Bigorexia

Bigorexia

Sideways

Graham Landi and Martin Pankhurst discuss bigorexia, a body dysmorphia linked to muscle obsession, its ties to addiction recovery, and societal pressures.

InformativeEngagingHonestHumorousSupportive

51:5619 Mar 2026

RSS Feed

Bigorexia: When Body Image Takes a Wrong Turn

Episode Overview

  • Bigorexia is a form of body dysmorphia focused on muscle gain.
  • It can intersect with addiction recovery due to societal pressures.
  • Overtraining and supplement use pose risks in recovery settings.
  • Humour helps lighten the discussion on serious topics.
  • Awareness and balanced coping strategies are crucial.
"It's an extreme preoccupation with muscularity and engaging in exercise in a way that is disruptive to one's life."

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of Sideways takes a slightly different turn as Graham Landi and Martin Pankhurst chat about bigorexia, a lesser-known form of body dysmorphia. With their signature blend of humour and insight, they tackle the nuances of this condition, often found in the male population, and its unexpected connection to addiction recovery.

The conversation veers into amusing anecdotes, like a man waking up with blue skin due to unwashed navy bedsheets, and the bizarre world of camel beauty pageants. The duo explores how societal pressures and mental health issues intertwine with bigorexia, shedding light on how it manifests and the importance of addressing it in recovery settings. Their discussion touches on the risks of overtraining and supplement use, highlighting the need for balance and healthier coping strategies.

As always, Graham and Martin's banter keeps things light, even when discussing serious topics, making this an engaging listen for anyone interested in addiction recovery or body image issues. So, how do you spot the signs of bigorexia, and what can be done to help those affected? Tune in to find out!

Podcast buttons

Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!