuals may not fit the DSM criteria for a specific diagnosis.
• Fatphobia and societal expectations can have a profound impact on body image and self-esteem, leading to disordered eating behaviors and a cycle of extreme restriction and brief periods of eating.
• Finding representation and support through social media can be empowering for individuals with marginalized identities and experiences, helping them challenge societal norms and embrace body acceptance.
• Building a community of support, whether through work friends, therapy, or hobbies like playing D&D, can provide a safe space to share experiences and receive validation and understanding. The diet industry perpetuates harmful messaging about body size and shape, which can negatively impact body image and contribute to eating disorders.
• Gender identity can influence body image, and being trans can present unique challenges and opportunities for self-acceptance.
• Support from the queer and trans community is crucial in navigating body image issues and eating disorders.
• Taking pictures can help connect with and appreciate one's body, challenging negative body image perceptions.
• Resources like health at every size and fact-checking pages on social media can provide valuable information and challenge fatphobic narratives.

Links

This is Thin Privilege - Tumblr

Fatphobia Busters - Tumblr

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Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews a guest named Blake, who shares his experience with an eating disorder. Blake discusses his journey from feeling hopeless and trapped in his eating disorder to finding a path towards recovery. He talks about the impact of diet culture and societal expectations of masculinity on his body image and self-esteem. Blake also highlights the importance of hearing other people's stories and finding hope in their recovery journeys. Throughout the conversation, they touch on topics such as the all-consuming nature of eating disorders, the challenges of coming to terms with having an eating disorder, and the realization that achieving a specific body image does not bring happiness or confidence. The conversation concludes with discussing the movie 'Back to the Future' and its themes of taking control of one's future and appreciating the present moment.

Keywords

eating disorder, body image, recovery, hope, masculinity, diet culture, self-esteem, recovery, success stories, difficult emotions, therapy, journaling, body acceptance,

Takeaways

• Eating disorders can consume every thought and moment of a person's day, making it difficult to break free from the mindset.
• Coming to terms with having an eating disorder can be a challenging process, often involving denial and resistance to seeking help.
• Societal expectations of masculinity and the idealization of a certain body image can contribute to the development and perpetuation of eating disorders.
• Recovery from an eating disorder involves questioning and challenging deeply ingrained beliefs about food, body image, and self-worth.
• Hearing other people's stories of recovery can provide hope and inspiration for individuals struggling with eating disorders.
• Success stories can inspire and motivate individuals to make positive changes in their own lives.
• Allowing oneself to feel difficult emotions is an integral part of the healing process.
• Therapy and journaling can provide support and help in coping with emotions.
• Engaging in activities that bring joy and reconnecting with one's body are essential in recovery.
• Saying yes to new experiences and challenging avoidance behaviors can lead to personal growth.
• The movie 'Back to the Future' highlights the themes of taking control of one's future and appreciating the present moment.

Life Without ED - Jenni Schaefer

Brain Over Binge - Kathryn Hansen

Back to the Future - Netflix

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Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode of the Men Unscripted podcast, host Aaron Flores interviews Star-Lord, an anonymous guest, about his body image and relationship with food. Star-Lord shares his experience as a man navigating diet culture and toxic masculinity. He discusses the impact of banter and jokes on body image, his childhood experiences with body shaming, and the influence of fitness and athletic pursuits on his body image. The conversation also touches on the role of magazines like Men's Health in perpetuating body shame and the obsession with achieving a particular physique. Star-Lord shares his journey from rugby to CrossFit and how it further fueled his body image concerns. The episode highlights the pressure to conform to societal ideals and the need for more open conversations about body image among men. Star-Lord eventually discovered Intuitive Eating and body acceptance, which led to a shift in his approach to nutrition and fitness. He emphasizes the importance of finding body functionality and appreciating what the body can do rather than solely focusing on appearance. Star-Lord also highlights the need for men to recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that seeking support is not a sign of weakness.

Keywords

body image, diet culture, toxic masculinity, body shaming, fitness, disordered eating, fitness industry, performance-enhancing drugs, intuitive eating, body acceptance, 

Takeaways

• Toxic masculinity and diet culture contribute to body image struggles among men.
• Banter and jokes about body size and shape can significantly impact body image.
• Childhood experiences of body shaming can shape one's body image perception.
• Fitness and athletic pursuits can both enhance and exacerbate body image concerns.
• Magazines like Men's Health often perpetuate body shame and unrealistic ideals.
• The pressure to conform to societal ideals can lead to obsession and unhealthy behaviors.
• Open conversations about body image are crucial for men's mental and physical health.
• Navigating disordered eating and body image issues in the fitness industry can be challenging.
• Intuitive eating and body acceptance can lead to a healthier relationship with food and body.
• Men need to recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that seeking support is not a sign of weakness.

Intuitive Eating

David Gemell - Amazon

Michael Bublé

Luck Be A Lady Tonight - Guys and Dolls

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Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews Frank, a trans man, about his experiences with body image and food issues. Frank shares that he has struggled with body image since he was a child, and recalls a specific moment at the age of three when he felt his body was too big. As he got older, he noticed the differences between what boys and girls were allowed to do, which reinforced his feelings of not fitting in. Frank also discusses his journey of discovering his gender identity and how it intersects with his body image and eating disorder. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and not needing to prove himself to others. In this conversation, Frank shares their journey of body acceptance and navigating their identity as a transgender person with a disability. They discuss the importance of seeing their body as a partner rather than an enemy, and how karate helped them feel more confident. Frank also talks about their experience with advocacy and the need for better accessibility for all. They highlight the intersectionality of their identities and the importance of finding connections between different aspects of their life.

Keywords

body image, gender dysphoria, eating disorder, recovery, advocacy, masculinity, karate, body acceptance, transgender, disability,  intersectionality

Takeaways

• Body image struggles can begin at a very young age and have a lasting impact throughout life.
• The messages around bodies and gender can be restrictive and lead to feelings of not fitting in.
• Discovering and accepting one's gender identity can be a journey that intersects with body image and eating disorders.
• Advocacy can be a powerful tool for healing and creating change in society.
• Finding activities that allow for a positive connection with the body can be beneficial for body image and self-acceptance. Seeing our bodies as partners rather than enemies can help foster body acceptance.
• Karate can provide a sense of confidence and connection to the body, even when physical limitations arise.
• Advocacy is important for creating a more inclusive and accessible society. Intersectionality plays a significant role in how we navigate our identities and experiences.

Elhers-Danlos

Fermat's Last Tango - You Tube

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Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews Steven, an anonymous guest, about his experiences with body image and food. Steven shares that his body image struggles began at a young age, as he was typecast based on his appearance as a child actor. He developed a coping mechanism of using humor to protect himself and disassociate from his body. As he got older, he transitioned from being in the band to playing football in an attempt to fit in and find acceptance. He also turned to drugs, alcohol, and fad diets as ways to gain control and escape from his insecurities. In this conversation, Steven shares his personal experience with dieting and the constant search for a solution outside of himself. He reflects on the various diets he has tried throughout his life and the belief that he needed to change his body to be accepted and loved. Steven discusses the allure of diets and apps that promise control and community but ultimately lead to a disconnection from oneself. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and being present with oneself as the key to finding peace and freedom from the dieting cycle.

Keywords

body image, food, coping mechanisms, humor, disassociation, typecasting, band, football, drugs, alcohol, fad diets, dieting, self-acceptance, body image, control, community, present moment

Takeaways

• Body image struggles can begin at a young age and be influenced by societal expectations and typecasting.
• Using humor as a coping mechanism can provide a sense of control and protection. Transitioning between different social groups and activities can be a way to fit in and find acceptance.
• Engaging in unhealthy behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and fad diets can be attempts to gain control and escape from insecurities. The constant search for a solution outside of oneself through diets and apps can lead to a disconnection from one's true self.
• Self-acceptance and being present with oneself are essential for finding peace and freedom from the dieting cycle.
• Masculinity is not defined by external validation or appearance, but by the ability to sit with one's feelings and show up authentically.
• Spending time with oneself and showing oneself love and affection is just as important as trying different diets or apps.
• Finding music without lyrics can be a powerful way to be present and connect with oneself.

Nimino Spotify Playlist

Follow Aaron on IG @AaronFloresRDN

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode, Aaron Flores interviews Paul, a 52-year-old man who shares his journey of understanding body image and size through his relationship with his spouse. Paul discusses how his spouse helped him recognize and challenge fatphobia and the prejudices associated with body size. He reflects on his own past fatphobic attitudes and the impact of societal beauty standards. Paul also explores the intersection of masculinity and body image, as well as the influence of religion on the morality of food and dieting. The conversation explores the morality of food and the impact of societal ideals on body image. It delves into the role of patriarchy in shaping attitudes towards food and body size. The importance of education and advocacy in challenging fat phobia and promoting body acceptance is emphasized. The conversation also touches on the connection between religion and body image, highlighting the need for more inclusive and fat-positive spaces within religious communities. Resources such as books, podcasts, and individuals advocating for body acceptance are mentioned. The conversation concludes with discussing personal interests, including music, TV shows, and movies.

Keywords

body image, fatphobia, masculinity, religion, dieting, morality of food, societal ideals, patriarchy, education, advocacy, body acceptance, inclusivity, resources, personal interests

Takeaways

• Recognizing and challenging fatphobia and prejudices associated with body size is an important step towards body acceptance.
• Societal beauty standards and fatphobia can impact our attitudes towards our own bodies and the bodies of others.
• Masculinity can play a role in how we view and judge bodies, and it is important to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations.
• Religion can influence the morality of food and dieting, and it is important to separate religious teachings from patriarchal structures and beliefs.Food should not be judged as 'unhealthy' based on body size or shape.
• Challenging fat phobia and promoting body acceptance requires education and advocacy.
• Religious communities should strive to be inclusive and promote a fat-positive environment.
• Resources such as books, podcasts, and individuals can provide support and guidance in promoting body acceptance
• Personal interests and hobbies can provide a sense of joy and fulfillment.

Links

• Ragen Chastain Substack

• Ellyn Satter Division of Responsibility

• Virginia Sole-Smith Burnt Toast Newsletter

• Information Society (Spotify)

• Deep Space 9

• Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

• Body Image Coaching for Men

• Learn more about Within Health

Summary

Bruce shares his experience with body image and masculinity, starting from a young age. He discusses how family and friends made comments about his weight and appearance, leading to body judgment and self-consciousness. Bruce also talks about the cultural aspect of body comments and the pressure to eat in his close-knit community. He then delves into how athletics played a role in his body image struggles, with the competitive nature of sports fueling his desire to push his body and control his eating. Bruce eventually realizes he has an eating disorder with the help of friends and seeks professional help. However, he experiences relapses and shifts from anorexic tendencies to binge eating and alcohol consumption. Bruce shares his experience with an eating disorder and the challenges he faced in seeking support and understanding from his family. He discusses the desire for perfection and the all-or-nothing mindset that contributed to his struggles. Bruce also talks about the impact of societal expectations of masculinity on his body image and the importance of finding the right support system in his recovery journey.

Keywords

body image, masculinity, body comments, cultural influence, athletics, eating disorder, relapse, eating disorder, perfection, body image, masculinity, support system

Takeaways

• Body comments from family and friends can have a significant impact on body image and self-esteem.
• Cultural norms and lack of boundaries can contribute to body judgment and criticism.
• Athletics can intensify body image struggles, with the competitive nature and pressure to perform.
• Seeking professional help and support from friends is crucial in recognizing and addressing eating disorders.
• Relapses can occur in eating disorder recovery, and it's important to be aware of triggers and seek help when needed. Eating disorders can come in different forms and affect individuals of all sizes.
• The desire for perfection and an all-or-nothing mindset can contribute to the development and progression of an eating disorder.
• Societal expectations of masculinity can have a negative impact on body image and contribute to disordered eating behaviors.
• Finding the right support system, including friends, family, and healthcare professionals, is crucial in the recovery process.

Links

Cleaning Out My Closet - Eminem (Spotify)

Marvel Movie Franchise - Disney+

National Alliance for Eating Disorders

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Body Image Coaching for Men

Learn more about Within Health

Summary

In this episode of the Men Unscripted podcast, host Aaron Flores interviews Travis (alias), a cis white male in his mid-20s, about his journey with body image and food. Travis shares that he didn't have serious body image issues growing up, but his perspective changed when he met his now-wife, who works in the eating disorder field and is a fat woman. This opened his eyes to the societal issues surrounding body image. Travis also discusses his experience with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and the shame and fear associated with his limited food choices. He highlights the importance of neutrally using the word 'fat' and reclaiming it from its negative connotations. They explore topics such as the impact of childhood experiences on food aversions, the role of set point theory in challenging negative self-talk, the challenges of seeking treatment for ARFID, and the importance of acknowledging and grieving the missed opportunities caused by food aversions. Travis also shares his thoughts on the societal expectations of masculinity and the importance of embracing a wider range of emotions.

Keywords

body image, body trust, eating disorder, fat, shame, fear, ARFID, food aversions, set point theory, negative self-talk, grieving, masculinity, emotions, fat liberation movement

Takeaways

• Body image issues can be influenced by societal factors and personal relationships. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a real and debilitating eating disorder that is often misunderstood.
• Using the word 'fat' neutrally and without judgment can help reduce stigma and promote body acceptance.
• Shame and fear around food choices can impact one's relationship with their body and overall well-being. Childhood experiences can shape food aversions and contribute to the development of ARFID.
• Set point theory can help challenge negative self-talk and provide a different perspective on food and body image.
• Seeking treatment for ARFID can be challenging, especially due to limited understanding and resources.
• Grieving the missed opportunities caused by food aversions is an important part of the healing process.
• Societal expectations of masculinity can hinder emotional expression and make it difficult for men to seek help.
• Exploring a wider range of emotions and embracing joy and happiness is essential for overall well-being.

Links

• Maintenance Phase Podcast
• Feelings Wheel
• What is ARFID?
• Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN
• Body Image Coaching for Men
• Learn more about Within Health

Summary

Dylan shares his experience of struggling with body image and his relationship with food. He discusses how he avoided certain activities and social situations because of his body and how he felt the need to conform to societal ideals of masculinity. Dylan also talks about his evolving relationship with food, from feeling guilty about eating fast food to using it as a coping mechanism. He eventually developed binge eating disorder, but it took several years for him to recognize it and seek help. Dylan highlights the misconception that losing weight is the solution to his eating disorder and the harmful effects of using appetite suppressants as a treatment. In this conversation, He shares his journey of recovery from an eating disorder and body dissatisfaction. He discusses the challenges he faced in addressing his eating disorder and the pressure to pursue weight loss. Dylan highlights the importance of finding support and being challenged in his beliefs. He emphasizes the ongoing nature of body image work and the need to be patient with oneself. Dylan also shares his interests in poetry, movies, and bird-watching as sources of inspiration and joy.

Keywords

body image, relationship with food, masculinity, coping mechanism, binge eating disorder, treatment, eating disorder, recovery, body dissatisfaction, poetry, movies, bird watching

Takeaways

• Many individuals struggle with body image and avoid certain activities or social situations because of their bodies.
• Societal ideals of masculinity can also contribute to body image issues and the pressure to conform.
• Food can become a coping mechanism, especially in times of stress or emotional turmoil.
• Recognizing and seeking help for an eating disorder can take time, and there may be resistance or denial at first.
• Treating binge eating disorder with weight loss or appetite suppressants is not effective and can be harmful. Addressing body dissatisfaction and eating disorders requires support and challenging one's beliefs.
• Recovery from an eating disorder is an ongoing process that requires patience and self-compassion.
• Finding joy and inspiration in hobbies and interests can contribute to a positive body image.
• It is important to separate one's true thoughts from the thoughts influenced by the eating disorder.
• Accepting and appreciating one's body as it is can lead to a healthier relationship with oneself and others.

Links:

• Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude - Ross Gay and Bon Iver (Spotify)
• Interstellar 
• Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN
• Body Image Coaching for Men
• Learn more about Within Health