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.

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