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

Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

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

Follow Aaron Flores on IG: @AaronFloresRDN

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

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