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