We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, what do you attribute your success to?
I find that I am most successful in my advocacy work and book sales when I embrace the power of authentic storytelling. Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing vulnerability is scary, especially for men. We live in a world full of stigmas and stereotypes. Men are expected to be physically strong and emotionally silent. We are taught at a young age that boys don’t cry and that we need to “man up” rather than speak up.

I launched my advocacy mission and wrote my memoir with the mission to challenge the stigma around men and mental health. In order to be successful, I have to be an example to other men out there and show them, rather than just tell them, that it is okay to talk about your emotions.

When I embrace my own vulnerability and share from my authentic heart, I notice the profound impact it has on the people I am trying to reach. That is exactly what I did when writing my book and the response I’ve received reassures me that there is strength in vulnerability.

The audience is much more receptive and engaging when I’m authentic with them. It’s the times when I’m not trying too hard to evoke a certain response, but simply speaking from my heart, that I see the success of my advocacy work come to light.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When people think of art, they often think about paintings, sculptures, or even music. However, my art is in written form. I’ve always had a passion for writing since I was a little kid; however, I didn’t always know what to write about. After college, I launched a horse racing blog to provide an outlet for my creativity but soon my passion for the subject waned.

At the start of my recovery, I realized that now I could use my writing talents to make a difference in this world. I wanted to write to inspire and empower others while illustrating the lived experience as a male with a lesser-known eating disorder. Along the way, I’ve learned it’s critical to always write for yourself first and then write for the audience. My thoughts and emotions flood out of me while writing, so it’s easy to lose sight of where I am by the time I finish a piece. I’ve learned to allow that process to unfold organically. I write for myself, then read it back, and finally decide on how best to convey this message to my audience.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I mentioned it earlier, but I’ve always been a huge horse racing fan. So if my best friend is coming to town, we heading out to Gulfstream Park to play the ponies!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While I’ve never met her, I feel like I know her. Robin Roberts with her advice of “making your mess, your message” inspired me to pursue the work I’m doing now. Having said that, I must also recognize my husband Matt for his loving support through my recovery and now during my advocacy work. He saved my life and now he fuels my light.

Website: https://www.orthorexiabites.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orthorexiabites/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jason-wood-303

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrthorexiaB

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