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For people that don't have a history with it, self-harm can be difficult to understand. While it develops as a way to cope with difficult emotions, they can be challenging to identify.  Self-harm is something I always saw existing in my life in some capacity. Today marks a year since I have done so and I have no intentions of going back.

I share my struggle with self-harm as it became my primary method of coping while I  navigated a later discovered misdiagnosis.  I also explore how the development of an eating disorder took became a new method of self-harm which led to less reliance on cutting. This episode unpacks the comorbidity between eating disorders and self-harm, as well as what someone engaging in these behaviors feels they can receive from it. I hope this can make some feel seen, and give others a greater sense of understanding and compassion.

I promise you it gets better. I promise you, it is possible.

*Trigger Warning: This episode details events of self-harm. This could be triggering to some audiences. If you feel this episode might be harmful to you, please do not listen and go pet a dog instead. :) 

Your neighbor, Sheri, could have a disordered relationship with exercise. Your little brother could have a binge eating disorder. Your favorite snack cake could feel insecure about its body. It doesn't matter who you are, how you identify, or if you believe in Santa--  everyone struggles with their perception of themselves at times. 

Men and boys are often overlooked when it comes to disordered relationships with food and exercise. Eating disorders and feeling insecure about one's body are often perceived as "women's issues." However, these are very real struggles men deal with as well.  

Personal Trainer, Tate Brodeur, lends his perspective on unrealistic male beauty standards, toxic masculinity,  why the gym can feel scary as a man, and donuts.  He also opens up about his own struggles and disordered relationship with food, exercise, and body. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, check out the National Eating Disorder Association website for resources. 

Get to know your Episode 7 guest better. In the episode, Tate and I talk about toxic masculinity, eating disorders in men, and the media's "ideal" male body. 

Here, we see if he passes the vibe check with more hard-hitting content: his Mario Kart driver and how American cheese is (apparently) controversial. 

Listen to Tate share his perspective and experiences in Episode 7.