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The Rich Roll Podcast

The Unspoken World of Male Body Dysmorphia: Ultrarunner Tim Tollefson's Journey To Healing

The Rich Roll Podcast

Rich Roll

Health & Fitness, Education, Self-improvement, Society & Culture

4.812.9K Ratings

🗓️ 4 September 2023

⏱️ 150 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We tend to think professional athletes live perfect, charmed lives. Genetically gifted, they effortlessly conquer physical challenges with confidence, propelled by physiques unattainable by mere mortals. From the outside looking in, Tim Tollefson is one such example. One of the world’s most successful ultra-runners, Tim has a slew of impressive race victories to his name. These accomplishments matched with his winning smile and handsome looks would lead anyone to believe that he’s an exemplar of strength and health. But behind it all, Tim has waged a private, two-decade-long battle with body dysmorphia and disordered eating that not only compromised his athleticism, but completely debilitated him, producing a never-ending cycle of anxiety, loneliness, and self-hatred. Today Tim shares his experiences and the path he’s forged to reclaim his sense of self-worth and balance in a world (and sport) that pushes us to extremes. He opens up about his decision to go public with his struggles, the role of social media in perpetuating negative body image, the tools he uses to uphold a positive relationship with food and his body, and the power of community in the recovery process. If you are struggling with an eating disorder and are in need of support, please reach out to the National Eating Disorders Association. For a 24-hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741. In a world inundated with diet speak, honest and authentic conversations about food and loving our bodies are more important than ever. I have so much respect for Tim’s strength, courage, and vulnerability. This one is powerful. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/RICHROLL Indeed: Indeed.com/RICHROLL AG1: drinkAG1.com/RICHROLL Squarespace: Squarespace.com/RICHROLL Plant Power Meal Planner: https://meals.richroll.com Peace + Plants, Rich

Transcript

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0:00.0

I was so unhappy, lonely, isolated, terrified.

0:19.4

I got to a point where I couldn't see a future and is something that was so shameful I can't

0:24.3

like, you know, talk about it.

0:26.1

No amount of guilt will ever change the past.

0:28.5

No amount of anxiety can shape the future.

0:30.9

I'm not of the belief that had I figured this out, I would have been a better performer.

0:34.4

I just think I would have been happier throughout my entire career.

0:39.8

We tend to think professional athletes live these perfect, charmed lives.

0:45.2

Genetically gifted, they seem to effortlessly conquer physical challenges with confidence,

0:51.4

propelled by physics, unattainable by mere mortals.

0:55.5

In the outside looking in, Tim Tollifson is one such example.

1:00.2

One of the world's most successful ultra runners, Tim has a slew of impressive race victories

1:05.1

to his name, accomplishments matched with a winning smile and handsome looks that would

1:10.8

lead just about anyone to believe him to be this exemplar of strength and of health.

1:16.8

But behind it all, Tim waged this very private two-decade long battle with body dysmorphia

1:23.5

and disordered eating that not only compromised his athleticism, but completely debilitated

1:31.5

him, producing this never-ending cycle of anxiety, of loneliness, self-hatred, and the inability

1:40.2

to even show up for the people he cared about most.

1:44.0

Now, while we've become accustomed to addressing food disorders with women and with girls, there

1:49.6

is a certain stigma or taboo that persists when it comes to how these conditions, despite

1:55.9

their prevalence, afflict men, most of whom suffer in silence, reluctant to even ask

2:02.8

for or let alone receive help.

...

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