Episode 186: 12 - MALE BODY IMAGE - the HARDER SHAFT podcast - Joe-y Busuttil & Lawrence Akers

the HARDER SHAFT

On the Twelfth episode of the HARDER SHAFT podcast we discuss MALE BODY IMAGE with co host Lawrence Akers.
Your body image is how you think and feel about your body. Body image involves your thoughts, perceptions, imagination and emotions. It may have little to do with your actual appearance. Although body image issues have traditionally been thought of as a women's health concern, they can affect people of all ages and genders.
Poor body image is often linked to dieting, over-exercising, or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and to other mental health issues such as low self-esteem, depression or anxiety.
Poor body image or body dissatisfaction often results from comparing your body with what the media tells you is the ideal male body size and shape - namely, lean and muscular. It is not uncommon for men with body dissatisfaction to be focussed on weight loss and muscle building, which can lead to over-exercising and the use of image enhancing drugs.
Studies suggest that around 11 per cent of Australian men are on a weight loss diet at any given time, and it is thought that around one third of people with an eating disorder are male (although it is likely that this is under-reported).
It is thought that certain male groups, such as young men, gay men, athletes, body builders, models and dancers, among others, may be particularly vulnerable to poor body image or feeling insecure about their bodies. This is because they are more likely to be in situations where they may be judged (or believe they will be judged) according to their weight and appearance.
Lawrence Akers:
My goal is to help people adjust in this ever-changing world that we live in so that they can experience a rich, meaningful existence.
I’ve experienced stress and anxiety first hand and I know how it can impact our lives in so many ways.
I help people to give them strategies and tools to help them deal with the feelings, thoughts, and behaviours that hold them back.
To see people experience that shift in their thinking and to step forward into the best version of themselves that they can be is something that gives my work so much meaning.
Release Hypnosis is also one of the few clinical hypnotherapy practices specialising in the unique needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersex communities.
I’ve worked with the LGBTQIA+ community over many years, originally as a facilitator for the Victorian AIDS Council ‘Young & Gay’ program and their ‘Boyant’ program. My knowledge of LGBTQIA+ issues comes from years of working with the community as well as my own first hand personal experiences.
I offer one-on-one counselling and hypnotherapy solutions as well as my regular podcast OUTthink which looks at the mental health of the LGBTQIA+ community through special guests and discussion.
LAWRENCE AKERS:
RELEASE HYNOSIS
www.releasehypnosis.com.au
T: 0403 821 807
E: [e-mail]
FACEBOOK-
www.facebook.com/releasehypnosis
TWITTER-
www.twitter.com/Release_hypnosis
INSTAGRAM-
www.instagram/releasehypnosismelbourne
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JOE BUSUTTIL
MENS COACH/ COUNSELLOR
[e-mail]
www.equator-hypnotherapymelbourne.com
INSTAGRAM:
@the_shaft_experience
FACEBOOK:
THE SHAFT EXPERIENCE-MENS SEXUAL HEALTH
www.facebook.com/groups/secretmensbusiness01/