The Dylan Gemelli Podcast: Episode #23 Summary

Title: Opening Up About Overcoming an Eating Disorder as a Nutritionist, Everyday Pressures of Body Image, My Diet Changes and How I Am Finally Thriving!

Release Date: May 3, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #23 of The Dylan Gemelli Podcast, host Dylan Gemelli takes a deeply personal turn by becoming his own guest. The episode delves into his lifelong battle with body image issues and an eating disorder, exploring the pressures that shaped his relationship with food and his journey toward recovery. This candid discussion offers listeners a heartfelt look into Dylan's past struggles, the transformation of his diet, and how he has finally achieved a state of thriving well-being.

Dylan's Personal Struggle with Body Image and Eating Disorder

Dylan begins the episode by addressing a recurring question from his audience: "What exactly is my diet?" He acknowledges the skepticism he has faced over the years, especially regarding why he hasn't attained the muscularity some expected, given his history with performance-enhancing substances.

Dylan (00:15): "I've been very much under the gun and criticized over the years of why aren't you bigger if you're teaching about all these steroids and the ones that I have used... but never to what was pleasing to everybody else, which I never really cared about."

Despite his outward success and physical achievements, Dylan reveals a hidden struggle with body image and an eating disorder that has persisted since childhood. He emphasizes that his concerns about his physique were not merely about appearance but deeply intertwined with his mental health.

Dylan (00:45): "I've been battling with my self-image and my eating since I was 11 years old. That's been a lifelong battle with certainly an eating disorder and body dysmorphia."

Early Life and Triggers

Dylan traces the roots of his eating disorder back to his early childhood. Growing up as an only child in an Italian family, food was a central part of his household dynamics. His mother's permissive approach to food—allowing him to eat what he wanted, whenever he wanted—contributed to his unhealthy relationship with eating.

Dylan (05:30): "I'm a single only child in an Italian family, and so it's eat, eat, eat, eat, eat. And my mom would let me get away with the one thing she would let me get away with because she didn't anything else was, was feeding me whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it."

A pivotal moment occurred during a family vacation when Dylan's obsession with his weight took a severe toll on his mental health. This period marked the beginning of his intense fear of gaining weight and the onset of restrictive eating behaviors.

Dylan (07:15): "I remember a trip that we took... I came home and I cried in front of the mirror with how I looked. I thought there was no way that I could ever fix this."

Adolescence and Battling Eating Disorders

During his adolescent years, Dylan's weight fluctuated significantly, contributing to his struggle with self-esteem and social acceptance. The pressures of being an athlete juxtaposed with his body image issues created a challenging environment where Dylan felt disconnected from his physical self.

Dylan (09:00): "I would be embarrassed to take my shirt off at the swimming pool around kids. I knew that I was never in my head, I was never gonna have a girlfriend. I was just always embarrassed."

Peers and societal expectations further intensified his internal conflict. Accusations and rumors about drug use and eating disorders only fueled his anxiety, leading him to adopt extreme measures to control his weight, including obsessive dieting and purging behaviors.

Dylan (12:45): "I went from, wow, this is amazing how good I feel... to this utter fear and, I mean, just a daily thing that was eating at me."

Despite a temporary reprieve during his early teens—triggered by a strict rule from his father requiring him to maintain a certain weight to continue playing basketball—Dylan's relationship with food and his body remained tumultuous into his early twenties.

Recovery and Diet Transformation

Fast forward to Dylan's early twenties, his eating disorder resurfaces, reigniting his fears and unhealthy eating patterns. The continuous cycle of restrictive dieting severely impacted his physical health, leading to decreased metabolism and mental degradation.

Dylan (18:30): "I'm living this mental thing of fats are gonna just destroy me, even knowing how vital they are."

Realizing the detrimental effects of his diet, Dylan made a conscious decision to overhaul his eating habits. Supported by his wife, who played a crucial role in his recovery, Dylan embraced a balanced diet rich in healthy fats, proteins, and essential nutrients. This transformation marked the beginning of his journey toward mental and physical well-being.

Dylan (22:10): "I told my wife, this is what I want to do... what's the worst that could happen? Because if I gain weight, I know how to lose it. I'm sick of being miserable."

Current Diet and Lifestyle

Today, Dylan follows a meticulously planned diet that aligns with his genetic makeup and personal health data. Breaking free from the low-fat restrictions of his past, he now consumes a balanced intake of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates tailored to his body's needs.

Morning Routine

• Fasting and Coffee: Starts his day with a couple of hours of fasting, followed by a coffee enhanced with SCT oil, protein powder, and organic amber syrup.

  Dylan (25:45): "That's like my morning coffee. And start off, get going."

• First Meal: Includes a large portion of avocado, Ezekiel bread, eggs (whole and whites), cooked in grass-fed butter, providing sustained satiety.

  Dylan (28:15): "Feeling damn good. And that's the first meal of the day."

Snacks and Protein Intake

• Full-Fat Yogurt: Consumes full-fat plain Greek yogurt mixed with customized protein powder and berries, avoiding artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

  Dylan (30:50): "It's a nice boost of protein. And if you get a little hungry in the middle of the day, there you got a nice, satiating, you know, little almost like a mini dessert type of deal."

Main Meals

• Salmon and White Fish: Includes daily servings of salmon or other white fish like cod or Chilean sea bass, enriched with healthy fats from olive oil and grass-fed butter.

  Dylan (35:20): "That's a nice packed punch of protein. And with the salmon, really good fats."

• Pre-Gym Meal: Features a mixture of vegetables and grass-fed meats such as bison, venison, elk, or ground beef, ensuring high protein and healthy fat intake.

  Dylan (38:40): "It's super filling. I have that every single day."

Dietary Adjustments

• Supplementation and Avoidance: Gradually reducing high-carb foods like oatmeal and almond butter, and replacing Quest Bars with healthier alternatives like Kirkland brand bars without sucralose.

  Dylan (42:00): "I've cut that back quite a bit. I'm focusing on good, clean foods... my body's always generally in burning fat mode."

• Meal Planning: Prioritizes meal preparation, especially during travel, by choosing accommodations with kitchens and sourcing fresh ingredients from Whole Foods.

  Dylan (45:30): "We have it mapped out and planned out before we even go and we know where everything's at."

Insights and Lessons

Dylan emphasizes the importance of personalized nutrition, acknowledging that what works for one person may not work for another. His journey underscores the significance of understanding one's unique body responses and genetic makeup in achieving optimal health.

Dylan (48:15): "Whether it be training, diet, whatever the case be, it is very, very important to be structurally sound and cater to each individual based on their circumstances and their body responses, their genetic makeup."

He also highlights the mental liberation that comes with overcoming personal struggles and being honest about one's vulnerabilities.

Dylan (52:00): "I'm not ashamed. What I'm hoping for is that this helps some people... We're all human. Everybody's got issues."

Dylan urges listeners to break the stigma surrounding mental health and eating disorders, advocating for openness and honesty as pathways to healing.

Dylan (54:45): "Don't be ashamed about it. And, you know, I'm a nutritionist, I'm a hormone optimizer and I'm always... sharing stories and help people on their journeys."

Conclusion

In this emotionally charged episode, Dylan Gemelli offers a transparent account of his personal battle with an eating disorder and the societal pressures of body image. His transformation from restrictive dieting to a balanced, nutrient-rich diet serves as an inspiring testament to the power of self-awareness and resilience. By sharing his story, Dylan not only demystifies his own dietary practices but also extends a message of hope and empowerment to listeners grappling with similar challenges.

Dylan (58:30): "I hope it helps everybody. And I will try to keep putting out more content like this as well. So thank you again and stay tuned for plenty more to come."

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Struggle: Dylan's lifelong battle with body image and eating disorders.
• Diet Transformation: Shift from extreme restriction to a balanced, fat-inclusive diet tailored to his body's needs.
• Mental Health: The profound impact of honest self-reflection and openness in overcoming personal challenges.
• Personalized Nutrition: Importance of customizing diet plans based on individual genetic and metabolic responses.
• Empowerment: Encouraging others to embrace their vulnerabilities and seek paths to wellness.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that even experts in health and nutrition can face significant personal challenges. Dylan Gemelli's honesty and vulnerability not only humanize him but also provide valuable insights and encouragement for anyone striving to improve their quality of life and well-being.