Lived Experiences of Men With Eating Disorders: Research & Reflection With George Mycock @myo_minds

What does it mean for men to navigate eating disorders in systems often designed without them in mind? In this conversation, George Mycock, PhD student and founder of MyoMinds, returns to Dr. Marianne-Land for the third time to share the evolution of his research and lived experience.

Together, Dr. Marianne and George unpack what his multi-year studies reveal about barriers men face in seeking help, how treatment systems may unintentionally exclude them, and what can be done to make services more inclusive and effective. From the absence of representation in outreach materials to clinician bias in diagnosing and treating men, George highlights systemic gaps—and the hope that comes from centering men’s own voices in solutions.

In This Episode:

• Why George has structured his PhD around muscularity-oriented issues such as muscle dysmorphia, exercise addiction, and disordered eating

• Findings from his studies on organizational and systemic barriers that prevent men from accessing eating disorder care

• How imagery and outreach materials often alienate men, and what services can do differently

• The importance of lived experience research and co-designing resources with men themselves

• How messages of “it’s okay not to be okay” may fall short, and why men often need purpose-driven, hopeful framing instead

• Practical ways providers can support men without pigeonholing their experiences

George reminds us that there is no one “male experience” of eating disorders, and shares why focusing on diversity, autonomy, and agency is essential in both research and treatment.

Content Caution

This episode discusses eating disorders, body image concerns, and systemic barriers to care. Please listen with care.

Previous Episodes With George

• When we chatted about George's first wave of research on exercise, eating disorders, & muscularity-oriented issues on Apple or Spotify.
• When we discussed George's overall focus on muscularity-oriented issues, men, and eating disorders on Apple or Spotify.
• When we talked about George's second wave of research on men, muscularity, exercise, & eating disorder stigmas on Apple or Spotify.

About George & Connect With George

George consulted on these issues for the Netflix show Everything Now.

 

George lives and works out of Malvern, England, in the United Kingdom.

 

You can contact and follow George through the following links:

Website: MyoMinds.com

Twitter/X: @myominds

Instagram: @myo_minds

INTERESTED IN HANGING OUT MORE IN DR. MARIANNE-LAND?

• Follow me on Instagram @drmariannemiller
• Look into my self-paced, virtual, anti-diet, subscription-based curriculum. It is called Dr. Marianne-Land's Binge Eating Recovery Membership.
• Check out my blog.
• Want more information? Email me at hello@mariannemiller.com