In Episode 12 of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast, titled "IT STARTED WITH THERAPY," host Alex Frankel dives deep into a powerful conversation with Donald, a recently divorced single dad who is also a late bloomer bisexual. This episode explores the intersection of masculinity, therapy, and confidence, shedding light on the emotional journey men often face when confronting societal expectations.

Donald shares his personal experiences of navigating a major life transition, including his divorce and the realization of his bisexuality. Together, they discuss how therapy has been a crucial tool in understanding and processing emotions, breaking free from traditional masculinity ideologies, and finding self-acceptance. Alex also highlights the importance of developing a broader emotional vocabulary and the role of positive male role models in today’s society.

Whether you're dealing with your own emotional struggles, exploring your identity, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of self-exploration.

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11- BODY TYPE WITH MIKALA JAMISON. The Hot Fat Guy Club is honored to have writer Mikala Jamison on the Podcast this week.

Mikala Jamison is a professional editor and freelance writer who is also a curator of discourse about bodies and body image in the modern era: She publishes the bestselling Substack, Body Type, a two-time Substack Featured Publication, to offer essays and insights on those topics. As a result of her work in Body Type, Mikala is working on her first book; she is represented by Kayla Lightner at Ayesha Pande Literary.

Subscribe to her substack! https://bodytype.substack.com

She's worked as a reporter and editor covering stories such as a quadruple murder case, what it's like to rappel down a 31-story building, and the necropsy of a beached whale. She's won two Pennsylvania Newspaper Association awards, and her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Magazine's The Cut, The Washington Post's The Lily, and several D.C.-local publications.

Mikala is also a live storyteller, and has performed all over D.C. and Philadelphia. In 2022 she created and produced The Body Show for the Capital Fringe Festival. It sold out its entire run and was a five-star, "Best of Fringe" pick by DC Theater Arts. The Body Show has been accepted into the festival for the second time in July 2024.

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10- WHOEVER GETS ON TOP FIRST, WINS. A catch up with Certified Hot Fat Guy Varun Jindal & our host Alex Frankel, CEO & Founder of the Hot Fat Guy Club. JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/join Varun's a NOLA-born, Texas-raised, Chi-town-bound marketer with a passion for fashion, film, and food. He shares his story and journey being a big boy to embracing looking like the warmest, sweetest bear who can tear up the dance floor. Varun opens up about navigating the dating world, how he's reached peak confidence only recently, and is now looking to search with intention for a partner. Ladies, he's single as of the airing of this episode. Always a good time catching up with my pal Varun and there's no doubt you'll be seeing and hearing more from him and Hot Fat Guy Club again. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more inspiring stories and practical advice from the Hot Fat Guy Club. Listen now on YouTube and Spotify! Sound Bites "Hot fat guys deal with insecurities and societal pressures." "Weight is often wrongly assumed to be the cause of health issues." "Many clothing options for hot fat guys are unflattering and of subpar quality." "We're never going to be off the rack people." "I want to start our own high-end fashion brand." "I can't trust the sizing." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 02:38 Early Experiences as a Hot Fat Guy 03:46 Getting Fat Shamed by my Uncle at Disney World 06:48 Embracing Fear, Fat Fashion, and Health at Any Size 09:40 HS Wrestling & Going Defeated 12:07 Fiercely Competitive to a Fault 16:33 Frustrations with the Clothing Industry 20:22 The Importance of Representation in Media and Entertainment 22:37 The Lack of Diversity in Big and Tall Fashion 24:54 The Need for Custom-Made Clothing 27:29 The Challenges of Finding Well-Fitting Clothing 31:24 The Desire to Start a High-End Fashion Brand 34:40 The Difficulties of Online Dating Apps 38:35 The Impact of Societal Beauty Standards 42:23 Hope for a More Inclusive and Diverse Dating Landscape 47:24 Pursuing Passions and Careers Outside of Societal Expectations JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/join WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram / / hotfatguyclub Follow us on TikTok / / hotfatguyclub #HotFatGuyClub #selfacceptance #BodyPositivity #WeightLossJourney #MentalHealth #mensmentalhealth #relationships #confidencebuilding #howtobehappy #podcast #homeschooling #publicschool #bodyimage #socializing

In the 9th episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast, Alex is trying something new! This is the start of a weekly series where we'll read an academic research paper on Body Image, Masculinity, or psychology! So Exciting! JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/join This episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club podcast discusses a paper titled 'Measuring Male Body Image: A Review of the Current Methodology' by Guy Caffrey and J. Kevin Thompson. The paper explores the lack of attention given to male body image research and the importance of assessing muscularity in male body image. It reviews various methods of assessing male body image, including Likert scales, contour drawn silhouette scales, and the somatomorphic matrix. The somatomorphic matrix is highlighted as an effective measure for assessing male body image, although it has limitations in terms of reliability. Citation: http://jkthompson.myweb.usf.edu/articles/Measuring%20Male%20Body%20Image.pdf Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:35 Assessment of Muscularity in Male Body Image 06:40 Perceptual Assesment of Size Accuracy 12:53 Part 2: Perceptual Measures with Weight Categories 15:45 Part 3 Subjective Assesment 17:46 Part 4: Likert Ratings of Body Image 22:44 Assessment Measures for Male Body Image 24:06 Part 5: Contour Drawn Silhouette Scales 30:05 Part 6: The Somatomorphic Matrix 32:32 Part 7: Empirical Findings 36:55 Part 8: Somatomorphic Matrix Modification 38:21 Part 9: Benefits and Limitations Keywords male body image, muscular appearance, assessment methods, Likert scales, silhouette scales, somatomorphic matrix WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram / / hotfatguyclub Follow us on TikTok / / hotfatguyclub #HotFatGuyClub #selfacceptance #BodyPositivity #WeightLossJourney #MentalHealth #mensmentalhealth #relationships #confidencebuilding #howtobehappy #podcast #homeschooling #publicschool #bodyimage #socializing

High School on Hardcore Mode. A Hot Fat Guys Journey from Homeschool to Public School: Josiah's Journey of Self-Acceptance and Resilience, with our host Alex Frankel In the 8th episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast, Josiah shares his deeply personal and transformative journey from homeschooling to public high school. Discover how he navigated the challenging social landscape, utilizing the powerful 'fake it till you make it' strategy to build confidence and create a persona of resilience. JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/join Josiah opens up about his past struggles with body dysmorphia and body image issues, revealing the raw truth behind his journey to self-acceptance. He emphasizes the importance of taking up space and embracing one's true self, despite societal pressures. Explore Josiah's candid account of his weight loss journey, including the unsustainable methods he initially used, such as extreme dieting and intense exercise. Learn how these approaches led to weight regain and the valuable lessons he learned about sustainable self-care. Dive into the complexities of Josiah's personal relationships, from dealing with grief and job dissatisfaction to facing infidelity. Hear how these experiences impacted his mental health and weight, and the strategies he used to navigate through the toughest times. Alex and Josiah discuss the power of self-compassion, the importance of finding sustainable wellness practices, and the value of open communication in relationships. They also tackle the unique challenges of dating in a small town and the benefits of expanding social circles. Join us for an inspiring conversation that encourages self-acceptance, resilience, and the courage to build connections. Whether you're dealing with similar struggles or seeking motivation, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Keywords: self-acceptance, body image, body dysmorphia, weight loss journey, sustainable wellness, relationships, mental health, grief, self-compassion, small town dating, confidence building, Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast, Josiah's story. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more inspiring stories and practical advice from the Hot Fat Guy Club. Listen now on YouTube and Spotify! Sound Bites: "I created a persona. A person who I wanted to be." "Attention... Well, I hate attention. I hate being perceived. Except when I'm on stage. If I'm on stage, love it. That's the only time I want to be perceived in any way." "Faking it till you make it. It works." "I feel like I could be better. I could do better. So I worked my ass off." "If you hate yourself when you're fat, you're still gonna hate yourself when you're skinny." "I eat my feelings and that is my go-to when I feel myself or the world spiraling out of control" "Grief takes your brain and just shakes it like it's a little baby and then the baby dies" Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:28 Creating a Persona and Building Confidence 05:36 The Love-Hate Relationship with Attention 09:55 The Effectiveness of 'Fake It Till You Make It' 11:50 The Transformation of Persona into Reality 20:46 The Impact of Role Preparation on Body Image 26:34 Relationships and Weight 33:26 Grief and Stress Impact on Weight 38:23 Challenges in the Relationship 42:49 Navigating Grief and Breakups 47:26 The Importance of Communication in Relationships 50:55 Dating Challenges in a Small Town 57:51 Expanding Social Circles for Dating Opportunities 01:04:07 Building Confidence Through Conversations JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/join WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/hotfatguyclub Follow us on TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@hotfatguyclub

This episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast is the fifth in our series of Hot Fat Chat member advice sessions. Where members of the Hot Fat Guy Club can sign up to be on the show and get dating, confidence, and life advice from our founder and CEO Alex Frankel. This weeks guest this week is yet another Hot Fat Guy named Alex.

Alex is a 22 year old actor living in Southern California dealing with the challenges and pressures faced by overweight actors in the entertainment industry. We talk about the push and pull between losing weight and fitting into certain roles, the limited opportunities for fat actors, and the importance of representation.

Alex & Alex touch on the concept of character actors and the need for more diverse and complex roles for fat performers. The conversation highlights the importance of self-acceptance and finding confidence in one's own abilities and worth.

And of course it wouldn't be a Hot Fat Chat if we didn't also touch on topics such as addiction, dating apps, and the power of empathy. Our conversation ends with advice for young adults navigating the transition to adulthood and pursuing their passions.

JOIN THE HOT FAT GUY CLUB: https://www.hotfatguyclub.com/joinWANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/hotfatguyclubFollow us on TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@hotfatguyclub

Keywords

overweight actors, challenges, pressures, entertainment industry, roles, representation, character actors, self-acceptance, confidence, hot fat guys, body image, self-confidence, addiction, dating apps, empathy, adulthood, pursuing passions

This episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast is the fourth in our series of member advice sessions. Where members of the Hot Fat Guy Club can sign up to be on the show and get dating, confidence, and life advice from our founder and CEO Alex Frankel. In this episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast, Ben shares a story about a complicated dating situation he had with a girl he met in college, involving another guy and a lot of miscommunication. We discuss the importance of communication and taking rejection in stride when it comes to dating and how important it is to handle rejection well in his current dating life and the challenges he faces. The Episode explores strategies for starting and sustaining conversations, including asking open-ended questions, making observations, and using humor. Ben also seeks advice on bridging the gap between a casual conversation and exchanging contact information and concludes with a reminder that everyone is seeking connection and that taking the initiative to talk to strangers can lead to meaningful interactions. Quotes: "Who the fuck are you?" "We just roll face at the bees" "We call her Tactical Nuke" "I can never marry you because you're not Christian" "I like your shoes. Where are you from?" "They're getting shit on all day, you're the wet wipe" "Let's sangria upon a time so we don't ceviche our minds, ceviche change our minds." "Sometimes you have ideas. That was one of them." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Naming the Podcast 02:21 Ben's Dating History and Recent Experience 08:12 Lessons Learned from Past Experiences 25:24 Taking Risks and Dealing with Rejection 28:02 Navigating a Drunk Request 31:39 Approaching Someone You Don't Know 34:00 Strategies for Engaging with Strangers 36:20 Using Observations and Humor 38:27 Exchanging Contact Information 43:38 Taking the Next Steps: Talking to Strangers Daily 46:23 Closing Remarks and Advice WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram / hotfatguyclub Follow us on TikTok / hotfatguyclub Keywords dating, relationships, communication, rejection, support, advice, talking to strangers, initiating conversations, social skills, awkward situations, open-ended questions, observations, humor, exchanging contact information, seeking connection

This episode of the Hot Fat Guy Club Podcast is the third in our series of member advice sessions. Where members of the Hot Fat Guy Club can sign up to be on the show and get dating, confidence, and life advice from our founder and CEO Alex Frankel. In this episode we discuss various topics including positive masculinity, woodworking, and the challenges of dating. Our guest shares his experience as a bigger guy in the dating world and feeling invisible in spaces that are supposed to be accepting. Our conversation touches on the idea of self-esteem and the concept of abundance and the need to put positive energy out into the world to receive it back. We talk a lot about the challenges of approaching and connecting with others, particularly in social interactions while being conscious of and respecting personal space and autonomy. Alex also emphasizes the value of approaching people with confidence and offer tips for initiating conversations, such as talking to old people and people with dogs. And finally we tackle the issue of male loneliness and the societal expectations of masculinity that contribute to emotional suppression and highlight the need for men to challenge traditional masculinity ideologies and be safe and respectful in their interactions with others. Takeaways: Positive masculinity can be exemplified by individuals like Terry Crews Woodworking is a visually creative pursuit that provides a focus and a sense of fulfillment Dating challenges can arise from height preferences and feeling invisible in certain spaces Approaching people in real life can be difficult due to uncertainty about their receptiveness Giving genuine compliments about things people can control is a good way to start conversations Putting positive energy out into the world can lead to more positive interactions Respect personal space and autonomy in social interactions. Approach people with confidence and initiate conversations in low-stakes situations. Talk to old people and people with dogs as a way to connect with others. Challenge traditional masculinity ideologies and be safe and respectful in interactions. Develop a healthy relationship with oneself and practice self-validation. Sound Bites "Terry Crews is so positive masculinity" "Woodworking is a visually creative thing" "The real secret sauce is having the actual balls to approach someone." "Talk to old people. They are desperate to talk to people." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Positive Masculinity 02:53 Woodworking as a Creative Pursuit 04:32 Challenges of Online Dating 08:06 Approaching Strangers in Real-Life Situations 09:57 Superficial Preferences and Height 15:02 The Power of Genuine Compliments 22:19 Approaching Strangers 24:53 Challenging Societal Expectations 27:51 Developing a Healthy Relationship with Oneself 33:18 Audience Participation 34:24 Checking in on Personal Growth WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW? DM us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hotfatguyclub Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@hotfatguyclub