Hey there. Body image struggles and self-love issues aren’t exclusive to women. This isn’t about comparing who has it worse. It’s about recognizing that this is a universal issue, one that affects people regardless of gender.
For decades, the marketing and fitness industries have targeted women with unrealistic body standards. But over time, they realized they could do the same to men. Now, the same pressure to look a certain way—the lean, athletic build, defined abs, and sculpted arms—is being pushed toward men just as aggressively. The message is the same: You’re not good enough as you are. You need to change.
The thing is, self-image struggles are deeply personal. They’re not just about appearance. They’re tied to how we perceive our worth, how we measure up to societal expectations, and how we see ourselves in the mirror. And men, just like women, are internalizing these messages.
I’ve had conversations with other men—some in direct messages, others in person—who have admitted they struggle with this. Some of them never felt comfortable talking about it before. Society still expects men to keep things to themselves, to push through, to “be strong” and not dwell on emotions. But the truth is, everyone has insecurities, everyone has doubts, and everyone is impacted by the messages being thrown at them.
I know this struggle personally. For over 30 years, I wasn’t happy with who I was. I nitpicked everything. Even now, while I genuinely like and love who I am most of the time, there are still moments of self-doubt. And that’s okay.
So if you see someone—man or woman—who is struggling with this, support them. If a guy in your life opens up about their body image struggles, listen. Let them know they’re not alone. You might be surprised by what they tell you.
If you’re struggling with self-love, understand that it takes time. It’s not about flipping a switch and suddenly feeling great about yourself. It’s about making small shifts in how you talk to yourself, how you perceive your body, and how you show up for yourself every day.
If you’re looking for a supportive space where you can work on your mindset and self-acceptance, join The YLF Experience. You don’t have to do this alone.