Hey there. When you hear the term “body dysmorphia,” what comes to mind? For a lot of people, especially those going through a weight loss journey, it gets tossed around quickly. But body dysmorphic disorder is a real mental health condition, and it needs to be taken seriously. I’m not a therapist or a doctor, and most people you hear using this term online aren’t either. Still, I want to talk about the emotional side of this because how you feel about yourself matters.

Hey there. You’ve probably heard it before. “The gym is my therapy.” I’ve even said it myself. And while I understand where that phrase comes from, I want to be clear about something. The gym is a powerful tool for your mental and emotional health, but it is not therapy.

Hey there. I’m wearing a shirt right now that says The Gym AND Therapy “get yours here”. That wording matters because, for me, both are important. When it comes to calming my mind, focusing my thoughts, and releasing pent-up energy, the gym is one of the best mental health tools I have. But it’s not the only one.

Hey there. Therapy is one of the most powerful tools we have for personal growth. A productive relationship with a therapist allows us to untangle the complicated thoughts and emotions we’ve carried for years and truly connect with who we are. But getting to that point isn’t always easy.

Hey there. The way you talk to yourself matters way more than you probably realize. We often focus on things that drain our energy. Whether it's work, relationships, or life obligations. However, one of the biggest drains is something much closer to home: negative self-talk.

Hey there. In the health and fitness space, there’s a message I keep coming back to because it’s the foundation of everything I do: Changing how you look on the outside will never give you the deep, lasting appreciation for yourself that you’re seeking. Sure, when you lose weight or build muscle, you’ll feel good for a while, but if you don’t work on your relationship with yourself, those changes won’t bring the self-love and confidence you truly want.

Hey there. As men, we’ve been conditioned to believe that strength is synonymous with stoicism—keeping our emotions bottled up and presenting a tough exterior no matter what life throws at us. This belief has been passed down for generations, often leaving us feeling isolated, misunderstood, and emotionally stunted.

Hey there. After taking a break, I’m heading back to therapy.

Hey there. Moving forward from past hurt is one of the hardest steps we take. It’s not about minimizing what happened, nor is it about forgetting.