I didn’t go vegan for the animals—I went vegan because I hated how I looked in the mirror.
I thought if I cut out meat, I’d get skinny, get seen, and maybe… finally get loved.
But I was wrong.
I stayed vegan for 14 years—and I stayed fat.
This is the truth behind that story, the part no one talks about… especially men.
In this episode, I open up about why food wasn’t just food for me—it was medicine, comfort, and a way to regulate the chaos I felt inside.
After fights with my dad, my mom would hand me donuts. That became my coping strategy.
I learned early:
🍩 More food = more safety
🍕 More chewing = less stress
🥤 More sugar = fewer feelings
I wasn't hungry—I was hurting.
I was time-traveling back to the safety of a mini-mart filled with Pop Tarts, donuts, and Mountain Dew.
The problem wasn’t willpower—it was my nervous system.
Even as an adult, I was letting my 8-year-old self make food decisions.
That same kid was afraid. Tired. And desperate to feel calm.
So when I found veganism, it felt like salvation.
It gave me control. A mission. An identity.
But after a while, it became a cage.
The documentaries, the guilt, the isolation…
I lost social connection. I lost pleasure.
And still—I didn’t lose the weight.
Why? Because I hadn’t healed the real reason I was eating in the first place.
Then Adele came into my life.
She didn’t give me a new diet.
She asked one question:
“Why are you still eating like that?”
I couldn’t answer.
That moment cracked something open.
And from there, I dove headfirst into the emotional and metabolic truth behind fat loss.
I studied blood sugar.
I learned how cravings are connected to stability, not just discipline.
I found protein, fat, and greens—not as restriction, but as relief.
This wasn’t about perfection.
It was about presence.
It was about reclaiming agency from my younger self—and giving the man in the mirror a real chance to feel alive again.
If you’re a man who’s tried everything—cold plunges, AG1, fasting, fat burners, TRT, protein shakes, even veganism—and you still feel stuck, this episode is your mirror.
Not to shame you.
But to show you what’s underneath the weight you carry.
And to remind you:
You're not weak. You're not broken.
You're just still living out a pattern you never got to question.
This is the beginning of something deeper.
A path where your story gets to evolve.
Where your body becomes a place of peace, not punishment.
And where food finally becomes fuel—not a sedative.
👥 If this resonated with you, I’d love to support you through it.
I offer free 1-on-1 design sessions for men who are ready to lose the fat, reclaim their energy, and finally feel strong—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
💥 Book yours here: www.spencermark.co/schedule/introductory-design-session
🧠 More resources at: www.spencermark.co
📩 DM me on Instagram @spencermark.co to share your story or ask a question.
This episode isn’t just about being vegan or not—it’s about waking up.
To who you really are.
To what you really need.
And to the life that’s waiting for you when you stop numbing… and start building.
#FatToFit #SpencerMarkPodcast #MensHealth #EmotionalEating #ShadowWork #FoodFreedom #MidlifeTransformation #MetabolicHealing #KindAccountability #TraumaRecovery
