In this episode of Big Fellas Weight Loss for Men, Darren and Mark dive into some powerful conversations taken from the Facebook group Men and Their Emotions — a space where men are opening up about what they’re really dealing with beneath the surface.

The discussion covers food addiction, emotional eating, past trauma, and the crossover between food, alcohol, and substance use. Darren and Mark talk honestly about why these issues are rarely “just about food”, and how unaddressed emotional pain often drives the behaviours many men feel stuck with.

They also challenge the stigma around men talking about their emotions, especially when it comes to food addiction, which is often brushed off or minimised compared to drugs or alcohol. This episode is about creating space for real conversations, taking responsibility without shame, and understanding that lasting change starts with what’s going on in your head — not just what’s on your plate.

Key takeaways

1. Many men use food as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, and unresolved emotional pain.
2. Food addiction can be just as damaging as alcohol or drug addiction, even if it’s not treated the same way socially.
3. Ignoring emotional struggles often leads to physical health problems over time.
4. Isolation makes addiction harder to deal with — opening up is a crucial first step.
5. Support, honesty, and self-awareness are key to breaking long-term destructive patterns.
6. You don’t fix deep issues with surface-level solutions — the mindset matters as much as the meal plan.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Man v Fat — a weight loss programme built specifically for men.

Man v Fat focuses on sustainable weight loss, accountability, and support, whether that’s through their leagues, online programmes, or community.

Head over to www.manvfat.org and use the promo code BIGFELLAS to sign up for just £1 instead of £10.