“There is this real machoism aspect that makes you feel like you can’t talk about mental health and your body as a man.”
Image 1 (above): A man stands shirtless in a bathroom, studying his reflection while pinching the side of his waist. He has short red hair, a beard, and tattoos covering his body. The mirror and surrounding walls are crowded with images of athletic male bodies and workout diagrams. Handwritten phrases about strength and self-improvement—such as “Bigger, faster, stronger”—are layered across the mirror, creating a dense, overwhelming backdrop as he looks at himself.
Image 2: The same man lifts a barbell at the gym, wearing a navy blue T-shirt and black sweatpants. Other gym members surround him, watching as he strains under the weight. Their fixed stares heighten the sense of scrutiny, reinforcing the pressure to perform, measure up, and be seen in a particular way.
Sean became aware of his body at an early age after being bullied in elementary school. From that point on, strength and fitness felt less like choices and more like expectations. Over time, dissatisfaction turned into obsession. He began counting calories, over-exercising, and constantly comparing himself to images of men in fitness magazines and superhero films, always chasing an ideal that felt just out of reach.
Eventually, Sean recognized that what he was experiencing had a name: Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Even so, seeking help felt difficult. Cultural expectations around masculinity and the stigma surrounding men’s mental health made it hard to speak openly or ask for support.
Body image struggles are often framed as a women’s issue, leaving men’s experiences overlooked. Shame, silence, and pressure to appear strong prevent many men from seeking treatment, even as distress interferes with daily life. For Sean, the mirror became a place of constant scrutiny rather than reflection.
Although he continues to struggle, Sean is learning to be more open about his experience. His story challenges how masculinity shapes body image and what it costs men to stay silent.
Sean, 37 - Michigan
Share Sean’s Story
#SeeBodiesDifferently #MidwestBrokenMirror
Resources
